Private South Coast tour from Reykjavik: Glacier & waterfalls
One day, two waterfalls, a glacier valley walk and real molten lava. Just your group and a guide.
A private guided tour of South Iceland's major sights, departing from Reykjavik and returning the same day, with stops at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the Icelandic Lava Show, and a 15–20 minute guided walk down the valley to Sólheimajökull glacier. Your own English-speaking guide and luxury vehicle stay with your group for the full eleven hours. Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are included, as are waterproof jacket and pant rentals and hiking boots if you need them. Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the Lava Show or in the town of Vík. The tour does not include a glacier hike, though you walk close enough to the glacier's terminal face for photographs.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Explore South Coast's Fire and Ice
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Walk to Sólheimajökull glacier viewpoint
- Stop at Skógafoss waterfall
- Explore Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Visit Vík seaside town for lunch
- Attend Icelandic Lava Show
- Skógafoss 40m
- Reynisfjara Beach 40m
- Sólheimajökull Glacier 1h
- Seljalandsfoss Entry included 40m
What’s included
- Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik.
- transport by luxury vehicle for the full day.
- entry to the Icelandic Lava Show.
- a guided valley walk to Sólheimajökull glacier.
- rental of waterproof jackets, pants or hiking boots (pre-booked).
- an English-speaking professional guide from Hidden Iceland for the entire tour.
Times
- Every day 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Hidden Iceland
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
Eleven hours is the full day, and it runs from Reykjavik out to the South Coast and back. Your guide picks you up in the city, and the route hits Skógafoss first: the iconic waterfall that stops most South Coast visitors. From there you move to Reynisfjara, the black sand beach where basalt columns frame the shore, then to the Icelandic Lava Show, where you see re-melted lava and learn how Iceland's volcanoes have shaped the landscape and the towns around them. The guide explains the geology as you go. This is not a silent drive-by.
The glacier comes next. A guided walk of 15–20 minutes each way takes you down the valley toward Sólheimajökull, and your guide talks through how the glacier has changed and what the landscape tells you about it. You get close enough to the terminal face for photographs, but this is not a glacier hike. You stay on the valley floor. After that, Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall you can walk behind when conditions allow. The day ends with a stop in Vík, the seaside town with a church, cafes and views. There is time for lunch here or at the Lava Show if you want it. In the darkest winter months (November through January), the Vík stop shortens to save daylight for the sights themselves.
Because this is a private tour, your group has its own vehicle and guide for the whole day: no other travelers, no set schedule beyond the route itself. Waterproof jackets, pants and hiking boots are available to rent if you need them. You arrange this when you book. The guide is English-speaking and employed by Hidden Iceland. Pickup and drop-off happen in Reykjavik, so you do not arrange transport to a meeting point.
Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want a guide to pace your stops at multiple waterfalls and viewpoints, plus time for both the glacier walk and Lava Show in a single day from Reykjavik.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Icelandic Lava Show, and what do you actually see there?
The Icelandic Lava Show is an indoor exhibition where you witness real molten lava being re-melted and learn how Iceland's volcanic activity has shaped the country and affected towns like Vík. The show explains the geology and the role volcanoes play in Iceland's landscape.
Can I walk on the Sólheimajökull glacier itself, or just view it from a distance?
The tour includes a guided valley walk of 15–20 minutes each way that brings you close to the glacier's terminal face for photographs and views, but it does not include a glacier hike. You stay on the valley floor and do not walk on the ice.
What happens if I want lunch during the day?
Lunch is not included in the tour. You can purchase food at the Soup Company, which operates within the Icelandic Lava Show premises and serves soups, paninis and sandwiches, or you can shop in the town of Hvolsvöllur earlier in the day and bring food with you to eat at the sights. In the darkest winter months, the guide may order food to go so the group can use more daylight at the South Coast attractions.
Do I need to bring my own waterproof gear, or is it provided?
Waterproof jackets, pants and hiking boots are available to rent. You must pre-book these when you arrange the tour. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is recommended, and the rental gear helps you stay dry at the waterfalls and during the glacier valley walk.
How does a private tour differ from a small group tour of the same route?
This tour is now offered as private only, meaning your group has its own dedicated guide and luxury vehicle for the full eleven hours. You do not share the transport or guide with other travelers, and your group sets the pace at each stop within the day's route.
Private South Coast tour from Reykjavik: Glacier & waterfalls
11h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 2,850 per person
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