Reykjavik: Evening Lava Tunnel and Northern Lights Hunt

Raufarhólshellir is the star of this evening outing. More than 5,000 years ago, an eruption left behind a long lava tube, and today you can walk through its rough, colorful interior by head torch. Afterward, your guide takes a small minibus into the countryside to search for the Northern Lights.

I like the late-evening cave visit, when the tunnel feels quieter and the head torches pick out mineral colors in the rock. I also like the practical aurora backup: if clouds hide the lights, you can rebook the Northern Lights portion for free for up to three years.

The main catch is that the aurora is never guaranteed, and the evening can run late. One recent group got home after 1 a.m., so this is not the right choice if you need an early night.

Key points to know before booking

• The lava tunnel is the reliable half: You get a proper guided visit to Raufarhólshellir even if the sky is cloudy.
• The cave has natural uneven ground: Paths and footbridges help in places, but you still need steady footing and comfortable shoes.
• The aurora hunt uses a minibus: A smaller vehicle can reach quieter countryside locations that larger coaches may not.
• Your guide does more than drive: Guides such as Palli and Greta have been praised for their persistence, stories, and efforts to find clear sky.
• Hot cocoa and photos are included: You get a blanket, warm drinks, chocolate, and a complimentary photograph with the aurora when conditions allow.
• The free retry has real value: If the lights do not appear, you can rebook the aurora tour for up to three years, but the cave entry is not repeated.

Why this evening works so well

Many Iceland day tours ask you to choose between a lava cave and a Northern Lights hunt. This trip pairs the two, which makes the evening worthwhile even when the aurora refuses to appear.

That matters because the Northern Lights are weather-dependent. Clouds, daylight, and solar activity can all spoil a promising forecast. Here, you begin with a fixed attraction that does not depend on the sky, then use the rest of the night to chase the lights.

The balance is good for a first evening in Iceland. You get a clear geological experience, some time in the countryside, and the excitement of watching the forecast change. I would still book it early in your stay. If the sky is cloudy, you have time to use the free retry.

The tour costs $189 per person. That is not a budget night out, but the price includes Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, the cave guide, safety equipment, the aurora guide, Wi-Fi, hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, photographs, and a free retry for the Northern Lights portion. For you, the value depends on how much you want to avoid arranging two separate activities.

Pickup from Reykjavík at 7:30 p.m.

Pickup begins at 7:30 p.m. from selected hotels, hostels, bus stops, the Reykjavík bus terminal, Skarfabakki Harbour, and other central locations. You must choose the correct pickup point and update it at least 48 hours ahead by contacting the tour company.

I would arrive early and wait at the designated spot. Reykjavík traffic and the number of pickup stops can make the minibus up to 30 minutes late, even when everything is running normally. The tour includes drop-off, but the return point may be one of the listed stops rather than your exact hotel entrance.

The ride toward the Blue Mountains takes about 45 minutes. This is useful transition time, not dead time. Guides often share information about Icelandic history and the country as you leave the city. The minibus also gives the group a more personal feel than a large coach.

Group size can vary. One January outing had only three people, while other departures may be fuller. A small group makes it easier to ask questions, adjust stops, and share the guide’s attention. It does not guarantee a private tour.

Walking into Raufarhólshellir

At the lava tunnel, you receive a helmet, head torch, and safety briefing. In winter, crampons are provided. The visit to Raufarhólshellir lasts about an hour, and a certified caving guide leads you through the cave.

The walk is described as easy, but do not read that as perfectly smooth. Some sections have paths and footbridges. Other parts remain natural and uneven. You need to be comfortable walking on rough ground, and the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The tunnel was formed by an ancient eruption more than 5,000 years ago. As the lava moved, the outer crust cooled while molten rock continued to flow beneath it. The hardened shell remained as a tube, giving you a direct look at the path volcanic material once took.

The colors are one of the most interesting parts. Mineral deposits can show shades described as emerald, ruby, turquoise, and lilac. These are not polished stones waiting to be picked up. They are traces in the rock, revealed by lighting and the cave’s mineral content.

Your caving guide explains how the eruption shaped the tunnel and points out features along the route. Isla is one cave guide specifically praised for making the visit clear, safe, and engaging. The quality of this part depends heavily on the guide, and the feedback on the cave leadership has been especially strong.

At night, the cave has a different mood from a daytime visit. Head torches create small pools of light, and the rock seems to appear in stages. One evening group enjoyed having the cave almost to itself, while another found the out-of-hours timing more relaxed than a standard daytime visit.

The drawback is simple: you spend only about an hour underground. If you are fascinated by geology, you may wish the cave portion lasted longer. Still, it is long enough to feel like a real visit rather than a quick photo stop.

The countryside search for the aurora

After the cave, the focus shifts to the sky. The schedule allows roughly two and a half hours at a viewpoint or countryside location, followed by about 30 minutes back toward Reykjavík. The guide chooses a spot based on cloud cover and the night’s conditions.

This is not a single fixed viewpoint with a guaranteed show. It is a search. The minibus can reach places that are less practical for a large coach, giving the guide more flexibility when one part of the sky looks better than another.

That flexibility is useful, but it cannot defeat the weather. Several outings had no visible lights because clouds covered the sky. In those cases, the guides still tried to find an opening, but nature made the final decision.

Good aurora guides need patience as well as forecast knowledge. Palli was praised for continuing the search and for sharing the excitement when the lights appeared soon after the cave visit. Greta was also singled out for leading a successful aurora display and adding plenty of information along the way.

Your guide may explain what you are seeing, but the lights can be faint at first. Do not expect every display to look like a bright green ribbon. The strength and color of an aurora change from night to night, and cameras often record more color than your eyes can see.

The tour includes a complimentary photo of you with the aurora when the conditions allow. This is a useful extra because taking a sharp night photograph can be difficult, especially while standing in the cold. Bring your own camera too, but let the guide handle the group photo so you can pay attention to the sky.

Hot cocoa, blankets, and the cold

The comfort extras are modest but well chosen. You get a blanket, Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and sometimes a small lava-themed treat such as lava biscuits or candy. After a cave walk and a wait under an open sky, a hot drink feels practical rather than decorative.

You still need proper clothing. Wear warm layers, weather-appropriate outerwear, and comfortable shoes with good grip. Crampons are supplied in winter, but they do not replace sensible footwear.

The cold is part of the aurora hunt. You may stand outside for a while, and the guide may move the group if another area offers a better chance. The blanket and cocoa help, but you should not treat them as a substitute for a warm coat, hat, and gloves.

Free Wi-Fi on the bus is handy for checking messages or passing the drive between stops. It will not make the outdoor wait shorter, but it is a welcome touch on the return ride.

What happens if the lights do not appear

The strongest safety net here is the free retry. If no Northern Lights are visible, you can rebook the Magical Auroras Minibus Tour for free, with the retry valid for up to three years.

This is much better than treating a cloudy evening as a total loss. You have already visited the cave, and you can try again on another night when conditions are more favorable. One guest reported that rebooking was quick and simple.

There is an important limit. The free retry covers the Northern Lights tour only. Entry to Raufarhólshellir is not included again, so you do not repeat the cave visit as part of the backup.

I would not use the retry policy as a reason to ignore the forecast. It is still smarter to book near the start of your Reykjavík stay. That gives you more chances to find another suitable evening before you leave.

Timing, value, and possible drawbacks

The advertised duration is four hours, but the detailed schedule includes a 45-minute ride out, an hour in the cave, up to two and a half hours searching, and a 30-minute ride back. The aurora hunt can stretch, especially when the guide sees a chance of a display.

One group arrived home after 1 a.m. That may reflect a longer search or late pickup timing, but you should plan for a late return. Do not schedule an early-morning flight, long drive, or fixed dinner reservation afterward.

The $189 price makes the most sense if you value convenience. You avoid finding your own way to the lava tunnel, arranging separate transport, and booking another aurora outing. The included photos, warm treats, guide support, and retry add to the package.

It is less attractive if you only want to see the Northern Lights. The cave is a major part of the evening, and the aurora search comes afterward. If your priority is simply maximum time under dark skies, a dedicated aurora trip may suit you better.

The tour is also not a fit for anyone who cannot manage uneven surfaces. The cave walk is accessible to many people, but it is not designed for visitors with mobility impairments.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want two very different Iceland experiences in one evening. The cave gives you a dependable geological attraction, while the minibus search adds the chance of a memorable sky show.

It is especially useful for first-time visitors who have limited time in Reykjavík. You can see a lava tube, learn about Icelandic volcanic activity, travel beyond the city, and try for the aurora without arranging several separate bookings.

Families with older children may enjoy it, since the cave is described as suitable for all ages. Everyone must still be comfortable with uneven ground and a late night outdoors.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold-weather waiting, need a strict return time, or have limited mobility. I would also choose another plan if the cave does not interest you, since it is not a minor add-on. It is the first major part of the experience.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the lava cave to be the dependable centerpiece and the Northern Lights to be an exciting second act. Raufarhólshellir offers a real sense of place, while the small minibus and determined guides give the aurora hunt a fair chance.

The smart strategy is to book early in your Iceland stay, dress warmer than you think you need, and keep the next morning free. You may see the lights on the first attempt, as some groups did. If clouds win, you still have a memorable cave visit and a free chance to return for the aurora.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is four hours. The route includes about 45 minutes by minibus to the cave, a one-hour guided cave visit, time searching for the Northern Lights, and about 30 minutes returning to Reykjavík. The evening can run longer if the aurora hunt continues.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup from selected Reykjavík locations begins at 7:30 p.m. Arrival at your stop may take up to 30 minutes because of traffic and the number of pickup points.

Where does the tour go?

The tour travels from Reykjavík to Raufarhólshellir in the Blue Mountains area, then continues into the countryside for a Northern Lights search before returning to Reykjavík.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and visibility depends on weather and cloud cover.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can rebook the Northern Lights minibus tour for free, with retries valid for up to three years. The lava tunnel entry is not included on retry tours.

Is the lava tunnel walk difficult?

The walk is described as easy, but some areas have uneven natural ground. Paths and footbridges are available in parts of the cave. You should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because of the uneven cave terrain.

What equipment is included?

You receive a helmet and head torch, along with all necessary safety equipment. Crampons are provided in winter.

What should I bring?

Bring warm, weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable shoes, and a camera. Good footwear is important because parts of the cave have natural, uneven ground.

Does the tour include food or drinks?

Yes. The tour includes Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and a blanket for the Northern Lights portion.

Are photographs included?

Yes. The guide provides Northern Lights photos, including a complimentary photograph of you with the aurora when conditions allow.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.