Two days in north Iceland, one big payoff. This winter special pairs Lake Mývatn geology with Northern Lights night hunting, so you get both daytime drama and nighttime magic. One thing to keep in mind, the lights are never a sure thing because weather has the final vote.

I like how this trip keeps logistics simple. You get a complimentary shuttle for EasyJet flights landing in Akureyri, and the group stays small, limited to 18, which means you spend more time outside and less time waiting around.

You also get two clear departure times to plan around, the Lake Mývatn day tour at 9 AM and the lights tour at 9:30 PM. If you can, book the Northern Lights for your first night in Akureyri so you have the option to swap dates if conditions shut the show down.

Key highlights you will actually feel

• Small group touring (max 18) means more room to ask questions and actually see what you are standing in front of
• Guided Lake Mývatn stops across lava formations, pseudocraters, and geothermal areas, not just one photo stop
• Nature Baths time for that classic Iceland reset, with a realistic note that access can change in winter
• Northern Lights hunt from outside Akureyri to escape city light pollution and chase clear sky
• Free re-visit option if the lights do not show on the evening tour, subject to weather and operation

Winter Special at Lake Mývatn and the Northern Lights: the vibe

This is the kind of Iceland trip that makes sense in winter. One day you get volcanic geology that looks like it was designed as a science lesson, but with the scale turned up to cinematic. The next evening you trade walking shoes for a coat-and-hat plan and spend the night searching the sky.

What makes the two-day format work is that it gives you contrast without forcing insane travel days. You are based around Akureyri and the north, so you can focus on one region and let the guide do the driving and timing.

The other big win is that you are not just paying for a drive-by. You are paying for an organized, guided route that hits multiple geothermal and lava features around Lake Mývatn, then gives you a structured approach to the lights hunt.

Getting to Akureyri smoothly with the EasyJet shuttle

The included airport shuttle is one of those details that matters more than it sounds like. When you land and you are cold, tired, and maybe a bit jet-lagged, you want your next step to be easy.

If you booked this as part of a combo tour, you get a complimentary shuttle service for EasyJet flights landing in Akureyri. Pickup info is part of the deal, but you need to send your EasyJet flight details and your accommodation info so the provider knows where to meet you.

If you are building a winter trip in Iceland, this kind of included transfer is real value because it reduces the number of moving parts. You will arrive with enough energy to enjoy that first day tour instead of spending it wrestling with local logistics.

Day tour at 9 AM around Lake Mývatn: fjords, waterfalls, and steam

The morning starts with a drive along the coast of Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. Even from the bus, you get context for where you are, and you start seeing why people come to this side of the country for winter. The water and the mountains set the mood fast.

Stop at Goðafoss: a waterfall with star power

First major highlight is Goðafoss. It’s one of Iceland’s most dramatic waterfalls, and the beauty here is partly in the force and partly in the way it fits the volcanic north. You get the chance to take in the falls and reset your eyes before the geology starts really stacking up later.

If you usually visit waterfalls and find they blur together, Goðafoss is a different kind of memorable because it feels powerful and clean. You will likely want photos, but also time to watch the water rather than just aim your camera.

Grjótagjá cave area: hot earth under your feet

Next, you visit Grjótagjá. This is one of those geothermal features that makes you feel the heat even when the area is not doing anything loud. The point is less about walking forever and more about understanding what you are seeing in a volcanic region, where groundwater and heat interact in surprising ways.

This stop is also a good reminder that volcanic regions are not one-note. It’s not only lava fields and steam. It is also caves, water, and hidden geothermal systems that shape the ground.

Hverarönd in Námaskarð: steam, color, and hot-spring energy

Then you move into the Hverarönd hot spring area in Námaskarð. This is the kind of place where the ground looks active because it is. You will see signs of geothermal activity and get that strong Iceland sensation of heat rising from the earth.

This is also where a guide earns their keep. It helps to have someone pointing out what to look for and why. You do not need a geology degree, but you do want context so you can connect the sights to the bigger story of the region.

Optional Nature Baths soak: your geothermal reset

If you choose the option, you head to Mývatn Nature Baths for a soak. This is the classic payoff after hours outside. Think warm water, cold air, and that moment where you stop walking and start breathing slower.

A practical note: the entry fee to the Nature Baths is not included, and you will need to bring swimwear and a towel if you want to go in. If you forget, you will end up improvising, and in winter that is not fun.

Also, winter can bring changes. In one example, the Nature Baths were closed for refurbishment, and the guide handled it by arranging an alternative geothermal option about 45 minutes away. Another guest opted out of the bath and was dropped in a local town to explore while the rest went to the soak. That flexibility is exactly what you want if the plan shifts.

Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar: the lava that looks like a set

After the geothermal stops, you get hit with the visually wild stuff: Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar.

Dimmuborgir: lava formations you can’t unsee

Dimmuborgir is known for lava formations that look like doors, walls, and strange shapes carved by heat and time. This is one of those places where the photos are good, but the real impact is in seeing the scale in real life.

If you love weathered, sculpted natural structures, you will enjoy this more than a typical viewpoint stop. It feels like walking through the aftermath of a giant volcanic event that is still writing new details into the rock.

Skútustaðagígar: pseudocraters and the science behind the shapes

Then you visit the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters area. The name alone is a clue that it’s not the usual crater story. You are seeing formations tied to volcanic and geothermal processes, and the guide’s explanation helps you understand why the ground looks the way it does.

This is a good spot for patient walking. Don’t rush. Take a few minutes to look at how the shapes repeat and how the ground texture changes.

Last stop by Eyjafjörður: the view toward Akureyri

The day tour ends with a stop back along Eyjafjörður, where you can look over the fjord to Akureyri. It’s a nice closing moment because it ties your day together: water, mountains, and the town that you will sleep in.

It’s also a handy time to grab a photo when the light changes. In winter, that last angle can be the prettiest one of the day.

Night at 9:30 PM: how the Northern Lights hunt actually runs

The Northern Lights tour leaves at 9:30 PM, and it is designed to get you away from light pollution. The key idea is simple: more darkness, better chances.

Where you head each night depends on conditions. The tour uses the best odds it can find for clear sky. That is why the guide’s call matters. On a calm clear night, one direction can be a great experience and another can be disappointing.

The big expectation to set early: no guarantees

Here is the honest part you should plan around. The Northern Lights are natural, and sightings cannot be guaranteed even if the tour operates. Weather and cloud cover decide more than effort does.

The good news is the trip is built with that uncertainty in mind. If the Northern Lights tour goes ahead and you do not see the lights, you are offered the trip again for free. That re-try is why it is smart to book your lights tour for your first night in Akureyri, so you have flexibility to change dates.

What the guide adds to the night

A strong guide makes the difference between standing in the dark and feeling like you are working the problem. In the feedback I saw, guides named Sigi and Ziggie kept people informed and entertained during the hunt, which helps you stay patient when the sky is stubborn.

You do want to dress for real cold. This is not a quick stroll. You need layers, warmth, and sturdy shoes.

What makes this tour good value at $350 per person

At $350 per person for two days, the value depends on what you would otherwise pay to combine things yourself.

You are getting:

• Guided touring through the Lake Mývatn region and key geothermal stops
• A Northern Lights hunt with planned departure at night
• An airport shuttle for eligible EasyJet arrivals
• A small-group setup limited to 18
• A live English guide who drives and explains

That package saves you money versus renting a car, hiring multiple guides, and trying to coordinate transfers in winter. It also saves time, which is underrated. In Iceland winter, time is cold, and you do not want to waste it.

But budget for what is not included. Meals and drinks are not included. Mývatn Nature Baths entry is not included, and you will need swimwear and a towel if you plan to use it. If you add those costs, you still tend to come out ahead versus DIY, but you should go in with eyes open.

Comfort and packing: simple steps, big payoff

Plan like it is going to be cold, and you will be right.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for walking on uneven winter ground
• Warm clothing in layers
• If you want the baths, swimwear and a towel

Also, your best friend is layering you can adjust. You’ll be in the bus, then outdoors for stops, then back into warmth. That rhythm is why layers work better than one bulky coat.

Who this winter special is for

This trip fits best if you want a guided, efficient winter experience with real natural variety.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You like guided stops that explain what you are seeing
• You want both daytime geology and a Northern Lights plan in one package
• You prefer a small group over large buses
• You value included transfers instead of managing everything yourself

You might rethink it if:

• You only want experiences that are guaranteed. Northern Lights are always subject to weather.
• You hate cold waiting outdoors at night. You will be outside for the lights hunt.

Should you book this tour?

I think it is a strong booking choice for winter in north Iceland if you want structure without feeling trapped in a schedule. The combination is smart: Lake Mývatn’s geothermal and lava features in the day, then a planned Northern Lights hunt at night with a re-try if the lights do not show.

Book it especially well if:

• You are flying into Akureyri on EasyJet and want the shuttle included
• You want a small-group guide, with someone like Sigi or Ziggie leading the route
• You can handle the one big uncertainty, Northern Lights visibility

If you can accept that the sky might not cooperate on the first try, this experience gives you a lot to see and a lot to remember in only two days.

FAQ

What is included in the combo package?

The package includes an airport shuttle for eligible EasyJet passengers, a guided Lake Mývatn area tour, and a Northern Lights hunt.

What time do the tours start?

The Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Nature Baths day tour starts at 9 AM. The Northern Lights tour starts at 9:30 PM.

Is the Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. Northern Lights sightings cannot be guaranteed because they depend on weather and sky conditions.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not seen?

If the evening tour operates and you do not see the Northern Lights, the trip is offered again for free. This depends on weather and whether the tour can run.

Is entry to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. The entry fee to the Mývatn Nature Baths is not included.

Do I need swimwear and a towel?

If you want to go into the Nature Baths, yes. Swimwear and a towel are not included.

How large is the group?

The group is a small group limited to 18 participants.

Do I get picked up from the airport and dropped back off?

Yes. The shuttle includes pickup for eligible EasyJet flights into Akureyri, and on the day of departure the group is taken back to Akureyri Airport.