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

The most memorable part of this west Iceland day is Viðgelmir Lava Cave, where a wooden walkway leads through a long tunnel of colored rock, ice, and volcanic formations. You also get the rare pleasure of pairing geology with local life: at Sturlureykir Horse Farm, you can meet Icelandic horses and taste homemade hot spring bread.

I like the small group of up to 19 people, which leaves more room for questions and gives the day a calmer feel than a large coach outing. I also like the range of stops, from Hraunfossar’s unusual waterfalls to Snorralaug, a bathing pool linked to medieval writer Snorri Sturluson. The main caution is physical: the cave can be cold, wet, and slippery, and this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Viðgelmir is the main event: Expect a guided walk through a lava tunnel nearly 1,600 meters long, with striking colors, ice formations, and uneven conditions.
• Hraunfossar is unusually broad: Water streams from beneath a lava field across roughly 900 meters, creating many separate falls rather than one single drop.
• The horse farm adds a human touch: You can meet friendly Icelandic horses and try homemade rugbrauð, a dense rye bread baked with geothermal heat.
• The day connects nature and saga history: Reykholt and Snorralaug bring Iceland’s medieval past into an otherwise geology-focused outing.
• Bring cash and warm layers: Lunch is not included, and the cave stays cold even when Reykjavik feels mild.
• The schedule is full but sensible: Pickup begins between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, and the return to Reykjavik comes after as much as 10 hours on the road.

Why west Iceland makes a strong day trip

Many Reykjavik excursions head south, but Borgarfjörður gives you a different side of Iceland. Here, volcanic forces, geothermal heat, medieval stories, waterfalls, and farm life all fit into one day.

The route covers a fair distance, so expect time on the bus. That is not wasted time. The drive connects a set of places that feel related rather than random. The lava cave explains the region’s volcanic past, the waterfalls show how water moves through that old lava, and the hot springs reveal that the ground is still active beneath your feet.

The small vehicle matters, too. With no more than 19 passengers, the guide can usually answer questions without turning every stop into a crowd-management exercise. Past guides have included Filip, Walter, Thor, Colin, Addi, Cristina, and David, though your guide will depend on the departure. Several of these guides were praised for humor, stories, and clear explanations, while one older account found the guide less informative and more like a driver. That is a useful reminder that the quality of the day can depend partly on who leads it.

Glanni Waterfall sets the pace

Your first sightseeing stop is Glanni Waterfall, with about 30 minutes to look around and take photographs. It is a pleasant opening to the day because you get an early taste of west Iceland without using up your main stops.

Thirty minutes is enough for a brief walk and pictures, but not for a long outing. Think of Glanni as an introduction rather than the centerpiece. The tour soon moves on to places with more time and greater geological or historical weight.

Meeting Icelandic horses at Sturlureykir

The stop at Sturlureykir Horse Farm lasts about 45 minutes and gives the tour a welcome change of pace. Instead of simply looking at scenery through a bus window, you can get close to Icelandic horses, pet them, and learn about the farm.

The horses are known for their sturdy build and friendly manner, and the visit is designed to be hands-on without becoming a riding excursion. You are there to meet the animals, not take a lesson.

The snack is part of the charm. You can taste rugbrauð, Icelandic rye bread baked using geothermal heat, with coffee or cold water. Since meals are not included, do not mistake this welcome snack for lunch. Bring cash for the later food stop, and consider eating breakfast before pickup.

This is one of the best stops for families with older children, couples, and anyone who wants more than a sequence of viewpoints. Children under five cannot join the tour, and the cave later in the day may be too demanding for some younger participants.

Geothermal heat at Deildartunguhver

Deildartunguhver is one of the tour’s clearest reminders that Iceland is not just cold, glacial, and windswept. This geothermal area produces intensely hot water, and you will stop for around 20 minutes to see the steaming ground and take photographs.

You will not have a bathing experience here. This is a brief sightseeing stop, so keep your camera ready and stay within the safe viewing areas directed by your guide. The short visit works well in a packed day, though anyone wanting a long soak should choose a dedicated hot spring outing instead.

The contrast with the cold lava cave later is one of the day’s pleasing rhythms: hot earth first, underground ice and rock later.

Reykholt and the small pool of Snorralaug

Reykholt adds an important cultural layer. This historic site is tied to Snorri Sturluson, the medieval Icelandic poet and political figure whose writings are central to Iceland’s saga tradition.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes Snorralaug, a small hot spring used by local people since the 12th century. Snorri is said to have bathed there, and the pool was mentioned in medieval writings connected to him.

Do not expect a large museum visit or a long guided history lesson. The scheduled time is short, but it is enough to see the pool and understand why Reykholt matters. If you enjoy Icelandic literature, politics, or saga stories, this stop may mean more to you than another scenic viewpoint. If you mainly want waterfalls and volcanic scenery, it remains a brief but worthwhile pause.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: the scenic high point

The tour allows about 90 minutes at Hraunfossar, including free time, photographs, and lunch. This is generous by Iceland day-trip standards and gives you a chance to appreciate the falls instead of rushing from bus to viewpoint.

Hraunfossar is unusual because the water does not simply drop from a visible river edge. Countless rivulets flow out from beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field, spreading across roughly 900 meters before joining the river below. The lava field formed about 1,000 years ago during a major eruption beneath the Langjökull glacier.

The result is a wide band of falls, with water appearing from the dark volcanic ground. In colder months, snow and ice can sharpen the contrast between the black rock, white ground, and flowing water. In other seasons, the many narrow streams give the scene a delicate, layered look.

A short distance away, Barnafoss offers a different mood. Its water runs more forcefully through a narrow channel, making it a good companion stop to the softer spread of Hraunfossar. Use the full time here for photographs, a walk, lunch, and a chance to catch your breath.

Lunch is not included, so budget for it separately and carry cash. The supplied details do not promise a specific restaurant or menu. One past outing included a buffet, but you should not book this tour expecting that exact arrangement.

What the Viðgelmir Lava Cave is really like

The cave is the reason many people will choose this outing. Viðgelmir is just under 1,600 meters long, making it one of the major lava caves in Iceland. A specialist cave guide leads the underground portion, and guides such as Lilla, Garith, Erin, and Brian have been praised for clear explanations and careful handling of the group.

The walk takes about 90 minutes. A wooden walkway and handrails help you move through the cave, but this is still not a polished indoor attraction. The surface can be wet, and one section has been described as dangerously slippery. Watch your footing, use the handrails, and do not treat the route like an easy stroll through a museum.

The cave is also cold. One visitor found it much colder than expected, so bring warm clothing even if the weather in Reykjavik is pleasant. Waterproof outer layers and shoes with good grip are sensible choices based on the wet underground conditions.

Inside, look for changing colors, lava textures, stalagmite-like formations, and ice created by dripping water. In winter, ice sculptures can form in the cave and add a special quality to the walk. The exact shapes will vary with conditions, but the appeal is constant: you are seeing the cooled remains of an eruption from the inside.

The entrance area helps put the cave into context. You can see how a powerful eruption moved through the ground and left behind a hollow passage. The guide’s geology talk is a major part of the experience. Some cave guides have had strong geology backgrounds, so ask questions if you want more than photographs.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The tour also excludes children under five. A useful detail from one family outing is that a relative with difficulty walking stayed at the cafe while the rest of the group entered the cave. That arrangement may not be guaranteed, but it shows why you should contact the operator in advance if your party has mixed mobility needs.

The bus ride, group size, and pace

Pickup from Reykjavik takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Since buses cannot enter certain central streets, your exact pickup may be at a nearby designated bus stop rather than directly outside your hotel. You can also meet at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M before 8:20 AM, but you need to notify Nicetravel if you plan to use that option.

The tour can last up to 10 hours. That sounds long because it is long, but the schedule breaks the day into short walks, scenic stops, food time, and the longer cave visit. One benefit of this rhythm is that you are not hiking continuously. One drawback is that you will spend a fair amount of the day in transit.

Free Wi-Fi is available onboard the bus. It is useful for checking messages between stops, though you should still download anything important before leaving Reykjavik. The tour is conducted in English.

The listed group type is private, while the stated maximum is 19 passengers. In practical terms, you should expect a small-group experience rather than a fully private vehicle for just your party. That distinction matters if you want total control over timing. If you prefer a sociable but limited-size group, the arrangement is more suitable.

Is $222 a fair price?

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing day. The price includes Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, transport, an English-speaking guide, admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave, and admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm. Lunch and other meals are extra.

I think the value depends on how much you want to fit into one day. If you booked separate transport to west Iceland, paid for the cave, arranged a farm visit, and added a guide, the costs and planning would rise quickly. You are also paying for the convenience of connecting several distant stops without driving.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is simply to see waterfalls or hot springs. In that case, a shorter or more focused tour may suit you better. One past assessment found the outing somewhat expensive for the places visited, even while rating the experience highly overall.

The strongest value comes from the combination: lava cave, horse farm, waterfalls, geothermal site, and Reykholt in one day. It is a broad introduction to west Iceland, not a deep visit to any single place.

Practical tips for a better day

Wear warm layers from the start. The cave is cold, and Icelandic weather can change quickly around the outdoor stops.

Bring sturdy footwear with good traction. The wooden walkway has handrails, but wet underground surfaces can still be slippery.

Carry cash. Lunch is not included, and the schedule includes a lunch stop and a coffee break. The horse farm provides rugbrauð with coffee or water, but you should not count that as a full meal.

Be ready at your pickup point by 8:30 AM. The pickup window runs until 9:00 AM, and a central Reykjavik hotel may use a nearby bus stop instead.

Keep your expectations realistic about timing. You get enough time at Hraunfossar for lunch and photographs, but stops such as Deildartunguhver and Reykholt are intentionally brief.

The cancellation terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when Icelandic weather may affect your wider plans.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a full day that mixes outdoor scenery, geology, local culture, and a little farm life. It suits adults, older children who meet the age requirement, and anyone who prefers a guide to explain what they are seeing.

It is especially good for a first visit to west Iceland. You will leave with a sense of how volcanoes shaped the region, how geothermal heat is used, and why Borgarfjörður matters in Icelandic history.

I would think twice if you dislike long day trips, need fully accessible paths, or want a relaxed schedule with long stays at each stop. The cave also requires care on wet surfaces, so mobility and footwear matter.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if Viðgelmir Lava Cave is high on your Iceland wish list and you want to pair it with Hraunfossar, horses, hot springs, and Reykholt without renting a car. The guides are often a major strength, and the small group keeps the day more personal.

Skip it if you want a spa day, a private itinerary with flexible timing, or a tour built around one major attraction. For the right visitor, though, the $222 buys a well-packed introduction to west Iceland, with the cave and Hraunfossar providing the strongest reasons to go.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

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

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included within Reykjavik, generally between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Since buses cannot enter some central streets, you may be asked to meet at the nearest designated bus stop.

Can I meet the tour instead of using hotel pickup?

Yes. You can meet at the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, 101 Reykjavik. Notify Nicetravel in advance and arrive before 8:20 AM.

Is the Viðgelmir Lava Cave admission included?

Yes. Admission to the guided Viðgelmir Lava Cave visit is included in the ticket price.

Is the horse farm admission included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm is included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included. There is a lunch stop and a coffee break, so bring cash for food and drinks.

What should I wear for the cave?

Bring warm clothing and shoes with good grip. The cave is cold, and the underground walkway can be wet and slippery.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 19 passengers. The tour is conducted in English and includes an English-speaking guide.