Reykjavik: 2-Day West Tour with Snæfellsnes & Silver Circle

West Iceland packs an impressive amount into two days: hot springs, waterfalls, lava formations, seals, and glacier views without the long road days of a full Ring Road trip. The route combines the Borgarfjörður area with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, giving you both inland scenery and a broad sweep of the west coast.

I especially like the stop at Sturlureykir Horse Farm, where you meet Icelandic horses and taste homemade hot spring bread, and the choice between Víðgelmir Lava Cave and the Husafell Canyon Baths. The main consideration is pace. You cover a lot of ground, and lunch and dinner are not included, so this suits you best if you prefer seeing many sights rather than lingering at each one.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different days: Day one focuses on Borgarfjörður’s waterfalls, hot springs, history, and lava, while day two brings seals, coastal views, Snæfellsjökull, and Kirkjufell.
• A small group of up to 19 people: The minibus format is more personal than a large coach and makes pickup and sightseeing easier.
• A worthwhile choice at Husafell: You can enter Víðgelmir, Iceland’s largest lava cave, or take a 4WD trip to the Husafell Canyon Baths.
• A genuine local touch: Sturlureykir includes time with Icelandic horses plus homemade rúgbrauð baked using geothermal heat.
• An overnight in Borgarnes: You do not return to Reykjavík after day one, giving you an evening in West Iceland and a chance of Northern Lights if conditions cooperate.
• Good value for a two-day outing: The $564 price includes accommodation, admission to the selected Husafell activity, the horse farm, guide, transport, WiFi, and Reykjavík pickup and drop-off.

Why West Iceland works so well in two days

I like this trip because it avoids making West Iceland a rushed day trip from Reykjavík. The first day heads north along Route 1 toward Borgarnes, then turns into the Borgarfjörður area. The second day is devoted to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where the sights feel more coastal and open.

You are not simply checking off one famous waterfall. The route gives you several kinds of Icelandic scenery: geothermal heat at Deildartunguhver, rushing water at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, woodland at Husafell, volcanic rock at Víðgelmir, and the distinctive mountain of Kirkjufell.

The group limit of 19 matters. You still travel in a shared vehicle, but a minibus generally makes the day feel less anonymous than a full-size coach. English is the tour language, and pickup is included from your Reykjavík accommodation. In central Reykjavík, some streets restrict bus access, so you may be directed to the nearest official pickup station.

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. Be ready from 8:30 onward. Icelandic weather can change quickly, so bring warm, waterproof clothing and proper walking shoes. Hiking shoes can be rented for a small extra fee on the day.

Day one: Glanni, Deildartunguhver, and the road into Borgarfjörður

After leaving Reykjavík, you travel north on Route 1 to Borgarnes. The drive itself is part of the appeal, but the day becomes more varied once you reach the Borgarfjörður region and stop at Glanni Waterfall.

Glanni gives you an early taste of the area’s rushing rivers and volcanic terrain. It is a useful first stop because you can begin seeing the difference between Iceland’s broad coastal views and its more enclosed inland valleys.

The next major stop is Deildartunguhver, described as the most powerful hot spring in Europe. This is not a bathing stop. You come here to see the force of geothermal water rising from the ground, a reminder that Iceland’s heat is not just a tourist attraction. It supports homes, pools, and greenhouses across the country.

I find this stop most interesting when you pay attention to the practical side of geothermal energy. The steam and boiling water are dramatic, but the real point is how Iceland uses what lies beneath its surface.

Sturlureykir Horse Farm and hot spring bread

Sturlureykir is one of the more personal stops on the first day. You get close to Icelandic horses, known for their compact build and friendly manner, and then have homemade rúgbrauð with coffee or cold water.

The bread is the memorable part. Rúgbrauð is a dark Icelandic rye bread, and here it is connected directly to the region’s geothermal heat. That makes the snack more than a quick bite. It shows you how local food and the hot ground fit together.

I also like that this stop changes the rhythm of the tour. Waterfalls and hot springs are impressive, but meeting the horses gives the day a quieter, more human moment. If you have children in your group, or simply enjoy animals, this may be one of the most satisfying stops.

A practical point: lunch and dinner are not included. The tour makes scheduled stops where you can buy meals, but you should budget for food in addition to the $564 tour price.

Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, and Reykholt

The Hraunfossar waterfalls are among the most unusual sights on the route. Instead of one large river dropping from a cliff, water appears to flow through lava formations before spilling into the river below. The result is a long series of small cascades spread across the rock.

Nearby Barnafoss has a different character, with fast-moving water cutting through a narrower channel. Seeing both waterfalls together helps you understand how varied Iceland’s water systems can be. One is delicate and spread out, while the other feels forceful and concentrated.

You also visit Reykholt, an important historic site in the Borgarfjörður area. The stop adds context to a day otherwise shaped by natural sights. It is a chance to slow down and connect the scenery with Iceland’s past rather than treating the countryside as a string of photo stops.

The exact balance between walking, viewing, and driving depends on the guide and the day’s conditions. Guides such as Walter and Siggi have been singled out for being friendly and helping make the trip memorable, though one piece of feedback raised a fair concern about a guide spending too much time on personal stories unrelated to the route. That is a reminder that guiding style can affect the experience.

Husafell: choose a lava cave or canyon baths

At Husafell, you choose between two very different activities. You can enter Víðgelmir Lava Cave, described as Iceland’s largest lava cave, or take a 4WD trip to the Husafell Canyon Baths.

Víðgelmir is the better match if you want to understand Iceland’s volcanic character from below the surface. The cave gives the route a physical connection to the lava fields that shape much of the country. Expect this option to feel more active and geological than relaxing.

The Canyon Baths are the calmer choice. The 4WD trip includes a stop to view the two-tiered Langifoss Waterfall before reaching the bathing area. This option suits you if soaking in warm water appeals more than walking through a cave.

Both choices are included through the admission fee, but you cannot do both as part of the scheduled tour. Think about your priorities before the day begins. Choose the cave for volcanic scenery and a more unusual activity. Choose the baths if you want a slower finish to the sightseeing.

Overnight in Borgarnes, the useful halfway stop

You spend the night in Borgarnes in a double or twin room with a private bathroom. That is a meaningful advantage over a day trip because you do not have to return to Reykjavík after visiting Husafell.

Borgarnes is described as the capital of West Iceland and sits by the fjord. You have coffee houses, restaurants, and turf houses to explore during your free time. The town is not presented as a major nightlife destination, so I would treat the evening as a chance to rest, eat, and enjoy a small Icelandic community.

Northern Lights may also appear in this area when conditions are favorable. No tour can promise them, and daylight hours are long in summer, but the overnight location gives you a better chance to look than a quick daytime visit would.

Accommodation is included, along with a private bathroom, but meals are not. Make sure you understand that the $564 price covers the room, not your evening meal.

Day two: seals and the Snæfellsnes coast

The second day heads to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This is where the trip changes mood. The inland waterfalls and geothermal stops give way to beaches, ocean views, open roads, and the distant Snæfellsjökull glacier.

At Ytri-Tunga Beach, you have the chance to watch seals. The peninsula is home to a large seal colony, but wildlife is never a guaranteed performance. Bring patience and keep your expectations sensible. The value of the stop is also the setting, even if the animals are not close to shore.

The beach stop gives you a chance to see the coast at a slower pace. After a full first day, that change is welcome. Still, this is a two-day group tour, so your time at each location will be limited by the overall route.

Ingjaldshólskirkja and the Columbus connection

Ingjaldshólskirkja is a historic church completed in 1903. It sits in a high position overlooking the peninsula, with coastal and glacier views around it.

The site is peaceful and less famous than Kirkjufell, which makes it useful for a quieter pause. Local tradition also connects the area with Christopher Columbus, who is said to have visited centuries ago. Treat that as local tradition rather than a central historical fact, but it adds an interesting question to an otherwise simple church stop.

I like stops such as this because they show that Snæfellsnes is not only about dramatic mountains. Churches, farms, shorelines, and old stories are part of the peninsula’s character too.

Snæfellsjökull and iconic Kirkjufell

As you continue around Snæfellsnes, you see Snæfellsjökull rising in the distance. The glacier is within Snæfellsjökull National Park, one of the main highlights of the trip.

The park gives the peninsula its strongest sense of scale. Volcanic ground, ocean, and glacier come together in one area, and changing weather can alter the view from one moment to the next. Bring your waterproof layer even if Reykjavík is dry when you leave.

The final major sight is Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains, with Kirkjufoss waterfall nearby. The mountain has a distinct shape that makes it easy to recognize, and the waterfall provides the classic composition seen in many Iceland photos.

Kirkjufell is famous for good reason, but it can also be the busiest-feeling stop because so many visitors want the same photograph. I would enjoy the view first and worry about copying a postcard image second. The mountain, waterfall, and surrounding scenery are worth seeing even if the weather does not produce a perfect reflection.

What the $564 price really covers

At $564 per person, this is not a budget bus ride, but the price includes more than transportation. You receive:

• Two days with an English-speaking professional guide
• Minibus transport with WiFi
• Reykjavík pickup and drop-off
• One night in a double or twin room with a private bathroom
• Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm
• Admission to either Víðgelmir Lava Cave or Husafell Canyon Baths

You still pay for lunch and dinner, so include those costs in your budget. The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange a separate hotel, rental car, fuel, and entry fees. It also removes the work of planning a route through Borgarfjörður and Snæfellsnes.

The price makes less sense if you only want Kirkjufell or one waterfall. For that, a shorter outing may suit you better. This tour earns its cost through variety, the overnight stay, and the included special activity at Husafell.

Who should book this West Iceland tour?

I would recommend it to you if you have only a few days in Iceland and want more than Reykjavík and the Golden Circle. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to western Iceland without driving themselves.

It also suits you if you enjoy a mix of nature and small local experiences. The horse farm, rye bread, Reykholt, and Borgarnes evening keep the trip from becoming only a waterfall-and-photo circuit.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, shared transport, or a full schedule. The tour includes several driving sections and a choice of only one Husafell activity. It is also not the right pick if your priority is spending a long, quiet time at each sight.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is included, but central Reykjavík restrictions may mean meeting at an official pickup station rather than directly outside your accommodation.

Final verdict: a strong two-day introduction to the west

I would book this tour if I wanted to see West Iceland without renting a car. The route gives you genuine variety: geothermal power, local food, Icelandic horses, waterfalls, a historic site, lava or hot baths, seals, glacier views, and Kirkjufell.

The main tradeoff is pace. You are buying access to a lot of scenery in two days, not a slow retreat. For the right person, that is the point. The small group, included overnight room, and unusual Husafell choice make the $564 price reasonable, especially when compared with arranging each part independently.

FAQ

How long is the West Iceland tour?

The tour lasts two days and includes one overnight stay in Borgarnes.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is provided from your accommodation in Reykjavík. In restricted areas of central Reykjavík, pickup takes place at the nearest official pickup station.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. You should be ready at your pickup location from 8:30 onward.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 19 passengers.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Accommodation is provided in a double or twin room with a private bathroom.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included, but there are scheduled stops where you can buy them.

Can I choose between the lava cave and canyon baths?

Yes. At Husafell, you can choose admission to Víðgelmir Lava Cave or the Husafell Canyon Baths.