From Reykjavík: Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

Iceland glows above and below ground. This evening tour pairs the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel with a Northern Lights hunt, giving you two very different Iceland experiences in about five hours. I like the small minibus format, which can reach places larger coaches cannot, and I like the thoughtful extras: hot cocoa, blankets, Wi-Fi, safety gear, and free aurora photos.

The main catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. Clouds, solar activity, and local weather decide the result. The lava tunnel gives you a solid experience even on a cloudy night, but you should book this tour for the cave and the aurora attempt, not as a sure ticket to a green sky.

Key points at a glance

• Raufarhólshellir reaches 900 meters underground: You walk through Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube with a certified caving guide.
• The tour starts at 7:30 pm: Pickup from approved Reykjavík points may take up to 30 minutes, so be ready early.
• A flexible aurora chase follows the cave: The route may lead toward Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or other clear areas in South Iceland.
• You get comfort in the cold: The operator provides Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, helmets, and torches.
• The Northern Lights come with a safety net: If the aurora does not appear, you receive a free retry for the Northern Lights portion.
• Expect a maximum of 28 people: That is not an intimate private outing, but it is more manageable than a large coach tour.

Why this evening combination works

I like the logic of this tour. A Northern Lights outing can end with a long wait under cloudy skies, while a cave visit gives the evening a dependable centerpiece. You spend the first part of the trip underground, then head outside with the best available forecast to search for the aurora.

The two activities also feel naturally connected. Raufarhólshellir shows you what Iceland’s volcanic forces did below the surface. The aurora search turns your attention to the sky. One part is geological and easy to plan around; the other is atmospheric and completely dependent on conditions.

The total price is $195.19 per person. That is not a cheap evening, but the cost includes round-trip transport from authorized Reykjavík pickup points, a guided cave visit, a certified caving guide, safety equipment, an English-speaking Northern Lights guide, Wi-Fi, photos, cocoa, chocolate, blankets, and a free retry if the lights fail to appear. I consider the package reasonable if you want both activities and value not having to arrange transport yourself.

Still, price matters. If your only goal is seeing the aurora, a dedicated Northern Lights tour may give you more time and flexibility for that one pursuit. If the lava tube interests you, this combined trip makes better use of your evening.

Pickup from Reykjavík at 7:30 pm

The company offers pickup from a set list of authorized locations, not from private apartments, Airbnb properties, or Keflavík Airport. That detail can affect your plans, so check the pickup list before booking.

Useful central pickup points include City Hall, Hallgrímskirkja Church, Safnahúsið, Miðbakki, and the BSÍ Bus Terminal. Hotel pickup points include the Grand Hotel Reykjavík, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Reykjavík Natura, Cabin Hotel, Arctic Comfort Hotel, and several others.

The vehicle may take up to 30 minutes to reach your pickup point. I would stand ready at the beginning of the pickup window rather than waiting until the listed start time. Missing a minibus because you are inside your hotel lobby or at the wrong bus stop would be a poor start to an otherwise promising evening.

The minibus has onboard Wi-Fi, which is useful when you want to check weather updates, message someone at home, or occupy yourself during the drive. The group limit is 28 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large sightseeing coach, though you should not expect a private tour.

Entering Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel

The drive to Raufarhólshellir takes about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Once you arrive, you meet the caving guide, receive a helmet and torch, and get a safety briefing before entering the tunnel.

The visit lasts about one hour. You walk along built paths and footbridges, but the route also includes natural ground. The tunnel reaches up to 900 meters, or 2,952 feet, into the volcanic passage, giving you a strong sense of its scale without turning the outing into a technical caving expedition.

The cave is not just a dark corridor. Volcanic forces produced unusual colors on the walls, including emerald green, fiery red, turquoise, and lilac shades. Your guide explains how the tunnel formed and points out details that are easy to miss in the low light.

I like the balance between prepared access and natural terrain. Footbridges make parts of the route easier, while uneven sections keep the visit from feeling like a museum walkway. The ground may be slippery in places, so sturdy footwear and careful steps matter. The activity is described as easy to moderate, but you should feel comfortable walking over uneven surfaces.

The cave works well for families and teenagers. One 15-year-old particularly enjoyed the experience, and the route is suitable for most people. That does not mean it is effortless for everyone. If uneven ground makes you uncomfortable, this is not the right excursion. There are toilets at the tunnel entrance, and that is also where you return after the walk.

Night adds something to the setting. You are already heading out after dark, and the torch on your helmet creates a narrow pool of light around you. I would expect the cave to feel more dramatic at night, but also less forgiving if you rush or wear poor shoes.

From volcanic rock to open sky

After the cave, you return to the minibus and begin the Northern Lights search. The exact route is flexible because the guide follows the latest weather and aurora forecasts.

Possible areas include Þingvellir, Reykjanes, and other parts of South Iceland. The point is not to follow a fixed sightseeing route. The guide looks for darker skies and better viewing conditions, using the minibus to reach places that larger buses may not manage.

This flexibility is important, but it also means the evening can feel less predictable. You may spend a good part of the second half driving, waiting, and moving again if clouds spoil the first location. That is the nature of aurora hunting, not a flaw unique to this tour.

The Northern Lights portion lasts about two and a half hours. If the aurora appears, your guide takes photos of you with the lights behind you. Those photos are shared digitally, and they give you a better souvenir than a series of blurry phone pictures. Nicolas received particular praise for helping with photographs and spending about 20 minutes taking pictures once the lights appeared.

Guide quality matters greatly here. The guide needs to explain the forecast, choose sensible stopping points, and keep the group patient when conditions change. Gretta was singled out for making the trip enjoyable, while another guide was praised for keeping an eye on a solo participant so that person did not get left behind. Those details suggest a useful level of attention, especially when the group spreads out in the dark.

What happens when the aurora does not appear

You need to approach this tour with realistic expectations. Several conditions must line up: the sky needs to be dark enough, clouds need to stay away, and aurora activity must be strong enough to see. A determined driver cannot control those factors.

The good news is that the company offers a free retry for the Northern Lights portion if you do not see them. In practice, you should clarify the rescheduling details with the operator, since the free retry applies to the aurora part rather than repeating the full lava tunnel tour.

This makes the tour easier to justify during an uncertain forecast. You still receive the cave visit, and you have another chance to see the lights. One useful caution: confirm that the retry is available before you leave Reykjavík and understand when it must be used. A free retry has little value if you leave Iceland the next morning.

There is also a weather cancellation policy. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the same type of alternative or refund applies.

Staying warm during the wait

Icelandic nights can be cold, especially when you are standing still outside while watching the sky. The tour provides blankets, hot cocoa, and chocolate. Those small comforts matter more than they may sound on paper.

The cocoa gives the group something warm to hold while waiting, and the blanket can make a long pause much easier. Dinner is not included, and the operator specifically asks you to eat before departure. I would have a proper meal in Reykjavík rather than relying on the chocolate and cocoa as a substitute.

Snacks are also not included. Bring anything else you need, but remember that the available space and timing may not suit a full picnic. The practical plan is dinner before pickup, warm layers, and shoes that can handle the cave floor.

How much time does the evening really take?

The advertised duration is about five hours. The planned schedule includes roughly 45 minutes from Reykjavík to the cave area, one hour inside the tunnel, two and a half hours searching for the aurora, and about 45 minutes returning to Reykjavík.

The numbers do not always fit perfectly because the Northern Lights route is flexible. Pickup delays, road conditions, extra time at a good viewing point, and the final drop-off can all shift the end time. I would avoid booking a fixed late-night activity immediately afterward.

The return drop-off is to your selected Reykjavík location. Most of the listed pickup points also function as useful drop-off locations, but you should confirm your chosen point at booking.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend this experience if you want a single evening that covers both Iceland’s volcanic past and its night sky. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers a guided outing to arranging a rental car and finding a dark viewing area alone.

It is especially good for a first Iceland visit with limited time in Reykjavík. You get transport, a guided cave walk, a weather-based aurora search, and photographs without having to piece together several bookings.

I would be more cautious if you dislike uneven ground, cold outdoor waiting, or flexible schedules. The cave is not a fully smooth attraction, and the aurora search can involve patience. You also need to accept that the most exciting part of the tour may not happen.

The maximum group size of 28 is another point to weigh. I like the minibus more than a large coach, but 28 people can still feel busy when everyone gathers for photos. The guides appear to make an effort to help individuals, including solo visitors, yet the experience is not designed as a quiet private outing.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The tour is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, but you should be confident walking on uneven surfaces. This activity is not recommended if you are uncomfortable with that type of terrain.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 39 days in advance. That makes sense during the Northern Lights season, when evening tours can fill quickly. If you have only a few nights in Reykjavík, book early enough to leave room for the free aurora retry if needed.

Should you book the lava tunnel and aurora tour?

Book it if you want a well-rounded Iceland evening, not just a Northern Lights gamble. The lava tunnel gives you a dependable and unusual experience, while the flexible night drive gives you a fair shot at the aurora. Add the cocoa, blankets, Wi-Fi, safety equipment, guide-led explanations, and free retry, and the $195.19 price becomes easier to defend.

Skip it if the aurora is your only priority, if you need a guaranteed end time, or if uneven ground is a problem. For everyone else, this is a smart pairing: one memorable attraction below the earth, one unpredictable show above it, and a practical backup when Iceland’s weather refuses to cooperate.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 pm.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from authorized points in the Reykjavík area, including selected hotels, the BSÍ Bus Terminal, City Hall, Hallgrímskirkja Church, and other listed bus stops.

Can I be picked up from an Airbnb or private apartment?

No. Pickup is not available from private apartments, Airbnb apartments, or Keflavík Airport. You need to use the closest authorized pickup point.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including pickup, the drive to Raufarhólshellir, the one-hour cave visit, the Northern Lights search, and the return to Reykjavík.

What equipment is provided for the lava tunnel?

The tour provides the necessary safety equipment, including a helmet and torch.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive a free retry for the Northern Lights portion if the aurora is not visible during the tour.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner and snacks are not included, so you should eat before joining the tour. The operator provides Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and a blanket.