Reykjavik: Evening Lava Tunnel and Northern Lights Hunt

Raufarhólshellir is the star here. About 5,000 years ago, an eruption left behind a long volcanic tube, and today you walk through it by head torch, passing walls marked with mineral colors that can look emerald green, ruby red, turquoise, and lilac. Then the minibus heads into the countryside to search for the Northern Lights.

I like the two-part design: you get a guaranteed cave visit even when the sky refuses to cooperate, followed by a serious aurora hunt. I also like the small minibus, hot cocoa, blankets, and complimentary photographs. The main catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, so book early in your stay if you want time for a free retry.

Key points to know before booking

• Raufarhólshellir is more than a quick photo stop: You spend about an hour inside the lava tube with a certified caving guide.
• The late departure can work in your favor: The evening timing may bring a smaller group and a quieter cave visit than a daytime outing.
• The aurora hunt is flexible: Your guide can leave the city lights behind and use smaller roads that larger coaches cannot reach.
• You get useful cold-weather comforts: Blankets, Icelandic hot cocoa, chocolate, and free Wi-Fi are included.
• A failed aurora attempt is not necessarily the end: You receive unlimited retries on the Northern Lights minibus tour for up to three years, though a future retry does not include lava tunnel admission.
• Uneven ground matters: The cave walk is manageable for most people, but it is not suitable for anyone with mobility impairments.

Why the lava tunnel makes this evening worthwhile

Many Northern Lights outings depend entirely on weather. This one gives you something substantial to do even if the sky stays cloudy. That makes the $189 price easier to justify, especially if you want a volcanic experience as well as an aurora hunt.

Raufarhólshellir was formed by an ancient eruption more than 5,000 years ago. Inside, the tunnel shows how flowing lava can leave a hollow passage behind after the outer crust cools. Your guide points out the marks left by volcanic activity and explains how mineral deposits create the unusual colors in the rock.

The word kaleidoscope is not just marketing fluff here. The walls can show shades of green, red, blue, and purple, although the exact appearance depends on the lighting and what you notice in the rock. Your head torch gives the cave a close, personal feel, rather than turning the whole place into a brightly lit exhibit.

The walk lasts about an hour. Some sections have paths and footbridges, while other parts remain natural and uneven. You should be comfortable placing your feet carefully, especially in winter. Crampons are supplied during winter, and a helmet and head torch are included in every season.

This is not a technical caving expedition. You do not need special training, but you do need warm clothing, sturdy comfortable shoes, and a willingness to walk over rough ground. Families and most people with ordinary fitness should manage it, but anyone with serious mobility limits should choose another activity.

The 7:30 PM pickup and ride to the Blue Mountains

Pickup begins at 7:30 PM from selected locations around Reykjavík. There are many options, including central bus stops, hotels, hostels, the bus terminal, Skarfabakki Harbour, and Reykjavík’s City Hall area. Be ready at your exact location, since the minibus may take up to 30 minutes to reach you because of traffic and the number of pickup points.

The ride to Raufarhólshellir takes about 45 minutes. That gives your guide time to explain the evening and share information about Icelandic nature and history. Several people have praised guides such as Palli and Greta for making the drive useful rather than treating it as dead time.

Transport by minibus is important here. A smaller vehicle can reach roadside viewpoints and quieter countryside locations that are less practical for a large coach. It also keeps the group closer together, which helps when you move from the cave to the aurora search.

Group size can vary. One evening had only three people, creating a very personal outing. You should not count on such a tiny group, but the minibus format generally feels less bulky than a large sightseeing coach.

Inside Raufarhólshellir by head torch

At the cave, you receive safety equipment and a short briefing before entering. The caving guide leads you through the tunnel and uses the light to direct your attention to the rock walls, mineral stains, and signs of the eruption that formed the passage.

The hour inside is the most dependable part of the evening. Clouds cannot cancel the cave, and the volcanic setting gives you something memorable even if the aurora forecast is poor. One useful detail is the late timing: an evening visit can feel more relaxed, and some departures may have fewer people than daytime sessions.

You will not simply walk into a large open chamber and turn around. The cave includes paths and footbridges in places, but natural terrain remains part of the route. That variety gives the walk a more genuine cave feel, though it also means you should watch your footing instead of focusing only on photographs.

The helmet and head torch are practical, not decorative. Keep both on as directed, and bring gloves that let you handle your camera without exposing your hands for long. Icelandic caves are cool, and the second half of the tour takes place outdoors at night.

From volcanic rock to the Northern Lights hunt

After the cave, you return to the minibus and head into the countryside. The schedule allows about two and a half hours for the guided aurora search, although the exact experience depends on cloud cover, solar activity, road conditions, and the guide’s decisions.

This is not a promise that you will see green curtains overhead. The Northern Lights are a natural event, and even a strong forecast cannot guarantee a display at the right time and place. You might see a faint glow, a short burst, or nothing at all.

A good guide does more than drive to a dark parking area. The guide checks the sky, looks for breaks in the clouds, and chooses locations away from Reykjavík’s city light. The small vehicle helps with this approach because it can use less crowded roads and viewpoints.

Palli is one guide who has been singled out for working hard to find an opening in the clouds. Greta has also been praised for her enthusiasm and for turning the search into an informed, entertaining part of the evening. Guides may vary, but the role is the same: read the conditions, explain what you are seeing, and avoid wasting time at a poor location.

Some evenings bring quick success. The aurora appeared soon after one group left the cave. Other nights remain cloudy despite a determined search. In one case, the guide chose not to keep people outside when the chances were low and arranged the option to try again another night. That is a sensible choice in Iceland, where standing in the cold does not improve the weather.

Cocoa, blankets, and the practical side of waiting

The waiting period is easier because hot Icelandic cocoa, chocolate, and blankets are included. These are small touches, but they matter when you are outside after dark and watching a sky that may take time to change.

Bring your own warm layers anyway. The tour information calls for weather-appropriate clothing, and that should mean more than a light jacket. Wear a warm base layer, insulating midlayer, waterproof outerwear, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Crampons are provided in winter, but they do not replace warm socks or sensible shoes.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus, which is useful during the drive. Still, you will get more from the outing if you keep your phone ready for the sky rather than spending the whole ride online. Bring a camera if you want your own photographs, but you do not need a professional setup to enjoy the view.

Complimentary aurora photographs

The guide takes photographs of you with the Northern Lights when conditions allow. This is a real benefit because aurora photography is tricky: the camera often records color and detail that your eyes see only faintly, and a person in the foreground needs careful timing.

You should treat the photographs as a welcome extra, not a guarantee of a dramatic portrait. If the lights do not appear, there is nothing to photograph with the aurora. When they do appear, though, the included images save you from choosing between watching the sky and wrestling with camera settings.

Several outings produced many useful photographs, and guides have made a point of taking pictures for the group. Bring your own camera too, but let the guide handle some shots so you can pay attention to the sky.

What the $189 price includes

At $189 per person, this is not the cheapest way to chase the Northern Lights. The price becomes more reasonable because it combines two separate experiences: admission and guiding at Raufarhólshellir, plus transport and an aurora search in the countryside.

You also receive Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, a certified caving guide, safety equipment, an English-speaking aurora guide, winter crampons, hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, Wi-Fi, and aurora photographs. The free retry adds meaningful value because a cloudy night is common enough that you should plan for the possibility.

The retry policy has an important limit. If you do not see the lights, you can rebook the Northern Lights minibus tour for free, with unlimited retries valid for up to three years. Lava tunnel entry is not included on a retry. In practical terms, the original booking gives you the cave once, while the future retry is for the aurora portion.

I would book this early in an Iceland trip rather than on your final night. One traveler who missed the lights specifically wished for time to rebook, and that is the right way to think about it. The retry is useful only if your schedule allows another outing.

Timing, drop-off, and small practical drawbacks

The advertised duration is four hours, with a 45-minute ride to the cave and a longer period devoted to the aurora search. The hunt can make the return time feel less predictable, especially if your guide finds a promising break in the clouds. One outing returned after 1 AM, so do not schedule an early-morning activity immediately afterward.

Drop-off is available at many of the same places used for pickup, including central bus stops, hotels, the bus terminal, and the harbour. Confirm your pickup location at least 48 hours before departure by contacting the operator. This matters because the pickup point is not something you should change casually on the evening itself.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if Icelandic weather makes your plans uncertain, but they do not change the fact that the Northern Lights depend on nature.

Who should choose this experience

I would recommend this tour to you if you want more than a standard aurora drive. The cave adds geology, walking, and a clear destination before the sky search begins. It is also a good fit if you have only one evening available and want to combine two classic Iceland experiences.

It suits couples, families, and small groups who are comfortable outside at night. The guide-led cave route is accessible to people who can walk over uneven ground, and the included equipment keeps you from needing specialist caving gear.

I would hesitate if you have mobility impairments, dislike cold-weather waiting, or want a guaranteed aurora show. The cave terrain is uneven, and even the best guide cannot order the clouds to move. You should also skip it if you need to be back at a precise hour.

Should you book the lava tunnel and aurora hunt?

Yes, if you value the lava tunnel as much as the Northern Lights. Raufarhólshellir gives the evening a solid center, while the minibus hunt adds a genuine chance to see the aurora away from Reykjavík. The cave remains worthwhile even on a cloudy night.

Book it early in your stay, dress for standing outdoors, and keep a spare evening available for the retry. At $189, it is best value for you if you want volcanic geology, a small-group-style ride, warm drinks, and photo help in one outing. If your only goal is the Northern Lights, a cheaper dedicated hunt may suit you better, but you will give up the memorable cave visit and the dependable first half of this evening.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup is available from selected hotels, hostels, bus stops, Reykjavík’s bus terminal, Skarfabakki Harbour, and other listed locations around the city. Pickup begins at 7:30 PM, and arrival at your location can take up to 30 minutes.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is four hours. The return can run later if the Northern Lights search continues, so avoid booking an early activity immediately afterward.

Is the lava tunnel walk difficult?

The walk is described as easy overall, with paths and footbridges in some areas. Other sections have natural, uneven ground, so you must be comfortable walking carefully over rough surfaces.

What equipment is provided for the cave?

You receive a helmet and head torch. Crampons are also provided in winter. You should bring comfortable shoes and warm, weather-appropriate clothing.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and sightings depend on conditions such as cloud cover and solar activity.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

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

Are photographs included?

Yes. The guide takes complimentary photographs of you with the aurora when the lights appear.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because the cave includes uneven natural surfaces.