5 DAY NORDIC WINTER ESCAPE | PRIVATE TOUR | PHOTO PACKAGE INCLUDED

0

NORDIC WINTER ESCAPE

5 DAY | PRIVATE TOUR | PHOTO PACKAGE INCLUDED

  • 5 days / 4 nights
  • Available: November - March
  • Level: easy / moderate

Our 5-day winter itinerary is perfect for travellers who want to see Iceland’s highlights while keeping the journey relaxed and unhurried. Over five unforgettable days, we explore the South Coast, Golden Circle, glacier landscapes, charming villages, and dramatic winter scenery — with time for Northern Lights chasing, spontaneous photo stops, and cosy nights in carefully selected countryside hotels. With a private guide who’s also a photographer, this winter escape blends adventure, comfort, and beautifully captured memories into one seamless experience.

stop by stop

Your Tour Itinerary

Day 1 — South Coast Explorer

Your guide picks you up in Reykjavík and you begin the journey along Iceland’s legendary South Coast. We stop at two of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls — Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, both around 60 meters tall and incredibly photogenic year-round. Expect dramatic winter colours, misty viewpoints, and maybe even rainbows if we’re lucky.

Next, we head to Reynisfjara, Iceland’s famous black-sand beach, known for its powerful waves and basalt columns. After exploring the coast, we continue east where the mountains grow taller, glaciers appear on the horizon, and the landscape becomes more dramatic by the kilometre.

By evening, we check into one of our favourite hotels in the south-east — far from city lights and surrounded by nature. If skies are clear, this is one of the best places in the country to watch the Northern Lights right outside your room. Your guide will choose the best night for an aurora hunt based on the weather and forecasts.

Typical accommodation:
Hótel Glacier Lagoon, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, Magma Hotel or similar.

Day 2 — Vatnajökull National Park & Ice Caves

After breakfast, we head straight to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, one of the most breathtaking places in Iceland. Icebergs drift quietly across the water, seals often pop up near the shoreline, and the whole area glows beautifully under the soft winter light. Just across the road lies Diamond Beach, where pieces of ice wash ashore onto the black sand like scattered crystals — a true photographer’s paradise.

From here, we join our partners and hop into a super jeep that takes us deep into the Vatnajökull region for the highlight of the day: a natural blue ice cave. These caves form fresh each winter and showcase otherworldly colours, smooth crystal walls, and textures you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a short, easy walk from the super-jeep drop-off point, and your guide — also a photographer — will be happy to help capture the moment.

After the ice cave, we continue east to the dramatic Vestrahorn mountain. If daylight and weather allow, we’ll time our visit for sunset, watching the warm winter colours reflect across the black dunes and mirrored shoreline. It’s one of the most atmospheric spots on the entire South Coast and a beautiful way to end the day.

 

Typical accommodation:
Same hotel as previous night. 

Day 3 — Deeper Into the South Coast & Your Choice of Adventure

Today is all about diving a little deeper into the South Coast — exploring hidden corners, scenic viewpoints, and the places most travellers simply drive past. After breakfast, we begin making our way west again, taking the slower, more scenic route. One of our first stops is Dyrhólaey, a dramatic headland known for its sweeping coastline views, rugged cliffs, and the iconic sea arch. In winter, the soft light here can be absolutely magical.

From there, we continue roaming through the quieter parts of the South Coast, stopping for photos wherever the landscape calls for it — black-sand plains, frozen mossy fields, lonely farmhouses, and unexpected viewpoints that appear out of nowhere. By midday, we roll into Vík, the charming village tucked beneath cliffs and surrounded by dramatic scenery. We’ll pause here for lunch and a bit of free time to wander, warm up with a coffee, or browse the local shops.

The afternoon is yours to shape. You can settle into your nearby hotel and enjoy a slower pace — or dive into one of the optional activities below for a dose of adventure. With limited winter daylight, it’s best to choose one, but if your trip is longer or you’re adding extra nights, we can easily fit in more.

From here, you can choose:

Optional Experiences

• Horseback Riding on the Black Beach

Ride the iconic Icelandic horse across black-sand landscapes and quiet coastal trails. This gentle, scenic experience gives you a whole new angle on the South Coast — peaceful, authentic, and unforgettable.

• ATV Adventure Through the Wild South

If you’re craving something more adrenaline-filled, the ATV tour takes you deeper into untouched terrain — across small rivers, through rugged wilderness, and out onto remote stretches of black sand far beyond the usual tourist routes.

• Snowmobiling on Eyjafjallajökull

For a true winter thrill, head up to the slopes of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier for a snowmobile ride with panoramic views over the entire South Coast. It’s an exhilarating way to experience Iceland from above — wide-open snowfields, fresh mountain air, and that feeling of being on top of the world.

• Icelandic Lava Show

A warm and fiery indoor option where you can watch real molten lava being poured right in front of you. Local storytellers bring past eruptions to life as glowing lava meets ice — the perfect cosy activity on a winter day.

Typical accommodation:
Skálakot Manor, Hotel UMI, or similar.

Day 4 — Golden Circle Classics

This day takes us into Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle.

We start at Geysir, home of bubbling geothermal springs and the active geyser Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes. Next, we visit the mighty Gullfoss, one of the country’s most powerful waterfalls — spectacular whether bathed in sunlight or wrapped in winter mist.

For lunch, we make a stop at the beloved Friðheimar greenhouse, where you’ll enjoy a warm meal surrounded by tomato plants growing under geothermal lighting. Their tomato soup and fresh bread are always a hit in winter.

The last highlight is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for both its geological significance and its history as the birthplace of Iceland’s first parliament.

From here, you can choose:
• return to Reykjavík in the afternoon typical accommodation: Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton or Hotel Borg, or
• continue to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing finale and optional overnight stay.

Day 5 — Reykjanes Peninsula

Just outside Reykjavík lies the Reykjanes Peninsula — one of Iceland’s most raw and powerful regions, where volcanic landscapes meet the crashing Atlantic Ocean. Steaming lava fields, moss-covered craters, bubbling geothermal areas, and dramatic coastlines come together to create a landscape that feels wild and untouched.

Today you’ll walk across the Bridge Between Continents, standing between two tectonic plates, feel the earth’s energy at the boiling Gunnuhver hot springs, and continue on to the dramatic Valahnúkamöl cliffs, where massive waves crash against towering rock formations. You’ll also venture into a lava tunnel, revealing the hidden world beneath Iceland’s volcanic surface. As home to Iceland’s most recent volcanic activity, Reykjanes offers one of the most striking insights into the country’s powerful natural forces.

Despite being so close to the capital, the region feels rugged, remote, and vividly alive — a perfect final chapter of your Iceland adventure.

From here, we will either drop you off at Keflavík International Airport or back in Reykjavík, depending on your travel plans.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Ice Cave tour (joining group) with experienced, qualified guides.
  • Sejlalandsfoss waterfall that runs down from the Eyjafjallajökull glacier (and THE ONE that you can walk behind)
  • Skógafoss, another epic waterfall in Iceland - known from "The Vikings" show
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • Diamond Beach
  • Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
  • Golden Circle sights
  • Reykjanes Peninsula
  • Extra secret spots if time allows :)
FAQ

What should I wear?

Icelandic weather is unpredictable. Bring warm and waterproof clothes, gloves & hat. Hiking boots are strongly recommended. 

How many pictures will I get and how will they be delivered?

We’ll delivier a package of 20/day, fully edited pictures (unless you decide to purchase more). Within 7 business days you’ll get a link to the dedicated folder on our Google Drive, where your trip pictures will be uploaded.

 

You can purchase more pictures and the pricing is as follow:

1-19 pictures on top of base package: 1.000isk/each photo

20-49 pictures on top of base package: 900isk/each photo

50-99 pictures on top of base package: 800isk/each photo

100+ pictures on top of base package: 700isk/each photo

What language(s) does the guide speak?

All our guides speak English. We can also arrange Spanish, French, Portuguese and Polish-speaking guides upon your request, depending on their availability.

 

What is your cancellation policy?

Please note that cancellations made 7 days or more before the tour will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 7 days are non-refundable.

To cancel your booking and get refund you should email us at: hello@icelandicroamers.is.

 

Extra Ice Cave Tour

All You Need to Know
  • Minimum age to join the ice-cave tour is 10 years old, and participants should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain.

  • The tour includes transport in a modified 4×4 vehicle, a glacier guide, helmet, crampons/spikes, and all necessary safety gear.

  • Note that the cave formations change every season and the exact route may vary for safety; the tour lasts around 3.5 – 4.5 hours and groups may include other participants.

Price Includes

  • Local certified guide (English speaking), experienced driver, and proffessional photographer
  • Ice Cave group tour
  • Accommodation in a 3–4 star hotel (based on preferences, budget & availability)
  • Private transportation in Premium Vehicle
  • Pick up & drop off from/to your accommodation in Reykjavik
  • Photo package. You'll receive 20/day professional photos from the tour that will be delivered to you up to 7 days after the tour.
  • Experiencing the amazing natural wonders of Iceland!

Price Excludes

  • Foods and drinks (but we’ll make a stop for lunch)
Ready to plan your winter adventure or have a questions ? Drop us a message below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Use the contact form to drop us a messagge!

    What can hang on your wall?