Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
From golden circles to glacial lagoons, experience Iceland's winter wonders in one complete journey.
The 6-day around Iceland winter minibus tour takes travelers on a structured circuit of Iceland's most iconic landscapes, from the geothermal fields of the Golden Circle to the remote Eastfjords and the whale-rich waters off the northern coast. Designed for ease and immersion, this itinerary covers the South Coast, glacier hikes, blue ice caves, Lake Mývatn, and North Iceland in a single cohesive journey. Every overnight stay is positioned to maximize the chances of witnessing the northern lights.
Iceland in winter presents a version of the island that few destinations can rival. The low sun casts long shadows across lava fields, icebergs shimmer in near-frozen lagoons, and natural ice caves glow with a blue that exists nowhere else on earth. This tour is rated easy, making it accessible for a wide range of travelers without sacrificing depth or variety.
Accommodations throughout the route are primarily country hotels, deliberately chosen for their locations away from light pollution. Each evening offers a realistic opportunity to observe the aurora borealis, depending on solar activity and cloud cover. The tour concludes with a return to Reykjavík, giving travelers time to explore the capital before departure.
Included activities such as glacier hiking, an ice cave tour, and a whale watching excursion are integrated directly into the schedule, removing the need for separate bookings. Optional additions like horseback riding and the VÖK Baths allow for a degree of personalization at key points in the journey.
Tour Highlights
Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall and stand before the thundering curtain of Skógafoss on Iceland's South Coast.
Strap on crampons for a guided glacier hike across crevasses and blue ice ridges on one of Iceland's major outlet glaciers.
Enter a natural blue ice cave inside Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, a phenomenon unique to Iceland's winter season.
Board a traditional wooden boat in the village of Hauganes for a three-hour whale watching tour in North Iceland's rich waters.
Visit Diamond Beach where translucent icebergs from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon wash ashore on black volcanic sand.
Explore the geothermal landscapes of Námaskarð and the lava formations of Dimmuborgir near Lake Mývatn.
Drive through the Eastfjords passing Iceland's largest forest, the lake of Lagarfljót, and quiet fishing villages.
Itinerary Overview
Visit Þingvellir National Park where two tectonic plates diverge, followed by the erupting Strokkur geyser at the Geysir geothermal area. The day concludes at Gullfoss waterfall before an overnight stay within the Golden Circle region.
Begin the day with a guided glacier hike offering close views of blue ice and crevasses. Continue to Skógafoss waterfall, then finish at Reynisfjara black sand beach with its distinctive basalt columns, overnight near Vík.
Explore a natural blue ice cave inside Breiðamerkurjökull glacier with an experienced guide. Afterward, visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to observe calving icebergs and seals, then walk Diamond Beach before the night near Vatnajökull.
Travel east through Hallormsstadaskógur forest, past Lagarfljót lake, and into the scenic fjords of East Iceland. The optional horseback riding tour is available here, with the night spent in the Eastfjords area.
Discover Dimmuborgir lava formations, the boiling mud pools of Námaskarð, and the historically significant Goðafoss waterfall. The evening is spent in Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland.
Depart Akureyri for Hauganes, a small coastal village, where a three-hour whale watching tour offers sightings of Humpback and Minke whales, Harbour Porpoise, and White-Beaked Dolphins. The tour then concludes with an evening arrival in Reykjavík.
What Is Included
Included
- Glacier Hiking Tour on Day 2
- Ice Cave Tour with experienced glacier guide on Day 3
- Whale Watching Tour in Hauganes on Day 6
- 5 nights accommodation at country hotels
- Minibus transportation throughout the circuit
- Professional tour guide for the duration
Not Included
- Flights to and from Iceland
- Meals and personal beverages
- Travel insurance
- Optional Horseback Riding Tour (Day 4)
- Optional VÖK Baths entrance (Day 4)
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Winter Circuit
This six-day itinerary covers Iceland's most celebrated winter landscapes in a single structured journey, with guided glacier activities, ice cave access, and whale watching included. Spaces on small-group minibus tours are limited.
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