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

The real prize here is Viðgelmir Lava Cave, a long, colorful tunnel formed by ancient volcanic fire. You walk along a prepared route beneath the lava field, seeing strange rock shapes, mineral colors, and, in colder months, ice formations. I also like the way the tour links geology with local life, from friendly Icelandic horses and hot spring bread to Reykholt and its medieval stories.

I especially like the small maximum group of 19, which gives you a better chance to ask questions, and the sensible mix of stops: waterfalls, hot springs, history, animals, and a cave. The main drawback is the long day and the cave’s cold, wet footing. Bring warm layers, wear shoes with a firm grip, and understand that the $222 price does not include lunch.

Key points to know before you book

• Viðgelmir is the main event: The cave is nearly 1,600 meters long, with dramatic lava forms and seasonal ice.
• The day covers west Iceland well: You see Glanni, Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Deildartunguhver, Reykholt, and Sturlureykir.
• Horse farm hospitality adds local flavor: You can meet Icelandic horses and try homemade rugbrauð, or hot spring bread, with coffee or water.
• The group stays relatively small: The bus carries no more than 19 passengers, with Wi-Fi onboard.
• The cave requires care: The route can be cold and slippery, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.
• Plan for extra food costs: Meals are not included, though there is time for lunch and a coffee stop.

Why this west Iceland day is worth your time

Many day tours from Reykjavík concentrate on the famous southern sights. This trip heads west into Borgarfjörður, a quieter region tied closely to Icelandic saga literature and volcanic history. You get a full day outside the capital without needing to rent a car or work out the route yourself.

The experience costs $222 per person, so it is not a bargain-priced outing. Still, the fee covers pickup and return within Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, transport, Wi-Fi, entry to Viðgelmir, and entry to Sturlureykir Horse Farm. You are paying for a long day with several paid and hard-to-reach stops, not just a short waterfall transfer.

I see the value most clearly if you want variety. A trip focused only on waterfalls may feel repetitive after several hours. Here, the scenery changes often. You begin with a waterfall, meet horses, see one of Europe’s most powerful hot springs, visit a historic settlement, stop at a broad waterfall series, and end with a guided underground walk.

The day takes up to 10 hours. Pickup is generally between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, and you need to be ready at your assigned spot from 8:30. Since large buses cannot use every street in central Reykjavík, your pickup may be at the nearest designated bus stop rather than directly outside your hotel.

Glanni Waterfall starts the day gently

Glanni Waterfall is the first sightseeing stop, with about 30 minutes to look around and take photographs. It is a pleasant introduction to the western countryside before the day moves into its more substantial stops.

Thirty minutes is enough for a short visit, but not for a long walk or a slow picnic. You will want to keep your jacket handy and listen for the guide’s instructions about where to meet the bus. As with most Icelandic outdoor stops, the experience depends on the weather. Wind and rain can make a short viewpoint feel brisk, while clear conditions give you time to enjoy the water and surrounding scenery.

I like having Glanni near the start because it breaks up the drive early. You are not asked to sit on the bus for hours before seeing something. It also gives you a first sense of the varied scenery in Borgarfjörður.

Sturlureykir brings you close to Icelandic horses

The stop at Sturlureykir Horse Farm lasts about 45 minutes and gives the day a warmer, more personal moment. Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and famously friendly. Here, you can get close to them rather than simply spotting them from the roadside.

The farm visit includes entry and a serving of homemade rugbrauð, a dark bread baked using geothermal heat. You can have it with coffee or cold water. This detail matters because it turns the stop into more than an animal photo opportunity. You get a taste of how Iceland’s heat is used in daily life, not just in dramatic geological features.

The horse farm is also a good balance to the cave and waterfalls. If you are traveling with someone who prefers people and animals to geology, this may become one of their favorite parts. Children under five cannot join the tour, but older children who can manage a long day may enjoy the horses.

Do not expect a riding lesson or an extended farm tour. The listed stop is a visit and sightseeing session, so the focus is meeting the horses, hearing about them, and enjoying the bread. Guides have included Addi, Walter, Filip, Thor, Colin, Cristina, and others, though the assigned guide depends on the departure.

Deildartunguhver shows Iceland’s heat at close range

Deildartunguhver is one of the day’s most striking geothermal stops. The water here surges out of the ground at extreme heat, making it clear that Iceland’s volcanic forces are not only a story from the distant past.

You have about 20 minutes for a photo stop and short visit. That is enough to see the steaming pools and understand the scale of the geothermal activity, but it is not a bathing stop. Keep to marked areas and follow the guide’s instructions. Hot spring water can cause serious burns, and this is a place for looking, not wandering freely.

The stop works well beside the horse farm. One shows geothermal heat used for bread, while the other shows it in its raw, powerful form. I appreciate that the tour does not treat hot springs as merely decorative photo settings. Your guide can connect the water, the volcanic ground, and the ways people in Iceland have used geothermal energy.

Reykholt connects the scenery to Icelandic history

Reykholt is more than a quick historical label on the route. It was associated with Snorri Sturluson, the medieval Icelandic poet, politician, and writer whose work is central to understanding the Icelandic sagas.

The tour allows about 30 minutes at the site, including a visit to Snorralaug. This small hot spring was used by local people from at least the 12th century and is mentioned in medieval writings connected with Snorri. The pool is a modest feature, but its importance comes from the people and stories tied to it.

You will not get a full museum day here. Instead, Reykholt gives context to the region. The waterfalls and lava fields can look empty and wild, but Iceland’s western interior has long been shaped by settlement, writing, conflict, and farming. A good guide makes the stop more meaningful by explaining how the site fits into Icelandic history.

The quality of the guide matters especially here. Some guides have been praised for funny stories and useful facts, while one less positive experience described a guide who acted mainly as a driver. That difference is worth keeping in mind. The itinerary is strong, but your enjoyment of Reykholt depends partly on how much explanation your guide provides.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss make the best photo stop

The tour gives about 90 minutes to Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, lunch, photographs, and free time. This is one of the day’s most generous pauses, and it needs that time.

Hraunfossar is not one single waterfall. It is a long series of rivulets flowing out through the Hallmundarhraun lava field over roughly 900 meters. The water appears to emerge from the lava itself before dropping toward the river below. That broad spread makes the view different from the tall, narrow waterfalls found elsewhere in Iceland.

The lava field formed around 1,000 years ago during a major eruption beneath Langjökull glacier. Meltwater and underground channels now create the falls, so you are looking at the meeting point of ice, fire, and porous volcanic rock.

Barnafoss is only a short distance away and has a different character. The water rushes through a narrower channel, giving you a more forceful, concentrated view after the wide curtain of Hraunfossar. You should allow time for both rather than stopping at the first overlook and returning to the bus.

This is also the practical food break. Lunch is not included, so bring money and do not assume the tour price covers a meal. The information provided specifically advises carrying cash for lunch and the afternoon coffee break. The 90-minute pause gives you time to eat, use facilities, take photographs, and enjoy the falls without being hurried through every viewpoint.

Inside Viðgelmir Lava Cave

Viðgelmir is the highlight and the reason I would choose this tour over a simpler west coast sightseeing trip. The cave is just under 1,600 meters long and contains lava shapes and colors created as molten rock moved through the ground and cooled.

The guided cave visit lasts about 90 minutes. You are not simply taken to an opening for a photograph. You go inside along a prepared route while a cave guide explains how the tunnel formed and points out the features in the rock.

The reviews of individual cave guides are especially strong. Guides named Erin, Lilla, Garith, and Brian have been praised for clear explanations and careful handling of the group. One guide was described as a geologist who gave unusually detailed information. That kind of explanation can turn a dark tunnel into a clear lesson in volcanic geology.

Expect cold conditions inside, even if Reykjavík feels mild. A winter visit can add ice formations, including shapes hanging from the cave roof and ice building around drips. Those details may make winter particularly memorable, but they also make the footing colder and potentially slicker.

You should take the warning about slippery surfaces seriously. The cave route has wooden walkways and handrails in places, but wet underground conditions remain. One account specifically noted a dangerously slippery section. Wear sturdy shoes with good traction, move slowly, and use the handrails when needed.

The cave is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. The tour also excludes children under five. If someone in your group does not want to enter, the surrounding area and cafe can provide a place to wait, but the tour is built around the cave visit, so everyone should understand that this is a central part of the day.

How the guides shape the experience

Your main guide handles the bus journey and the outdoor stops, while the cave may have its own specialist guide. Names reported from different departures include Addi, Walter, Filip, Thor, Colin, Cristina, David, Nicole, and others. You should not book based on a particular name, since the guide is not guaranteed, but the pattern shows how much personality can affect the day.

The best guides add value during the long drives. Filip was praised for his music selection and stories. Walter was remembered for humor and for making the group feel comfortable. Addi was described as funny and full of facts about Iceland. Thor also received strong praise for keeping the day entertaining.

That said, not every guide offers the same level of interaction. One experience described a guide who mostly drove, gave directions, and did not engage much. If you care deeply about detailed commentary, ask questions when you can and treat the guide as an important variable rather than a guaranteed part of the package.

The small group helps. With up to 19 passengers, it is easier to hear the guide, ask a question, and move through the stops without the feel of a huge coach excursion. It is still a full group tour, not a private car with a dedicated driver, but it offers a more personal scale than many large Iceland day trips.

What to bring and how to handle the long day

Wear warm clothing even in summer. The cave is cold, and weather at the outdoor stops can change quickly. Waterproof outer layers are useful, though the provided information specifically calls for warm clothing rather than a detailed packing list.

Bring cash for lunch and the coffee break. Meals are not included, and the tour description makes clear that you will have opportunities to buy food. Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus, which is handy during the long drive, but it should not replace a charged phone and suitable outdoor clothing.

The day involves walking at waterfalls, the horse farm, Reykholt, and inside the cave. You do not need to treat it like a strenuous hike, but you do need to be comfortable standing and walking on wet or uneven ground. If you have difficulty walking, the cave may be the deciding issue.

Pickup and drop-off are included within Reykjavík. If you prefer not to use hotel pickup, you can meet at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M, provided you notify Nicetravel and arrive before 8:20 AM. Otherwise, wait at the confirmed pickup location from 8:30 AM.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Iceland plans are still shifting, but the more important booking decision is whether you want to give up a full day to west Iceland.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want more than the standard Reykjavík day-trip circuit. It suits you if volcanic geology interests you, if you enjoy a mix of nature and culture, or if you want to meet Icelandic horses without arranging a separate farm visit.

It is also a good choice for photographers. Hraunfossar offers several angles across a wide stretch of waterfalls, Barnafoss adds a more dramatic rush of water, and the cave provides unusual shapes and colors. Allow extra time at the falls rather than trying to capture everything in a few rushed minutes.

I would be cautious if you dislike long bus days, cold caves, or walking on damp surfaces. The price also makes less sense if you plan to skip the cave, since Viðgelmir is the tour’s central paid attraction. In that case, a simpler sightseeing trip may suit you better.

Should you book the Viðgelmir and west Iceland tour?

Book it if you want a carefully packed day that combines the best of Borgarfjörður: geothermal power, saga history, waterfalls, horses, and a real lava cave. The strongest reasons are the cave, the small group, the long stop at Hraunfossar, and the chance to taste hot spring bread at a working horse farm.

Skip it if you need an easy-access outing, prefer a short day, or want every meal included. For everyone else, $222 is fair for the number of included admissions and the distance covered, provided you arrive prepared for the cold, bring lunch money, and accept that the guide’s style can shape the experience.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour takes up to 10 hours, including pickup and return to Reykjavík.

What is included in the price?

The price includes pickup and drop-off within Reykjavík, transport, English-speaking guide service, free Wi-Fi on the bus, entry to Viðgelmir Lava Cave, and entry to Sturlureykir Horse Farm.

Is lunch included?

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

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 19 passengers, allowing for a smaller group experience.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and cash. Sturdy footwear with good grip is also sensible because the cave can be cold, wet, and slippery.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. Children under five are also not permitted.