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

Viðgelmir is the star here: a nearly 1,600-meter lava cave with colored rock, ice formations, and a wooden walkway running through the underground chamber. Above ground, you get Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, hot springs, Icelandic horses, and the old center of Reykholt in one long day.

I like the small group of up to 19 people, which gives you a better chance to ask questions than on a large coach. I also like the mix of nature and culture: this is not just a waterfall circuit, since you visit a horse farm, taste hot spring bread, and learn about Snorri Sturluson at Reykholt. The main drawback is the length and physical demand. The cave is cold, wet, and slippery in places, and the full outing can take 10 hours.

Key things to know before booking

• Viðgelmir is the main event: Expect a 1.5-hour guided cave visit on a wooden walkway, with wet surfaces, handrails, and uneven conditions.
• Hraunfossar is more than one waterfall: Water spills from a lava field across roughly 900 meters, creating several viewpoints and plenty of time for photographs.
• Sturlureykir adds a personal local touch: You can meet Icelandic horses and enjoy homemade rugbrauð, a dense bread baked with geothermal heat.
• Reykholt connects the scenery to Icelandic history: Snorralaug is a small hot spring associated with medieval writer and politician Snorri Sturluson.
• Lunch is not included: You will have a lunch stop and an afternoon coffee break, so bring cash and plan for the extra cost.
• Weather matters underground: Even in summer, the cave can feel very cold. Warm layers and sensible footwear are essential.

Why this West Iceland day works so well

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. But it covers a wide sweep of West Iceland, includes admission to both the lava cave and horse farm, provides hotel pickup and return within Reykjavik, and uses a vehicle capped at 19 passengers. If you tried to arrange the same day independently, you would need a rental car, careful route planning, cave tickets, and a driver willing to handle a long day in changing weather.

I see the value mainly in the cave access and the guide. Viðgelmir is not the sort of place you should enter casually, and the guided route helps you understand how the tunnel formed and how volcanic rock changes underground. The day also gives you several experiences that feel distinct rather than repeating the same waterfall stop.

Still, the price may feel high if you mainly want waterfalls. One person can see Hraunfossar and Deildartunguhver on a self-drive trip for less, though that does not provide the same guided cave visit or personal transport. I would book this tour for convenience, variety, and the chance to ask questions, not simply for the lowest possible cost.

From Reykjavik into Borgarfjörður

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. Central Reykjavik has bus restrictions, so your pickup may be at the nearest designated bus stop rather than directly outside your hotel. You can also meet the vehicle at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M before 8:20, but you need to arrange that choice directly with the operator.

The drive leads west toward Borgarfjörður, an area closely tied to Iceland’s saga tradition. Your English-speaking guide handles the road and fills the journey with stories, local facts, and practical stops. Guides named in past tours include Filip, Walter, Addi, Thor, Colin, Cristina, David, and others, so the exact personality of the day depends on who is driving.

That guide can make a real difference on a long outing. Strong guides such as Walter and Addi kept groups engaged with humor and useful facts, while Thor and Colin were praised for handling the day well in difficult conditions. There is also free WiFi onboard, though I would treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to book.

Glanni Waterfall gives you a gentle start

The first scheduled stop is Glanni Waterfall, with about 30 minutes for sightseeing. This is a useful opening stop because you can stretch your legs after the ride and begin seeing the volcanic character of the region without rushing straight into the longest activity.

Thirty minutes is enough for photographs and a look around, but not enough for a long walk. That is typical of this tour: you get a broad sample of West Iceland, with time carefully divided between several places. If you prefer spending half a day at one site, this pace will feel brisk. If you want variety, it works well.

Sturlureykir Horse Farm and hot spring bread

The stop at Sturlureykir is one of the tour’s most appealing human encounters. You get close to Icelandic horses, which are known for their compact build and calm nature, and you can pet them under the farm’s supervision.

The visit lasts about 45 minutes, long enough to enjoy the animals without turning the day into a full farm tour. I like this stop because it gives you contact with ordinary Icelandic life rather than another viewpoint from a parking area.

You also get homemade rugbrauð, a dark, dense bread traditionally baked using geothermal heat. It comes with coffee or cold water. This is a small detail, but it adds flavor to the day in a literal sense. Meals are not included overall, so do not mistake the bread and drink for lunch.

Deildartunguhver: geothermal power at close range

Deildartunguhver is one of the day’s most dramatic hot spring stops. The tour allows around 20 minutes for photographs and sightseeing, giving you a close look at geothermal water rising from the ground.

You will not be spending the afternoon soaking here. The stop is about seeing the hot spring area and understanding the force beneath Iceland’s surface. Steam, hot water, and the surrounding volcanic ground make this a good preparation for the cave later in the day, where you see another result of volcanic activity.

Bring warm clothing even if the weather looks mild in Reykjavik. Conditions can change sharply in West Iceland, and the cave itself is cold regardless of the season.

Reykholt and the small pool of Snorralaug

Reykholt adds the cultural thread that many nature tours leave out. This historic site is linked to Snorri Sturluson, the medieval Icelandic writer and political figure whose work is central to the country’s saga tradition.

You visit Snorralaug, a small hot spring associated with Snorri and mentioned in medieval writing. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and combines photographs, sightseeing, and a short look at the site.

Do not expect a large museum visit or a long historical lecture built into the schedule. Reykholt is a compact stop, but it gives meaning to the region. You are not just looking at hot water and old stone. You are seeing a place tied to the people who recorded and shaped Iceland’s early stories.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss need time to breathe

The waterfall section receives about 90 minutes, including free time, a break, lunch, and photographs. This is one of the strongest parts of the day, and the extra time matters.

Hraunfossar is a series of small falls stretching for roughly 900 meters. Instead of one narrow cascade, water appears to stream out from the Hallmundarhraun lava field before dropping into the river. The lava field formed about 1,000 years ago during a large eruption beneath the Langjökull glacier.

That origin explains the unusual look. Water moves through porous volcanic rock and emerges in many separate ribbons. You get several angles rather than one single photo stop, and the blue tone of the water can contrast sharply with the darker rock and surrounding ground.

Barnafoss is only a short distance away and has a stronger, more forceful character. The two falls work well together: Hraunfossar is spread out and delicate, while Barnafoss is concentrated and energetic.

Lunch is handled during this part of the day, but it is not included in the ticket price. Bring cash, as the tour specifically advises it for lunch and the later coffee break. The stop is long enough to eat and use facilities, but do not assume you can choose from an unlimited amount of free time.

Entering Viðgelmir Lava Cave

The cave visit is the reason I would choose this tour over a standard Silver Circle route. Viðgelmir is just under 1,600 meters long and contains lava formations, color changes, and ice features created by water dripping into the cold underground space.

The guided portion lasts about 1.5 hours. A cave guide leads you along a wooden walkway and explains the geology as you go. Guides such as Erin, Lilla, and Garith have been praised for clear explanations and careful attention to safety, while one guide was described as a trained geologist who gave especially detailed information.

The walkway and handrails make the visit possible for many people who would not want to scramble through a raw lava tunnel. But this is not an effortless indoor attraction. Parts can be wet, and one section has been described as dangerously slippery. Keep your hands free where possible, use the rails, and take your time.

The cave can be very cold, even after a mild day outside. Wear warm layers rather than relying on the clothing you used in Reykjavik. Sturdy shoes are important, and this activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Children under five cannot join.

Winter has a special appeal here. Ice can form into stalagmite-like shapes beneath dripping water, giving the tunnel a different appearance from the warmer months. Snowy conditions can also make the drive harder, so your tolerance for a long day in uncertain weather should guide your booking decision.

Some people in a family group may enjoy the cave while another person waits at the nearby cafe or viewing area. That can work for someone with limited walking ability, but the tour itself is not designed for wheelchair access, and the cave admission is part of the planned experience.

The pace, vehicle, and guide matter

This is a full 10-hour outing, with several hours spent on the road between West Iceland stops. The small-group size, capped at 19 passengers, helps keep boarding and short stops more manageable than on a large bus. It also makes it easier to ask the guide about geology, sagas, horses, or local customs.

The tour has received a 4.8 rating from 130 reviews, with 87 percent of people giving it a perfect score. The strongest praise centers on the guides, the lava cave, the waterfall views, and the variety of the day. That pattern tells you what the tour does best: it combines a memorable headline activity with a well-filled route.

The less flattering points are useful too. One guide was considered more of a driver than a storyteller, and another was described as driving aggressively. Those comments do not define every departure, but they remind you that guide quality and road conditions can vary. If you are sensitive to motion or prefer a slow, quiet day, a private car with your own timetable may suit you better.

What to bring and who should book

Pack warm clothing, sturdy shoes, and cash. You need money for lunch and the coffee break, and you should dress for a cold cave rather than just the forecast in Reykjavik.

I would recommend this tour if you:

• Want to see several West Iceland highlights without renting a car
• Enjoy geology, waterfalls, and Icelandic history in equal measure
• Like meeting animals and tasting a local food
• Prefer a small group to a full-size coach
• Can manage a long day with walking on wet, uneven surfaces

I would think twice if you want a relaxed spa day, a slow visit at each stop, or a tour built around bathing. Hot springs are part of the scenery and story, but the core itinerary is sightseeing, not a soak. Also, meals are not included, and the day’s price can feel steep if you are not especially interested in the lava cave.

Should you book this West Iceland tour?

Book it if Viðgelmir is high on your list and you want to pair it with Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Reykholt, geothermal stops, and Icelandic horses. The cave admission, small vehicle, hotel pickup, and guide make the $222 price easier to justify, especially if you do not want to drive.

Skip it if you only want waterfalls or if a 10-hour day sounds tiring. For the right person, this is one of the more varied day trips from Reykjavik: volcanic geology underground, water rushing through old lava above ground, and a welcome taste of Icelandic culture at a horse farm and historic site.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour takes up to 10 hours, including pickup, sightseeing stops, the cave visit, and the return to Reykjavik.

What time is pickup in Reykjavik?

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

Where will pickup take place in central Reykjavik?

Because buses cannot drive into certain parts of central Reykjavik, pickup may be at the nearest designated bus stop. You will receive the exact location.

Can I meet the tour instead of using hotel pickup?

Yes. You can meet at the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, 101 Reykjavik. If you choose this option, notify Nicetravel directly and arrive before 8:20 AM.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. There is a lunch stop and an afternoon coffee break, so bring cash.

Is the admission fee to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. Admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave is included in the tour price.

Is the horse farm admission included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm is included.

Is the tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

Children under five cannot join. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments because the cave route includes wet and uneven conditions.