Explore jaw-dropping landscapes and learn about local culture from an expert guide
Join like-minded travelers on this wintry adventure around Iceland’s legendary Ring Road. Spend your days marveling at frosted waterfalls, gushing geysers, stunning black sand beaches and more.
At night, you’ll settle in at charming countryside hotels. Here you’ll have the chance to chase the Northern Lights away from the bright lights of the city. Just imagine them dancing above as you sip on a hot chocolate in your hotel.
On this trip, you’ll travel to almost every part of Iceland, including the lesser-visited north with its otherworldly geology. What’s more, you’ll see the stunning sights of the classic Golden Circle route and the magical Jökulsárlon glacier lagoon on the south coast. It’s hard to pack much more into a week-long winter trip to Iceland!
This tour is operated by a partner of Iceland Tours.
On this tour you will...
Stay in idyllic countryside locations, with opportunities to spot the Northern Lights
Glimpse remote corners of Iceland, like the stunning Eastfjords and Lake Mývatn
Check out the mind-blowing sights on the world-famous Golden Circle route
Witness plunging waterfalls and towering sea cliffs on the beautiful south coast
Explore the charming town of Akureyri, known as the ‘capital of North Iceland’
Visit entertaining museums and immerse yourself in Reykjavík’s great foodie scene
Top attractions
Downtown Reykjavík
Gullfoss
Þingvellir National Park
Geysir and Strokkur
Skógafoss
Seljalandsfoss
Vík í Mýrdal
Skaftafell
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Lake Mývatn
Goðafoss
Akureyri
Deildartunguhver
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Blue Lagoon
Why book a guided group trip with Iceland Tours?
Pick from wide range of departure dates
Expert local guidance in English
Small and big group options available
24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
Handpicked local accommodation options
Your 8-day guided group itinerary
Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík (included).
On arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center of Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant capital city with its abundance of museums, restaurants, and bars to suit all tastes.
If you’re interested in checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city’s thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, and enjoy its various shops and cozy cafés. At 6 p.m., you will meet your group and guide for a welcome drink and a short introduction about the itinerary and some useful information about the coming days.
For those arriving early today, you have the option to upgrade your journey from the airport with a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before heading to the city. It’s the perfect way to start your Iceland adventure!
Highlights
Downtown Reykjavík
Extra activities
ExtraFlyOver Iceland
ExtraPerlan Museum Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Show
This morning your guide will pick you and your fellow travelers up at the hotel. The first leg of the journey takes you around the famous Golden Circle, a popular route containing some of the best-known natural sites in Iceland. Highlights include Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site; the Geysir geothermal hot spring area and the powerful Gullfoss waterfall. The tour will also visit the geothermally-heated greenhouses at the Friðheimar tomato farm, where we will get to taste the fresh tomato products.
Enjoy dinner at the Hotel with the group (dinner is included).
Today you’ll explore majestic waterfalls, black sand beaches, and learn about the unique geology of Iceland. You will start with a visit to the Lava Center, a one of a kind interactive exhibition about Iceland’s volcanic activity, its frequent earthquakes, and how Iceland evolved over millions of years. Next up is the fairytale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the icy cascade on a footpath. Close by your guide will take you to Skógafoss, an impressive 60-meter high waterfall located at the foot of a mountain range, followed by a visit to the Skógar Folk Museum.
The last stop before continuing to your accommodation is at the black sand volcanic beach near the village of Vík í Mýrdal. Here, you will be able to see the spectacular rock arch and steep cliffs of along with the Reynisdrangar basalt columns just off the shore.
Next, you will travel to your carefully selected charming boutique hotel, situated far from the city lights to give you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Enjoy dinner at Magma Hotel with the group (dinner is included).
Start the day bright and early as you have a full day of exciting icy highlights ahead of you. You will spend some time exploring Skaftafell, part of the immense Vatnajökull National Park, and a place of great natural beauty. The tour will then head to the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, famous for its floating icebergs in shades of milky white and bright blue.
On a clear day, you may even get a good view of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier behind the lake. Next to the glacier lagoon, we'll stop at Fellsfjara, aka Diamond Beach. Here you'll see large chunks of ice that have washed up on the shore after being shaped and polished in the surf of the glacier lagoon. It’s truly a beautiful sight and a great photo op!
After some time at the Diamond Beach, you will be driven to your accommodation for the night. A delicious local dinner will be served, and after, you can end the evening by putting on some warm clothes to gaze at the sky waiting for the Northern Lights to appear (dinner is included).
Today you will get to experience a slice of Iceland that few travelers get to explore. Your group’s drive takes you along majestic East Iceland, with gorgeous scenery that includes tranquil fishing villages, narrow fjords, rugged tundra, and sweeping landscapes. If you are lucky, you might spot a reindeer or two as they come down from the mountains to stay close to the sea during the winter months.
Among other highlights, you will stop in the small villages of Stöðvarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður, the latter known for its French heritage and a fascinating northern lights photo exhibition. The final destination of the day is the otherworldly Lake Mývatn area. Here, you have the option of either relaxing at the hotel after today’s drive or going to visit the warm alkaline geothermal lagoon and saunas at the Mývatn Nature Baths, with a view to mountains and lava fields (not included).
The Lake Mývatn area is known for being one of the best places in Iceland to view the Northern Lights due to the altitude and the lay of the land. We therefore highly recommend that you are on the lookout for the Aurora Borealis tonight!
Enjoy dinner at the Hotel with the group (dinner is included).
Start the day by exploring the unusual, moon-like landscapes of the Lake Mývatn area, including the Námaskarð pass and the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters: sights that are even more surreal in wintertime. You will also have a chance to see Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, which is among the most beautiful falls in the country. While the waterfall is not very tall, the cascade is divided into two horseshoe-shaped falls, making it unique among Icelandic waterfalls.
You’ll then have some free time in Akureyri to explore on your own. Akureyri is a charming town with museums, shops, cafés, and a picturesque harbor area, before heading to Skagafjörður, where your will dine and stay at Hofsstaðir (dinner is included).
Before heading back to Reykjavík, you will get the chance to explore the incredible western part of Iceland along beautiful Borgarfjörður. Your guide will stop at Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe, the beautiful and the spectacular twin waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.
Hraunfossar is a thrilling series of waterfalls seemingly originating in a field without a river or lake. The water is actually streaming through rivulets in the Hallmundarhraun lava field.
Meanwhile, Barnafoss is more like a series of rapids caused by the water of Hvitá entering a narrow passage. Next, you will be driven to the historical sites at Reykholt, which is rich in saga history. Reykholt was the home of 13th century writer, poet, and scholar Snorri Sturluson.
After being dropped off at your accommodation, you can spend the evening at your leisure in the city center of Reykjavík.
Shared airport transfer to Keflavík Airport for your return flight (included).
When it’s time for your Iceland adventure to end, you will be picked up from your hotel by a shuttle bus about three hours before your flight. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option to visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to relax in the warm mineral waters before continuing to the airport (not included).
What’s included?
Quality accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
5 two-course dinners in the countryside featuring local cuisine (Days 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)
Airport transfer
Local transport with guidance in English
Admission to Friðheimar greenhouse
Admission to Lava Center
Admission to Skógar Folk Museum
Admission to Northern Lights photo exhibition in Fáskrúðsfjörður
24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland
VAT, taxes & service fees
Flights to Iceland
Food & drink, unless otherwise stated
Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
Personal travel insurance
Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by experts.
On this trip, you’ll stay at the following hotels or similar:
- Day 1 – Center Hotels Laugavegur
- Day 2 – Hótel Selfoss
- Day 3 – Magma Hótel
- Day 4 – Hótel Framtíð
- Day 5 – Hótel Laxá
- Day 6 – Hofsstaðir Country Hotel
- Day 7 – Center Hotels Laugavegur
FAQs about our guided group trips
On this type of tour, you’ll travel around Iceland by bus with the same driver-guide for the length of your trip. Guided group tours are a great way to make like-minded friends, as you’ll spend time with the same travelers for your whole vacation.
You’ll get to stay in accommodation around the country, and some tours include a few evening meals too. After a day’s exploring, you’ll go back to your private room and meet your guide and group the next morning to continue your trip.
All of our guided group tours start and finish in Reykjavík.
There are 2 group sizes available:
- Small group: Up to 16 people
- Big group: Up to 36 people
Small groups offer a more intimate travel experience, whereas big groups are more wallet-friendly.
You’ll likely be with people from a whole mix of backgrounds, from different countries and of different ages. Your guide will entertain you with fun facts and jokes as you journey around Iceland. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll be laughing along with your group!
There will most probably be a mix of solo travelers, couples, and small groups of friends and family.
The luggage restrictions on this guided group tour are as follows:
- 1 suitcase or large bag per person for clothes and overnight items
- 1 day bag for essential items, like a camera, extra clothes, and valuables
Each day your luggage will be loaded onto the bus. In the evening, you’ll take all your bags with you to your room.
Our guided group tours have fixed start dates and itineraries. While it’s not possible to customize the actual tour, you can tailor your trip with extra days and activities before or afterwards.
For example, you could add a couple more days in Reykjavík at the end of your trip. Fill these with day tours or exciting activities like ice caving and snowmobiling.
On a guided group tour, you’ll learn a lot about Icelandic history, nature, and culture from experienced tour guides. You’ll find their passion for the country infectious and gain a perspective on life in Iceland from these travel experts.
Guided group tours also mean you don’t need to worry about driving yourself on unfamiliar roads. They’re a fantastic way to explore Iceland if you want to meet like-minded travelers too.
That said, guided tours are by no means the only way to experience Iceland. If you’d prefer something more customizable, you could go for a multi-day tour by bus. Or if you want to set your own pace on a road trip, it’s hard to beat a self-drive tour.
Another option is a privately guided tour. This combines the experience of a locally guided tour with the intimacy of traveling in your own private group.
On an Iceland guided tour, you can expect to travel by bus in a small or large party. You can choose your preferred group size when you book.
Iceland small group tours are more intimate, whereas large group tours are more wallet-friendly. The maximum number of people in a small group is 16, and 36 in a large group.
Your driver-guide will lead the entire trip, which includes stays in the Icelandic countryside. Each day you’ll explore a new part of Iceland and enjoy commentary from your guide between stops.
As you’ll be with the same group of people throughout your trip, you’ll have the chance to socialize with fellow travelers and make friends (maybe even for life). There’s nothing like diving into Iceland’s epic nature for a bonding experience!
There’s plenty to enjoy on a guided tour of Iceland. The great thing about them is that you can access locations you never would have known about. And you can travel to seemingly out-of-reach regions, like the Icelandic highlands.
Here’s just some of what you could get up to on an Iceland group tour:
- Chase the Northern Lights in a remote countryside spot
- Tour the legendary Ring Road route
- See bubbling hot springs on the Golden Circle
- Explore ice cave country in Vatnajökull National Park
- Hop between stunning waterfalls on a south coast tour
- Follow in the footsteps of Vikings at Þingvellir National Park
- Watch an active geyser, Strokkur, erupt before you
- Admire freshly calved icebergs drift gently out to sea
- Roam the black sands of Reynisfjara beach
- Soak up culture and nightlife in downtown Reykjavík
- Dive into the country's food scene at Iceland's best restaurants.
Need more inspiration? Check out this Iceland Travel Guide.
All of the guided Iceland vacation packages featured here include local transport, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, and activities. Some also include dinners in the countryside, so check the specific package for details.
You can customize your guided trip with extra days in Reykjavík at the start or end of your vacation. Use these to pack in day tours or an evening Northern Lights tour. You could even pay a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
In general, tipping is not as commonplace in Iceland as in some other countries. While tour guides would never expect to be tipped, they would receive them gratefully.
You can start planning your Iceland adventure right on this page. Browse the guided vacation packages above until you find the one for you.
Next, check departure dates on the tour page. Guided group tours have fixed dates and durations, although you can extend your trip with extra days in Reykjavík if you like. This would be your chance to add activities, like exploring an ice cave or bathing in hot springs.
After that, simply follow the checkout instructions to complete your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, followed by your travel documents closer to your departure date.
You can check dates on the individual tour pages. Guided tours are available in a small or large group, with separate departure dates for each.
There are weekly or fortnightly departures throughout the popular summer and winter seasons. Make sure you book in advance as spaces can sell out quick.
Because guided group tours have fixed departure dates, it’s a good idea to book your vacation package before your flights. Once you’ve received the confirmation from Iceland Tours, you’re clear to book with your preferred airline.
That said, you might want to do a rough check for flights before you book your package to get a feel for what’s available.
Iceland is well connected to Europe and North America with daily direct flights to lots of major cities.
When visiting Iceland, it pays to pack smart and be prepared. The weather is changeable and conditions are likely to be different to what you’re used to at home.
Here’s an Iceland packing list that’s good for all seasons:
- Warm, waterproof coat
- Toasty inner layers
- Hat, scarf, and gloves
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Moisturizer and lip balm
