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Iceland Northern Lights

Rating: 4.6
Rating: 4.6/5 Read 7 reviews

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.

Comfort Level

Classic

Activity

Winter

Overview

Explore the dramatic countryside of Iceland in search of the aurora borealis, tumbling waterfalls and glittering glaciers

Go in search of the most dramatic lightshow on Earth on this aurora-hunting adventure in Iceland. Guided by an expert local tour leader, we head into the Icelandic countryside, where the dark skies (and real-time data) give us our best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Here, we also discover roaring waterfalls, icebergs littered on the black volcanic sands of Diamond Beach, and the Golden Circle of Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park.

One of Our Top Recommended Trips for 2026… Here’s Why
Our stage in the Solar Cycle, a natural 11-year fluctuation in the sun’s magnetic activity, means that 2026 promises to be the best aurora-viewing year in a decade with more intense and more frequent displays. If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Northern Lights, now’s the time to book that trip! − Garance Chuzel, destination expert.

Iceland Northern Lights

Key Information

What's Included

  • All breakfasts
  • All accommodation
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Tour leader from Day 2 onwards
  • Arrival and departure transfers (shuttle bus)

Highlights

  • Journey across southern Iceland with an expert tour leader in search of the Northern Lights
  • Stay in the countryside, where dark skies improve aurora displays
  • Complete the Golden Circle of Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park
  • Marvel at the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
  • See the brilliant blue ice of Falljokull on a glacier walk
  • Walk among great ice bulks on the black volcanic sands of Diamond Beach

Itinerary

Iceland Northern Lights
  • First Destination: Reykjavik
  • Next Destination: Reykjavik
  • Meals included:None
  • Meals included:Breakfast
  • Meals included:Breakfast
  • Meals included:Breakfast
  • Meals included:Breakfast
  • Meals included:Breakfast
  • First Destination: Reykjavik
  • Next Destination: Reykjavik

The adventure begins at our hotel in Reykjavik. The compact capital of Iceland is well worth exploring, and we strongly recommend a couple of extra days before or after your tour. Our welcome briefing takes place tomorrow morning, when we meet our tour leader for the first time.

If you’re itching to see the Northern Lights, you may wish to visit the waterfront, which is away from the main city lights and, therefore, offers better conditions should the aurora display tonight.

Accommodation: Hotel Klettur or Hotel Cabin (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Iceland Northern Lights

Gather for our welcome briefing at 8.30am, in which we discuss important information about the adventure and meet our tour leader for the first time.

Then we leave Reykjavik, driving east along the scenic southern highway. Our first stop is Seljalandsfoss, a 195ft (60m) high waterfall with fantastic ice features in winter. We can walk behind the cascade, providing conditions are not too icy. Suitable footwear is a must; however, the leader carries ice grips that can be put over standard walking boots to increase grip in slippery conditions. We continue through starkly beautiful countryside to an area impacted by the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

Then journey along the coast, visiting the Skógafoss waterfall, a 195ft (60m) drop that falls in an 80ft (25m) wide sheet. If there is time, we drive to the most southerly point in Iceland, the Dyrhólaey peninsula, to enjoy coastal views north to Mýrdalsjökull glacier and south to the Reynisdrangar black lava sea stacks. If conditions allow, we see the sea stacks at a closer proximity from Reynisfjara black beach. The final part of our journey takes us across the black expanse of the Myrdalssandur floodplains, created by the river that formed after the eruption of a volcano under the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier.

Our accommodation for the next two nights is Hotel Laki, just outside the small village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Thanks to our countryside location, we can step outside this evening and track the Northern Lights. We know from experience that if the Northern Lights do display tonight, we can see them from the hotel!

Accommodation: Hotel Laki (or similar)
Upgrade to a glacier-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

  • Meals included:Breakfast
Iceland Northern Lights

We set out across Skeidararsandur, a vast sand plain with wavy rivers, to the Falljokull glacier. Upon arrival, we walk to an accessible section, strap on crampons, grab ice axes, and walk on the glacier. The terrain is not challenging and even those with no similar experience should pick it up quickly. The glacier offers fantastic photo opportunities with walls of brilliant blue ice thousands of years in the making. Please note, weather and road conditions determine whether the glacier walk is possible and how long the transfer/walk to the glacier will be. In good conditions, the walk may be 15 minutes; in poorer conditions, the walk may be up to one hour. Your itinerary will be adjusted accordingly.

After the return hike, we travel to the beautiful Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, created in the 1950s as the glacier retreated from the coastline, leaving a 985ft (300m) deep, 8sqmi (20sqkm) lake studded by icebergs. On Diamond Beach, we walk among large chunks of ice washed up on the black volcanic sand, creating beautiful shapes and formations.

The drive back to the hotel is approximately 90 minutes (80mi/125km). We get back outside again this evening to search once more for the Northern Lights with the help with our expert tour leader.

Accommodation: Hotel Laki (or similar)
Upgrade to a glacier-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

  • Meals included:Breakfast
Iceland Northern Lights

We return along the south coast then head inland via Hvolsvöllur. We stop for lunch then head to the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. We also visit Geysir, home to the inimitable hot spouts. The most reliable eruption comes from Strokkur and occurs every five to 10 minutes, firing jets of hot water and steam 100ft (30m) into the air, a spectacle not to be missed.

Our final stop before returning to Reykjavik is Thingvellir National Park, where the first democratic parliament in the world sat in 930. It was not until 1798, that it moved to the capital. Thingvellir is also the site of the rift valley marking the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart, causing an area around 4mi (7km) to literally sink into the earth.

Tonight, take the opportunity to wander outside on your own one last time and maybe catch a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights.

Accommodation: Hotel Klettur or Hotel Cabin (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

  • Meals included:Breakfast
Iceland Northern Lights

Our trip ends with a Flybus transfer to Keflavik Airport. Your leader will not accompany you on the Flybus; however, you will provide a number to call for assistance should it be needed.

Alternatively you may wish to extend your stay and learn more about this incredible country. Please ask your sales representative about pre- and post-tour nights.

  • Meals included:Breakfast

Our trip ends with a Flybus transfer to Keflavik Airport. Your leader will not accompany you on the Flybus; however, you are provided with a number to call for assistance, should it be needed.

If you have time, you may wish to explore Reykjavik, visiting one of the local thermal pools or the Blue Lagoon (see the Extra Expenses & Spending Money section of the Trip Notes for details). Alternatively, you may wish to extend your stay and learn more about this incredible country. Please ask your sales representative about pre- and post-tour nights.

  • Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

  • Wednesday 18 Feb 2026 to Sunday 22 Feb 2026

    Availability
    Sold Out

    This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

    Optional Single Supplement
    +£ 410
    Available upon Request
  • Wednesday 18 Mar 2026 to Sunday 22 Mar 2026

    Availability
    Sold Out

    This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

    Optional Single Supplement
    +£ 410
  • Wednesday 30 Sep 2026 to Sunday 04 Oct 2026

    Availability
    Available

    This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

    Optional Single Supplement
    +£ 580

    £ 2149 (excl. flights)

    Book with £ 537 deposit

  • Wednesday 21 Oct 2026 to Sunday 25 Oct 2026

    Availability
    Guaranteed (Available)

    This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

    Optional Single Supplement
    +£ 580
    Save £ 210

    Usually £ 2149

    Now £ 1939

    Book with £ 484 deposit

  • Wednesday 11 Nov 2026 to Sunday 15 Nov 2026

    Availability
    Available

    This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

    Optional Single Supplement
    +£ 455

    £ 1949 (excl. flights)

    Book with £ 487 deposit

  • Wednesday 02 Dec 2026 to Sunday 06 Dec 2026

    Availability
    Guaranteed (Available)

    This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

    Optional Single Supplement
    +£ 455
    Save £ 290

    Usually £ 1949

    Now £ 1659

    Book with £ 414 deposit

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Accommodation

Hotels Klettur or Cabin and Hotel Laki

We aim to use hotels that provide good value for money (in Icelandic terms) along with a comfortable experience.

Upgraded rooms are available throughout the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details. 

In Reykjavik, we either stay at Hotel Klettur or Hotel Cabin, depending on availability.

Hotel Klettur

Iceland Northern Lights

The property is approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the main shopping street, Laugavegur, so it’s easy to enjoy the cafes, bars and restaurants of the capital. If you’d prefer to relax at the hotel, there’s a ground-floor bar serving Icelandic beers and cocktails (look out for the happy hour from 5pm to 8pm) and a games room with a pool table and Northern Lights selfie wall.

Hotel Cabin

Iceland Northern Lights

Hotel Cabin offers the same standard of accommodation and facilities, but is approximately 2,625ft (800m) further from the city centre. It also has a bar serving Icelandic beers and cocktails (with a happy hour on draft beer from 4pm to 6pm).

Hotel Laki

Iceland Northern Lights

Within the rugged countryside, this 64-room hotel is ideally placed for spotting the Northern Lights. The property is run by farmers-turned-hoteliers Salome and Hörður. Their restaurant uses suppliers that pay a fair price to farmers and serves locally sourced, seasonal produce. It also offers expansive views over the countryside, meaning guests can eat their food while gazing over Vatnajökull glacier or the Northern Lights when they come. Each room has a garden view plus a kettle should you wish to stay up late with a hot drink.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

It includes three-and-a-half days’ sightseeing with visits to areas of natural beauty.

Northern Lights: We are pleased to say most of our groups see the aurora in some form, but as it is a natural phenomenon, we cannot guarantee what you will see. However, according to the latest solar activity reports, it’s thought that 2024 and 2025 are going to be particularly good years for seeing the Northern Lights.

We give ourselves the best chance of seeing them by choosing locations and times based on the latest information. We will not go out every night, instead we monitor conditions and reports on the geomagnetic activity to see where and when excursions may be successful.

Our accommodation in the east is fairly remote, so is well placed when skies are clear. If the lights are visible here, it is likely we can simply see them from the viewing terrace of our hotel.

Other excursions: We also venture out onto a glacier equipped with a helmet, ice axe and crampons, sticking to flat sections of the ice. This experience is very accessible and designed for all abilities. To make the most of this trip you do not need previous experience, but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.

Please note, Iceland has become hugely popular in recent years and you may find some of the main sites rather busy at certain times.

Weather and seasonality: Icelandic weather is unpredictable. Please come prepared for cold, wet and windy conditions. As this trip runs from October to March, daylight hours will vary depending on departure date, from around five hours in January to 10 hours in March. Outside of daylight there are twilight hours, particularly before sunrise, when there is enough light to see by. Naturally, the Aurora will not be visible during daylight, but March has some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights (close to the spring equinox).

Please note that, on occasion, severe weather can affect our ability to undertake some of the outdoor activities and we cannot rule out changes to the itinerary for these reasons. Any such decisions would always be taken with the safety of the group in mind. We always endeavour to provide suitable alternatives in this instance.

Drives: We cover a lot of ground and, as such, have a few long drives. We make frequent photo stops to admire the spectacular landscapes.

Key information

Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time on Day 1, our welcome meeting is scheduled for 8:30am on Day 2 of the trip.
Airport: Keflavik Airport (KEF)

Airport transfers

The start hotel is approximately 45 to 60 minutes’ drive from the airport. Prior to travel, everyone will receive a Flybus voucher, which must be exchanged at the Flybus counter inside the airport or on the first bus for two tickets – one to the hotel and another back to the airport. The public Flybus system offers bus transfers throughout the day and stops at various city hotels, including our start hotel. You need to carry your own luggage and change bus at the Reykjavik bus terminal to continue your journey to the start hotel. There may be a wait of around 15 minutes between buses. You will receive further details in your Final Joining Instructions.

Why Flybus?

We use Flybus so you have full flexibility to choose the flight times that work best for you. This also means we avoid adding to the road traffic and carbon emissions by having a private bus meet our groups. It is the most cost effective and responsible way to transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik. If you prefer to be met by a taxi, this can be arranged at an additional cost. Contact your sales representative for more detail
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Iceland

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Iceland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/iceland
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/iceland
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iceland/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iceland.html

All breakfasts are included. There are several different lunch stops, which we believe fit well with the itinerary, such as the cafe near the Skogafoss waterfall. In the east of Iceland, we stop at local restaurants for dinner.

In Reykjavik, there are plenty of restaurants to cover all tastes and budgets. Traditional Icelandic dishes consist of salmon, cod, lamb and puffin. The old town cafes are particularly cosy, packed with comfy chairs and antique furniture, with wonderful selections of coffees, cakes and treats.

Vegetarian and vegan options are generally available, although in the east of Iceland these may be more limited than in Reykjavik. If you follow a restricted diet of any kind, please expect options to be limited.

Iceland has a notoriously fickle climate and on any winter day you may experience sunshine alternating with short or long showers of snow, sleet or rain. Away from the coast, in most winters, there is good snow cover for much of the season. Average daytime temperatures in Reykjavik are 0C to -5C (32F to 23F). In the interior, it can be several degrees colder, and in windy weather, which is common, the windchill factor can be significant.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Nikita Davies

Rating: 5

Prepare to be Astounded

Wow! If it's adventure you are after, then you've come to the right place. Iceland has so much to offer, not only the Northern Lights. There are glacier hikes, caving, surfing, whale watching to name a few activities in Iceland. For the not so physical, there are beautiful waterfalls and...

Most Inspirational Moment

The glazier hike was something I won't forget. It is slightly physical (a few uphills) but the beauty that surrounds your while on the hike is magical and so worth it. Diamond beach was phenomenal too - pitch black beach sand with big ice cubes dotted around - one word...unbelievable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oskar was amazing. Always communicated with on plans during the trip, be it meal times, how long from one destination to another or safety briefings where needed. Anything you asked Oskar or advice needed, Oskar was more than willing to offer his knowledge on Iceland or advice for travellers that were staying on longer and wanted to continue exploring Iceland.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Iceland is pricey so be prepared when travelling there. Not a great deal of public transport, so the accommodation Exodus arranges is ideally situated - we were able to walk to a few attractions and get something to eat with relative ease.

Laura Waters

Rating: 4

Wild and Wonderful

A whistle stop tour through the extremes of Iceland's landscape and weather! The itinerary is essentially waterfalls on day one, glaciers on day two and the 'golden circle' on day three. We had atrocious weather (lashing rain and 100mph winds) on day one so perhaps visiting three waterfalls wasn't the...

Most Inspirational Moment

The huge icebergs in the glacial lagoon and on the nearby black sand beach. And our guide making us Icelandic gin and tonics by smashing up a piece of glacial ice from the beach with his ice pick when we were back at the hotel!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oskar was great. He organised everything well, was really informative about Icelandic history and current events, and coped with some challenging weather and driving conditions with a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Allow a lot of time to transfer from/to the airport via Flybus. It doesn't go direct to hotels but involves changing at a bus terminal in Reykjavik (my flight arrived at 7.45pm and I got to the hotel at 10pm.) Make sure your waterproofs are definitely waterproof, take thermal tips and bottoms, and hats, scarves, gloves and snoods - the wind is ferocious and very chilly. You don't need cash except to tip the guide at the end of the trip. Make sure you bring an adapter and a usb a cable - my usb c didn't work in any of the usb points in the hotels or airport and charging via the adapter was slow.

Suggestions

I would fly with Icelandair not a budget airline. Exodus booked me on easyJet flights (as I didn't want to fly from London) but it made checking in and everything else so difficult that I would book my own flights in future. (easyJet don't pay for airport services online check in was pointless and had to queue through the airport desks). Make sure you have a day or two in Reykjavik before or after the tour and try to get to one of the spas or swimming pools too.

Adam Fouracre

Rating: 4

First time with Exodus and wow!

Great tour guide, nice small and friendly group, great locations to explore and lucky enough to see the lights.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the lights! They were phenomenal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really knowledgeable, friendly, funny and chilled.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t delay! Want to try or do something then just do it. If it’s Iceland just remember the more layers you can get on the better! Never underestimate how cold and windy it can be. And definitely don’t forget good waterproofs! Even the top quality ones are often rubbish when it comes to waterfall spray!

Suggestions

First time solo traveling and with exodus. So pleased I got up the courage to go. First hotel could do with an update and was a little tired but other than that, cannot fault it.

sarah hodgkins

Rating: 5

Iceland

Great trip. Except the information re the fly is was incorrect. You have to change at the bus terminal to get to the hotel. It doesn’t go straight to the airport as I was told prior to going.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the northern lights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant.

Gareth B

Rating: 4

The best of Iceland in 3 days

The trip crams a lot into 3 full days, but doesn't feel rushed. There's plenty of amazing sights to see, including stunning waterfalls, black beaches, geysers and the highlight was walking on the glacier - we had perfect weather with blue skies! The tour is well thought-out, and despite there...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't assume that you're going to see the Northern Lights, you're reliant on the weather playing ball, and it coinciding with solar activity. Unfortunately I didn't see them on this trip, however some of my fellow travellers who went out 1 day before had an amazing view - typical! I visited in mid-Feb, so there was a decent amount of daylight and darkness. Even without seeing them, it was a great trip with great people and included a wonderful landscape. Other than that, Iceland itself is pretty expensive, so factor that into your budgeting.

Kara Brown

Rating: 5

Don’t just go to see the Northern Lights.

Despite some clear skies the solar activity was low so we did not managed to see the Northern Lights on our tour in Feb 2024. Despite this there is lots packed into this short tour including seeing the sights of the so called Golden Circle (Gullfoss Waterfall; Geysir & Pingvellir)...

Most Inspirational Moment

One truly unique sight on this tour was on the first morning, as we were leaving Reykjavik, the latest volcanic eruption had just started on the Reykjanes peninsula, so our guide took us to a vantage point on the outskirts of Reykjavik so we got a view of it ! Of the scheduled items on the itinerary the glacier walk was the highlight!

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was excellent. As well as doing all the driving he provided lots of insight into the Icelandic culture and commentary on the unique features of this amazing country. He went out of his way to show us the volcanic eruption on the first day of the tour as well as making sure we still fitted in everything on the scheduled itinerary!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say don’t go on this tour if your only reason is to see the Northern Lights. It is a natural phenomenon and can be quite difficult to see. However do go if you want to see all the other things on the itinerary. For me I would say that the glacier walk was the highlight.

Suggestions

Go for it !

Carol Fagg

Rating: 5

Trip name is a misnomer

Had a brilliant holiday, saw so much, but the trip title is a misnomer. Not sure what the odds are of seeing the northern lights in 4 nights, but unlikely to be more than 50:50

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on a glacier

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go expecting to see lots, - but not necessarily the Northern lights. If you get them it's a bonus.

Discounted Price: 1659 £. Regular price: 1949 £
5 Days Excluding Flights

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Iceland Northern Lights