3-Day Ice Cave, Golden Circle

3-Day Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle and Northern Lights

★ 4.9 693 reviews

from $999 per person, price varies by group size

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 3 days
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Breakfast only
Ice cave season: roughly October to April, conditions permitting
Run by: Troll Expeditions

Overview

Three days with Troll Expeditions pack the Golden Circle, the South Coast, a glacier hike and a blue ice cave into one guided trip from Reykjavik, capped at 18 travellers; the northern lights are not a booked item, just a possibility on clear nights. Day one covers Thingvellir National Park, Bruarfoss, Geysir and Gullfoss before overnighting near the South Coast. Day two is the activity-heavy stretch: a super jeep ride onto the glacier, a naturally formed ice cave and a guided glacier hike with all safety gear provided. Day three continues east to the glacier lagoon at Jokulsarlon, Diamond Beach and the black sand at Reynisfjara before the drive back west.

Two nights in three-star hotels with private bathrooms are built in, and breakfast on both mornings is covered. Lunch and dinner are not. An English-speaking guide travels with the group, and several reviews credit guides with adding unscheduled stops such as an ocean arch or a volcanic detour when time allowed.

Black sand beach with ice chunks at Diamond Beach near Jokulsarlon

This suits travellers with limited days who want the classic southern loop handled end to end, including rooms, transport and winter driving. It is a winter product at heart: ice caves only form and open in cold months, and the exact departure months are not mentioned, so check the booking page. Anyone who wants a slower pace or wheelchair access should look elsewhere.

From$999 per person, varies by group size

Duration3 days

Rating4.9 from 693 reviews

What's Included

Included

Glacier Hike incl. Safety Equipment
Ice Cave Tour via Super Jeep incl. Safety Equipment
Pickup and drop-off from designated Bus stops
2 Night Accommodation
WiFi on board
English Speaking Guide
Breakfast (2)

Not Included

Lunch and dinner
Hiking Boots Rental (3,000 ISK)
Waterproof Jacket Rental (1,750 ISK)
Waterproof Pants Rental (1,750 ISK)
Hat and Gloves Combo with Logo (3,000 ISK)
Neck Warmer with Logo (500 ISK)
Summer Cap with Logo (1,500 ISK)
Luggage Storage (1,750 ISK)

Itinerary

Golden Circle dayThingvellir National Park (45 minutes, admission included), Bruarfoss Waterfall (30 minutes, admission included), Geysir (30 minutes, free) and Gullfoss Falls (30 minutes, free), then overnight at a three-star hotel with private bathroom.
Waterfalls and glacier daySeljalandsfoss (30 minutes, free) and Skogafoss (30 minutes, admission included), then roughly three hours at Skaftafell for the super jeep ice cave tour and glacier hike with safety equipment. Second night at a three-star hotel with private bathroom.
Lagoon and black sand dayGlacier Lagoon (45 minutes, admission included), Diamond Beach (30 minutes, admission included) and Reynisfjara Beach (30 minutes, admission included), then the return to Reykjavik. Dinner is not included on this tour.

GearIncluded

GuideIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this trip goes, from gear rentals to weather reshuffles.

Gear rentals. Hiking boots, waterproof jacket and waterproof pants are not included and rent for the ISK amounts listed on the booking page. The operator recommends slip-resistant boots for winter visits. One reviewer suggests bringing your own raincoat for the waterfalls instead.
Hike difficulty. One reviewer rated the glacier hike moderate rather than easy, noting the harness, helmet, ice axe and crampons are handed out for a reason. It is a real walk on ice, not a flat snowshoe stroll. Reasonable mobility is needed.
Weather reshuffles. The order and availability of stops can change with roads and weather, and the operator notifies travellers by email or through the guide. Reviewers repeatedly describe itineraries being adjusted around storms while still covering the main sights. If an activity is cancelled for weather, a partial refund is issued after the tour ends.
Northern lights. The lights are a natural phenomenon the operator cannot guarantee, though the hotels sit in spots chosen to improve the odds. Several reviewers reported seeing them, sometimes after waiting up to midnight. Treat any display as a bonus, not a booked item.

Where this tour sits among 6 tours in Multi-Day South Coast Tours listed here (from-price per person, USD)

2-Day Ice Cave and Glacier Hike$633
2-Day Glacier Hike, Small Group$639
2-Day Small Group, Blue Ice Cave$689
2-Day Tour, Lagoon Boat Ride$696
3-Day Ice Cave, Golden Circle (this tour)$999
3-Day Golden Circle, Small Group$1,092

Food and luggage. Breakfast on both mornings is included; lunch and dinner are not. Luggage is limited to one 24-inch suitcase per person, with no multiple bags, and luggage storage is available as a rental item if space in the vehicle is limited.
Group feel. The cap is 18 travellers with WiFi on board. Reviews often praise guides who kept the group informed and added extra stops when the schedule allowed. One solo traveller reported meeting like-minded people on the trip and enjoying the group setting.

From$999 per person, varies by group size

Rating4.9 from 693 reviews

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and pickup is only from designated bus stops in the greater capital area, never Keflavik airport. Weather is the biggest variable: reviewers describe storms, rain and deep cold on the glacier, and the operator does not refund for public landmarks that become inaccessible. One reviewer found the hotels uneven, calling one room mediocre and another very nice. Lunch, dinner and gear rentals add to the cost. Refunds in full require cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The glacier hike and ice cave tour with safety equipment, transport with WiFi, an English-speaking guide, pickup and drop-off from designated bus stops, two nights in three-star hotels with private bathrooms, and breakfast on both mornings. Admission fees for the listed stops are covered. Lunch, dinner and gear rentals are extra.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Pickup and drop-off from designated bus stops in the greater Reykjavik area are included. Some hotels cannot be reached by bus, so travellers should check busstop.is or ask their hotel front desk for the nearest stop. Pickup from Keflavik airport or outside the capital area is not available.

How Hard Is The Glacier Hike?

The operator provides all safety equipment, including crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe. One reviewer described the hike as moderate rather than easy, since it involves walking and climbing on ice rather than a flat trail. Most travellers can participate according to the operator.

What Should I Bring?

The operator recommends slip-resistant hiking boots for winter visits, and boots can be rented. A raincoat is useful at the waterfalls, as one reviewer advises; waterproof jackets and pants are also available as rentals. Luggage is limited to one 24-inch suitcase per person.

Will We See The Northern Lights?

They cannot be guaranteed since they are a random natural phenomenon. The hotels are located to maximise the chances, and many reviewers did see them, often late at night. Treat the lights as a possible bonus rather than a certainty.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Later cancellations receive no refund, and changes inside 24 hours are not accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather, a different date or a full refund is offered, and weather-cancelled activities are partially refunded once the tour ends.