Reykjavik: Evening Lava Tunnel and Northern Lights Hunt

Two kinds of Icelandic wonder meet after dark. This four-hour outing pairs the otherworldly Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel with a Northern Lights search in the countryside, giving you both solid geology and a chance at a natural light show in one evening. I especially like the small-minibus format and the warm finish with cocoa, chocolate, blankets, and complimentary aurora photos. The main drawback is simple: the lights depend on weather, clouds, and luck.

I also like that the cave portion is guaranteed to happen even when the aurora refuses to cooperate. Guides such as Palli, Isla, and Greta have earned praise for their enthusiasm, stories, and persistence. Just remember that the tour can run late, and the cave requires steady walking on uneven ground.

Key points to know before booking

• The cave gives you a dependable highlight: Raufarhólshellir was formed by a volcanic eruption more than 5,000 years ago, so you get a real geological experience even on a cloudy night.
• The evening timing changes the cave atmosphere: Head torches and small groups can make the lava tube feel quieter and more dramatic than a busy daytime visit.
• The aurora hunt is flexible: A minibus can reach countryside spots that larger coaches cannot, and the guide may keep searching when conditions look promising.
• You get a useful backup: If no Northern Lights appear, you can rebook the aurora minibus tour for free for up to three years. The cave entrance is not included on a retry.
• Comfort is handled well: Blankets, Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and sometimes lava biscuits make waiting outside much easier.
• Plan around uneven ground: The cave walk is easy for people who walk steadily, but the tour is not suitable for anyone with mobility impairments.

Why this combination works so well

At $189 per person, this is not Iceland’s cheapest evening outing. But you are paying for two distinct activities, Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, a certified caving guide, safety equipment, an English-speaking aurora guide, Wi-Fi on the bus, hot drinks, photos, and a free retry if the sky stays blank.

That combination matters. A Northern Lights tour alone can end with nothing but clouds. Here, you still receive a proper cave visit, guided interpretation, and a memorable underground setting. The aurora remains a bonus rather than the entire value of the evening.

I think this tour works best early in your Reykjavík stay. If the sky refuses to clear, you have time to use the free retry. Leave it until your final night and the generous retry policy may do you little good.

Pickup from Reykjavík at about 7:30 PM

Pickup begins at 7:30 PM from selected points around Reykjavík. The list includes major hotels, hostels, the Bus Terminal Reykjavík, several numbered city bus stops, Skarfabakki Harbour, and places such as City Hall, the Culture House, and Miðbakki.

You need to be at the correct pickup point and allow patience for the minibus to arrive. Depending on traffic and your location, pickup can take up to 30 minutes. Your pickup location must be updated at least 48 hours before the tour by contacting the operator’s customer service.

The minibus format is a real advantage. Smaller vehicles can reach quieter countryside locations that are less practical for large coaches. It also keeps the evening more personal, especially when the group is small. One past outing had only three people, which made the drive feel more like a guided road trip than a standard bus excursion.

The ride toward the Blue Mountains takes about 45 minutes. This is not wasted time. The guide may fill the drive with Icelandic history and explanations of the evening’s plan, while free Wi-Fi gives you a practical way to check messages or weather updates.

Inside Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel

The first main stop is Raufarhólshellir, one of the best-known lava tubes near Reykjavík. The cave was created by an eruption more than 5,000 years ago. As the outer layer of lava cooled, molten rock continued moving beneath it, leaving behind a long hollow passage.

Before entering, you receive a safety briefing and the equipment needed for the walk. That includes a helmet and head torch. In winter, crampons are supplied, which is important because icy conditions can make the route more slippery.

The walk lasts about an hour. In some areas, you follow paths and footbridges. In others, you walk over natural, uneven ground. The route is described as easy, but easy does not mean perfectly smooth. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and keep your hands free where possible.

The cave walls are the star of the visit. Mineral deposits create patches of green, red, blue, and purple, with colors described as emeralds, rubies, turquoise, and lilacs. These are not polished jewels, of course. They are traces of minerals and volcanic change, and your caving guide explains how the rock formed.

The night setting adds a useful twist. Instead of seeing the cave under bright daytime lighting, you may rely more on your head torch and the guide’s light. That can make the tunnel feel more raw and atmospheric. It also means you should not expect a smooth, brightly lit attraction from start to finish.

The caving guides have been praised for making the geology clear and for taking safety seriously. Isla, in particular, has been noted for guiding groups through the cave with warmth and enthusiasm. The strongest part of the cave visit is not simply looking at rock. It is understanding that the colors and shapes are evidence of an eruption that reshaped the ground thousands of years ago.

The cave is the reliable half of the evening

The cave portion is the safest reason to book this tour. It runs regardless of aurora conditions, and it gives you a complete experience rather than a long wait for something that may never appear.

That is especially useful during changeable weather. You could have a night with heavy cloud and still come away with a remarkable underground visit. A few people have found the cave so memorable that they considered it the main event, with the lights as an extra.

The timing can also create a calmer feel. A late visit may have a smaller group and a more relaxed pace. One evening was described as a quieter, out-of-hours experience, with head torches giving the cave a different mood from a regular daytime visit.

The tradeoff is physical. You must be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces. The activity is suitable for most ages, but it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If you dislike dark, rocky spaces or have trouble with balance, this is not the right cave tour for you.

Chasing the aurora through the countryside

After leaving Raufarhólshellir, the tour shifts from fixed geology to weather-dependent searching. The Northern Lights section lasts about two and a half hours, making it the longer part of the evening.

Your guide checks conditions and looks for a useful viewing point away from Reykjavík’s city lights. The precise location depends on cloud cover and the aurora forecast. That flexibility is important because the best place at the start of the drive may not be the best place later.

Do not think of this as a guaranteed light show. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and clear skies alone do not promise visible lights. You need the right combination of solar activity, darkness, and a gap in the clouds.

This is where the guide can make a practical difference. Palli has been praised for continuing the search with real determination, while other guides have added historical points of interest during the drive. Greta has also been singled out for her ability to combine aurora knowledge with an entertaining style.

The best guides know when to keep looking and when the conditions are too poor to justify standing outside. On one cloudy evening, the group was not taken out simply for the sake of saying the hunt had happened. Instead, the group was offered another opportunity on a later night. That is a sensible approach, even if it means your first attempt ends without a sighting.

Hot cocoa, blankets, and the waiting game

Waiting for the Northern Lights can be cold and surprisingly tiring. The tour helps with Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and blankets. Those small comforts matter when you are standing outside in winter clothing, looking up at a sky that may or may not change.

You should still bring warm, weather-appropriate clothing. Pack layers, gloves, a hat, and comfortable shoes. The supplied blanket and drink are useful extras, not a replacement for proper Icelandic outdoor clothing.

Some outings have included lava biscuits or lava candy, which adds a cheerful local touch. The exact snack selection should not be your reason for booking, but it can make the waiting period more pleasant.

The minibus is another advantage here. A small group can move between possible viewing areas more easily than a large coach. It also means the guide can speak directly with you, answer questions, and keep the mood lively during the search.

Photos with the Northern Lights

If the aurora appears, the guide takes complimentary photos of you beneath it. This is more valuable than it might sound. Northern Lights photography can be difficult, especially when you are cold, excited, and trying to manage a phone or camera in the dark.

The photos give you a better chance of preserving the moment without spending the whole display adjusting settings. You should still bring your own camera if you want personal images, but the included photos remove some pressure.

There is no promise that the pictures will exist if the lights do not appear. The photography service depends on the same natural conditions as the rest of the aurora hunt.

What happens if you see no Northern Lights

The free retry policy is one of the strongest practical features. If no aurora is visible, you can rebook the Magical Auroras Minibus Tour for free, with the retry valid for up to three years.

That is unusually helpful for a natural event that cannot be guaranteed. It gives you a second chance without forcing you to pay again for the aurora portion. It is still smart to book early in your Reykjavík stay so that bad weather does not leave you out of options.

The retry covers the Northern Lights minibus tour only. Entry to Raufarhólshellir is not included on a retry, so you should not expect to repeat the cave visit at no cost.

The policy does not turn the aurora into a guarantee. It simply makes the risk more reasonable. If the lights are the main purpose of your Iceland trip, plan for more than one possible night whenever your schedule allows.

Timing, comfort, and the ride back

The advertised duration is four hours, but the evening can run longer depending on the search. One late outing ended after 1 AM, so do not schedule an early-morning activity immediately afterward.

The return drive takes about 30 minutes according to the planned route, though traffic, pickup patterns, and time spent searching can affect the final arrival. Drop-off is available at the listed Reykjavík locations, including hotels, bus stops, the Bus Terminal, and Skarfabakki Harbour.

Because the tour begins in the evening and may finish late, it suits people who can handle a flexible bedtime. It is less suitable if you need a firm return time for a dinner reservation or an early departure.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this for you if you want a compact Iceland evening with both nature and geology. It suits first-time visitors who want to see more than Reykjavík but do not want to commit to a full-day excursion.

It is also a good choice for couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes guided interpretation rather than simply being driven to a viewpoint. The cave gives the evening structure, while the aurora search adds suspense.

You should think twice if your mobility is limited, if you dislike uneven ground, or if you need a guaranteed finish time. You should also be realistic about the Northern Lights. The guide can search hard, move to better conditions, and offer a retry, but nobody controls the sky.

Should you book the lava tunnel and aurora hunt?

I would book it if you want the best balance between certainty and possibility. The cave is the dependable centerpiece, and the Northern Lights search gives you a strong chance at something extraordinary without making the entire evening depend on luck.

At $189, the price is fair when you value the small vehicle, two guides, safety gear, hot drinks, photographs, Reykjavík transfers, and free aurora retry. It is less compelling if you only want to see the Northern Lights and already have another flexible way to chase them.

Book it early in your stay, bring serious cold-weather clothing, and keep the next morning open. If Palli, Isla, Greta, or another equally committed guide is working, you can expect a thoughtful evening. Just let the cave be the sure thing and the green sky be the prize.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik lava tunnel and Northern Lights tour?

The advertised duration is four hours, though the return can be later if the aurora search takes extra time.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup from selected Reykjavík locations starts at 7:30 PM. Arrival at your exact pickup point may take up to 30 minutes depending on traffic and location.

Where does the cave portion take place?

The tour visits Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel in the Blue Mountains area, in southern Iceland.

How old is the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel?

The cave was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption more than 5,000 years ago.

Is the walk through the cave difficult?

The walk is described as easy, but parts of the route have uneven natural ground. Paths and footbridges are provided in some areas.

What equipment is provided for the lava tunnel?

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

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on weather and natural conditions, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can rebook the Magical Auroras Minibus Tour for free, with the retry valid for up to three years. The lava tunnel entry is not included on retry tours.

Are photos included?

Yes. The guide takes complimentary photos of you with the Northern Lights when the aurora appears.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a camera if you want your own pictures, and clothing suited to the weather.