Golden Circle Lava Tunnel Tour in Iceland
24,399 ISK/person
About the Tour
Discover Iceland above and below ground on a full-day Golden Circle and Lava Tunnel tour from Reykjavík. Begin with a guided exploration of Raufarhólshellir, where ancient lava flows created a dramatic underground passage filled with volcanic rock formations, mineral colours and natural openings. Continue to Iceland’s classic Golden Circle to experience Þingvellir National Park, the erupting Strokkur geyser at the Geysir geothermal area and the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall. This approximately 10-hour tour is ideal for travellers who want to combine Iceland’s famous landmarks with a unique underground volcanic experience in one convenient day.
Ideal for : Couples, families, solo travellers, friends and geology enthusiasts who want to experience both the Golden Circle and Iceland’s volcanic underground landscapes without self-driving.
What you'll Experience
- Guided Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel exploration
- Ancient lava formations underground
- Icelandic volcanic geology
- Þingvellir tectonic landscapes
- Strokkur geyser eruptions
- Geysir geothermal activity
- Gullfoss waterfall viewpoints
- Guided Golden Circle sightseeing
Included
✓ Guided Golden Circle tour
✓ 1-hour guided lava tunnel tour
✓ Professional English-speaking guide
✓ Tour transportation
✓ Protective helmet
✓ Flashlight
✓ Lava tunnel admission
✓ Free onboard Wi-Fi when available
Not Included
✕ Meals and drinks
✕ Personal outdoor clothing
✕ Hiking or walking shoes
✕ Tips and gratuities
✕ Personal expenses
✕ Travel insurance
What to bring
In Iceland, the weather can change quickly and the lava tunnel can feel cool year-round, so wear warm layers and sturdy footwear.
- Warm base layers
- Waterproof jacket
- Comfortable outdoor trousers
- Sturdy walking shoes
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera or mobile phone
A helmet and flashlight are provided for the lava tunnel experience.
Tour Summary
Age
3 Years
Availability
All Year
Difficulty
Easy
Start
Reykjavik
Duration
10 Hours
Language
English
Meet on Location
Yes
Pickup
Yes
Start-time
09:00
Start
Reykjavik
Start-time
09:00
Duration
10 Hours
Tour Highlights
- Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
- Þingvellir National Park
- Geysir Geothermal Area
- Strokkur Geyser
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Icelandic volcanic landscapes
- Golden Circle
Itinerary
Explore Iceland Above and Below Ground
Experience two different sides of Iceland’s geology in one day. Explore an ancient lava tunnel beneath the surface before travelling through the geothermal, tectonic and waterfall landscapes of the Golden Circle.
1. Reykjavík Departure
Begin your journey from Reykjavík and travel towards Raufarhólshellir. During the drive, your guide introduces Iceland’s volcanic landscape and the geological forces responsible for the lava fields surrounding the capital region.
2. Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
Enter Raufarhólshellir with a professional guide for an approximately one-hour underground experience. Equipped with a helmet and flashlight, explore the lava passage and see rock formations, mineral colours and openings created when flowing lava cooled and hardened.
The walking surface inside the tunnel is natural and can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
3. Þingvellir National Park
Continue to Þingvellir National Park, where Icelandic history and geology come together. Explore the rift landscape associated with the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates while learning about Þingvellir’s importance in Iceland’s history.
4. Geysir Geothermal Area
Walk through one of Iceland’s best-known geothermal areas, surrounded by steaming ground and hot springs. Watch Strokkur erupt at regular intervals while your guide explains the geothermal activity beneath the surface.
5. Gullfoss Waterfall
Visit Gullfoss, where the Hvítá River descends dramatically through a rugged canyon. Explore the designated viewpoints and experience the power, mist and scale of one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls.
6. Return to Reykjavík
After exploring the lava tunnel and Golden Circle, relax on the return journey to Reykjavík. The complete experience lasts approximately 10 hours, although timing may vary with traffic, weather and operating conditions.
Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Experience
➤ Approximately 1-hour guided cave tour
➤ Protective helmet provided
➤ Flashlight provided
➤ Natural volcanic formations
➤ Professional guide supervision
Raufarhólshellir is a natural lava tunnel, so surfaces may be rocky, uneven or damp. Guests should follow the guide’s instructions throughout the underground experience.
Golden Circle Experience
➤ Þingvellir National Park
➤ Geysir geothermal area
➤ Strokkur geyser
➤ Gullfoss Waterfall
➤ Guided geological interpretation
Important Information Before Booking
- The complete tour lasts approximately 10 hours
- Departure is scheduled for approximately 09:00
- Reykjavík pickup is listed as available
- The lava tunnel visit lasts approximately one hour
- A protective helmet and flashlight are provided
- The cave floor can be uneven and slippery
- Sturdy closed footwear is strongly recommended
- The lava tunnel can feel cooler than outside
- Wear warm layers throughout the year
- Meals and drinks are not listed as included
- Outdoor Golden Circle paths may be wet or icy
- The itinerary order may change
- Weather and road conditions can affect timing
- Guests must follow cave safety instructions
Why Choose this Tour ?
➤ Combine the Golden Circle and a lava tunnel in one day
➤ Explore Iceland’s volcanic geology underground
➤ Visit three essential Golden Circle attractions
➤ Enjoy guided cave access with safety equipment provided
➤ Experience more than a standard Golden Circle sightseeing tour
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable.
- Cancellation requests must be submitted via email.
- If we cancel due to severe weather or safety conditions, you may reschedule or receive a full refund.
Why Book with Us
Tour Amenities
➤ Guided lava tunnel admission
➤ Professional English-speaking guide
➤ Protective cave equipment
➤ Comfortable tour transportation
➤ Reykjavík pickup available
Choose your preferred date, confirm your group size, and check live availability to reserve your tour.
Secure your place in just a few clicks and let us take care of the rest.
Cusomers Reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 232 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor Anthony OVerified Tour guide with a sense of humour What can I say!! We were SO LUCKY with this tour, not only did the Northern Lights put on a show, the tour guide was funny/charismatic and charming!Posted on Tripadvisor Scott Van HornVerified Highly recommend for a day! Our guide Lina was amazing! She knew exactly how long we needed at each place and made sure we did not miss anything! Her timing was perfect to avoid the crowds. Her driving was impeccable too. At one place she took us to the top, let us walk downhill, then picked us up at the bottom! And she made sure she took special group photos of us along the way. It was an amazing day.Posted on Tripadvisor James HVerified A great tour with Lina Our tour guide, Lina, was outstanding. She was knowledgeable, personable, flexible, and made the whole day a fun experience. I would highly recommend her, and this tour.Posted on Tripadvisor FLYJADEVerified Wonderful Golden Circle tour with Lina This tour of the Golden Circle was SO worth it! Our group of 6 saw so much in our 7 hour tour. We were visiting Reykjavík before getting on a cruise ship and wanted to see as much as possible. This was the best way to do it, as we saw more things than we would have compared to a tour with a big group. The day before, our driver Lina messaged me on whatsapp to confirm pickup location and time. The day of, she was there as promised. We saw everything we wanted to and Lina was very knowledgeable about each of the sights and surrounding areas during the drive (we were never bored). She was a great guide and answered all of our questions! I’m so happy we booked this experience to make the most of our trip.Posted on Tripadvisor Ross FVerified The Golden Circle Tour was a wonderful introduction to Iceland. As beautiful as previous visitors had said made all the better by our guide, Lina. Though not a native of Iceland, Lina knew a number of “off the beaten path” stops to add to the tour. Our family could not have enjoyed the tour more. Thanks Lina.Posted on Tripadvisor Bob IVerified Iceland Golden Circle Tour with Nice Travels Amazing day with our guide Bart. Saw so many amazing sites in Iceland. Waterfalls, volcano, Geyser, Tectonic plates, and ending with a dip in the Blue Lagoon. Nice Travel did a great job. Van was very clean and comfortable. Felt safe at all times. A trip I will never forget. I highly recommend Nice Travel group.Posted on Tripadvisor shuchita mVerified Great guide great service We did a ring road tour and were lucky to have Maria as our guide. Literally the ultimate tour guide. Born with generations of Icelandic blood, being a local gives her immense knowledge. She took us to some amazing additional spots apart from the typical tourist itinerary. Her humor helped gel with our group perfectly. She was attentive to every person's wishes in the group. She is truly a gem of Tourism Iceland.Posted on Tripadvisor namita pVerified Maria - The Simply Amazing Guide Iceland tour was a dream come true ! Our tour guide Maria was beyond superlatives. She made us tour every small little place that we wouldn’t ever have imagined to do ourselves….the tomato farm , the lupin fields, the brooks on the way & of course the must - see places of Iceland. She went out of the way to help do video and photo shoots in our chiffon Sarees by the black beach and waterfalls! We even danced and dedicated a song to her. She was so cooperative and proactive to make us feel comfortable. Highly recommended, especially for family tours .Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

