Reykjavik: Lava Cave, Hot Springs, Horses & Waterfalls Tour

Some Iceland days pack a lot into one road trip. This 10-hour outing from Reykjavik takes you into Borgarfjörður for Viðgelmir Lava Cave, Hraunfossar, hot springs, Icelandic horses, and the historic site of Reykholt. I especially like the mix of geology and culture, plus the small group size of no more than 19 people. The main drawback is the long day and the cave’s cold, wet, slippery conditions.

You begin with waterfalls and geothermal sights, then spend time at Sturlureykir Horse Farm before entering one of Iceland’s best-known lava tunnels. Guides such as Filip, Walter, Addi, Thor, and Colin have earned praise for humor, stories, and care on the road, while the cave guides add a more focused geology lesson.

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap day out. Still, the price includes transport from Reykjavik, both main admissions, an English-speaking guide, and Wi-Fi on the bus. If you want to see several parts of West Iceland without renting a car, I think the package makes good sense.

Key points at a glance

• Viðgelmir Lava Cave: Walk through a nearly 1,600-meter lava tunnel with unusual colors, formations, and seasonal ice.
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: See water spilling from a lava field across roughly 900 meters, with another waterfall only a short walk away.
• Sturlureykir Horse Farm: Meet friendly Icelandic horses and taste homemade rúgbrauð, a dark hot spring baked bread.
• Borgarfjörður culture: Visit Reykholt and Snorralaug, a small spring linked to medieval writer and politician Snorri Sturluson.
• Small-group format: The vehicle carries up to 19 passengers, giving the day a more personal feel than a large coach tour.
• Weather matters: Warm clothing is essential, and the cave can be very cold even when Reykjavik feels comfortable.

Why this West Iceland day works so well

Many day trips from Reykjavik stay close to the famous southern sights. This one heads west, into Borgarfjörður, an area tied closely to Icelandic saga literature and volcanic geology. You get a useful change of pace: less emphasis on one famous attraction, more on how the country was formed and how people lived here.

I like the way the stops build on one another. At Deildartunguhver, you see geothermal power close to the surface. At Hraunfossar, you watch water emerge from beneath a lava field. Inside Viðgelmir, you walk through the remains of an eruption. Reykholt then adds the human story.

The schedule also has a sensible rhythm. You are not walking for ten straight hours. There are short sightseeing stops, time for photos, a horse farm visit, a longer waterfall and lunch break, and a guided cave tour. That variety helps the day pass faster than the total duration might suggest.

Still, this is a full day on the road. You leave Reykjavik in the morning and return after a long series of stops. If you prefer a slow day with only one or two sights, this tour will feel busy. If you want to cover West Iceland in one efficient outing, the pace is one of its strengths.

Glanni Waterfall begins the journey

The first listed stop is Glanni Waterfall, with about 30 minutes for sightseeing. That gives you enough time to walk out, take photographs, and get your first taste of the Borgarfjörður region without rushing through the view.

Glanni is a useful opening stop because it gets you out of the vehicle early. After pickup in Reykjavik, a short walk beside moving water is a better start than sitting on the bus while the guide talks for an hour.

The stop is not the main event, so keep your expectations in check. The tour’s biggest waterfall experience comes later at Hraunfossar. Glanni works best as a scenic introduction and a chance to stretch your legs.

Icelandic horses and hot spring bread at Sturlureykir

Sturlureykir Horse Farm is one of the more personal stops. You get close to Icelandic horses, which are known for their compact build and calm nature, and you can pet them under the supervision of the farm. The visit lasts around 45 minutes.

The food detail makes this stop more than a quick animal photo opportunity. You can try homemade rúgbrauð, a traditional dark rye bread baked with geothermal heat, along with coffee or cold water. It is a small taste of Icelandic everyday life, and a welcome break from sightseeing.

The horses are gentle and friendly, but the visit is still best suited to people who are comfortable around animals. You should follow the farm staff’s instructions and avoid treating the horses like props for photographs.

This stop also gives the day some warmth and local character. The waterfalls and cave are dramatic, but the farm offers a direct connection with Icelandic people, food, and working traditions. I consider it one of the tour’s strongest touches.

Deildartunguhver brings geothermal Iceland close

At Deildartunguhver, the tour pauses for about 20 minutes. This is a photo stop rather than a long walk or bathing visit, so you will not spend time soaking in the water.

The attraction is the force of the geothermal area. Hot water rises from underground, reminding you that Iceland’s volcanic activity is not only something seen in old lava fields. It is still part of daily life, heating buildings and supplying hot water.

Be careful near geothermal areas. You should stay on marked paths and follow your guide’s instructions. The short stop is enough to appreciate the steam and ground activity, but it is not a place to wander freely.

Reykholt and the small pool of Snorralaug

Reykholt gives the day a cultural center. The site is associated with Snorri Sturluson, a medieval Icelandic writer and politician who lived there and used the small hot spring called Snorralaug.

You will have roughly 30 minutes to visit and photograph the site. Snorralaug is modest in size, but its importance comes from its connection to Icelandic writing and medieval life. This is not a grand castle or large museum complex. It is a quieter place where the past is tied to the ground itself.

I like this stop because it keeps the tour from becoming a string of natural attractions. Iceland’s scenery often gets all the attention, but Reykholt shows how stories, politics, and literature developed in the same remote valleys.

The short visit means you should not expect a full historical tour. Your guide supplies much of the context, so listen carefully if you want more than a photograph.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, two very different waterfalls

The waterfall stop lasts about an hour and a half, including free time, photographs, and lunch. That is the right amount of time for this part of the trip because Hraunfossar deserves more than a quick roadside pause.

Hraunfossar is a long series of small waterfalls stretching for about 900 meters. Instead of one narrow stream dropping from a cliff, clear water appears to flow out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field. The lava formed around 1,000 years ago during a major eruption from a volcano beneath Langjökull glacier.

The result is unusual. Water threads through the dark volcanic rock before spilling into the river below. From the viewing areas, you can see several sections of the falls, and the changing angles make this a particularly good photography stop.

A few meters away is Barnafoss, a more forceful waterfall with a different character. The close pairing gives you two views of water shaped by volcanic ground. One is broad and delicate, the other more concentrated and energetic.

This is also the practical meal stop. Food is not included, so bring money and expect to buy lunch or use the available stop for food. The schedule allows enough time to eat and explore, but you should not assume you have a long restaurant break.

Entering Viðgelmir, Iceland’s colorful lava tunnel

The main attraction is the guided visit to Viðgelmir Lava Cave, which takes about 1.5 hours. Admission is included in the tour price, and a dedicated cave guide leads the walk.

Viðgelmir is just under 1,600 meters long. You do not walk the entire length, but the route gives you a strong sense of the tunnel’s scale and volcanic origin. Inside, you can see lava formations, shifting colors, and shapes created as molten rock cooled and drained away.

The entrance area is part of the lesson. You can see how a volcanic eruption altered the ground, then follow the effects underground. Guides have been praised for explaining the geology clearly, with one described as a geologist who gave detailed information about the cave.

The cave is also where you need to prepare properly. It can be very cold, and the ground can be wet. One section has been described as dangerously slippery, while another account noted a wet wooden walkway with handrails that helped with footing. Conditions may vary, but you should wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes.

The cave is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Children under five cannot join. Even if you walk comfortably, uneven surfaces and damp conditions may make this more demanding than the bus-based parts of the tour.

Winter can add a special touch. Ice formations may develop from water dripping through the cave roof, creating shapes that resemble underground stalagmites. Snowy weather can make the road portion harder, but it may give the cave an extra visual reward.

This is the stop that justifies the higher price for many people. Waterfalls are easy to find on Iceland itineraries. Walking through a long lava tunnel is much less common, and it gives you a physical sense of Iceland’s volcanic past rather than only viewing it from a platform.

Guides make a real difference

The guide is important on a long day with several stops. A good guide turns driving time into useful context and helps the group stay comfortable when weather changes.

Several guides have been singled out for humor and warmth. Filip was praised for stories and a music playlist that added personality to the drive. Walter was remembered for jokes and facts, while Addi kept people engaged with information about Iceland. Thor and Colin also received strong praise, including for handling difficult snowy conditions.

The cave guide is a separate part of the experience and may be provided by another company. That arrangement is not a problem by itself, since the cave section benefits from a guide focused on geology and safety. Just understand that your bus guide and cave guide may be different people.

There is one useful caution. Not every guide will have the same style. One account described the guide as more of a driver who gave directions but limited commentary. I would book this expecting good transport and a mix of guiding styles, rather than assuming every guide will deliver a full lecture at every stop.

Transport, timing, and the price of $222

Pickup is included within Reykjavik, but buses cannot enter some central streets. You may be assigned a nearby bus stop instead of a hotel entrance. Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning, so you should be ready from 8:30.

You can also meet the tour at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M before 8:20 AM, but you need to notify the company if you choose that option. Exact return time depends on the day’s traffic, weather, and road conditions.

Wi-Fi is available on the bus, which is useful during a long driving day. It is a small benefit, but one you will appreciate when you need to check plans or pass time between stops.

At $222, the value depends on what you would otherwise pay to arrange independently. The price includes round-trip transport from Reykjavik, the Viðgelmir admission, the horse farm admission, the English-speaking guide, and Wi-Fi. Meals are not included, and you should bring cash for lunch and the afternoon coffee break.

A rental car could give you more control, but it would not automatically provide cave admission, a cave guide, horse farm access, or a driver willing to deal with Icelandic weather. The tour is especially good value if you do not want to drive and want several distinct experiences in one day.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want more than Iceland’s most famous route. The combination of volcanic geology, waterfalls, horses, geothermal activity, and medieval culture gives the day real range.

It suits adults, older children over five, couples, and families who can manage a long day with walking. The small group format, capped at 19 passengers, also helps if you like being able to ask questions without dealing with a full-size coach.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike cold or damp conditions, or want a relaxed schedule. The cave requires careful walking, and the tour does not offer a wheelchair-friendly option.

For photographers, Hraunfossar is a major reason to go. For history fans, Reykholt adds purpose. For geology enthusiasts, the cave and geothermal stops are the real draw. For families, the horses may be the most memorable part.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full West Iceland sampler without renting a car. I especially recommend it for first-time visitors who want to see how lava, water, heat, animals, and medieval culture fit together in one region.

Skip it if your priority is a spa day, because the current schedule does not include a bathing session. Older accounts refer to a relaxing spa stop, but the listed route here ends with the lava cave before returning to Reykjavik.

Bring warm layers, proper footwear, cash for food, and patience for a ten-hour day. If you do, the included cave visit and the mix of personal stops make $222 a fair price for a well-filled day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour takes up to 10 hours, including pickup and return to Reykjavik.

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup is included within Reykjavik, although you may be directed to the nearest bus stop because buses cannot enter certain central streets. You can also meet at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M before 8:20 AM if you arrange this directly.

What time is pickup?

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. You should be ready at your assigned pickup location from 8:30 AM.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. Admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave is included, along with the guided cave tour.

Is the horse farm visit included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm is included in the ticket price.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included. Bring cash because the tour includes a lunch stop and an afternoon coffee break.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and cash. Warm layers are especially important because the lava cave can be very cold, and conditions inside may be wet or slippery.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. The cave walk includes conditions that may be difficult for anyone who struggles with uneven or slippery surfaces.