REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
2 Day Snæfellsnes Tour Lava Caving and the Northern Lights
Book on Viator →Operated by Troll Expeditions · Bookable on Viator
A lava tube is not a normal tour stop. This 2-day Snæfellsnes experience takes you into the 8,000-year-old Vidgelmir lava tube, then keeps things practical with round-trip transit from Reykjavik and overnight lodging with breakfast. I really like the mix of big Iceland nature and easy logistics, because you spend less time planning and more time looking up at the real stuff. One thing to plan for: the caving day involves rentals like waterproof gear and boots, and you also have a luggage limit, so packing light matters.
What makes this feel especially worthwhile is the small-group setup (max 18 people) and the fact that the driving/guide piece is handled for you. You also get WiFi on board, which is a small comfort when you’re starting early. The tour is titled with Northern Lights, but the details of where or how that viewing happens aren’t spelled out in the info you have here, so you’ll want to stay flexible and follow the guide’s cues.
If you care about doing one truly “out there” activity without turning the whole trip into a logistics project, this is a strong fit. In one standout review, the guide Gilfy was praised for making the history of Iceland feel clear and fun, not like a lecture. If you’re not into early mornings or any part of your day involves rugged cave conditions, that’s the main trade-off to consider.
In This Review
- Key points before you go
- Snæfellsnes lava caving: why this tour feels real
- Reykjavik pickup and the 2-day rhythm (without the guesswork)
- Troll.is stop: a quick roadside moment that breaks up the day
- Vidgelmir Lava Cave: what to expect underground
- The overnight stay and breakfast: why it’s built in
- Northern Lights: what the title tells you, and what you should assume
- Price and value: is $528.64 per person a good deal?
- Gear and packing: keep it simple and avoid rental surprises
- Small group size (up to 18) and why it matters in practice
- Should you book this Snæfellsnes lava caving + Northern Lights tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start in Reykjavik?
- Is pickup from my hotel included, and how does pickup work?
- How long is the tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- What is not included?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is the tour in English?
- Are there luggage limits?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key points before you go
- Vidgelmir Lava Cave gets you into an 8,000-year-old lava tube on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Round-trip Reykjavik transit plus pickup options make logistics simpler than DIY
- Overnight stay and breakfast included, so you’re not hunting for meals and beds after the cave
- Small group size (up to 18) helps keep the experience organized and not chaotic
- Guide service and on-board WiFi make the long drive feel less painful
Snæfellsnes lava caving: why this tour feels real
Lava caves in Iceland aren’t a novelty. They’re part of the country’s geology story, and that’s what makes Vidgelmir land differently than a “tourist cave” vibe. When you enter a lava tube that formed thousands of years ago, the experience has physical weight. You’re not just looking at rocks; you’re moving through the leftover plumbing of an ancient eruption.
I like that this tour frames the cave as the headline, while still giving you the comforts that keep a 2-day trip from feeling like hard labor. You also get overnight accommodation with breakfast, which matters more than it sounds. After a morning underground (and any chilly weather you deal with outside), you’ll be glad you’re not scrambling for food and lodging.
The biggest reason this works for many people is the balance: adventure is included, but the schedule and transport aren’t left to guesswork. The max group size of 18 also suggests you won’t be squeezed with a huge crowd, which helps when everyone’s trying to manage gear and footing.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik
Reykjavik pickup and the 2-day rhythm (without the guesswork)
You start at 8:00 am, and pickup can take up to 30 minutes depending on your stop. That means you should plan to be ready a bit before the pickup window, not right on it. Also, Iceland has specific traffic rules, so the pickup may be at a designated bus stop instead of directly at the hotel entrance. The info specifically points you to busstop.is if you need help figuring out the nearest pickup point.
Here’s the practical upside: you’re not navigating long road distances on your own for two days. You’re in the hands of the driver/guide, and the tour includes round-trip transit from your Reykjavik hotel area. For most visitors, that’s the difference between an enjoyable trip and a trip where you’re always calculating bus routes and timing.
One small planning note: the tour uses mobile tickets. That’s convenient, but it also means you’ll want your phone charged and your reservation accessible offline.
Troll.is stop: a quick roadside moment that breaks up the day
The itinerary includes a stop at Troll.is (listed as Stop 1). Even with limited details about exactly what you do there, I’d treat it as a “road pause” that gives you a break from driving time and gives you something local to break up the day.
The key value of a mid-day stop on a multi-hour Iceland itinerary is simple: it keeps energy up. When you’re heading toward caving later, you don’t want the day to feel like nonstop transit. If you’re the type who likes to stretch your legs and reset between activities, this kind of stop helps.
Just remember, the cave day is the main event. Use any roadside stop to hydrate, check your gear, and keep your plan calm. Don’t spend so much time browsing that you show up rushed for the cave portion.
Vidgelmir Lava Cave: what to expect underground
This is the core activity: entering the Vidgelmir Lava Cave on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The big selling point is the cave itself, described as an 8,000-year-old lava tube. In plain terms, you’re walking through a natural tunnel formed by ancient lava flows, not a show cave built from scratch.
Because the tour offers rentals, you should assume the cave portion involves conditions that are cooler and wetter than the surface. The tour includes Vidgelmir, but it does not include hiking boots rental or waterproof jacket/pants rental. The rental prices listed are:
- Hiking boots rental: 3,000 ISK
- Waterproof jacket rental: 1,750 ISK
- Waterproof pants rental: 1,750 ISK
The practical takeaway for you: if you don’t already have footwear and layers that can handle damp conditions, budget for rentals. Even if you can tolerate a little cold, wet surfaces matter for safety and comfort. Going prepared makes the difference between thinking, wow, and feeling miserable.
Also, there’s a luggage storage rental (1,750 ISK) that is not included. If you’re bringing a bag you can’t comfortably carry, plan for storage costs. The goal is to keep the cave part as friction-free as possible.
Finally, this kind of activity tends to be best for people who like being outdoors and don’t mind “adventure mode.” The tour description calls it great for adventurous and outdoorsy travelers, and that matches what lava caving typically asks of you: staying attentive, moving carefully, and dressing for conditions.
The overnight stay and breakfast: why it’s built in
One of the smartest parts of the package is the overnight accommodation with breakfast included. You’re not just paying for the cave day. You’re paying for a full 2-day experience with the logistics smoothed out.
Breakfast matters because your day starts early. After a cave visit, the next day becomes much easier when you’re not searching for food or guessing opening hours. It also helps you treat the second day as a continuation of the experience rather than a recovery day.
Even if the exact second-day details aren’t outlined here, you can count on the core structure: you’ll leave Reykjavik in the morning, do the cave and other Snæfellsnes-focused time, sleep with breakfast included, then return later as part of the tour. That is a good rhythm for people who hate complicated schedules.
Northern Lights: what the title tells you, and what you should assume
This tour is titled with Northern Lights, but the information provided here does not list a specific aurora stop or exact viewing plan. So I’d treat it like this: the operator is aiming for an aurora opportunity, but conditions (weather, cloud cover, darkness) are outside anyone’s control.
What you can do on your side is stay flexible. Bring warm layers even if the day is mild, and be ready for the possibility that you might not get clear skies. If the guide plans an evening moment to look, having your gear ready and your expectations calm will help.
In other words, don’t build your entire satisfaction on one thing you can’t control. Build it on the guaranteed value: Vidgelmir lava caving, small-group touring, and an included overnight.
Price and value: is $528.64 per person a good deal?
At $528.64 per person for about 2 days, the price looks high at first glance. But in Iceland, “high” often means you’re paying for reduced stress, not just services.
Here’s what you’re getting that drives value:
- Driver/guide included
- Overnight accommodation with breakfast
- Vidgelmir Lava Cave included
- WiFi on board
What you’re not getting (and might need to pay extra for):
- Lunch and dinner
- Waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, and hiking boots rentals
- Luggage storage rental if you need it
So the real question for you is this: do you want to pay to avoid the hassle of arranging lodging and transport on your own, while also booking the cave experience through a guided operator? If yes, this price can be fair, because it bundles the parts that most visitors struggle to coordinate quickly.
Also, the group size cap of 18 can improve value. Smaller groups often mean a smoother flow for activities like caving, where everyone needs to follow instructions and handle gear.
If you’re the type who already has proper waterproof gear and comfortable boots, and you’re good at DIY logistics, you might find cheaper options. But if you want a guided, organized “two-day package” with the cave as the centerpiece, this is priced like a proper service.
Gear and packing: keep it simple and avoid rental surprises
This is an outdoorsy tour element, so your packing plan should match the reality of caves and damp conditions. You have a luggage limit: 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on per traveler. Oversized or excessive luggage may face restrictions, so if you’re traveling with more than that, ask the operator before you go.
Plan for rentals if you don’t already have:
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Hiking boots rental
Also consider whether you’ll need luggage storage (1,750 ISK). A lot of people pack a day bag they want to keep safe and dry. If you’re unsure what you’ll carry into the cave, that’s the kind of moment where paying for storage can make the experience easier.
My practical advice: wear layers you can adjust, and pack a spare warm layer. Even when the sky is calm, underground temps and damp surfaces can make you feel colder than you expect.
Small group size (up to 18) and why it matters in practice
With a maximum of 18 travelers, you’re likely to get a better sense of order during the day. In activities like lava caving, you don’t just need space on paper—you need flow on the ground. Smaller groups make it easier for the guide to manage timing, safety reminders, and the pace of everyone moving between stops.
It also affects the “feel” of the tour. You’re less likely to be stuck waiting behind a huge crowd, and you’ll usually hear guide explanations more clearly because you’re not fighting over sound and attention.
One review highlighted that the guide, Gilfy, kept people entertained and offered a lot of Iceland history in a way that felt engaging. A guide who can manage that energy matters a lot on an itinerary with a long drive plus an active cave segment.
Should you book this Snæfellsnes lava caving + Northern Lights tour?
Book it if you want a guided 2-day Snæfellsnes experience where the hardest part—transport and cave logistics—is handled for you. The combination of Vidgelmir Lava Cave, included overnight lodging with breakfast, and round-trip Reykjavik transit makes it a strong value for visitors who don’t want to juggle details.
Skip it or rethink it if you strongly dislike early starts or you’re not interested in a damp, adventure-style activity. Also, if Northern Lights are your only reason to travel and you need guaranteed aurora viewing, this is not something anyone can promise. Treat the aurora as a bonus, not the main contract.
If you’re traveling with the right mindset—warm layers, a bit of patience for Iceland weather, and comfort with adventurous touring—this looks like an excellent way to see Snæfellsnes beyond the postcard version.
FAQ
What time does the tour start in Reykjavik?
The start time is 8:00 am.
Is pickup from my hotel included, and how does pickup work?
Pickup is offered. Due to traffic regulations, the operator can’t stop at all hotel entrances downtown, so pickup may be at a nearest designated bus stop. Pickup starts at 8:00 and might take 30 minutes.
How long is the tour?
The duration is 2 days (approx.).
What’s included in the price?
Included items are the driver/guide, overnight accommodation with breakfast, entry to Vidgelmir Lava Cave, and WiFi on board.
What is not included?
Lunch and dinner are not included. Also not included are hiking boots rental (3,000 ISK), waterproof jacket rental (1,750 ISK), waterproof pants rental (1,750 ISK), and luggage storage (1,750 ISK).
How many people are in the group?
The tour has a maximum of 18 travelers.
Is the tour in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
Are there luggage limits?
Yes. Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on bag. Oversized or excessive luggage may have restrictions, so you may need to ask the operator in advance.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
