Volcano Hike & Northern Lights Combo Tour

Watch Iceland change beneath your feet. This long day from Reykjavik joins a demanding hike across mossy lava fields with an evening search for the Northern Lights, giving you two very different ways to experience the Reykjanes Peninsula. I like the round-trip transport, which saves you from sorting out remote roads, and I like the chance to visit several aurora-viewing areas instead of betting the whole night on one spot. The main catch is stamina: the hike can be steep, cold, windy, and longer than you expect.

The tour costs $185 per person and runs for about 11 hours. That is fair value if you want to combine two expensive-to-arrange Iceland experiences in one day, but less appealing if you prefer a relaxed schedule. You also need to accept that the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, even with careful planning.

Key points to know before booking

• The volcano hike can take 2 to 4 hours: Routes change with volcanic activity, and the terrain includes steep sections, mountains, and rough lava fields.
• The day begins at 11:00 a.m.: Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so be ready before the stated departure time.
• The aurora outing begins at 9:30 p.m.: You return to the same Reykjavik meeting point between the two parts of the tour.
• Kleifarvatn Lake adds a scenic road stop: The lake is one of the first striking views on the drive toward the volcanic areas.
• Seltún may be skipped: The colorful geothermal area is included only when the longer hike route does not take up the time.
• You can repeat the Northern Lights tour for free: If weather prevents a sighting, you may join another Northern Lights outing at no extra charge.

A long Iceland day, split between fire and sky

This experience works because the two halves complement each other. During the day, you walk through the physical remains of volcanic activity. At night, you look upward for a phenomenon created by charged solar particles colliding with gases in the atmosphere.

You begin in Reykjavik at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg on Þórunnartún 6. Hotel pickup is offered, but the vehicle may take up to 30 minutes to arrive. The morning tour starts at 11:00 a.m., and the second pickup begins at 9:30 p.m. from the same location.

That gap matters. You should plan on several hours between the volcano excursion and the Northern Lights outing, though the exact timing depends on the day’s route. This is not a quick afternoon trip with a short evening add-on. It is a full day that can leave you tired before the aurora search even begins.

The vehicle includes WiFi, and transportation is covered in the price. That is useful in Iceland, where weather can shift quickly and remote driving requires care. You can focus on the scenery rather than road conditions.

Kleifarvatn Lake sets the tone

The drive toward the peninsula includes views of Kleifarvatn Lake. This is a good early stop because it gives you a sense of Iceland’s wide, open volcanic country before the walking begins.

The lake is more than a quick photo background. It helps explain the setting you are entering: dark rock, open ground, water, and geothermal forces close beneath the surface. The visit is brief compared with the hike, but it breaks up the drive and gives you a strong first look at the Reykjanes area.

Since the tour covers several locations, stop lengths can feel short. You should enjoy Kleifarvatn as a scenic pause rather than expect a long lakeside walk.

Fagradalsfjall demands real effort

The main event is the hike near Fagradalsfjall Volcano. You walk through moss-covered lava fields and mountain terrain toward an eruption site or volcanic area, with the precise route changing according to current activity.

The hike is described as roughly two to four hours, though the volcano stop can occupy about five hours once walking, pauses, and group movement are included. You should have a strong level of physical fitness. This is not a gentle stroll from a bus to a viewpoint.

The ground can be uneven, and the route may include steep sections. Cold and wind can make the hike feel harder than the distance suggests. One especially useful detail is that hiking poles are not included, but you can rent them for $9 per person. I would seriously consider using them if you are not comfortable on loose or uneven ground.

The payoff is the chance to see fresh volcanic terrain up close. A particularly memorable detail from this kind of outing is the warmth that can remain in new lava fields. On a cold day, that contrast between biting air and warm rock can feel almost strange.

The route may also change to another hike or a hot river experience. That flexibility is practical, since volcanic conditions can alter what is safe or sensible. It also means you should not book this expecting one fixed viewpoint or one guaranteed eruption scene.

A guide called Omar has been praised for being friendly, helpful, and good at taking photographs. Another guide, possibly named Hindrik, was remembered for telling engaging stories about Iceland and checking on the group during the strenuous walk. Those details matter here. A good guide can make a difficult hike feel organized and encouraging, while a poor one can leave you wondering how far remains.

There is one practical weakness: toilet access near the volcano is limited. You may need to wait until the bus reaches a later stop, so use facilities before the hike and carry only what you need on the trail.

Reykjanes gives you more than one volcanic view

After or around the main hike, the vehicle continues around the Reykjanes Peninsula for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. This road section lets you see more of the area than you would on foot.

The peninsula is useful for understanding Iceland’s volcanic character as a broad system rather than a single attraction. You are not simply visiting one crater, taking a picture, and leaving. You are moving through an area shaped by lava, mountains, geothermal heat, and exposed coastal surroundings.

The trade-off is time. Much of this section is viewed from the vehicle, and the exact stops can change. If you prefer long walks at each place, the combo format may feel rushed. If you want a wide sample of the region without renting a car, it is a sensible arrangement.

Seltún Hot Springs adds color and steam

The geothermal area at Seltún, also called Krysuvik, is scheduled as a short stop of about 10 minutes. Here you can see colorful ground and steaming hot springs, a sharp change from the black volcanic fields.

The visit is brief, so think of it as a compact introduction to Iceland’s geothermal activity rather than a full exploration. You may see it skipped when the volcano hike takes the longer route. That is an important point for anyone choosing the tour mainly for Seltún: it is part of the possible day, not an absolute promise.

The area adds visual variety to the itinerary. After dark rock and moss, the stained geothermal ground gives you another reminder that the island remains geologically active.

Aurora Reykjavik explains what you are waiting for

Before heading into the countryside, you visit Aurora Reykjavik, the Northern Lights Center, for about 30 minutes. Admission is included.

This stop gives useful context before the night search. The Aurora Borealis is caused by charged particles released from the sun colliding with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. You learn why the lights can appear in different shapes and colors, and why clouds and conditions matter so much.

I like this part because it gives the evening a purpose even if the sky stays dark. The Northern Lights are not a scheduled performance. Understanding the science helps you see the search as an attempt to find the right conditions, not a promise that a show will begin at a set hour.

Still, half an hour is not enough for a detailed museum visit. It is a short educational stop before the bus moves on.

The four-hour Northern Lights hunt

The final portion lasts about four hours and heads into the Icelandic countryside. The driver and guide choose the direction based on where the chances appear best that night, so the route can vary from day to day.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features. Clouds can cover one part of the region while another area has clearer skies. Visiting several possible locations gives you a better chance than remaining beside Reykjavik for the whole evening.

There is no guarantee of seeing the lights. Even with a clear forecast, solar activity and timing remain outside anyone’s control. A good guide should manage expectations, and one guide on this experience did exactly that. On a night without an aurora, hot chocolate and a fire pit helped make the wait more pleasant.

If you do not see the lights, you are allowed to join another Northern Lights tour free of charge. That is valuable, but only if you have another night in Iceland. If your schedule is packed or you leave the next morning, the replacement offer may not help.

The evening can also become lengthy if the group has to wait for a missing person or a delayed vehicle. Keeping the group together is essential on remote roads. There has been at least one occasion when two people wandered away and the bus waited for more than an hour. That is a useful warning: stay near the guide, follow meeting instructions, and do not wander off for a better photograph.

What the $185 price really buys you

At $185, the tour is not cheap, but Iceland excursions rarely are. You are paying for a full day of transportation, a guided volcano hike, a peninsula drive, admission to the Northern Lights Center, and a separate evening search.

The value is strongest if you do not have a rental car and want to see the volcanic peninsula without arranging several separate bookings. Transport between Reykjavik and remote locations is a major convenience. WiFi onboard is a small but useful extra during a long day.

The value is weaker if you already have a car, are comfortable planning your own routes, or want to spend a full day at one volcano site. The combo format trades depth for variety. You see more kinds of Iceland in one day, but you have less control over each stop.

Food and drink are not included. Bring snacks and water, especially since the hike can last several hours. Hiking poles cost an extra $9 if you rent them from the operator.

The tour can hold up to 60 people. That is a fairly large maximum for a hike, so group management matters. The strongest guide experiences described here involved warmth, humor, storytelling, photography help, and regular checks on the group. You should still expect a shared outing rather than a private walk.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Reykjavik and want both volcanic scenery and a serious attempt at seeing the Northern Lights. It suits you if you are comfortable with a long day, changing plans, cold weather, and a physically demanding hike.

It is also a good fit if you would rather leave remote driving to a guide. The route changes with volcanic activity and weather, so local decision-making has real value.

I would think twice if you have knee, balance, or stamina concerns. The trail is not described as easy, and the terrain can be steep. I would also avoid it if you need guaranteed access to toilets, regular meal stops, or a fixed schedule.

Children under 12 cannot join. Everyone else should prepare for the weather with warm clothing, sturdy footwear, water, and food. A camera is worthwhile, but keep it secondary to staying with the group.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the tour, you can receive another date, another experience, or a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this combo if you want maximum sightseeing in one demanding day and understand that the Northern Lights are a bonus, not a promise. The volcano hike, flexible route, several aurora stops, and included transport create solid value at $185.

Skip it if you want a calm schedule or a guaranteed volcano viewpoint. The best reason to book is the combination itself: warm lava fields by day, cold northern skies by night, and a guide handling the long drives in between. Just arrive fit, fed, warmly dressed, and ready for plans to change.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The morning portion starts at 11:00 a.m. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes. Pickup for the Northern Lights portion begins at 9:30 p.m. from the same location.

How long is the full experience?

The full experience lasts approximately 11 hours. The volcano hike can take around two to four hours, while the evening Northern Lights search lasts about four hours.

Are hiking poles included?

No. Hiking poles can be rented from the operator for $9 per person.

Are children under 12 allowed?

No. Children under 12 are not permitted to join this tour.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are not guaranteed. You are welcome to join another Northern Lights tour free of charge, subject to your schedule and available dates.