Tour overview

This 6-day small-group trip is designed for travellers aged 18 to 35 and packs Iceland's best-known landscapes into less than a week. Groups have up to 16 travellers, with a local leader throughout. You travel by private minibus with Wi-Fi on board and stay in shared rooms in guesthouses, cottages and a hostel, which keeps the price low and the atmosphere sociable. The trip is land-only and starts and ends in Reykjavik.

After a welcome meeting in Reykjavik, where daylight can last anything from four hours in winter to more than twenty in summer, you set off on the Golden Circle. At Thingvellir National Park you walk through the rift between the North American and Eurasian plates, at the site of Europe's oldest parliament, founded in AD 930. Strokkur erupts every few minutes at the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss thunders into a deep canyon.

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The south coast is a run of famous waterfalls, from Gluggafoss and the hidden Gljúfrabúi to Skógafoss and Urriðafoss, with black-sand beaches and glacier views along the way. You continue to Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's largest ice cap, and walk to Svartifoss, which falls over black basalt columns. The next day offers an optional guided glacier walk on Vatnajökull, with the chance to visit the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where icebergs float out to sea.

On the way back to Reykjavik you stop at Seljalandsfoss, where a path leads behind the falling water. The trip ends after breakfast on Day 6, leaving time to add a snorkel in the Silfra fissure or a soak in a geothermal lagoon.

The physical rating is low, with short walks to waterfalls and viewpoints, though days on the road can be long. Spring and autumn departures bring a chance of the Northern Lights, and summer departures the long light of the midnight sun. This trip suits young travellers who want to see a lot of Iceland in a short time and on a budget, in a group of people their own age.

Trip highlights

  • Thingvellir National Park and the Parliament Plains (Day 2)
  • Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall (Day 2)
  • The south coast waterfalls, including Skógafoss (Day 3)
  • Svartifoss in Vatnajökull National Park (Day 3)
  • An optional glacier walk on Vatnajökull (Day 4)
  • Walking behind Seljalandsfoss (Day 5)

Your route

8 stops from Reykjavik to Seljalandsfoss

6-day route: Reykjavik – Golden Circle – South Coast – Vatnajökull – Vík – Reykjavik
  1. Reykjavik Days 1 & 5–6
  2. Þingvellir National Park Day 2
  3. Gullfoss Day 2
  4. Flúðir (Golden Circle) Day 2
  5. Gerði Day 3
  6. Jökulsárlón Day 4
  7. Vik Day 4
  8. Seljalandsfoss Day 5

Why choose this tour

Designed for 18 to 35-year-olds, with a sociable group and budget accommodation. The Golden Circle, the south coast and Vatnajökull in under a week.

Best suited to

  • Travellers aged 18 to 35
  • Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
  • Anyone with a week off who wants to see Iceland's highlights
  • Budget-conscious travellers
Skógafoss waterfall on Iceland's south coast

Day-by-day itinerary

6 days from Reykjavik, Iceland to Reykjavik, Iceland

  1. Day 1 · Reykjavik Arrive in Reykjavik

    Welcome to Iceland. Meet your leader and group at 6pm in Reykjavik, where daylight ranges from about four hours in winter to more than twenty in summer.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse, shared room
  2. Day 2 · Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss The Golden Circle

    Visit Thingvellir National Park, where the continental plates pull apart and Europe's oldest parliament met from AD 930. Watch Strokkur geyser erupt and see Gullfoss plunge into its canyon.

    Hotel
    Cottage, shared room
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Gluggafoss, Skógafoss, Svartifoss South coast waterfalls

    Drive along the south coast, stopping at Gluggafoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss and Urriðafoss, and walk to Svartifoss in Vatnajökull National Park, framed by black basalt columns.

    Hotel
    Cottage, shared room
  4. Day 4 · Vatnajökull, Jökulsárlón, Vík Vatnajökull and Vík

    Join an optional guided walk on Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap, or visit the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, before continuing to the village of Vík.

    Hotel
    Hostel, shared room
  5. Day 5 · Seljalandsfoss, Reykjavik Seljalandsfoss to Reykjavik

    Head back towards Reykjavik, stopping at Seljalandsfoss, where a path takes you behind the waterfall. Bring a raincoat.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse, shared room
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Reykjavik Trip ends in Reykjavik

    The trip ends after breakfast. Stay on to snorkel in the Silfra fissure or relax in a geothermal lagoon.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Seljalandsfoss waterfall from above, Iceland

Where you stay

  • Reykjavik (1 night) Guesthouse, shared room
  • South Iceland (2 nights) Cottage, shared room
  • Vík (1 night) Hostel, shared room
  • Reykjavik (1 night) Guesthouse, shared room

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 5 nights in shared rooms in guesthouses, cottages and a hostel
  • Meals breakfast on Days 2, 5 and 6
  • Transport private minibus with Wi-Fi
  • Visits Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, the south coast waterfalls, Vatnajökull National Park and Svartifoss
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to and from Reykjavik
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional activities, such as the glacier walk, Silfra snorkelling and geothermal lagoons
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The church at Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are under 18 or over 35 — this trip is for 18 to 35s only
  • You want a private room — all nights are in shared rooms
  • You want most meals included — breakfast is included on three days
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Iceland
Svartifoss falling over black basalt columns, Iceland

Departures & prices

From £1,115 per person, twin share, tour only. 36 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Who is this trip for?

It is designed for travellers aged 18 to 35. If you are outside this age range, other Iceland and Nordic tours on this site are open to all ages.

What is the accommodation like?

All five nights are in shared rooms: two in guesthouses, two in cottages and one in a hostel. Private rooms are not available.

Is the glacier walk included?

No, it is optional on Day 4 and needs no previous experience. Guides provide the equipment.

Will I see the Northern Lights?

It is possible on clear, dark nights between about September and March, but sightings can never be guaranteed.

What meals are included?

Breakfast on Days 2, 5 and 6. Other meals are at your own expense, and some accommodation has kitchens for self-catering.

What should I pack?

Waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, sturdy walking shoes and swimwear for geothermal pools, whatever the season.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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