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

The most unusual part of this West Iceland day is the Viðgelmir Lava Cave, where a wooden walkway leads into a long volcanic tunnel filled with colored rock, ice, and drip-formed shapes. You also get a welcome change of pace at Sturlureykir Horse Farm, where you can pet Icelandic horses and try warm homemade rye bread made with geothermal heat.

I like the mix of geology and local culture, rather than another day of roadside viewpoints. I also like the small group, capped at 19, and the guides who bring plenty of personality to the long drive. The main drawback is the price, $222 per person, plus the fact that this is a full 10-hour day with a cold, slippery cave walk and no meals included.

The highlights that make this day different

• Viðgelmir Lava Cave: Walk into a nearly 1,600-meter volcanic tube with colorful formations, ice, and a guide-led route.
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: See water spilling from a lava field across roughly 900 meters, with another powerful waterfall only a short distance away.
• Sturlureykir Horse Farm: Meet friendly Icelandic horses, then enjoy hot spring bread with coffee or water.
• Reykholt and Snorralaug: Visit the medieval setting linked to Snorri Sturluson and see the small bathing pool he used.
• Glanni and Deildartunguhver: Begin with a waterfall and one of Europe’s most active hot springs, giving the day a strong start.
• Small-group transport: A maximum of 19 passengers makes it easier to ask questions and hear the guide.

Why West Iceland makes a fine full-day outing

Iceland’s famous Golden Circle gets much of the attention, but Borgarfjörður gives you a different sort of day. Here, volcanic geology, medieval Icelandic writing, geothermal power, farming, and waterfalls fit into one route.

The drive from Reykjavík takes you into a region tied closely to the Icelandic sagas. That does not mean you will spend the day in a museum. Instead, the history appears at places such as Reykholt, while the geology is right under your boots at Viðgelmir and Hraunfossar.

I like this balance. You are not simply ticking off waterfalls. You are learning why the rock looks the way it does, seeing how geothermal heat is used locally, and meeting Icelandic horses in a setting connected to everyday life.

The day begins with pickup in Reykjavík between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. Central Reykjavík has restrictions on larger buses, so your pickup may be at a nearby designated bus stop rather than directly outside your hotel. You can also meet the group at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M before 8:20 if you arrange that option directly.

Glanni Waterfall starts the morning

Glanni Waterfall is the first scheduled stop, with about 30 minutes for sightseeing. This gives you a chance to stretch your legs after pickup and get your first look at the open country west of the capital.

The stop is short, so I would not expect a long hike or a major walking route. It works more as an introduction to the region, with time for photos and a breath of fresh air before the day’s longer stops.

That early pause matters on a 10-hour tour. You will spend a good deal of time in the vehicle, and a brief walk at the start helps break up the drive. Bring a warm layer even in summer, since Icelandic weather can make a short outdoor stop feel brisk.

Sturlureykir offers horses and geothermal bread

At Sturlureykir Horse Farm, you get about 45 minutes to meet Icelandic horses. These animals are known for their compact build and distinctive gaits, but the practical pleasure here is simpler: you can get close, pet them, and watch them at the farm.

The visit has a personal touch because you also receive homemade rugbrauð, or hot spring bread, with coffee or cold water. This dark rye bread is baked using geothermal heat, so the snack connects the farm visit with the hot springs you will see later.

I especially like this stop for people who want more than scenery. The horses give children and adults something living and immediate to focus on, while the bread offers a taste of local food without turning the tour into a formal meal.

Do not count on the bread as lunch. Meals are not included, and you should bring cash for the later lunch stop and coffee break. If you have food preferences or need a substantial meal, pack something of your own.

Deildartunguhver shows geothermal heat at full force

Deildartunguhver is a short 20-minute photo stop, but it is one of the day’s most striking reminders that Iceland is still geologically active. Steam rises from the hot spring area, and the water is extremely hot.

You will not be bathing here. This is a viewing stop, so stay on the marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. The point is to see geothermal heat in its raw form, not to treat the site like a spa.

I find this stop useful because it gives context to the warm bread at Sturlureykir and the hot spring pool at Reykholt. Geothermal energy is not just a scenic oddity in Iceland. It is part of how people cook, heat buildings, and use the land.

Reykholt connects the scenery to Icelandic history

Reykholt is the day’s main historic stop, with around 30 minutes for a visit and photos. The site is linked to Snorri Sturluson, the medieval poet and political figure whose writings are central to Icelandic literary history.

You will see Snorralaug, a small hot spring pool mentioned in medieval writings. Snorri used it for bathing, and the pool gives you a tangible link to a person who lived here centuries ago. It is a modest site, not a grand castle or large museum, but that is part of its appeal.

I like Reykholt because it slows the tour down. After waterfalls and geothermal steam, you get a quiet place where the guide can explain how Iceland’s sagas and political stories grew out of this countryside.

The stop is brief, so you will not have time for an extended historical study. If medieval Iceland is your main interest, you may want to return independently for a longer visit. On this tour, Reykholt works best as a focused introduction.

Hraunfossar is the scenic centerpiece

The tour allows about 90 minutes at Hraunfossar, including free time, lunch, photos, and sightseeing. That longer pause is welcome because the waterfall is not one single vertical drop. Instead, countless rivulets appear to flow out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field before joining the river below.

The lava field formed around 1,000 years ago during a major eruption from a volcano beneath the Langjökull glacier. Water moves through the porous lava and emerges along the riverbank, creating the unusual effect that gives Hraunfossar its name.

You can view the falls from more than one point, which makes this a better photo stop than a quick pull-off. The blue tones of the water can be especially striking, though the appearance changes with weather, light, and seasonal runoff.

Only a few meters away is Barnafoss, a more concentrated and forceful waterfall. The contrast is useful: Hraunfossar spreads gently across the lava edge, while Barnafoss pushes through a narrower channel with more obvious power.

Lunch happens during this stop, but it is not included in the $222 price. Some departures have a buffet lunch available, but you should not assume that any meal is covered. Bring cash and listen to the guide’s instructions about the available food options.

This is also a good place to use the restroom, refill water, and take photos without rushing. The 90-minute stop gives you time to enjoy the river rather than sprint from bus to viewpoint.

Inside Viðgelmir, the day turns volcanic

The Viðgelmir Lava Cave is the main reason I would choose this tour over a standard waterfall circuit. The cave is just under 1,600 meters long, and the guided visit lasts about 90 minutes.

Inside, you can expect a cold, dark, uneven environment. The route includes a wooden walkway and handrails, but the surface may be wet. One section has been described as particularly slippery, so sturdy shoes are important and careful footing matters.

The cave’s colors and shapes come from the volcanic rock itself. You may see formations created by lava flow and dripping water, along with ice formations in colder months. Winter can add ice stalagmites and other frozen details, but it also makes the outdoor portions and road conditions more demanding.

The cave guide is separate from the main coach guide. Guides such as Erin, Lilla, Garith, and a geology-focused guide have been praised for explaining the cave clearly and keeping the group safe. Your exact cave guide can vary, but the format remains the same: a trained guide leads you through the tunnel and explains how it formed.

This is not a casual stroll on a smooth paved floor. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and children must be at least five years old. If you have trouble walking on wet ground or managing steps, the cave will be the hardest part of the day.

The cave visit also shows why warm clothing belongs in your bag even during a mild Reykjavík morning. Underground temperatures can feel sharply colder than outside, and the tour information specifically advises bringing warm clothing.

The guide can shape the whole experience

You spend many hours with the main guide, so personality matters. Guides named Filip, Walter, Addi, Thor, Colin, Cristina, David, and others have received strong praise for humor, stories, music, local facts, and careful driving in difficult weather.

The best version of this tour is not just a driver announcing the next stop. A good guide makes the long stretches between Borgarfjörður sites useful by explaining Icelandic history, geology, and daily life. One guide even used a personal music playlist to give the drive more atmosphere.

Quality can vary by departure. One account described a guide as more of a driver who gave directions but little explanation, while other guides were praised for being warm, funny, and deeply informative. I would treat this as a normal small-group tour variation rather than a promise that every departure will feel identical.

The group size helps. With no more than 19 passengers, you can usually hear the guide and ask a question without competing with a full coachload. It also makes pickup, cave instructions, and meeting times easier to manage.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus, though I would see that as a useful extra rather than a reason to book. The views and guide commentary are the real value during the drive.

Is $222 a fair price?

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap day out. You are paying for transportation from Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, the horse farm admission, and the Viðgelmir Cave admission. You also get a route that would be difficult to cover efficiently without a rental car and careful planning.

The price makes more sense if you want several different experiences in one day: horses, waterfalls, hot springs, saga history, and a guided lava cave. Booking separate visits and arranging transport could easily take more time and effort, especially if you do not want to drive Icelandic roads.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to see waterfalls. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are excellent, but the tour spends much of the day getting between several sites. You are also responsible for lunch and other food purchases.

I would compare the cost with the price of a rental car, fuel, cave admission, horse farm admission, and the comfort of having someone else handle the route. For a solo visitor or couple, the organized option can be sensible. For a larger family group, a self-drive plan may deserve a closer look.

Practical advice before you book

Wear warm layers and shoes with good grip. The cave is cold, and the wooden walkway can be wet or slippery. I would not wear smooth-soled trainers or anything you would worry about getting damp.

Bring cash for food and the coffee stop. Meals are not included, and the tour information specifically advises carrying money for the lunch break and afternoon refreshment stop.

Be ready at your pickup point by 8:30 in the morning, even though the pickup window runs until 9:00. Since central Reykjavík buses may use designated stops, check the exact location carefully rather than waiting at a hotel entrance.

Plan on the full 10 hours. Weather, road conditions, and the number of stops can affect the timing, and this is not a tour you should schedule before a tight evening flight or dinner reservation.

The experience is best for adults, older children over five, couples, and small groups who want variety. It is less suitable for anyone with limited mobility, anyone who dislikes long coach days, or anyone hoping for a relaxed spa visit. The hot springs in this program are primarily viewing and historic sites, not a guaranteed bathing session.

Should you book the West Iceland cave and waterfall tour?

I would book it if you want a full day with real variety and you are comfortable with a little physical effort. The lava cave is the strongest part, while Hraunfossar gives the day its best open-air scenery and Sturlureykir adds a warm, human touch.

I would skip it if you only want a short sightseeing trip, need included meals, or cannot manage wet and uneven ground. At $222, the tour needs to deliver more than a few photo stops, and it does: you get geology, Icelandic horses, medieval culture, geothermal heat, and two distinctive waterfall experiences.

For many visitors, the decision comes down to the cave. If walking underground in a cold volcanic tunnel sounds exciting, this is one of the more unusual day trips from Reykjavík. If that sounds uncomfortable, choose a route built around easier outdoor viewpoints instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts up to 10 hours, including pickup in Reykjavík, travel between stops, sightseeing, lunch time, and the return journey.

What time is pickup in Reykjavík?

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

Is lunch included in the ticket price?

No. Meals are not included. Bring cash for the lunch stop and the afternoon coffee break.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. The ticket includes admission to the Viðgelmir Lava Cave and the guided cave visit.

Is the horse farm admission included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm is included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under five cannot join the tour. The cave route may also be difficult for young children because conditions can be cold, wet, and slippery.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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