An endless number of tours is available in Iceland and it may be overwhelming to find the best ones. We’ve done it for you and handpicked the list of best tours from various providers around Iceland.
Carefully picked from thousands of options based on experience, content and reviews.
Category “action tours” is for those who seek action, adrenaline and intense Icelandic experience, and at the same time beauty of Icelandic nature.
Contents
1. Glacier hike
Where else to walk on a glacier, if not in Iceland? Hiking on the majestic Icelandic glaciers is truly a once in a lifetime experience. It’s also an activity you definitely don’t want to do all by yourself. When hiking a glacier we always advise you to have an experienced guide by your side. And glacier equipment which is included in the tour price 🙂
That’s why we sat down and narrowed the list of hundreds of different glacier walking options to 5 we consider the best. They all happen to be from one provider not by a coincidence. Troll Expeditions is at the same time – the cheapest, the best-rated and one of the oldest glacier hiking tour operators in Iceland. And even offers a big discount to our readers! Win-win-win situation 🙂
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | Option 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | Skaftafell | Skaftafell | Skaftafell | Sólheima-jökull | Sólheima-jökull |
| Length | 3 hours | 5 hours | 4 hours | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| Climbing | no | no | possible | no | possible |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Easy | Moderate |
| Price, Age | 70$, 8-11y 85$, 12y+ | 123$, 12y+ | 157$, 12y+ | 78$, 12y+ | 150$, 12y+ |
| Cancel | free, 24 hours before | free, 24 hours before | free, 24 hours before | free, 24 hours before | free, 24 hours before |
| Discount | 20% with our code | 20% with our code | 20% with our code | 20% with our code | 20% with our code |
The cheapest, the easiest and the shortest are Option 1 from Skaftafell and Option 4 at Solheimajokull:
Option 1: Skaftafell easy glacier hike
Option 4: Solheimajokull easy glacier hike
For those who want to spend as much time as possible walking on the glacier Option 2 from Skaftafell. Finally, for those who even want to try ice climbing, there are the 2 most action-packed options – from Skaftafell Option 3 and at Solheimajokull Option 5:
Option 2: Skaftafell long glacier hike
Option 3: Skaftafell glacier climbing
Option 5: Solheimajokull ice climbing
TIP: There are many other glacier hiking tours at different places. We aimed for picking the best ones.
2. Rafting
Icelandic canyons are nothing less than stunning. Now imagine not only observing the canyon from the top but also sailing down the river in the canyon! Well.. or better said rafting down. Sounds scary? Not that much with experienced guides!
Luckily enough, there’s a 5***** Icelandic company that puts both safety and fun in the first place. Be prepared to get wet, though! (Not too much, don’t be afraid). Viking Rafting is a top-notch Icelandic tour company with 5/5 ratings. They will serve you a rafting experience you will never forget 😉
Option 1: Family rafting; a beautiful raft for everyone
– panoramic views over the canyon
– from Hafgrímsstaðir (for pickup contact Viking)
– 3-4 hours, 125$ adult, 78$ 6-12years old, min 6y.o.
– optional: Photo package, Dinner
– 90% refund up to 48 hours before the trip
– 10% discount code: EPICRAFTING
Option 2: White water action; let’s make it exciting!
– action, fun, excitement and a lot of water
– from Hafgrímsstaðir or Akureyri pickup
– 6 hours, 195$ adult, min 18y.o.
– optional: Photo package, Lunch, Akureyri pickup
– 90% refund up to 48 hours before the trip
– 10% discount code: EPICRAFTING
Viking family rafting
Viking white water action rafting
TIP: There are many different water tours in Iceland at different places. We aimed for picking the best ones.
3. Laugavegur trail hike
“What is the single most ultimate, most epic Icelandic hike?” 90% of respondents reply: “Laugavegur trail”. This trail is the ultimate symbol of Iceland. Out-of-this-world views, trails, mountains, rivers, lava…, everywhere.
Laugavegur trail stretches from the base of Landmannalaugar called Brennisteinsalda campsite all the way to Thórsmork in the south. It may even be extended by another day or two of breath-taking hiking, the Fimmvörðuháls hike, which ends up next to Skógafoss.
Laugavegur hike is a 4 to 7-day hike (depending on your pace and the version you take). It can be best enjoyed when sleeping over in mountain huts. And when you have someone experienced by your side. For a worry-free Laugavegur hike we recommend you to take a guided tour. And we picked for you the ones we consider the best:
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 5 days | 7 days | 3 days | 1 day |
| Sleep | mountain huts | mountain huts | mountain huts | - |
| Meals | Full board | Full board | Full board | - |
| Pickup | Reykjavik | Reykjavik | Reykjavik | Reykjavik |
| Price, Age | 1770$ 14-17, 2021$ 18+ | 2418$ 14-17, 2651$ 18+ | 721$ 14-17, 943$ 18+ | 201$ 8-16, 263$ 17+ |
| Cancel | free, 24 hours before | free, 24 hours before | free, 24 hours before | free, 24 hours before |
| Discount | 5% with our code | 5% with our code | 5% with our code | - |
Option 1: Laugavegur Classic; 5 days
– all-inclusive Laugavegur experience
– 4 nights in the mountain huts included
– included: guide, full board, luggage transportation, Reykjavik pickup
– 2021$ adult, 1770$ 14-17y.o., min 14y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Option 2: Laugavegur Extended; 7 days
– all-inclusive Laugavegur + Fimmvörðuháls
– 6 nights in the mountain huts included
– included: guide, full board, luggage transportation (Laugavegur), Reykjavik pickup
– 2651$ adult, 2418$ 14-17y.o., min 14y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Option 3: Fimmvörðuháls Gentle; 3 days
– all-inclusive Fimmvörðuháls hike
– 2 nights in the mountain huts included
– included: guide, full board, Reykjavik pickup
– 943$ adult, 721$ 14-17y.o., min 14y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Option 4: Fimmvörðuháls Intense; 1 day
– intense 1-day Fimmvörðuháls hike
– included: guide, Reykjavik pickup
– 263$ adult, 201$ 8-16y.o., min 8y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
TIP: There are many different hiking tours in Iceland at different places. We aimed for picking the best ones.
4. Silfra snorkelling
Have you ever swum between tectonic plates? Well, in Silfra you will! Silfra is located in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. And it’s not any ordinary snorkelling. You will be floating on pure, filtered, glacier water with breathtaking underwater views in the world’s clearest waters.
There are tens of different Silfra tours and we strived to pick for you the 4 best ones when it comes to reviews, price and fun!
Option 1: Snorkelling Classic; the best and safest of Silfra
– pure Silfra experience; the highest quality, the cheapest price
– 3 hours (1 hour underwater), from Silfra
– included: all equipment + free photos
– 117$, min 12y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
– 20% discount with promo code: EPICELAND20
Option 2: Snorkelling + Golden Circle; time-efficient option
– golden circle with Silfra snorkelling in 1 day
– 10 hours (1 hour underwater), Reykjavik pickup
– included: all equipment + free photos
– 210$, min 12y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
– 20% discount with promo code: EPICELAND20
Option 3: Snorkelling from Reykjavik; pickup included
– pure Silfra experience; if you need Reykjavik transport
– 5 hours (1 hour underwater)
– included: all equipment + free photos
– 185$, min 12y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Option 4: Professional diving; for certified divers
– the most intense option, bring your diving certificate
– included: all equipment + Reykjavik pickup
– 5 hours, 292$ adult, min 18y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Troll Expeditions Silfra snorkelling classic
Troll expeditions Silfra snorkelling + Golden circle
TIP: There are many different snorkelling tours in Iceland and various diving tours in Iceland at different places. We aimed for picking the best ones.
5. Quad bike ride
Iceland is a paradise for all-terrain-vehicle lovers. That includes quad bikes. Buggies are the unique opportunity to see parts of Iceland where even 4×4 cars don’t have access to! With picturesque landscapes, ponds and lava everywhere, Iceland makes it to the top of the list of places ideal for buggy rides. And with a guide, you don’t have to worry about the path!
We went through numerous quad bike options at different places and picked the best 3 for you:
Option 1: Reykjavik; best rated, action-packed ATV tour
– panoramic views over Reykjavik
– 3 hours, 190$ adult, 142$ 8-16years old, min 8y.o.
– pickup from Reykjavik included
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Option 2: Hella; private black sand beach buggy tour
– unforgettable beach tour with max 4 people
– 2 hours, 234$ adult, 119$ 7-15years old, min 7y.o.
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Option 3: Egilsstaðir; remote forest quad-bike tour without tourists
– crossing streams in the remote forest of Hallormsstaður
– 1 hour, 193$ adult, 57$ 8-16years old, min 8y.o., max 4 people
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
Option 4: Reykjadalur; ultimate full-day buggy tour with hot springs
– lava fields, mountain ranges, hot steams valley
– amazing way of seeing Reykjadalur hot springs
– 7 hours, 518$ adult, 388$ 6-16years old, min 6y.o.
– lunch + pickup from Reykjavik included
– cancel for free up to 24 hours before the trip
TIP: There are other buggy tours at different places. Check them out, if you wish :).
6. Snowmobiles? Kayaking?
For sure! Check them out – we covered snowmobiles and kayaking in our Top Family tours post:
Best Icelandic Snowmobile tours
Note: all prices and information were valid as of the time of writing this article, please always check if anything hasn’t changed after clicking on the links.
