5-Day Aurora Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour with Blue Lagoon Visit

Iceland’s south coast puts the country’s raw power on full display: waterfalls drop over cliffs, waves pound black sand, and chunks of glacier ice drift through Jökulsárlón. This five-day tour links those sights with the Golden Circle and a Blue Lagoon visit, while leaving you a chance to see the Northern Lights away from Reykjavík’s city lights.

I like two things in particular: the mix of famous sights and a working geothermal greenhouse at Friðheimar, and the ease of having transport, hotels and a local guide arranged for you. You’ll also sleep two nights in the Vík area, a useful base for the glacier country and a better place to watch for auroras than central Reykjavík.

The main consideration is the name. The Northern Lights are a possibility, not a promised show, and the guided sightseeing takes place over three days, not all five. One traveler described the aurora element as more of a chance to see the lights near the hotel than a dedicated chase, so book this first as a south-coast tour.

The essential details

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• Three full guided days cover the Golden Circle, south coast, waterfalls and glacier lagoon.
• Two nights in Reykjavík and two in the Vík area are included, with a private bathroom and hotel breakfast.
• Friðheimar adds a human-scale stop: see how geothermal heat helps grow tomatoes and cucumbers year-round.
• Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach are major draws, with glacier ice and the Vatnajökull region making a striking contrast to the black-sand coast.
• The Blue Lagoon bathing fee is extra, and airport transfers and most meals are not included.
• Aurora sightings depend on nature and conditions. The tour aims to improve your chances, but it cannot guarantee the lights.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Reykjavik

Five calendar days, three guided days

The five-day format can sound like five days on the road. In practice, day one is your arrival in Reykjavík, days two through four are guided touring days of about ten hours each, and day five is for breakfast and departure. That distinction matters when you compare the price with separate day tours or plan flights.

On day one, you make your own way from Keflavík Airport to your Reykjavík hotel. The hotel is listed as Reykjavík Lights Hotel, Storm Hotel or a similar property. The guided tour begins the next morning, when you meet your guide in the hotel lobby at 08:45. The precise departure time is confirmed after booking.

The tour includes two nights in Reykjavík and two nights in the Vík area, all with private bathrooms. Breakfast is included at the hotels, but lunch and dinner are your responsibility. That gives you some freedom over meals, though you should budget for them and be ready for long sightseeing days when meal stops depend on the route and conditions.

The final morning is simple: have breakfast, then arrange your own transfer from the hotel to Keflavík Airport. Neither airport transfer is included. Plan flights around the arrival and departure days rather than treating them as guided touring days.

Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

The Golden Circle brings together three of Iceland’s best-known sights, each with a different kind of drama. Þingvellir National Park is valued for its geology as well as its natural beauty. It’s a place to see Iceland’s restless ground up close, and to understand why the island’s setting has shaped its history.

At the Geysir geothermal area, Strokkur erupts every few minutes. That regular action makes this stop easy to enjoy even if you have only a short visit: you can watch, wait, and see the ground release a burst of hot water and steam. Keep your camera ready, but don’t spend the whole stop looking through it.

Gullfoss is the route’s big waterfall, with water plunging through a deep gorge. The attraction is not just its scale but the sense of force as the river drops away. Weather and spray can affect how long you’ll want to linger, so bring a hat and outer layers that suit Iceland’s changeable conditions.

The tour also visits Friðheimar, where geothermal energy supports greenhouses growing tomatoes and cucumbers throughout the year. This is a useful counterpoint to the open, dramatic scenery. Iceland’s heat is not only something to see bubbling out of the ground; it can be put to work growing food in a cold climate.

South-coast waterfalls and black sand

The southern route strings together several sights that are easy to recognize but hard to confuse with one another. At Skógafoss, a broad curtain of water drops from a high cliff. Seljalandsfoss offers a different perspective, with a path that lets you walk behind the falling water when conditions allow. Expect spray, and take care on wet ground.

Reynisfjara is known for its black sand, basalt columns and powerful surf. It’s a dramatic place to stop, but the sea is part of the risk, not just the scenery. Follow your guide’s instructions and keep a cautious distance from the water. The coast can look calm one moment and prove otherwise the next.

The views continue toward the edge of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier by volume, and through the Vík region. Weather can change the route or shorten a stop. One departure did not visit Vík village because conditions were poor, a good reminder that the guide’s first job is getting the group through Iceland safely, not sticking to a rigid photo schedule.

These are long days in a vehicle, but the small-group format helps keep the trip manageable. Group size ranges from two to 25 people, and transport is in a spacious vehicle with Wi-Fi. There is no stated luggage limit, a practical plus if you are carrying a full travel bag rather than a day pack.

Jökulsárlón, Skaftafell and Diamond Beach

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is the tour’s farthest-reaching highlight. Ice breaks away from the glacier and floats through the lagoon, giving you a close look at a landscape in motion. The contrast between blue-white ice, dark water and surrounding volcanic ground is part of what makes this stop so memorable.

Nearby, Diamond Beach is known for pieces of ice set against black sand. It’s a fitting companion stop to the lagoon: the ice that moves through the water may wash ashore, where it catches the light against the beach. The exact appearance changes with conditions, so don’t expect every visit to look the same.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve adds another view of the glacier region. The tour highlights its scenery alongside the lagoon and the south coast, though the supplied schedule does not specify how much time is spent at each stop. If you want a long hike or a particular trail, check the day’s plan with the operator rather than assuming there will be time for one.

The trip’s reach is part of its value. Driving this stretch yourself means managing long distances, changing weather and lodging; here, a local guide handles the route while you watch the scenery. The trade-off is less control over stop length and pace. You’ll see a lot, but this is not a self-paced expedition.

The Blue Lagoon is an extra-cost visit

The tour title includes a Blue Lagoon visit, but the bathing fee is not part of the price. Add that cost to your budget, along with meals, personal expenses and airport transfers. The tour information does not specify the exact time allocated to the lagoon or the admission option, so check those details before booking if the visit is a priority.

Swimwear is listed among the recommended things to bring. A cap or hat is also suggested, which is sensible for the outdoor stops and changing weather. If the Blue Lagoon is the main reason you are considering this package, make sure you understand what is included in the visit itself and what you’ll pay separately.

A realistic chance of seeing the Northern Lights

The aurora is the hardest part of this trip to plan. The tour is designed to maximize your chances, and the Vík-area nights place you outside Reykjavík’s city light pollution. But cloud cover, darkness and solar activity all matter, and the lights may not appear during your stay.

The practical expectation is an opportunity, not an organized guarantee of a chase. One traveler described seeing the aurora near Hotel Katla, where the hotel also had an outdoor swimming pool and a small sauna. Those facilities should not be treated as guaranteed, since the accommodation is Hotel Katla or a similar property, and aurora conditions can change from night to night.

A local guide can make the surrounding sights more meaningful. Heimir, a guide associated with this tour, has been described as funny and engaging, with stories about Icelandic history and geography. Guide assignments can vary, so don’t assume he will lead your departure. The tour does specify an English-speaking professional local guide.

If seeing the aurora is your top priority, consider how much flexibility you have. This package gives you two nights in the Vík area, but the schedule is built around sightseeing as well. Treat a sighting as a remarkable bonus, not the sole measure of whether the trip was worthwhile.

Is the price worth it?

Prices are shown from US$1,077.15, while another displayed starting figure is US$1,238.69. They may refer to different package or booking details, so confirm the price for your dates before you commit. At either figure, compare like with like: this package includes four hotel nights, four breakfasts, three guided touring days, transport between sights and the Friðheimar visit.

That can be good value if you would otherwise pay for hotels and arrange several long-distance day tours separately. It also saves you from driving Iceland’s south coast yourself, which is a real benefit in winter or changeable weather. On the other hand, the price excludes lunch, dinner, the Blue Lagoon bathing fee, flights and airport transfers. Add those costs before deciding that the package fits your budget.

You can book a single room when one adult is booked. Two adults share a double room. The minimum age is 12, the group can range from two to 25, and the activity is not wheelchair-accessible. If you need a particular room setup or have mobility requirements, confirm suitability before booking.

Should you book this tour?

I’d choose this tour if you want to see the Golden Circle, south coast and glacier lagoon without driving, and you’re comfortable with a brisk schedule and shared transport. The hotels, breakfasts, local guide and Friðheimar stop make the logistics easier, while the Vík-area nights give you a chance to see the aurora away from Reykjavík’s lights.

I’d look elsewhere if your main goal is a dedicated Northern Lights chase, a slow-paced stay, or a tightly specified Blue Lagoon experience. This is best understood as a three-day sightseeing tour wrapped in five calendar days, with the aurora as a possible extra. If that balance suits you, it offers a practical first look at some of Iceland’s most striking natural sights.

FAQ

How many days are guided?

There are three guided touring days, each listed as about ten hours. Day one is for arrival in Reykjavík, and day five is for breakfast and departure.

Where does the tour meet?

The guide meets the group in the hotel lobby at 08:45 on day two. The listed meeting location is Mjölnisholt 12-14 in Reykjavík, at Reykjavík Lights Hotel, Storm Hotel or a similar property. The exact time is confirmed after booking.

Are airport transfers included?

No. You need to arrange your own transfer from Keflavík Airport to the Reykjavík hotel on day one and from the hotel to the airport on day five.

Is the Blue Lagoon bathing fee included?

No. The tour includes a Blue Lagoon visit, but the bathing fee is not included. Bring swimwear and confirm the visit details before booking if this stop is important to you.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour is planned to improve your chances, including overnight stays in the Vík area away from Reykjavík’s city lights, but sightings depend on conditions.

What accommodation and meals are included?

The package includes two nights in Reykjavík and two nights in the Vík area, with private bathrooms, plus breakfast at the hotels. Other meals are not included.

How large can the group be?

The group size ranges from two to 25 participants. Transport is in a spacious vehicle, with free Wi-Fi and no stated luggage allowance restriction.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

Participants must be at least 12 years old. The activity is not wheelchair-accessible.