South Coast, Glacier Hike and Northern Lights Winter Tour

This is one of those Iceland days that moves fast, south coast by day and northern lights by night, so you get two different kinds of magic in the same booking. I really like the glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, with a certified guide and the chance to hear the ice crack as you walk. I also like the stop at Reynisfjara, because the black sand and basalt columns feel otherworldly in real life.

The main thing to watch is timing and comfort: the tour runs about 16 hours, and you will need warm layers and real hiking shoes. Also, the northern lights can never be promised, so treat that part as a bonus, not a sure thing.

Key Points If You Want the Best Parts

• Sólheimajökull glacier walk with a certified glacier guide and crampon-ready shoe requirements
• Reynisfjara black sand plus basalt columns, a cave area, and Reynisdrangar cliffs
• Waterfall stops with serious payoff, including Skógafoss and its 527-step stair climb
• Clear-day volcano views that can include Eyjafjallajökull, Hekla, and areas near the Westman Islands
• Northern lights hunt in the countryside, usually in green, yellow, white, and sometimes purple hues
• You get a full-day structure, with Reykjavik pickup and a later pickup for the lights

Why This South Coast Plus Glacier Plus Northern Lights Day Works

This tour is interesting because it stitches together three Iceland “modes” in one shot: waterfalls, geology, and the night sky. You start with big south-coast scenery, then switch to a real glacier walk where your guide talks about ice movements and crevasses. When daylight is done, you reset in Reykjavik, eat something, and head out again to chase the northern lights.

What makes it especially practical is that it is all guided and timed for you. You are not trying to coordinate multiple drives, permissions, and equipment rentals. You simply show up with the right shoes, dress for cold and wet weather, and follow the plan.

Reykjavik Pickup, Timing, and What the 16 Hours Really Mean

Your day starts with a morning pickup from authorized locations in Reykjavik. Then you travel from the capital down the south coast, with sightseeing built in between. The tour duration is about 16 hours, and you should plan your whole day around that rhythm, not around casual wandering.

One detail that matters for your comfort: you are dropped back at your original Reykjavik pickup location around 7:00 PM. You get time to grab dinner before the northern lights pickup again from the same area. If you try to schedule other plans that evening, you will likely feel rushed, because northern lights timing depends on conditions.

If you are coming from out of town, this setup is also useful. You can do it as a “main event” day and keep your other days more flexible.

Seljalandsfoss: Walking Behind the Water

Seljalandsfoss is one of those Iceland waterfalls that hits differently because you can get up close and walk behind it. You will head there after your morning Reykjavik pickup, and you get time to follow the path that leads behind the fall.

This stop is worth it because the experience is not just looking at water from a distance. When you go behind a waterfall, you feel the mist and you see how the spray changes the light around the rocks. On a wet day, it can be slippery, so your rain gear and footwear matter here.

A simple tip: treat this as your warm-up for the rest of the day. If you are already dressed in layers and ready for damp air, the rest of the stops feel easier.

Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike With Crampons and Cracking Ice

The glacier hike is the heart of this tour for most people, and for good reason. You arrive at Sólheimajökull, and your certified glacier guide issues your glacier hiking equipment before you start. You learn how glaciers move, what crevasses are, and how the ice forms.

You also get the rare kind of glacier moment that stays with you: you can even hear the ancient ice cracking as it shifts. That sounds dramatic, but it is exactly the point. You are not just looking at an ice sheet, you are stepping into a living, changing surface.

This part also has clear boundaries that protect everyone. You must wear sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support, and the tour notes a specific shoe size range so crampons can be attached properly. Minimum shoe size is 35 EU and maximum is 50 EU. If your shoes are outside that range, crampon attachment becomes a problem, and you might not be able to join the hike.

Practical reality check: the glacier is cold and the ground can be uneven. Even if the weather is mild in Reykjavik, you should plan for real chill and wind out there.

Reynisfjara Black Sand, Basalt Columns, and the Reynisdrangar Cliffs

After the glacier, you head to Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach. Here you are checking multiple forms of Iceland geology at once: basalt columns, a cave area, and the dramatic rock features that rise from the sea.

The beach section of this tour is not just a photo stop. You also get to see Reynisdrangar’s peaks and cliffs, with basalt stacks standing above the Atlantic waves. The scale feels huge when you are standing there, because the rock towers and cliff faces look built for storms.

Drawback to know: this is an exposed coast. You will want rain gear, warm layers, and gloves. Wind and spray can make it feel colder than you expect, even when the sky looks bright.

Also, black sand days tempt people to wear the wrong footwear. The tour does not allow jeans, and it does not allow sandals or flip flops. Dress like you are going to walk on wet, rough ground, not like you are going to the beach.

Skógafoss: The 527-Step Stair Climb for Big Waterfall Views

Next up is Skógafoss, a waterfall that gets a lot of attention for a simple reason: it is big, and you can climb to see more of it. There is a pathway up the side with 527 steps, and you get views of the falls from above, with rainbow chances on clearer days.

This stop feels classic in the best way because it mixes a manageable workout with payoff. The steps are real stairs, not a gentle slope, so if you are not used to that kind of walking, take your time. It is totally fine to pause, breathe, and enjoy the changing view as you climb.

It also makes sense after glacier time. You go from icy footing to rock steps, but both reward you for staying steady and dressed for weather. If the mist is strong, plan for damp air and lower visibility.

Clear-Day Volcano Views: Eyjafjallajökull, Hekla, and Westman Islands

One of the cooler bonuses in this tour is the chance to see volcanoes when the day is clear. Iceland is a volcano country, and on a clear day you can get views of Eyjafjallajökull, Hekla, and even volcanoes around the Westman Islands off the coast.

This is not something you can force, since weather decides what you can see. But it is still valuable because it gives context to what you are experiencing. You are walking on glacial ice, standing on basalt formations, and then you get the bigger picture: this entire region is shaped by volcanoes and ice working together.

If you want to maximize your odds, keep your camera handy and pay attention when the guide mentions visibility. In clear weather, a short moment can turn into a great view.

Northern Lights Hunt in the Countryside, Guided by Frank

After you return to Reykjavik around 7:00 PM, you have time for dinner. Then you get picked up again from your original location for the northern lights tour in the countryside.

Here’s the honest part: northern lights can never be promised. But this hunt is still worthwhile because it is built for the best chance possible. You are going out to find that jewel-bright glow, usually in green, yellow, white, and sometimes purple.

A real highlight of this portion is the people running it. One guide named Frank stands out for being a true credit to the experience. That matters because spotting lights is part eyesight, part timing, part patience. A good guide helps you read the sky, adjust expectations, and keep the group focused even when the first minutes are quiet.

Also remember that northern lights viewing is not like watching a movie. You might wait, then suddenly you get a burst of color. Dress for a long time outdoors, not for short bursts.

What to Bring for Glacier, Coast, and Night Sky

This tour tells you what to bring because the weather and ground are not gentle.

Pack these basics:

• Food and drinks (meals are not included)
• Hiking shoes with good ankle support for the glacier hike
• Rain gear, plus warm layers
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Head wear, gloves, and a scarf
• A water bottle, plus snacks and a small backpack

The tour also notes what not to wear:

• No jeans
• No sandals or flip flops

That sounds strict, but it is really about safety. Glacier walking demands grip and ankle support. Water and black sand demand footwear that can handle wet surfaces without slipping.

One more practical note from the equipment rules: crampons need the right shoe size so they can attach properly. Minimum is 35 EU, maximum is 50 EU. If your shoes fall outside that range, it can derail your ability to join the glacier hike.

If you are short on packing ideas, think in terms of layers you can remove later. You will be moving a lot through different conditions, from cold glacier air to coastal wind to a night drive.

Price and Value for $255 Per Person

At $255 per person, this is not a budget-only outing. Still, it can be good value because you are paying for several things at once: transportation from Reykjavik, multiple south coast stops, a certified glacier guide, glacier hiking equipment, and a second guided departure for the northern lights hunt.

If you tried to build this yourself, you would likely spend money in pieces. You would still need glacier equipment, a guide for safe travel on ice, and a northern lights plan once the night arrives. By bundling it, the tour reduces the hassle and makes the day easier to manage.

Also, the experience has strong feedback, with an average rating of 4.4 from 66 reviews. The most praised moment is the glacier hike, with people noting the guides were professional and the views were exceptional. The northern lights portion also earns praise for the guiding style, with Frank named specifically.

Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Should Pass

This is a great fit if you want a high-impact day with real variety. It works well for travelers who enjoy guided structure, like geology and waterfalls, and want one big active chunk in their itinerary.

It may not be the best choice if you have limitations. The tour is listed as not suitable for:

• Children under 8 years old
• Pregnant women
• People with mobility impairments

It also asks a lot of your legs. You will be walking on the glacier, then doing steps at Skógafoss, plus general walking at the beach and waterfall areas. That does not mean you must be an athlete. It does mean you should be comfortable with uneven ground, steps, and cold weather movement.

If you are traveling with kids, check the minimum age carefully. If your group includes someone with smaller or larger shoes outside 35 to 50 EU, the crampon attachment rule for the glacier hike becomes critical.

Should You Book This Tour or Choose Something Simpler?

I’d book this if you want one-day convenience that combines Sólheimajökull, the south coast’s major sights, and a northern lights hunt. It is ideal for people who hate planning, like guided experiences, and want to maximize limited time in Reykjavik.

I’d pause before booking if you are chasing the northern lights with the mindset of must-see. Since lights are never guaranteed, you need to be okay with a hunt and not a promise.

If your travel style is slow and you prefer lots of free time at each location, this might feel packed. But if you like efficient Iceland days with a clear plan, this delivers.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is approximately 16 hours. Exact starting times depend on availability.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from authorized pickup locations in Reykjavik, and you are dropped back at your original pickup location around 7:00 PM before the northern lights pickup again.

What is included in the glacier hike?

You get a certified glacier guide, glacier hiking equipment, and guidance during the hike. The tour also includes the glacier hike on Sólheimajökull.

Are meals included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan snacks and dinner during the break back in Reykjavik.

What footwear do I need?

Bring sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support for the glacier hike. There is also a shoe size requirement for crampon attachment, with a minimum of 35 EU and a maximum of 50 EU.

Can I see the northern lights for sure?

No. Northern lights can never be promised. The guide will do their best to hunt for them in the countryside.