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

The best part of this West Iceland day is the contrast: you move from the bright spray of Hraunfossar waterfalls to the dark, chilly chambers of Viðgelmir Lava Cave, with steaming ground, Icelandic horses, and medieval history in between. It is a full day, but the stops have enough variety to keep the ride from feeling like a string of similar viewpoints.

I like the small group size, capped at 19 people, and the human touch at Sturlureykir Horse Farm, where you meet friendly Icelandic horses and taste homemade rye bread baked with geothermal heat. I also like that the day reaches places many standard Reykjavik excursions skip. The trade-off is cost: at $222 per person, this is not a budget outing, and lunch is not included.

Key points

• Viðgelmir Lava Cave: Walk about 1,600 meters through a colorful lava tunnel with a guide, wooden walkways, handrails, and slippery wet sections.
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: See water spilling from an ancient lava field across roughly 900 meters, then walk to a second waterfall nearby.
• Sturlureykir Horse Farm: Meet Icelandic horses and enjoy homemade rugbrauð, a traditional hot spring bread, with coffee or water.
• West Iceland in one day: Combine waterfalls, geothermal sites, saga-era history, horses, and geology without renting a car.
• Small-group transport: The bus carries no more than 19 passengers, with free Wi-Fi and pickup around Reykjavik.
• A demanding but rewarding day: Expect about 10 hours, cold cave conditions, walking on wet surfaces, and no included meal.

Why the lava cave gives this tour its edge

Many Iceland day tours offer waterfalls and hot springs. Fewer add a proper underground walk through a lava tube. At Viðgelmir, the most memorable part is not simply entering a hole in the ground. You see how a major eruption shaped the rock around you, then walk through the cooled remains of that event.

The cave is just under 1,600 meters long and has striking colors and lava formations. In winter, water dripping from the ceiling can freeze into ice formations, creating a different experience from the one you get in summer. One January visit featured magical ice sculptures inside the tunnel, while a March visit brought attention to ice stalagmites and unusual lava shapes.

You should expect cold air inside, even after a mild day outdoors. The route includes a wooden walkway and handrails, but sections can be wet and slippery. One person found a particularly slick patch unsafe, so wear shoes with a firm grip and take your time. This is not a casual stroll in a dry museum. The cave is the main physical activity of the day.

The cave tour is led by a specialist guide separate from the main driver-guide. Erin, Lilla, Garith, and other cave guides have been praised for explaining the geology clearly, and one guide was described as a trained geologist. That extra layer of explanation matters. Without it, the cave would still look unusual, but you would miss why the tunnel formed and what the lava tells you about Iceland’s volcanic past.

Setting out from Reykjavik toward Borgarfjörður

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning, so you should be ready at your assigned location from 8:30. Reykjavik’s central streets limit where buses can drive, which means your pickup may be at a nearby designated bus stop rather than directly outside your accommodation.

If you prefer to meet the group yourself, the stated meeting point is the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M. You must notify the operator and arrive before 8:20 AM. The bus includes free Wi-Fi, useful for checking messages during the long day, though I would bring a power bank rather than rely on a vehicle outlet.

The drive west leads into Borgarfjörður, a part of Iceland closely tied to the country’s saga tradition. The appeal here is not just scenery. Your guide may connect the sights to medieval writers, settlement stories, volcanic activity, and modern Icelandic life. Guides such as Filip, Walter, Thor, Addi, Colin, Cristina, and David have been singled out for humor, stories, and good pacing, although your guide will depend on the departure date.

A small group helps. With a maximum of 19 passengers, you have a better chance to hear the guide and ask a question without shouting across a full coach. It also makes pickup and short walking stops less cumbersome. Still, this remains a long bus day, and conditions in Iceland can change quickly. One winter group dealt with snow, while another winter outing found the weather difficult but manageable.

Glanni Waterfall and the first taste of West Iceland

The first listed stop is Glanni Waterfall, with about 30 minutes for sightseeing. This gives you a pleasant start before the more substantial stops later in the day.

The time is enough for photographs and a short look around, not an extended hike. That matters if you want a relaxed introduction to the region, but it also means you should not expect a long walk or a private stretch of nature. Keep your jacket ready and follow the guide’s timing, since the day has several fixed stops ahead.

Glanni helps establish the character of the tour: you are not racing to one headline attraction. Instead, the day builds a picture of West Iceland through smaller and larger sights, with waterfalls appearing in different forms along the route.

Meeting Icelandic horses at Sturlureykir

Sturlureykir Horse Farm is one of the most personal stops. You have about 45 minutes to meet the Icelandic horses, pet them, and learn about the farm. These horses are known for their compact build and distinctive gait, but the real value here is the close contact with animals that are part of everyday Icelandic rural life.

The farm visit includes admission and a serving of homemade rugbrauð, a dark rye bread traditionally baked with geothermal heat. You can have it with coffee or cold water. This is a small food moment rather than a full meal, so do not count on it to replace lunch.

The stop works well for many kinds of groups. Children old enough to meet the tour requirements often enjoy the horses, while adults get a taste of local food and farm life. It also breaks up the geology and sightseeing with something warm and social. The tour does not accept children under five, and the full outing is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Deildartunguhver: geothermal power in plain sight

At Deildartunguhver, you see one of Iceland’s major geothermal areas. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and is mainly for photographs and sightseeing.

This is not a bathing stop. The point is to watch the hot water and steam rising from the ground, then understand how geothermal heat shapes life in Iceland. The area brings the country’s volcanic energy right up to the roadside. Stay within marked areas and listen to the guide, since hot spring sites can be dangerous even when they look calm.

The short visit is suitable for anyone who enjoys dramatic natural features without a long walk. It may feel brief if geothermal sites are your main interest, but the day gives you more historical and volcanic context at Reykholt and Viðgelmir.

Reykholt and Snorralaug, where history becomes physical

Reykholt provides the cultural center of the day. You have around 30 minutes to visit the historic site and see Snorralaug, a small hot spring associated with Snorri Sturluson, the medieval poet and politician.

Snorralaug was used by local people from the 12th century and is mentioned in medieval writing connected with Snorri. Seeing the spring gives you a direct link to Iceland’s literary past. You are not only hearing about saga-era figures from a guide on a bus. You are standing beside a place tied to one of the country’s best-known writers.

The time here is enough for the spring and a short look around, but not a full museum visit or an extended history lesson. I would listen closely to the guide before wandering off, since the historical importance of Reykholt can be easy to miss if you view it as just another geothermal stop.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, the visual high point outdoors

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

Hraunfossar is a long series of waterfalls spread across roughly 900 meters. Instead of one tall drop, countless rivulets flow out from the Hallmundarhraun lava field and enter the river below. The lava formed about 1,000 years ago during a major eruption beneath the Langjökull glacier. Water moving through the porous lava emerges along the riverbank, creating the waterfall series.

The effect changes with weather and season. The water can show a blue tint, especially against darker river water, and winter conditions may add snow and ice around the viewing areas. There are several viewpoints, so you can take photographs from different angles rather than stopping at one overlook.

A few meters away is Barnafoss, a more forceful and concentrated waterfall. The two sights work well together: Hraunfossar spreads delicately across the rock, while Barnafoss has a stronger, more turbulent character.

Lunch is not included. The schedule provides time for a lunch stop, and you should bring cash as advised. Some departures have had a buffet lunch available, but you should not assume that food is part of the ticket. Pack a snack if you are particular about timing or dietary needs.

The practical reality of walking into Viðgelmir

The cave visit lasts about 90 minutes, including the guided tour. Admission is included, and the cave guides provide the equipment and direction needed for the visit according to the supplied tour details.

You should wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes. The temperature underground can feel sharply colder than outside, and the wooden path may be damp. Handrails help, but you still need balance and patience. The route is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

The entrance area also gives you a sense of the eruption’s force before you even go underground. Once inside, look for changing colors, rough lava surfaces, and formations shaped by cooling rock and dripping water. The experience is visual, but the explanations are what make it worthwhile. A good cave guide can turn a strange wall into evidence of moving lava, trapped gas, or later water action.

If someone in your group cannot manage the cave, the surrounding area may offer a more comfortable alternative. One older visitor with walking difficulties chose to remain at the cafe while others entered, enjoying views of the lava flow and conversation with a guide. You should confirm the exact arrangements with the operator if this is important for your party, but it shows why the physical demands deserve attention before booking.

How the day feels from the bus

This is a 10-hour outing, including the return to Reykjavik. The day has a steady rhythm: short waterfall or geothermal stops, a longer farm visit, historical sightseeing, a generous waterfall break, and the cave tour.

The pace has been praised for allowing time at the main sights rather than forcing every stop into a few rushed minutes. Still, ten hours is ten hours. If you have spent several days on quick Iceland excursions, the slower rhythm may feel welcome. If you prefer a short outing with one main attraction, this tour may feel too packed.

The guide makes a real difference. Filip was praised for stories and a music playlist that added atmosphere during the drive. Walter was remembered for humor and facts, while Addi kept people engaged with Icelandic history and local details. Other guides, including Thor, Colin, Cristina, and David, have also been described as friendly and entertaining. That praise is not a guarantee of who you will meet, but it tells you where the tour’s strengths often lie.

The downside is that guide quality can vary. One past passenger found the guide more like a driver, with limited interaction. That is a fair warning: the scenery and cave experience carry the tour even if your particular guide is less talkative.

Is $222 a fair price?

At $222 per person, the tour is expensive compared with a simple waterfall bus trip. The price includes Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, transport, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, entry to Viðgelmir, and entry to Sturlureykir Horse Farm.

The value improves if you want several kinds of experience in one day and do not want to drive. Renting a car would give you more control, but you would need to manage changing weather, long distances, cave reservations, and navigation. This tour handles the transport and combines places that are spread across West Iceland.

The cost is harder to justify if your priorities are only waterfalls or hot springs. You also need to budget for lunch and a coffee break, since meals are not included. I see this as a good-value choice for someone who values access, guiding, and variety, rather than the cheapest way to see a few sights.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. They do not change the price, but they matter when Icelandic weather can disrupt plans.

Who should book this West Iceland day?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A first look at West Iceland without renting a car
• A real lava cave visit, not only an outdoor lava-field viewpoint
• Small-group transport with a maximum of 19 passengers
• A mix of geology, waterfalls, horses, geothermal activity, and saga history
• A full day with a guide who can explain what you are seeing
• Seasonal variety, including possible ice formations inside the cave in winter

I would think twice if you need step-free access, dislike cold underground spaces, or want a leisurely spa day. The current route includes geothermal viewing, but it does not promise a bathing session. I would also avoid booking it without warm layers and shoes that handle wet surfaces.

Final verdict

Book this tour if you want West Iceland to feel like more than a series of roadside photographs. Viðgelmir Lava Cave is the main reason to go, but Hraunfossar, the horse farm, Reykholt, and Deildartunguhver give the day enough range to justify the long ride.

Skip it if your budget is tight or you want a short, simple excursion. For everyone else, the combination of a small group, included cave entry, personal farm visit, and several distinct stops makes the $222 price reasonable, provided you bring money for lunch and prepare for a cold, slippery cave.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour takes up to 10 hours, including travel between Reykjavik and the West Iceland stops.

What time does pickup take place?

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 does pickup happen in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available within Reykjavik, but buses cannot enter certain central streets. You may need to meet the bus at the nearest designated bus stop, and the exact location will be provided.

Can I meet the tour instead of using hotel pickup?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. The tour provides a lunch stop and a coffee break, and you should bring cash.

Is entry to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. The admission fee for the guided Viðgelmir Lava Cave visit is included.

Is the horse farm admission included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm is included, along with the horse visit and homemade rugbrauð with coffee or water.

Is the tour suitable for children and wheelchair users?

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