Highlights of the South with Northern Lights
From the Blue Lagoon to the Glacier Lagoon, discover southern Iceland alongside a local guide — with Northern Lights hunting every night.
This Iceland southern highlights tour with Northern Lights takes you from Keflavík airport straight into four days of geothermal pools, volcanic landscapes, ancient glaciers, and one of the most sought-after natural phenomena on the planet. A local guide accompanies you throughout, ensuring you reach the best viewpoints and stay safe in Iceland's ever-changing weather.
The route moves through some of Iceland's most storied terrain: the Reykjanes peninsula, the remote valleys of Þórsmörk, the slopes of Eyjafjallajökull, the vast expanse of Vatnajökull, and the iconic sites of the Golden Circle. Each night, private cabin accommodation gives you a quiet base to rest and watch the sky for aurora activity.
Meals at local restaurants are woven into every day, connecting you with Icelandic food culture as naturally as the landscape unfolds around you. The pace is designed to be accessible for most fitness levels, with the difficulty rated easy overall.
Whether you are visiting Iceland for the first time or returning to explore beyond Reykjavík, this structured yet flexible itinerary covers the country's southern highlights without the crowds that self-drive routes often encounter at peak stops.
Tour Highlights
Soak in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most recognised natural attractions, just minutes from the airport.
Drive up the slopes of Eyjafjallajökull to 1,600 meters and look out over the caldera of the glacier that halted European air travel in 2010.
Hike through Þórsmörk nature reserve, a dramatic valley shaped by glacial rivers, surrounded by towering peaks and lava fields.
Visit the Glacier Lagoon at Vatnajökull, where icebergs calve from Europe's largest glacier into a serene blue lagoon before drifting to the Diamond Beach.
Watch Strokkur erupt in the Geysir geothermal area and stand at the edge of Gullfoss waterfall on the classic Golden Circle route.
Northern Lights viewing opportunities on multiple nights, with cabin accommodation away from city light pollution and guide assistance locating active aurora.
Walk through Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and Iceland's earliest parliament was held.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your guide collects you from Keflavík airport and heads directly to the Blue Lagoon, located only 20 minutes away. After a restorative soak and lunch, the group explores the south coast of the Reykjanes peninsula. The day ends with a three-course dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to a private cabin, where Northern Lights may be visible after dark.
Both destinations are tackled in a single full day. Þórsmörk offers dramatic hiking terrain and sweeping valley views, while Eyjafjallajökull provides a drive up to 1,600 meters elevation toward the volcanic caldera. Note that this section is weather-dependent and the operator may adjust the route to prioritise safety. Evening meals and cabin accommodation follow, with another opportunity for Northern Lights observation.
The route heads east toward Vatnajökull, which covers roughly 11 percent of Iceland's surface. Highlights include the Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs float in still water, and the Diamond Beach, where ice fragments wash ashore against black volcanic sand. Dinner is served in the village of Vík on the return journey before the group reaches the cabin for the night.
The final day covers the Golden Circle circuit: Gullfoss waterfall, the Strokkur geyser in the Geysir area, and Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A meal at a local restaurant is included before the guide transfers the group to Reykjavík, where the tour concludes.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
- Airport pickup at Keflavík (KEF)
- Blue Lagoon entrance and bathing session
- Local guide throughout all four days
- Private cabin accommodation
- Meals at local restaurants each day (as described per day)
- Þórsmörk and Eyjafjallajökull guided access
- Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach visit
- Golden Circle tour (Gullfoss, Geysir, Þingvellir)
- Drop-off in Reykjavík on Day 4
- Northern Lights assistance from guide
Not Included
- International flights to and from Iceland
- Personal travel insurance
- Additional meals and beverages not specified in itinerary
- Gratuities for guide
- Optional activities not listed in the programme
- Pick-up or drop-off from locations beyond those specified (may incur extra charges)
- Personal spending and souvenirs
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Spaces on this guided southern Iceland itinerary are limited. Secure your dates to avoid disappointment and let a local expert handle every detail of your journey from airport to aurora.
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