Explore the breathtaking landscapes of the southernmost part of Iceland with your own private guide.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
✓ Private transportation
✓ Knowledgeable & experienced English speaking driver-guide
✓ Pickup & drop-off within the Reykjavik Capital Area
✓ Air-conditioned vehicle
✓ Parking Fees
✗ Food & drinks (your private driver-guide can recommend stops for refreshments during the tour)
✗ Entry or admission fees to activities outside of the itinerary
✗ Gratuities
WHAT TO EXPECT
1. Seljalandsfoss
The 62 m (203 ft) high majestic waterfall Seljalandsfoss is fed by spring water from the river Seljalandsá. Many think it is fed with melting water from the glacier-capped Eyjafjallajökull, a volcano that famously erupted in 2010 and affected air traffic throughout Europe, but the water in Seljalandsfoss is bright and clean due to it being spring water. It cascades into a beautiful meadow, like a curtain over a tall cliff that once marked a coastline by the ocean before eruptions extended the land, and behind the waterfall is a walking path for a unique angle of the waterfall and its surroundings. This trail continues from behind the waterfall and around it. The picturesque Seljalandsfoss is among the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland for a reason.
We'll also make a short walk to Seljalandsfoss' neighbor Gljúfrabúi, a 40 m (131 ft) high partially hidden waterfall within a canyon with mossy walls, which is a great addition to the spectacular visits on the south coast of Iceland.
2. Skogafoss
Skógafoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland dropping 60 m (197 ft) off an eroded cliff with an astounding width of 25 m (82 ft) and up to 30 m (98 ft) after heavy rain. It is located on the river Skógá which flows from under Eyjafjallajökull, a glacier-capped volcano that last erupted in 2010. In that eruption, Skógafoss became grey from all the ash blowing into the Skógá river. Skógafoss produces a great amount of spray so on sunny days, you may see a rainbow forming, some days even a double rainbow. Underneath the waterfall the land is flat, making it easy to walk right up to it, but make note you may get wet from the spraying. If you're up for it you can also view Skógafoss from the top since a 527 step staircase leads up to an observation platform above it with an amazing view of the coastline. Resting in the gorge Kvernugil close to Skógafoss is the 30 m (98 ft) high waterfall Kvernufoss which is considered a hidden gem.
3. Solheimajokull Glacier
The outlet glacier Sólheimajökull is an 11 km (6.8 mi) in length and situated on the southwestern part of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. It sits in a valley which provides an easy 15-minute walk to a viewpoint towards the edge of Sólheimajökull. The ice is bluish-white and covered in black bands of ash from nearby volcanic eruptions. Most of the ash is from the 1,491 m (4,892 ft) high Hekla volcano and the 1918 eruption of the most active volcano in Iceland called Katla, which lies beneath Mýrdalsjökull, usually erupting twice every century so it's expected to erupt soon.
4. Dyrholaey
The 120 m (390 ft) high Dyrhólaey is a promontory that used to be the southernmost point of Iceland until the Kötlutangi spit formed during the 1918 eruption of the Katla volcano. Formerly an island originating from an underwater eruption over 100,000 years ago, it was similar to the famous Surtsey eruption in 1963 southwest of the Westman Islands. From centuries of erosion stands in front of this promontory a gigantic black archway of lava with a hole big enough for boats to pass through like a door, giving the name Dyrhólaey (e. Door Hill Island) to this small peninsula. It's so large that in 1993 a pilot flew his plane right through it!
From May to September puffin colonies reside on the cliffs of Dyrhólaey which is an important nesting site for sea birds. Since it has been a protected area since 1978 it is a nature reserve, so access is sometimes limited to Dyrhólaey from the beginning of May till late June during the daytime to protect the birds during nesting season.
5. Reynisfjara Beach
The beautiful Reynisfjara black sand beach is among the most popular visits in southern Iceland. Reynisfjara can be very dangerous with its powerful ocean waves and rockfalls from the cliffs due to coastal erosion. Both can often be very unexpected and tragically fatal accidents have happened there throughout the years. It may be tempting to have a picture taken after climbing up onto the basalt columns, but people have been surprised by a sudden "sneaker wave" snatching them and the undertow pulling them out to sea. Nothing can be done if this happens so there's no turning back after that. Reynisdrangar is a collection of 66 m (216 ft) high basalt sea pinnacles rising out of the sea by Reynisfjara. An old tale says they originate from when two trolls tried dragging a three-masted ship to land at night, but when daylight broke they along with the ship became these stacks of pinnacles standing out in the sea.
6. Vik
Vík í Mýrdal is the southernmost village of Iceland with about 750 inhabitants and it is the only seaside village without a harbor. Instead, they used fishing boats with wheels on driving into the sea and then back again with the catch to a small fish factory. Vík is a relatively young village since when in 1833 two farmers started importing goods from England to sell to the inhabitants nearby due to the long traveling distances to other towns and villages for food and other goods. With the business growing steadily, a company was founded in 1916 to buy the ship Skaftfellingur to transport goods between England and Vík. Both Vík and its church Víkurkirkja are the primary settings of the Icelandic Netflix series Katla, following a group of people in Vík struggling in the aftermath of Katla's first eruption since 1918.
ADDITIONAL INFO
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
CANCELLATION POLICY
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.