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

The real prize on this West Iceland day trip is Viðgelmir Lava Cave, a nearly 1,600-meter tunnel formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. Inside, you walk past colored rock, lava shapes, and, in winter, ice formations made by dripping water. Above ground, the day adds waterfalls, hot springs, Icelandic horses, and the old settlement at Reykholt.

I like the way this tour joins several different sides of Iceland in one outing. Hraunfossar is a wide, delicate curtain of water rather than one single plunge, while Sturlureykir Horse Farm gives you a friendly local encounter and a taste of hot spring bread. The main drawback is the long day and the cave conditions: the passage can be very cold, wet, slippery, and unsuitable for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points at a glance

• Viðgelmir is the day’s main event: Expect a guided 1.5-hour visit with lava formations, strong colors, and chilly underground air.
• Hraunfossar offers broad viewpoints: Water streams from a lava field for roughly 900 meters before reaching the river below.
• Sturlureykir includes more than horse watching: You can meet the Icelandic horses and try homemade rugbrauð, a traditional hot spring bread.
• Reykholt adds genuine cultural context: Snorralaug is a small historic hot spring linked to the medieval writer Snorri Sturluson.
• The group stays fairly small: The vehicle carries no more than 19 people, which makes questions and short stops easier.
• Bring warm layers and cash: Lunch is not included, and the cave remains cold even when Reykjavik feels mild.

Why Viðgelmir makes this 10-hour day worthwhile

I would choose this tour mainly for the cave. Iceland has many beautiful outdoor sights, but walking inside a lava tunnel gives you a different sense of the country’s volcanic past. Viðgelmir is just shy of 1,600 meters long, and the visit lasts about 90 minutes with a cave guide.

The experience is not a simple walk into a dark hole. You follow a prepared route and learn how the tunnel formed, how lava moved, and how water later shaped the interior. The colors and textures change as you go. In colder months, ice can form from water dripping through the ceiling, creating striking shapes around the lava rock.

The cave is also the most demanding part of the day. The ground can be wet, and one section has been described as slippery. Handrails and a wooden walkway help, but you still need steady footing and warm clothes. This is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments or children under five.

I would wear sturdy shoes with good grip, several warm layers, and gloves if you feel the cold easily. The cave is underground, but that does not make it warm. One winter visitor found the ice formations especially memorable, while another found the passage dangerously slick in one spot. Both details are useful: the cave can be magical, but you should treat it as a real natural environment, not a polished indoor attraction.

Glanni Waterfall and the road into Borgarfjörður

The route begins with pickup in Reykjavik between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. Your first listed stop is Glanni Waterfall, where you have about 30 minutes for views and photographs.

This is a good opening stop because it gets you into the western countryside before the more specialized visits later in the day. You will have enough time to look around without turning the morning into a rushed photo sprint. The exact feel of the stop depends on weather and road conditions, but it is a short scenic break rather than a long hike.

The drive takes you toward Borgarfjörður, an area strongly linked with Iceland’s medieval sagas. A good guide can make the road time count here. Guides named in past outings include Thor, Addi, Walter, Colin, Cristina, and Filip, though the guide assigned to your date can differ. The best guides on this route have used the journey to explain Icelandic history, geology, and local stories, rather than treating the bus as silent transfer time.

Free Wi-Fi is available onboard, but I would use it as a backup rather than the reason to book. The value of this trip comes from seeing West Iceland in person and hearing the guide connect the stops.

Meeting Icelandic horses at Sturlureykir

Sturlureykir Horse Farm gives the day a welcome change of pace. You spend about 45 minutes at the farm, meet the Icelandic horses up close, and have a chance to pet these friendly animals.

This stop works well for families with older children and for anyone who wants more than a string of viewpoints. Icelandic horses are a major part of the country’s rural identity, and a farm visit gives you a closer look at that tradition than a roadside photograph can.

The visit includes homemade rugbrauð, or hot spring bread, with coffee or cold water. That small tasting is one of the more personal touches on the route. The bread is baked using geothermal heat, linking the farm stop to the hot springs you see elsewhere in Borgarfjörður.

The time is limited, so think of this as a short farm visit rather than a full working-farm tour. You will not be spending hours with the horses. Still, 45 minutes is enough to meet them, enjoy the bread, and ask questions before returning to the bus.

Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s powerful hot spring

At Deildartunguhver, you stop for about 20 minutes to see one of Iceland’s major geothermal areas. The water rises from the ground at a high temperature, and the site shows the force beneath the country’s volcanic crust.

This is a quick photo stop, not a bathing visit. That distinction matters. You should not expect a spa session here, and hot spring water is not automatically safe to touch. The value is in seeing the steam and active geothermal setting up close, then understanding how heat from underground supports farms and communities in the region.

The short visit also keeps the day moving. With six major stops plus the long drive from Reykjavik, the schedule has to balance time outside with time on the road. Deildartunguhver gives you a sharp, memorable look at geothermal power without taking up an hour.

Reykholt and Snorralaug’s medieval connection

Reykholt is one of the most important cultural stops on the route. You spend about 30 minutes visiting the historic site and seeing Snorralaug, a small hot spring associated with Snorri Sturluson.

Snorri was a medieval Icelandic poet and political figure, and his name is tied to some of Iceland’s most important written works. Snorralaug was mentioned in medieval writings and was used by local people from the 12th century. Snorri is said to have bathed there, which gives the small pool a direct physical link to Iceland’s literary past.

I like this stop because it prevents the tour from becoming only a nature circuit. The waterfalls and lava cave are visually stronger, but Reykholt explains why Borgarfjörður matters in Icelandic culture. If your guide is good at connecting places to people and stories, this is where the region begins to feel like more than scenery.

The 30-minute visit is enough to see the pool and understand its importance, but not enough for a long museum visit or a detailed historical study. You should think of Reykholt as a concise cultural stop within a larger day.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: two very different waterfalls

The longest above-ground stop is at Hraunfossar, with about 90 minutes for sightseeing, photographs, lunch, and free time. This is sensible scheduling because the waterfall area offers several viewpoints and needs more time than a quick roadside pullout.

Hraunfossar spreads across roughly 900 meters. Instead of one tall fall, countless rivulets appear to flow out from the Hallmundarhraun lava field. The lava formed about 1,000 years ago during a major eruption from a volcano beneath Langjökull glacier. Water travels through the porous lava and emerges along the riverbank, producing the unusual appearance of a waterfall coming from the rock itself.

A few meters away is Barnafoss, a more concentrated and forceful waterfall. Seeing both together helps you compare two kinds of Icelandic water scenery. Hraunfossar is broad and finely divided; Barnafoss feels more compact and energetic.

This is also the practical meal stop. Lunch is not included, so bring cash as requested by the operator. You may find a buffet or other food option depending on the day, but the tour information does not promise a specific meal. I would carry a small snack as well, since the stop combines eating with sightseeing and the timing can pass quickly.

The waterfall area is one of the easiest places to appreciate the tour’s value. You get a full hour and a half instead of a few hurried minutes, and the time can be divided between viewpoints, lunch, restrooms, and photographs. In bad weather, the paths and viewing areas may feel exposed, so keep your rain layer handy even if the bus ride began under clear skies.

Transport, group size, and the pace of the day

This is a 10-hour trip from Reykjavik and back. That means a substantial part of the day is spent on the road, but the stops are varied enough to keep the schedule from feeling repetitive.

The maximum group size is 19 people. That is small enough to make questions practical and to avoid the feel of a large coach excursion. It also helps at pickup and during short stops. The vehicle may not be allowed into every central Reykjavik street, so your pickup could be at the nearest authorized bus stop rather than directly outside your accommodation.

If you prefer to meet the vehicle yourself, the stated meeting point is the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M in Reykjavik. You need to notify the company directly and arrive before 8:20 in the morning. Otherwise, be ready at your assigned pickup location from 8:30.

The guide can shape the day. Past guides named by guests include Filip, Walter, Addi, Thor, Colin, and Cristina. The cave portion may be handled by a separate specialist guide, with names including Erin, Lilla, Garith, and Brian associated with past departures. That arrangement is useful because the cave guide can focus on geology and safety while the main guide handles the wider route.

The strongest guide experiences have included humor, music, local history, and practical help. One guide even lent a spare charging cable to a passenger. That is not a guaranteed service, but it shows why a small group can matter. The less positive possibility is a guide who acts mainly as a driver and gives fewer explanations between stops, so your experience may depend on the individual assigned that day.

Is the $222 price fair?

At $222 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing bus. The price includes pickup and drop-off within Reykjavik, transport, an English-speaking guide, admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave, admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm, and onboard Wi-Fi.

The cave admission is important when judging value. Booking the cave separately would require arranging transport into West Iceland and fitting in the waterfalls, farm, geothermal sites, and Reykholt yourself. The tour bundles a difficult-to-organize route into one day and keeps the group to 19 people or fewer.

Food is not included. You need to budget for lunch and bring cash for the food and coffee stop. The horse farm’s rugbrauð, coffee, or water is part of the visit, but it does not replace lunch.

I think the price makes the most sense if you specifically want Viðgelmir and do not have a rental car. If you only want waterfalls and hot springs, a cheaper or shorter excursion may suit you better. If you value the cave, the farm visit, and the cultural stop at Reykholt, the bundled cost is easier to justify.

Who should book this West Iceland tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day with strong variety: a cave, two waterfall areas, geothermal heat, Icelandic horses, local food, and medieval history. It is also a good fit if you prefer a small group and want an English-speaking guide to handle the route.

The tour suits active children over five and adults who can manage wet, uneven ground and a 1.5-hour cave visit. A parent or older adult with walking difficulty may still enjoy the waterfall and farm stops, but the cave itself could be a problem. One past family group had an older person sit in the cafe during the cave visit, which may be possible at the site, but you should confirm arrangements directly rather than assume.

Bring warm clothing, sturdy footwear, cash, and a snack. The day is long, and the cave is cold. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Viðgelmir Lava Cave is high on your Iceland wish list and you want West Iceland’s main sights handled in one long day. The cave is the reason to go, while Hraunfossar, Sturlureykir, and Reykholt give the outing enough range to feel like more than a single attraction.

Skip it if you need step-free access, dislike cold and slippery conditions, or want a relaxed spa day. For everyone else, this is a well-packed introduction to Borgarfjörður, with enough time at Hraunfossar and enough variety to make the 10-hour schedule worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts up to 10 hours, including pickup from Reykjavik, the West Iceland visits, and the return journey.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included within Reykjavik, but buses cannot enter certain central streets. You may be directed to the nearest bus stop and will be notified of the exact location.

What time does pickup happen?

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

Can I meet the tour instead of using hotel pickup?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. Bring cash because the day includes a lunch stop and an afternoon coffee break.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. Admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave is included in the tour price.

Is the horse farm admission included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm is included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and cash. You should also wear footwear suitable for wet and potentially slippery ground inside the lava cave.