- Tour code
ISLADV01
- Start
Keflavík
- End
Keflavík
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Explorer
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
Winter strips Iceland down to its most dramatic: snow on the lava fields, low golden light, waves crashing onto black sand and, if the skies cooperate, the aurora overhead. This short trip packs the highlights of the south into a few well-paced days.
You begin in Reykjavík with time to explore on foot, a long soak at the Blue Lagoon and a private food tour that runs from classic Icelandic bites to a shot of Brennivín. The next day you drive the south coast past Seljalandsfoss, the Dyrhólaey headland, the black sand of Reynisfjara and the moss-lined Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon.
That night is spent at a remote hotel in the countryside, where dark skies give you the best chance of seeing the northern lights. On the way back you stop at Skógafoss and unwind at Sky Lagoon, with lunch included, before a final dinner in the city.
Transport, hotels, two lunches and two group dinners are taken care of, and you share it all with a small group of 6 to 16 travelers and your Soca Islands Host.
Why This Journey
Winter daylight in Iceland is short, and the south coast's best sights are spread out along a single road. Having the driving, timings and meals handled means you spend the light hours at the waterfalls and beaches rather than planning, and the night away from Reykjavík puts you somewhere genuinely dark for the aurora.
Two geothermal lagoons, a food tour and a final group dinner balance the cold days outside. It suits travelers with limited time who want a first winter taste of Iceland, and pairs easily with a few extra days in Reykjavík.
Where You'll Stay
Reykjavík: Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel, by the Old Harbor. South coast (1 night): Hótel Laki, a countryside hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur with dark skies for aurora watching. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Rooms are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of Keflavík International Airport (KEF); arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Reykjavik's streets, landmarks and food
Glaciers, waterfalls and volcanic coastline
Geothermal lagoons and a chance to see the northern lights
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Optional bar crawl and personal expenses
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Get into Reykjavík early and set off on foot. Look up at the concrete spire of Hallgrímskirkja, then work your way down Laugavegur, the main shopping street, past cafés, bookshops and wool stores. Icelandic place names are a challenge; don't worry if they defeat you.
Next you head to the Blue Lagoon for a long soak in its milky-blue geothermal water, surrounded by black lava. Later in the afternoon the group meets up for a private food tour of the city, sampling traditional dishes and a taste of Brennivín, the caraway spirit nicknamed Black Death. Your evening is free to spend with the group or on your own.
After breakfast you drive south into open, empty country. At Seljalandsfoss a path leads behind the 60-meter curtain of water. At the Dyrhólaey headland the views take in the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the black beaches and the sea stacks off Reynisfjara.
Lunch is in the small village of Vík, then you walk down to Reynisfjara itself to see its basalt columns and powerful surf; keep well back from the waterline, as the waves here are unpredictable. The last stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur, a deep, winding canyon cut into moss-covered rock.
You spend the night at a remote hotel over a traditional Icelandic dinner, with dark skies overhead. If the aurora appears, it's worth heading outside, however cold it is.
Heading back west, you stop at Skógafoss, where local legend says a Viking chieftain hid a chest of treasure behind the falls.
Then it's on to Sky Lagoon to soak in geothermal water overlooking the ocean, with lunch included. Back in Reykjavík the group gathers for a final dinner, and anyone with energy left can carry on with a bar crawl through the city.
Share one last breakfast with the group before your departure transfer to Keflavík International Airport (KEF). With time to spare, see the glass facade of Harpa concert hall, walk the Old Harbor or catch sunset at Grótta lighthouse.
If you're extending your stay, renting a car, joining a whale-watching trip or heading back out to the glaciers are all good options.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel
A design-led hotel in a converted building by Reykjavík's old harbour, a short walk from the city centre, Laugavegur and the Harpa concert hall, and close to the harbour's whale-watching and food halls.
The Slippbarinn cocktail bar by the harbour is a lively spot in the evenings.
Rooms are 17 m² (183 ft²).
Hotel websiteHótel Laki
A countryside hotel on a farm a few kilometers from Kirkjubæjarklaustur on the south coast, surrounded by lava fields and open land with little light pollution, which makes it a good place to watch for the northern lights. Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is a short drive away.
It has a restaurant serving Icelandic dishes, and staff can alert guests when the aurora appears.
Rooms
You'll stay at Trip Hotel.
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- +$1,221 per person
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
Room prices are per person for the Nov 10, 2027 departure and can differ on other dates. You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of Keflavík International Airport (KEF).
Proposed accommodation is Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel in Reykjavík and Hótel Laki on the south coast, or similar, subject to confirmation.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers between Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 group dinners: lunch in Vík and dinner at the south-coast hotel on Day 2, and lunch at Sky Lagoon and the final dinner in Reykjavík on Day 3. Other meals are at your own cost.
The aurora depends on solar activity and clear skies, so sightings can't be guaranteed. The night on the south coast is spent away from city lights to give you the best chance.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our The Iceland Winter Trip trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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