Gems of Iceland Private Tour with Northern Lights

5 days / 4 nights
Yellow and purple Northern Lights illuminating the sea near Seltjarnarnes in Reykjavik
The Snæfellsjökull glacier at sunset
The Gullfoss waterfall in wintertime
View over snow-covered Stykkishólmur in winter
icicles and waterfall tumbling down rock face with snow on the ground
Winter scene at Kirkjufell
icicles and waterfall tumbling down rock face with snow on the ground
Winter scene at Kirkjufell
Yellow and purple Northern Lights illuminating the sea near Seltjarnarnes in Reykjavik
The Snæfellsjökull glacier at sunset
The Gullfoss waterfall in wintertime

Explore breathtaking sights on the Golden Circle, south coast & Snæfellsnes peninsula

Delve into Icelandic culture and discover some of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders on this winter getaway. Plus, your private guide will also take you to the best spots for chasing the Northern Lights.

Along the way, you’ll gain insider insight into the local folklore and history, thanks to your guide’s expertise. What’s more, you’ll get to travel the must-see Golden Circle route and marvel at black sand beaches and towering waterfalls on the south coast. Not to mention soaking up the otherworldly scenery on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, home to glaciers, volcanoes, and more.

Travel stylePrivately guided
Trip length5 days / 4 nights
VibeIntimate
SeasonWinter
(1 Oct–15 Apr)
TransportRental car with driver
Starts fromReykjavík
Tour codePT17

On this tour you will...

  • Visit tumbling waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss 

  • Wander black sand beaches and gaze out at troll-like sea stacks

  • Soak up pristine landscapes in Skaftafell

  • Watch icebergs bobbing on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Vatnajökull National Park

  • See geological wonders like a gushing geyser and rift valley on the Golden Circle

  • Head to Kirkjufell mountain and Arnastapi village on the Snæfellsnes peninsula

Top attractions

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Skógafoss

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance

Vík í Mýrdal

The Gullfoss waterfall in summertime

Gullfoss

Þingvellir National Park, Iceland, in autumn colors

Þingvellir National Park

The Strokkur geyser erupting in winter against a sunset

Geysir and Strokkur

Skaftafellsjökull glacier in Vatnajökull National Park

Skaftafell

The edge of the Vatnajökull glacier

Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park

The Snæfellsjökull glacier at sunset

Snæfellsjökull Glacier & National Park

A kittiwake flying above cliffs in the Breiðafjörður bay

Breiðafjörður bay

A man standing below Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufell

Gatklettur rock arch at Arnarstapi

Arnarstapi

Water coming out of colorful rocks at Deildartunguhver hot spring

Deildartunguhver

The Hraunfossar waterfall in winter covered in ice

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss

A man floating in the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon

Why book a privately guided trip with Iceland Tours?

  • Let your own driver take you around Iceland

  • Expert local guidance in English

  • Start your tour on the date that suits you

  • 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland

  • Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit

  • Handpicked local accommodation options

Your 5-day privately guided itinerary

Your 5-day privately guided itinerary
Staying inKirkjubæjarklaustur area
Driving distance260 km (162 mi)

Your memorable Icelandic adventure begins today. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will head off to enjoy the stunning winter scenery of the south coast of Iceland. The first two stops will be the spectacular waterfalls the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Take your chance to walk behind a waterfall at Seljalandsfoss. In Skógar, you could pop in for a visit at the Folk Museum (not included), where your guide will tell you more about how people in Iceland used to live centuries ago.

Your journey continues along the coast lined with black sand beaches. Later, you will go for a stroll and visit the little villages of Vík and Reynishverfi.

Highlights

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Skógafoss

Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance

Vík í Mýrdal

Extra activities

Inside the Raufarholshellir lava tunnelExtra

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel

Staying inKirkjubæjarklaustur area
Driving distance250 km (155 mi)

Today your guide will take you east to explore one of the most popular and beautiful sights of Iceland. Look out for the breathtaking views of Skaftafell, an oasis surrounded by glaciers and black sand.

Finally, you will arrive at the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where enormous icebergs drift onto the water like shining diamonds. Capture some fantastic photos and marvel at the sight with a walk along the banks of the lagoon. Later, your guide will drive you back to Kirkjubæjarklaustur for a second night.

Staying inBorgarnes area
Driving distance410 km (255 mi)

Today, you visit some of the most interesting and popular areas in Iceland, which are part of the famous Golden Circle. At the geothermal area of Geysir, the hot spring Strokkur ejects its water column high into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. There are also numerous smaller springs boiling and bubbling nearby. You will then continue with a short drive to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls.

You’ll then journey to Lake Laugarvatn where you can have a nice thermal bath at Laugarvatn Fontana spa. It is composed of a series of interconnected baths and steam rooms that complement each other to create a healthy, natural, and unique spa experience.

The crowning jewel of the day is Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park. It is considered one of the geological wonders of the world where you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust. It was here that the Icelandic parliament was founded in the 10th century.

Staying inBorgarnes area
Driving distance330 km (205 mi)

Today is the day to explore the Snæfellsjökull National Park. Along the way your guide will drive through a stunning snow-carpeted landscape, passing by charming fishing villages and the majestic, and iconic, Kirkjufell mountain.

You will then have the chance to explore the black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur and see the basaltic columns of Gerðuberg, the cliffs of Arnarstapi, and the hamlet of Búðir with its small wooden church surrounded by a lava field.

Later, you’ll explore the northern part of the peninsula passing through Stykkishólmur, a charming fishing village overlooking the Breiðafjörður bay, before returning to Borgarnes for a second night stay.

Driving distance200 km (124 mi)

From Borgarnes, your guide will take you to the Borgarfjörður area and visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring. It is the biggest in Iceland in terms of water production per second. You’ll also get to marvel at the photogenic Hraunfossar waterfalls, where the water flows out from beneath a lava field and into the river below.

After exploring the Borgarfjörður area, it is now time to head back to the capital where your privately guided Iceland adventure ends. If you are staying extra nights in the capital, we can help you plan some optional activities. Please contact your travel consultant for more information.

What’s included?

Comfort or Quality accommodation every night

Continental breakfast every day

Rental car of your choice for 5 days

Private driver-guide

Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi

24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland

VAT, taxes & service fees

Flights to Iceland

Airport transfer

Accommodation in Reykjavík

Food & drink, unless otherwise stated

Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated

Personal travel insurance

Don’t take our word for it

See what hundreds of fellow travelers have to say about their trips with Iceland Tours.

Read customer reviews

FAQs about our private guided trips

All of our private guided tours start in Reykjavík. Here your driver-guide will pick you up from your accommodation and you’ll hit the road.

With your enthusiastic guide leading the way, you will head out into the Icelandic countryside. As you’re immersed in the country’s incredible nature, you’ll learn from your guide about the places you’re visiting.

Once you’ve arrived at your accommodation for the night, you and your guide will say goodbye until the morning. You’ll have time to yourself to enjoy dinner and recharge before the next day’s adventure.

At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel in the capital.

Good to know: Our private tour packages do not include hotel stays in Reykjavík at the start or end of the tour, or a transfer from the airport as standard. If you’d like us to arrange this for you, please let us know in the ‘Special requests’ box at checkout.

You’ll get to meet your guide for the first time when they collect you from your hotel in Reykjavík. Over the course of your trip, you’ll have the chance to get to know them and swap stories and jokes!

Guidance is in English as standard, although if you would like a guide that speaks a different language, please let us know in the ‘Special requests’ box at checkout.

We can’t guarantee that a guide that speaks a language other than English will be available for your selected tour dates, but we’ll do our best to honor your request.

It’s normally possible to book a guide that speaks Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, or a Scandinavian language. Note that there may be an additional charge for a non-English-speaking guide.

In Iceland, tipping is not commonplace in restaurants, hotels, taxis, and the like.

That said, if your guide goes above and beyond to make your tour extra special, they would graciously receive a tip. Just know that it’s not expected, so it’s totally up to you.

You can customize your trip to Iceland with extra days in Reykjavík at the start or end of your trip. This is your chance to pack in day tours and activities like snowmobiling and ice caving.

If you want to customize the itinerary of your actual guided tour, contact us and we’ll be happy to help. Just so you know, there’s an extra fee for this service. See our terms and conditions for all the details.

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Ages 12+

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