Reykjavik: Evening Lava Tunnel and Northern Lights Hunt

That mix is what makes this tour so interesting: a night walk inside a real lava tube followed by a countryside Northern Lights hunt. I love how the Raufarhólshellir cave turns geology into something you can see up close, with mineral colors that look almost unreal under headlamps. I also love that you are not just dropped off in the dark, you get guided searching plus warm cocoa breaks. One consideration: the aurora is never guaranteed, so you need to be comfortable with a weather-dependent evening.

On the people side, I’ve heard guides like Palli and cave guides like Isla keep the mood upbeat and the safety details clear, which matters when you’re stepping around uneven rock and slick cave surfaces. If you come prepared for a cold, bumpy outdoor hunt, this is one of the better ways to use a short Reykjavik night.

Key things to know before you go

• Raufarhólshellir at night: Guided time inside a lava tube formed by an eruption over 5,000 years ago
• Cave gear is part of the deal: Helmet, head torch, and (in winter) crampons for grip
• Hot cocoa on standby: Warm blankets and cocoa while you wait for aurora conditions
• Minibus access: Smaller roads and offbeat spotting spots that bigger buses may miss
• Photo help included: Your guide captures a complimentary photo of you with the aurora
• Retry if you miss the lights: Re-tries for up to 3 years on the Magical Auroras Minibus Tour

Why the Raufarhólshellir lava tube feels extra special in the evening

This is not a daytime cave with a few extra lamps. Going after dark changes how the lava tube reads. In daylight, you notice rock. At night, you notice light bouncing off mineral deposits, and the cave starts to look like it’s been painted by volcanic chemistry.

Raufarhólshellir is a lava tube shaped by ancient volcanic activity over 5,000 years ago. Inside, you’ll see mineral colors in bands and patches, often described as emeralds, rubies, turquoise, and lilacs. The effect is the point. Your guide explains the geological processes behind what you’re seeing, so it’s not just pretty. It’s the story of what created those colors and why they stayed.

The best part for me is the way this experience gives you two different “Iceland wow” moments in one evening. First, you get the controlled wonder of a guided cave walk. Then you get the wild, unpredictable show in the sky.

Pickup, timing, and getting your night ready in Reykjavik

The tour starts with pickup in Reykjavik at 7:30 PM from your selected location. You’ll want to be at the meeting point on time, because the schedule is built around darkness and driving.

You travel by minibus, which is practical for a short 4-hour tour. It also helps with one of the big aurora challenges, finding a spot where the sky is clear enough and dark enough to see the Northern Lights. Bigger buses just do not have the same flexibility.

Before you head into the cave, you’ll get gear and a safety briefing. Helmet and head torch are included. In winter, you’ll also use crampons for traction. That combination makes the cave much less intimidating than many first-time cave experiences.

What to bring is straightforward and it matters:

• Comfortable shoes (for uneven ground)
• Warm clothing (the aurora part is outdoors)
• Your camera (you’ll want it for the aurora moment)
• Weather-appropriate layers, because the whole point is being outside long enough to wait

One more small but important note: your pickup location must be updated at least 48 hours before the tour by contacting customer care at [email protected]. If you don’t do that, you risk confusion right when you’re trying to enjoy the night.

Entering the lava tube: what the cave walk is like with helmet and head torch

After pickup, you drive to the Blue Mountains area, where you’ll explore Raufarhólshellir. Your cave time is guided, about 1 hour, and the vibe is part science lesson, part walking adventure.

Here’s what to expect inside:

• You descend with a certified caving guide and safety guidance
• You follow paths and footbridges in some sections, with natural terrain in others
• The walk is described as easy, but you still need to be comfortable on uneven surfaces

This is where the tour does a good job of setting expectations. Even when something is “easy,” uneven ground is still uneven ground. If you rush or wear footwear that is not grippy enough, the cave can feel more stressful than it needs to be.

The cave is where the colors happen. Under your head torch, you’ll notice mineral deposits that guide you toward different shades and textures. Your guide ties those colors back to volcanic activity, so you end up understanding why the cave looks like it does, not just that it looks cool.

Also, think of the headlamps as your lighting advantage. It’s easier to appreciate the cave’s details because the illumination is close and personal. You’re not relying on distant light or your phone.

The view point and the aurora wait: how the hunt is handled

Once the cave time ends, you head out to the countryside to search for the Northern Lights. This is where patience becomes part of the experience. The total tour is about 4 hours, and the “hunt” portion runs roughly 2.5 hours at a guided view point.

This section is outdoors, so comfort is not a small detail. You’ll get cozy blankets and warm treats like Icelandic hot cocoa and chocolate, which helps you stay focused instead of shivering through the waiting.

The guidance approach matters here. The tour is built around the reality that you cannot order the aurora like a predictable show. The team looks for conditions that give you the best chance. Reviews often highlight that the guides keep searching even when the first window of visibility does not work out immediately.

One practical benefit of the minibus: it can get you to offbeat spots that larger vehicles cannot reach as easily. For the Northern Lights hunt, those small changes matter because darkness, cloud cover, and horizon views all affect what you can actually see.

If you’re sensitive to cold, dress early and dress warm. The tour gives you blankets, but your core comfort will still come from your clothing.

Aurora photos, guide attention, and how the re-tries really help

If the Northern Lights show up, you’re set up for a real souvenir. The tour includes Northern Lights photos and your guide captures a complimentary photo of you with the aurora.

In real life, aurora photography is about timing and positioning. You can do it solo, but it’s easier when someone is helping you get the framing right and choosing when to shoot. That’s one reason this kind of guided hunt is worth considering over a DIY drive.

Now the big question: what if you don’t see the lights?

The tour includes a free retry if you do not see the Northern Lights during your tour. The re-tries are described as unlimited for up to 3 years, and they’re on the Magical Auroras Minibus Tour. One important catch: lava tunnel entry is not included on re-tries. So your retry is about aurora hunting, not repeating the cave.

This structure changes how you should plan your expectations. You’re paying for two parts, the cave and the aurora search. The cave is guaranteed because you’re walking through it. The lights are the wildcard, but the retry option reduces the risk.

One review also suggested doing this earlier in your trip so you have time to use a re-book if clouds roll in. I agree with that strategy. The aurora is fickle, and you might as well give yourself enough days to take advantage of the re-try.

Price and value: what $189 buys you in a 4-hour night

At $189 per person for a 4-hour tour, you’re not buying just a cave or just a lights hunt. You’re buying guided planning for both, plus gear and comfort.

Here’s what you get for your money, in plain terms:

• Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik
• A guided lava tunnel tour with a certified caving guide
• Safety equipment: helmet and head torch
• Caving traction gear in winter: crampons
• Northern Lights hunting with an English-speaking expert guide
• Hot cocoa and chocolate, plus blankets
• Northern Lights photos and a complimentary aurora photo of you
• Free Wi-Fi on the bus

That’s a lot of included items for a short evening. It’s also the kind of value you feel most if the weather does not cooperate. Even if the aurora is missing on your first attempt, you still get the cave, warmth, guidance, and the ability to return for the lights without paying again right away.

If you are the type who wants your time used efficiently and you don’t want to drive in winter darkness while hoping you find the right clouds and right sky, the price starts to make sense.

Walking on uneven ground, cold nights, and who should skip this

This tour is suitable for all ages, but it does come with physical expectations. You’ll be walking within the lava tunnel on uneven surfaces, with paths and footbridges in some sections and natural terrain in others. The aurora portion is also outdoors for a while.

If you have mobility challenges or you use mobility aids, note that the tour is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. In a cave, uneven rock is not something a guide can change for you.

If you’re healthy and comfortable with uneven ground, you’re in a good spot. Wear grippy shoes, take your time in the cave, and use the helmet and head torch to light your way instead of rushing with your phone flashlight.

Practical tips that improve your odds and your comfort

You can’t control the aurora. You can control how ready you are.

• Dress for cold outside, not just for a short stop. You’ll be outside waiting for the sky show.
• Bring a camera you can operate quickly in cold fingers. If the lights arrive fast, you want to be ready.
• If you can, plan this earlier in your trip. If the lights do not appear, you’ll want time to use the free re-try.
• Be patient at the view point. Guides will keep searching, and the early minutes are often not when you get your first clear view.
• Use the included photo help. The guide taking photos of you is part of the experience, and it saves you from guessing settings in the moment.

And one more small mindset shift: think of this as a guided evening with two acts. Act one, the cave, is your certainty. Act two, the sky, is your gamble, but it’s a gamble with a safety net.

Should you book this Reykjavik evening lava tunnel and Northern Lights hunt?

Book it if you want a night that feels meaningful even if the aurora is late or hidden. The lava tunnel is the kind of experience that stands on its own. Then, if the lights appear, you get the icing on top with cocoa breaks, blankets, and help getting photos.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed Northern Lights show. Weather and visibility drive sightings, and the tour makes it clear that aurora viewing can’t be promised. Also skip it if uneven surfaces are a problem for your body or your mobility needs, since this includes cave walking.

If you’re flexible, comfortable with a short guided walk on uneven ground, and you love the idea of combining volcanic geology with an aurora hunt, this is a strong pick for a short Reykjavik stay. It’s one of those “Iceland at night” plans that uses the hours wisely, with guides who take the work seriously and keep the evening fun.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Evening Lava Tunnel and Northern Lights Hunt?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

Where does the tour pick up and drop off?

Pickup and drop-off are in Reykjavík. You choose your pickup location from the listed options, and you’ll be returned to a selected drop-off location afterward.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off, guided lava tunnel tour with a certified caving guide, all necessary safety equipment, helmet and head torch, and (in winter) crampons. It also includes an English-speaking Northern Lights guide, hot cocoa and chocolate, blankets, Northern lights photos, complimentary aurora photo help, and free Wi-Fi on the bus.

Is the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Northern Lights visibility depends on weather, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

If you don’t see them during the tour, you can use a free retry. Re-tries are valid for up to 3 years on the Magical Auroras Minibus Tour, and lava tunnel entry is not included on re-tries.

Is the lava tunnel walk difficult?

The walk within the lava tunnel is described as easy, but you will be on uneven surfaces. Some areas include paths and footbridges, and other sections include natural terrain.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. It is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.