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

The most unusual part of this West Iceland tour comes underground: Viðgelmir Lava Cave stretches almost 1,600 meters beneath an old lava field, with colorful rock, ice, and formations shaped by volcanic heat. Above ground, the day links waterfalls, hot springs, horses, and the saga-era village of Reykholt.

I like the mix of experiences. Hraunfossar gives you a wide, graceful waterfall view, while the horse farm offers a friendly local encounter and warm rúgbrauð, Icelandic bread baked with geothermal heat. The small vehicle, with no more than 19 passengers, also gives the day a more personal feel.

The main drawback is the length and physical demand. You will spend up to 10 hours on the road, and the cave walkway can be wet, cold, and slippery. The $222 price is reasonable if you want several West Iceland sights in one day, but less so if you prefer slow visits or already have transport.

Key points to know before booking

• Viðgelmir is the day’s main event: Expect a guided underground walk lasting about 1.5 hours, with cold temperatures and uneven conditions.
• Hraunfossar is a broad waterfall system: Water appears to stream from beneath a lava field across roughly 900 meters.
• Sturlureykir adds a warm local touch: Meet Icelandic horses and try homemade geothermal bread with coffee or water.
• Reykholt connects scenery with Icelandic culture: See Snorralaug, a hot spring linked to the medieval writer Snorri Sturluson.
• The group stays fairly small: The maximum is 19 passengers, with Wi-Fi on the bus and an English-speaking guide.
• Bring lunch money and warm clothes: Meals are not included, and the cave can feel sharply colder than Reykjavík.

Why this West Iceland route is worth your day

This is a strong choice if you have already seen Reykjavík’s most familiar sights and want a fuller picture of the western region. Instead of giving you one headline attraction and a string of roadside photo stops, the route brings together geology, waterfalls, Icelandic horses, geothermal activity, and medieval culture.

The Borgarfjörður area is closely tied to Iceland’s saga tradition. That matters because the stops are not only scenic. Reykholt, hot springs, and the old lava fields help explain how people lived with Iceland’s volcanic ground and limited resources.

You will leave Reykjavík in the morning, with pickup usually taking place between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. The exact pickup point may be a nearby bus stop because larger buses cannot enter every street in central Reykjavík. If you prefer to meet the vehicle directly, the listed meeting point is the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, with arrival requested before 8:20 AM.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, though I would treat that as a useful extra rather than a reason to choose the tour. The real value is having a guide handle the long drive and connect the separate sights into one day.

Glanni Waterfall begins the scenic part

The first sightseeing stop is Glanni Waterfall, with about 30 minutes to look around and take photographs. It is a useful opening stop because it gets you into the Borgarfjörður region before the larger attractions arrive.

Thirty minutes is enough for a short visit, but not for a long walk or an unhurried exploration. If you like to photograph water from several angles, you will want to use the time well and follow your guide’s return instructions.

The appeal of this stop is the variety it adds. Later waterfalls on the route are wider and more dramatic, while Glanni helps set the rhythm of the day: short scenic visits, then a longer stop where you can spend more time on foot.

Sturlureykir Horse Farm keeps the day personal

At Sturlureykir, you get close to Icelandic horses and have around 45 minutes at the farm. This is one of the most human stops on the route. You are not only looking across a valley at scenery. You are meeting animals that are part of Iceland’s rural identity.

The farm visit includes homemade rúgbrauð, traditionally associated with hot-spring baking. You can have it with coffee or cold water. Since lunch is not included, this snack is welcome, but it should not be mistaken for the full meal break later in the day.

The horses are described as gentle and friendly, and the format gives you time to pet them. That makes this stop especially good for families with older children, couples, and anyone who wants a break from constant sightseeing.

Do keep the setting in mind. This is a working horse farm rather than a staged animal show, so the experience centers on a simple visit, contact with the horses, and local food. Children under five cannot join the tour, and anyone with limited mobility should note that the overall day includes walking at several stops.

Deildartunguhver shows Iceland’s geothermal force

Deildartunguhver is a short, roughly 20-minute photo stop. This is one of Iceland’s most active hot springs, and it gives you a close look at the heat beneath the country.

You will not spend hours here, but that is fine. The stop works because it contrasts with the cool waterfalls and the underground cave later in the day. Steam, hot water, and the sense of force below your feet make the site memorable even within a tight schedule.

Bring a warm outer layer, but do not assume the geothermal stop will make the whole day feel warm. The cave is cold, and Icelandic weather can shift quickly. Good footwear and layers matter more than the short stop might suggest.

Reykholt and Snorralaug add the human story

The visit to Reykholt lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on Snorralaug, a small hot spring used since the 12th century. The spring is associated with Snorri Sturluson, a medieval Icelandic poet and political figure who is said to have bathed there.

This stop is brief, but it gives the route a sense of time. Iceland’s sagas can seem distant when read in a book. Seeing the place connected with Snorri makes that world more concrete.

You should not expect a long museum visit or a full historical tour here. The value comes from the setting and the guide’s explanation. Guides named in past bookings include Addi, Thor, Walter, Filip, Cristina, and David, though the person leading your day can vary. The best guides on this route add local stories, humor, and useful context during the drive, while the site itself remains a short visit.

Hraunfossar is the visual high point above ground

The tour allows about 90 minutes at Hraunfossar, including free time, lunch, photographs, and sightseeing. This is the most generous stop of the day, and rightly so.

Hraunfossar is not one single plunge. A series of small streams flows out from the Hallmundarhraun lava field over a distance of roughly 900 meters. The lava field formed about 1,000 years ago during a major eruption beneath the Langjökull glacier.

The result is a long band of water spilling from dark volcanic ground. From the viewing areas, you can take in several sections rather than one fixed viewpoint. A few meters away, Barnafoss provides a sharper contrast, with water rushing through a narrower channel.

This is also your main food stop. Lunch is not included, so bring cash or be prepared to pay for your own meal according to the arrangements available that day. The schedule gives you time to eat, use the facilities, photograph the falls, and walk between viewpoints, but it is not an open-ended afternoon.

If you enjoy photography, this is where you will want to protect your time. Snow, mist, or low cloud can change the mood of the falls, and winter can add ice around the water. The walk is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Viðgelmir Lava Cave goes below the lava field

The 1.5-hour guided visit to Viðgelmir is the reason many people choose this tour. At just under 1,600 meters, it is one of the defining stops in the Borgarfjörður region, and the visit gives you a direct look at how volcanic eruptions shaped the ground above.

Inside, expect lava formations, unusual colors, and sections where ice can form from dripping water. Winter conditions may create striking ice shapes, but the cave remains cold throughout the year. A warm jacket is essential, even if the weather in Reykjavík looks mild.

The cave has a constructed wooden walkway and handrails in sections. That helps, but it does not remove the need for care. One area has been described as dangerously slippery, and the underground floor can be wet. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, move at the guide’s pace, and keep one hand free for the rail.

The cave portion is led by a specialist guide from the cave operator rather than necessarily by your main bus guide. Names such as Erin, Lilla, and Garith have been associated with past visits, and strong cave guides explain both the geology and the safety rules clearly.

You should also understand the physical limits before booking. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and children under five are not accepted. An older person who walks comfortably may enjoy the cave, but anyone with difficulty walking may prefer to wait at the nearby cafe or viewing area rather than attempt the underground route.

What the $222 price really covers

At $222 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing bus. The admission fees for Viðgelmir and Sturlureykir are included, as are Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, the English-speaking guide, and Wi-Fi on board.

The price makes better sense when you count the distance and the number of major stops. A self-drive visitor would need to arrange a rental car, navigate winter conditions if applicable, pay for the cave and farm admissions, and manage the timing alone. The tour also removes the stress of getting back to Reykjavík after a long day.

Still, lunch is extra, and the day is tightly organized. If you mainly want one waterfall and a relaxed cafe stop, this will feel expensive and busy. If you want the cave, horse farm, waterfalls, geothermal sites, and Reykholt in one trip, the bundle is easier to justify.

The 4.8 out of 5 rating from 130 ratings reflects the experience’s strongest features: engaging guides, good scenery, and the unusual cave visit. Guide quality can shape the day. Some named guides, including Filip, Walter, Addi, Thor, and Colin, were praised for humor, stories, and keeping people comfortable, while one past booking found the guide less informative and more like a driver. That variation is worth remembering.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to you if you want a full West Iceland day without renting a car. It suits people who like variety, short walks, geology, local culture, and a guide who can fill the driving time with stories.

It also works well after several days of fast-paced sightseeing. The route has enough walking to keep you active, but the bus gives you regular sitting time between stops. The 19-person maximum is more manageable than a large coach, particularly when getting on and off at several sites.

You should think twice if you dislike cold conditions, uneven ground, or fixed schedules. The cave can be slippery, the day can run close to 10 hours, and lunch is not provided. Bring warm clothing, reliable footwear, and cash for food and the coffee break.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. They do not change the physical demands of the day, but they help if Iceland’s weather or your plans are still shifting.

Should you book the lava cave and waterfall tour?

Book it if you want the most complete single-day introduction to West Iceland, especially if Viðgelmir Lava Cave is high on your list. The combination of underground geology, Hraunfossar, geothermal activity, horses, and Reykholt gives you far more range than a simple waterfall excursion.

Skip it if you want a quiet day, dislike organized timing, or cannot manage wet and uneven walking. For most physically able visitors with only one day to spare, the $222 cost is defensible because the admissions, transport, and guide are included. Just bring lunch money, dress for the cave, and expect the guide and weather to shape the tone of the day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

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

What time does pickup take place?

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

Where can I meet the tour if I do not need hotel pickup?

You can meet the tour at the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, 101 Reykjavík. You should notify Nicetravel directly and arrive before 8:20 AM.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. The admission fee for 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. Bring cash for the lunch stop and the afternoon coffee break. Homemade hot-spring bread with coffee or water is included during the horse farm visit.

Is the tour suitable for children and wheelchair users?

Children under five cannot join the tour. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments because of the walking conditions, including the cave.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, sturdy footwear suitable for a wet and potentially slippery cave, and cash for food. Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus.