Reykjavik: The Lava Tunnel and Golden Circle Small-Group Tour
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the raw beauty of Iceland both above and below ground on this day trip from Reykjavik! Descend into the lava caves of the Blue Mountains with a guide to see otherworldly rock formations and craters, and follow the famous Golden Circle route to see three of its natural wonders. Admire Gullfoss waterfall, see the spouting Strokkur spring and pools at Geysir, and view the tectonic rift at UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, the site of ancient Viking parliaments. Numbers are limited to 18 people for a small-group experience.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please dress appropriately with warm outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves for the caving. Good warm sturdy hiking shoes and wool socks are recommended
Please note that no previous caving experience is required for this tour, but you will have to crawl or walk through underground passage
This tour is a combo tour, that means that the tour will start by going caving in the morning and then you will join a separate Golden Circle tour in the afternoon. You will be dropped off at a switching point between tours, where you will have time to have lunch. There is a bakery and a supermarket at the switching point.
This is a small group tour ensuring a more personalized experience.
What To Expect
Raufarholshellir
Explore the magnificent undergrounds of Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel (the Lava Tunnel)
Golden Circle Route
You will drive along the Golden Circle Route and visit the most popular stops along the way.
Options
Standard Departure
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Small group experience
Professional guide
Reykjavik pickup and drop-off
Use of caving equipment
Free wi-fi on board
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Lunch
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
27 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Non-responsive Company
peterdC9097SD,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00When I booked the tour, the booking said that the tour started at 8:00. I had wanted to be picked at bus stop #6. I emailed the tour operator, Arctic Adventures, three times, twice via their website and once through Tripadvisor asking what time I would be picked up at bus stop #6 and when should I get there. Receiving no response, I canceled my booking and booked with someone else.
Sergio is the best guide!
shutianw2023,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sergio was our guide and he was exceptional in narrating the lore around the becoming of Iceland. He shared about the natural landscape, weaving it into the daily agriculture and seasonal chores of the Icelandic people such as lamb birthing season or wool knitting for winter. Sergio also went above and beyond when checking with guest on their bus stops, ensuring everyone disembark and boards safely at each attraction. As a solo female traveller I felt very safe and accounted for. Through Sergio's sharing of the Iceland Saga, Iceland became more alive than the rocks and the trees. I highly reccomend him as your tour guide. And of course, he drove us safely, reminding us to keep our seltbelts on at all times. Five star experience!
Incredible day out
Kori F,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a brilliant day trip! Our party was myself, husband, and our 8 year old son and it was well-paced, super informative, and the locations were stunning. I had done a golden circle tour previously, but this one was so much better. Our guide, Guna, was absolutely fabulous and I would book another tour with her in a heartbeat. Our lava tunnel guide was also brilliant. Overall the whole day was about 10 hours, but it flew by for us. We will definitely be booking with Arctic Adventures again.
Very informative and a...
Nicole M,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Very informative and a bit of an adventure to learn and see how the tunnel was formed. Need to be steady on your feet as it’s a bit of a trek over rocks and steps.
Stunning Natural Beauty
Carol S,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Both the Lava Cave and the Golden Circle tours were fantastic. Our guide in the cave, Dimitri, was informative and fun. The sites on the Golden Circle tour were spectacular! It makes sense that they tell you this is what you should do if you have only one day.
The tour was brilliant....
Paul B,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was brilliant. All our guides were very knowledgeable and made the tour really interesting. The lava tunnels were beautiful. The scenery on the Golden Circle part of the tour was stunning. We really recommend the smaller, more private tour as it didn’t feel as rushed as some of the bigger coach tours.
Avoid Combo Tour At All Costs
Scott F,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00You should avoid this tour in combo form. The lava tour was great, bit after they bring you back to Reykjavik drop you at a bakery for over an hour so they can pick up people and then rush you through the golden circle. This was sad as the golden circle tour was incredibly rushed with only 20-minutea at each stop which is just nothing. This was all due to the structure of the combo of lava and golden circle. Do anything else, but do not do this combo. Lastly, we got back 30-minutes early and also spent 10-minutea looking at horses, which I still can't figure out why. Way too much time wasted (45-minute return drive and over an hour in a bakery). Just a horrible design which is really too bad.
Great day trip!
James C,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Action-packed day with a great guide. We enjoyed the stops at the Lava Tunnel and the Golden Circle. Guide (Aliza - sp?) was really knowledgeable and shared a lot of good history and information in between stops.
Absolutely beautiful!!!...
Nichelle R,Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely beautiful!!! We loved every minute of this experience!!! Really well thought out trip. Highly recommended.
Got more than I expected
Elo R,Aug 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00I got more than I excpected from this tour. The Lava Tunel was super cool and very colorful. The guide Sonya was very professional and friendly. The Golden Circle tour was also amazing and our driver and guige Christopher very well prepeared telling stories about places what we passed through.
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Operated by Arctic Adventures