Wonders of South-East Iceland

2 day Private Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and ice cave / glacier walk tour (optional)

This tour takes you along the South Coast of Iceland all the way to Jökulsarlón glacial lagoon. The South and East coast are one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with its endless black sand beaches, dramatic lava fields, and countless waterfalls. If the weather allows we will go out and hunt for the Northern lights.

Day 1 – Waterfalls and Black Sand Beaches of South-East Iceland

The day starts with a hotel pickup in Reykjavik at 08:00. Our first stop is one of the best known waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You can walk behind this 60 meter high waterfall if conditions are right, to get the best pictures. For the more adventures ones you can explore another waterfall that is hidden inside the mountains very close by.

We head on to explore more of the wonders on the south coast. On our way we Eyjafjallajokull volcano, the one that erupted in 2010 and stopped all air traffic in Europe for days.

Next on the list is Dyrholaey. This former Island is 120 meter high and is famous for its big stone arch 360 degree view and thousands of puffins nesting there in the summer months. Best time to see Puffins in Iceland is late July – August, when the young puffins learn how to fly.

Next stop Reynisfjara black sand beach is the best known beach in Iceland featured in many movies tv and tv shows including the Game of Thrones. The exposed magma chamber with beautiful rock formations, basalt columns and cave is what made this beach famous. Not mentioning the power full waves splashing on the black volcanic sand.

We make sure we have time to lunch in Vík, a small former fishing and trading town. The Ice cave tour departs from Vík (optional in this tour). Duration of the Ice cave tour is about 3 hours, see info below.

After Vík we keep heading east. Driving through the moss covered Laki lava field, one of the largest and most beautiful lava fields on the planet. We take a quick stop to touch the moss and do our best to take in the massive size of the lava field. Close by the majestic canyon Fjadrargljufur, a must see when traveling in the east. It was formed about 9000 years ago by big glacier rivers from the Ice age glacier.

Hotel check in is about 18:00. Travelling during the winter you have the option of going on a Northern Lights hunt after dinner if conditions in the sky allows.

Day 2: Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, Diamond beach and Ice cave / Glacier hike

This day begins with a drive to Skaftafell national park Iceland’s second largest national park. Here you see glacier outlets and black sand where ever you look. Our first stop of the day is Svinafellsjokull glacier where we are able to walk up a path to get amazing view over the glacier and see the blue Ice. On a clear day you can see Iceland’s highest mountain Hvannadalshnjúkur.

We stop at Fjallsarlon glacial lagoon. This lagoon known as the Ice lagoon is less known than Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon but well worth the stop. It is much smaller than Jokulsarlon so you can see it all from where the glacier is calving into the lake and Icebergs floating around.

Jokulsarlón or the Glacier lagoon as it is known in English is one of Iceland’s best known and most beautiful natural wonders. The lagoon was created first about 70 years ago and then developed into a lake after the glacier started receding more and more. It is Iceland’s deepest lake about 250 meters (820 feet). Giant icebergs float on the lake and slowly make their way to the ocean, where the they splinter and break down in the waves and spread around the black volcanic sand below the glacier lagoon.

This beach is also known as the Diamond beach and is a must see for travellers. The diamond beach is a dream location for photographers and a magical place to see as the ice on the black volcanic sand looks like nothing else. After taking all the time we need to enjoy this place we start heading back.

On the way to Reykjavik we stop to stretch our legs at Skogafoss waterfall, a 60 meter high waterfall well worth the stop. When travelling the entire south coast of Iceland there are many other places worth to visiting so each tour is a bit different and tailored to each group’s needs.

Note in winter there is the option on doing both the glacier hike and the Ice cave tours. We simply add one more day to the plan and take more time to explore the endless sights in the area. This can be done upon request.

Optional tours