Compare Iceland Northern Lights & Golden Circle by G Adventures vs 5 Day Adventure Summer Package by Arctic Adventures

Day 1 Reykjavik

Arrive at any time.

Make your way to Reykjavík today to start your tour.

There are pre-bookable activities available for this tour. Check out the "Available Extras" section of the Overview page for more information on these activities, and cost-saving bundles.

Day 2 Reykjavik/Álftröð

Travel from Reykjavík to explore a lava cave in the Bláfjöll Mountains. In the afternoon, get up close and personal with the famous Icelandic horse before returning to Álftröð. In the evening, you will have your first chance to see the Northern Lights out in the countryside.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions. G Adventures cannot guarantee that travellers booked on this tour will experience the Northern Lights.

Day 3 Álftröð

Head to Þingvellir National Park. Visit sights like the Geysir Hot Spring and Gullfoss waterfall. In the evening, embrace your inner chef and prepare dinner together at the guesthouse. Afterwards, you will have another opportunity to try seeing the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions. G Adventures cannot guarantee that travellers booked on this tour will experience the Northern Lights.

Day 4 Álftröð/Reykjavik

Travel to Sólheimajökull glacier and take some time to explore the area, visit the Skogar Museum or opt for a stunning hike. Drive the scenic southern coast and visit the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls on the way back to Reykjavík.

Day 5 Reykjavik

Depart at any time.

Day 1: Golden Circle and Rafting

Pick up at 8:00 from your accommodation or a nearby location in Reykjavík. Please note: the pick up process can take up to 30 minutes but you do need to be ready and waiting at 08:00.

The Reykjavík adventure package begins with the amazing Golden Circle wonders, your first day is then crowned with a really exciting river rafting trip.

Your travel through the farmlands of South Iceland to see magnificent Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall), on the Hvítá (the White River) which flows all the way from Langjökull glacier. Witness the extraordinary power as the water is forced through the canyon, dropping 32 m in two stages, pivoting dramatically as it does so. You will be rafting on Hvítá later on! At Geysir, you will see Strokkur, the most active geyser nowadays, erupting huge volumes of superheated water every 8 to 10 minutes. Next is Þingvellir National Park, the amazing site of Iceland´s first parliament, Alþingi, which was founded in 930 AD. This amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only the place where the Alþingi was founded, it is one of the greatest geological wonders in the world. You will see how the tectonic plates have moved apart creating this rugged rift valley.

Your tour will then take you to Drumboddstaðir, our comfortable river rafting base a little higher up the Hvítá river from Gullfoss. The river offers exhilarating adrenaline raising white water rapids and quieter more serene areas with outstanding scenery. At Brúarhlöð, a magnificent rugged canyon where the river flows more peacefully, you will have the opportunity to leap from the cliff into the river. We provide everything you need for your kayaking trip including a wetsuit, helmet, life vest and a paddle. Our safety kayakers accompany the rafts at all times. Refreshments may be purchased from the Drumbó restaurant and bar. You are welcome to relax in the sauna and/or to take a shower after your rafting trip (included).

This day tour has it all: exciting rafting, amazing Viking history, unique geological wonders and sensational scenery.

Remember to bring: Warm undergarments (fleece/wool sweater and pants), warm socks, a change of clothing. Bathing suit and a towel for river rafting. Warm layers, weatherproof top layer, gloves, headwear and hiking shoes for the Golden Circle.

Day Highlights:

• Gullfoss Waterfall
• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Thingvellir National Park
• Hvítá (Hvita River)
• River Rafting

Included:

• Pick up from Reykjavik
• Minibus guided tour
• Golden Circle highlights
• Drumbó Base Camp facilities
• River rafting equipment
• Certificated rafting guides & safety kayakers

Day 2: Glacier hike and Ice Climbing

Pick up at 8:00 from your accommodation or a nearby location in Reykjavík. Please note: the pick up process can take up to 30 minutes but you do need to be ready and waiting at 08:30.

Here is your chance to hike and climb on an immeasurably majestic Glacier! This tour will take you onto the amazing frozen world of Sólheimajökull glacier, a rugged, raw and constantly changing glacier tongue of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. With a professional glacier guide, who will provide you with all of the necessary glacier equipment, you will explore Sólheimajökull. Your guide will explain the extraordinary ice formations of this crevasse riddled outlet glacier, you will see sink holes and jagged toothed ice ridges. Those who want to can then test our ice climbing skills on the glacier using ice axes, crampons and safety lines. This glacier experience of a lifetime will leave you with unforgettable memories.

On the way back to Reykjavík we even stop at Skógafoss, a beautiful waterfall!

Remember to bring: Warm layers (not cotton), headwear, scarf, gloves, waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots are essential, it is not possible to fit ice crampons onto any other footwear.

Day Highlights:

• Solheimajokull Glacier
• Glacier Hike
• Optional Ice Climbing
• Skógafoss Waterfall

Included:

• Pick up from Reykjavík
• Guided Glacier Hike
• Opportunity to try ice climbing
• Certified Glacier Guide
• Glacier and ice climbing equipment

Day 3: Snorkeling and Caving

Pick up at 9:00 from your accommodation or a nearby location in Reykjavík. Please note: the pick up process can take up to 30 minutes but you do need to be ready and waiting at 09:00. This caving and snorkeling tour will give you some fabulous new angles on Iceland!

We head out to a lava tube cave not far from Reykjavík. We go either to Leiðarendi Cave or Gjábakkahellir, both caves are typical lava tubes, formed when streams of hot lava flowed beneath lava which was already cooling. Accompanied by a qualified and experienced caving guide, who will kit you out with a helmet and headlamp, you will learn how some incredible lava formations were created in this stunning and surprisingly colorful underground world. Sometimes the cave is amazingly spacious and high, other times you need to travel on all fours. After we surface there is time for a quick lunch before you dive into Silfra.

Your certified snorkeling guide will equip you with everything you need and you are ready to go. You will be stunned by supernaturally brilliant shades of blue, as the exceptional visibility reveals incredible rock formations within this amazing sub-aquatic chasm. Silfra offers up to 100 meters of underwater visibility, which is simply unrivaled. Comfortably warm in an insulated drysuit you will be free to enjoy feelings of weightlessness and supreme serenity as you drift along with the lazy current, simply awe-stricken at the spectacular sights in the depths beneath you! There are four sections, each with a different character: the deep Silfra Crack, the majestic Silfra Hall, the expansive and rich blue world of Silfra Cathedral and Silfra Lagoon which has the most incredible visibility. Silfra has frequently been rated as one of the world’s top ten dives. There is nowhere else in the world where you can dive in a fissure between two tectonic plates! Are you up for a really special and totally unique experience?

Please note: You will not be able to wear glasses whilst snorkeling, so unless you bring prescription goggles you will need to wear contact lenses. It is also important that you are able to clearly understand instructions given in English. There are some health and fitness requirements for snorkeling, together with size restrictions (drysuit sizes available), please ask about these when you book your tour.

Remember to bring: Warm long underwear, preferably fleece/wool (no cotton!), warm wool socks and a change of clothes (just in case) for snorkeling. Warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, gloves, headwear, scarf and good hiking shoes for caving.

Day Highlights:

• Lava Field
• Lava Tube Caving
• Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
• Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Included:

• Pick up from Reykjavik
• Guided Caving tour
• Certified and experienced caving guide
• All caving equipment
• Snorkeling tour with certified guide
• All snorkeling equipment

Day 4: Hot springs and Horses

Pick up at 8:00 from your accommodation or a nearby location in Reykjavík. Please note: the pick up process can take up to 30 minutes but you do need to be ready and waiting at 08:00.

This classic hike starts from the outskirts of Hveragerði, the town of hot springs and flowers. With a professional hiking guide you will explore the magnificent hot spring valley of Reykjadalur, following a trail through magical mountain scenery. You are heading for the hot spring river, often called ‘Steam Valley’, hot water flows down and blends with a cool water source in the river, giving a perfect temperature for bathing. As you hike through the valley you will see every kind of hot spring which can be discovered in Iceland, your guide will share some fascinating hot spring and local information with you. A 7 km hike and hot spring bathing! Do remember to bring your bathing suit and towel. You get the chance to grab a quick lunch before you mount an Icelandic horse!

Your horse riding guide will equip you with everything you need and provide some horse riding instructions. Try out the unique fifth gait of the Icelandic horse, tölt, as you ride through stunning scenery. You will see some farms and get an idea of how farming and horse breeding have developed over the last few decades. After your horse riding adventure you are invited into the farmhouse for coffee and some authentic Icelandic home baked goods!

Remember to bring: Good hiking shoes, warm layers, headwear, gloves, scarves, waterproof jacket and pants.

Day Highlights:

• Reykjadalur Valley
• Hiking
• Hot spring river bathing
• Icelandic horse riding

Included:

• Pick up in Reykjavik
• Guided hike to the hot spring river
• Guided horseback riding tour
• Horse riding equipment

Day 5: ATV and Blue Lagoon

On your last day you actually get to do two tours, an adrenaline raising ATV tour and a relaxing and serene trip to the Blue Lagoon! There is some flexibility with the timings so pick up and return times will be confirmed when you book your tours.

You are picked up in Reykjavík for your ATV Quad Bike tour. ATV driving will be sure to to get your adrenaline really flowing as you roar off to the top of Mount Hafrafell! On a clear day, the views are mind-blowing, Mount Úlfarsfell, Hafravatn, a picturesque lake in the valley behind Mosfellsbær, Mount Esja, the whole of Reykjavík and the Reykjanes peninsula will stretch out before you. This really is the most exciting and speediest way to explore the wondrous landscapes ‘hiding’ behind the mountains!

After that adrenaline rush you will be ready for some relaxation! Your final tour will take you to the perfect location to capture some chilled Icelandic bliss. We pick you up from Reykjavík and drive you across Reykjanes to the Blue Lagoon,  a world famous spa. Make the most of the opportunity to bathe in the milky, silky smooth and skin soothing waters and to totally relax in the lunar landscape. Facilities include a shop, cafeteria, the Lava Restaurant and a bar offering an impressive cocktail menu.

Remember to bring: Bathing suit and towel (these may be hired from the Blue Lagoon).

Day Highlights

• ATV ride
• Mount Úlfarsfell
• Blue Lagoon

Included

• Pick up in Reykjavík (both tours)
• Guided ATV tour with experienced guide
• All ATV equipment
• Entrance to Blue Lagoon