From Reykjavík: Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

A lava tunnel and the Northern Lights make an excellent Iceland pairing: one is almost guaranteed, while the other depends on clouds and solar activity. At Raufarhólshellir, you walk up to 900 meters underground among walls colored by volcanic minerals, then head back outside to search for the aurora.

I like the small minibus format, which can reach darker viewing spots that larger coaches may skip. I also like the practical comforts: hot cocoa, blankets, Wi-Fi, and free aurora photos. The main catch is simple: no guide can promise Northern Lights, and the tour runs late, from a 7:30 pm pickup to roughly five hours later.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different Iceland experiences: Walk through a lava tube, then search open skies for the aurora.
• Raufarhólshellir reaches 900 meters underground: Expect built paths and footbridges mixed with uneven natural ground.
• The Northern Lights portion lasts about two and a half hours: Your route may lead toward Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or another clear area in South Iceland.
• Small-group transport matters: The minibus holds no more than 28 people and can use places larger buses cannot.
• The extras are useful, not flashy: Helmets, torches, Wi-Fi, blankets, cocoa, and aurora photos are included.
• You get a second chance: If the aurora does not appear, a free retry is offered for the Northern Lights portion.

Why this lava tunnel and aurora pairing works

I like tours that combine a sure thing with a weather-dependent one. The lava tunnel gives you a substantial experience even if clouds cover the sky, while the Northern Lights search adds a real sense of possibility to the evening.

Raufarhólshellir is Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube. The cave was formed by volcanic activity, and its walls show off colors ranging from emerald green and fiery red to turquoise and lilac. Those colors are not painted decoration. They come from minerals and volcanic forces, which gives the guided walk a useful geology lesson as well as a visual payoff.

The two activities also feel very different. Underground, you focus on rock, darkness, and the careful work of the guide. Outside, you watch forecasts, cloud cover, and the sky. That change of pace keeps the five-hour outing from feeling like one long wait for the aurora.

The tour costs $195.19 per person. That is not a cheap evening, but Iceland excursions add up quickly once you include transport, specialist guides, equipment, and the time spent driving out of Reykjavik. Here, the price covers the lava cave admission, a certified caving guide, a Northern Lights guide, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, cocoa, blankets, and the photo service.

I would consider it good value if you want both experiences and have only one evening available. If the Northern Lights are your sole reason for booking, the price feels harder to justify because the aurora may not appear. The lava tunnel is the part that protects the value of your ticket.

Leaving Reykjavik at 7:30 pm

Pickup is offered from authorized points around Reykjavik, not from private apartments, Airbnb apartments, or Keflavik Airport. Common locations include the BSÍ Bus Terminal, Hallgrímskirkja, City Hall, several hotels, and selected bus stops.

Be ready at your assigned point from the beginning of the pickup window. The minibus may take up to 30 minutes to reach a pickup location, so patience is part of the process. This is one place where a clearly chosen meeting point matters. If your lodging is not listed, select the closest authorized stop before tour day.

The drive to Raufarhólshellir takes about 45 minutes. That is long enough to leave the city behind without wasting half the evening on the road. The vehicle has Wi-Fi, which is handy if you want to check the forecast, message someone at home, or simply pass the time.

The group can reach 28 people. That is still a group tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach. A minibus also gives the guide more flexibility when searching for clear skies later.

Walking into Raufarhólshellir

At the lava tunnel, you meet the caving guide, receive a helmet with a torch, and get a safety briefing. The guided walk lasts about one hour.

You do not simply shuffle through a completely natural cave. The route uses built paths and footbridges in places, with sections of uneven ground to keep the setting natural. The combination makes the walk easier than a serious caving trip, but it is not a fully smooth museum walkway.

The tunnel can be dark, so your helmet light matters. Some sections may feel slippery or uneven, though the supplied equipment is designed for the visit. You should be comfortable walking on irregular surfaces and watching your footing. The tour is described as suitable for most ages, but it is not a good choice if uneven terrain makes you nervous.

The cave reaches as far as 900 meters, or about 2,952 feet, into the lava tube. You do not need technical caving skills, and safety equipment is provided. The experience is best understood as a guided underground walk, not a strenuous expedition.

The guide explains how the tunnel formed and points out its colors and shapes. This is where a strong guide makes a difference. Names such as Gretta and Nicolas have been associated with especially warm, helpful guiding on this experience. Your own guide may be different, but you can expect the cave portion to combine storytelling with practical instructions.

There are toilets at the beginning of the lava tunnel, and you return to that area after the walk. That small detail is worth knowing before you set out into the cave.

Chasing the Northern Lights across South Iceland

After the lava tunnel, you return to the minibus for the aurora search. This section lasts about two and a half hours, though the exact route depends on cloud cover and the latest forecast.

The group may head toward Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or another darker area in South Iceland. The point is not to follow a fixed sightseeing route. The guide chooses a direction based on the best available chance of open skies.

This flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not expect a set list of scenic stops. The evening is built around finding darkness and clear weather. You may spend time driving, waiting, and watching the sky. That is normal for Northern Lights tours.

The minibus has an advantage here. It can use smaller access roads and viewing places that larger coaches may not reach. That does not guarantee success, but it gives the guide more options than a rigid large-bus schedule.

If the aurora appears, the guide takes photos of you with the lights. The photo service is included, and the images are shared digitally. This is a helpful extra because Northern Lights photography can be tricky, especially when you are cold, excited, and unsure how to set up a camera.

Do not expect the lights to behave like a stage show. They may appear as a pale glow, a stronger green arc, or a more dramatic display. The tour can make a serious effort, but solar activity and cloud cover remain outside anyone’s control.

Some evenings produce no aurora at all. The company offers a free retry for the Northern Lights portion if you do not see them. Confirm the practical details of that retry with the operator, including how the new date is arranged. The free second chance is valuable, but it only helps if you have another suitable evening in Reykjavik.

Cocoa, blankets, and the realities of a late night

The included Icelandic hot cocoa and chocolate are more than a nice touch. You will be outside at night, often standing still while looking up, and cold can make even a beautiful sky feel like work. Blankets add another layer of comfort.

You should still dress for Icelandic weather. The provided blanket is a bonus, not a replacement for warm clothing. Bring sturdy shoes, warm layers, and clothing that can handle damp or windy conditions.

Dinner is not included. Eat before pickup because the tour provides cocoa and chocolate, not a meal. At five hours, the timing can push well into the night, particularly if pickup takes time or the search runs long.

The onboard Wi-Fi is another practical feature. It will not make bad weather disappear, but it helps on the drive and lets you stay connected during a long evening outside the city.

What the tour does well, and where it falls short

The strongest part of this experience is the balance between reliable content and uncertain weather. Even on a clouded-out aurora night, you still receive a guided visit to a striking lava tube rather than returning empty-handed.

The guides also appear to be a major part of the experience. A good aurora guide does more than drive to a dark road. Guides such as Gretta and Nicolas have been praised for clear explanations, humor, careful attention to solo participants, and persistent searching when the forecast offered a chance.

That personal attention can matter in a group. One solo participant was reassured by a guide who made sure nobody was left behind. This is especially useful inside a dark cave, where people naturally spread out.

There are limits. The group may contain up to 28 people, so the tour is not private or especially intimate. The cave walk may also feel easy to moderate rather than physically demanding. If you want a serious caving challenge, this is not that.

The Northern Lights search can also be frustrating. You may drive to several places and still see nothing. Poor weather can lead to a changed date or a full refund if the entire activity is canceled, but an operating tour cannot promise an aurora simply because the sky remains empty.

The free retry softens that risk. Still, it works best for people staying in Reykjavik long enough to use another evening. If this is your final night in Iceland, the retry has little practical value.

Who will get the most from this evening

I would recommend this tour if you want a straightforward first taste of Iceland’s geology and night sky in one booking. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers an organized evening rather than arranging a rental car and separate cave visit.

The experience is also a good fit if you value transport and equipment being handled for you. You do not need to arrange a route to the lava tunnel, research dark-sky locations, or carry a camera tripod. The guide handles the driving and the search plan.

It may not suit you if you dislike late nights, standing outside in cold weather, or walking on uneven ground. It is also less suitable if your only goal is the strongest possible Northern Lights chance. A dedicated aurora tour gives more time to that single aim, while this experience divides the evening between the cave and the sky.

The cave is not fully accessible in the smooth, step-free sense. Uneven terrain is part of the route, and you should be confident walking on those surfaces. Most people can participate, but the tour specifically warns those who are uncomfortable with uneven ground.

Booking, cancellation, and timing advice

This experience is often booked about 39 days ahead, so reserve early during the popular Northern Lights season if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour is offered in English.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 7:30 pm start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local Icelandic time.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Plan your day with the late return in mind. The final drive back to Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes, and the exact arrival time can shift with pickup delays and the aurora search.

Should you book this lava tunnel and Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized evening with two distinct Iceland experiences and you have room in your schedule for a possible aurora retry. The lava tunnel gives you a worthwhile outing even when nature refuses to cooperate, and the minibus, guide, equipment, cocoa, blankets, and photos make the price easier to defend.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting, dislike uneven ground, or have only one available evening and cannot use the free retry. For most first-time visitors who want a practical combination of underground geology and open-sky searching, this is a strong choice, as long as you treat the aurora as a possibility rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately five hours, including pickup and return to Reykjavik.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup starts at 7:30 pm from an authorized Reykjavik pickup point.

Is pickup available from my Reykjavik accommodation?

Pickup is offered from listed hotels, bus stops, terminals, and other authorized points. Pickup is not available from private apartments, Airbnb apartments, or Keflavik Airport.

How long is the lava tunnel visit?

The guided visit to Raufarhólshellir lasts about one hour.

Is the lava tunnel difficult to walk through?

The route includes built paths and footbridges, along with some uneven natural ground. You should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces. Helmets and torches are provided.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

A free retry is offered for the Northern Lights portion if you do not see the aurora during the tour.

Is food included?

Dinner and snacks are not included. Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and a blanket are provided, so you should eat before joining the tour.