Day trip reviews · GLACIER & NORTHERN LIGHTS DAY TRIPS
Good glacier & northern lights day trips fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend 10 hours touring Iceland’s South Coast by bus with an English-speaking guide. Visit Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara Beach, and Vík. Expect changing weather, wet waterfall walks, dramatic scenery, and guides such as Sara, Eva, Barbara, or Andrea bringing local stories to the ride.
“So worth it, would recommend time and time again !!!”
From Tromsø, ride to a Sami reindeer camp for hands-on feeding, a nighttime sled ride, salmon salad, bidos stew, cake, and hot drinks. Hosts such as Anna, Luona, and Thea share personal stories, beliefs, and joik singing. The Northern Lights may appear, but clear skies are never promised.
“A great cultural experience where you get to enjoy the time with the reindeer and also meet other travellers! Strongly recommend!”
Spend about 10 hours touring Iceland’s Golden Circle with a guide, then ride a snowmobile across Langjökull Glacier. Expect a safety briefing, warm protective gear, two people per snowmobile, and commentary on Icelandic culture, geography, and history from guides such as Jón, Ritchie, and Edgar.
“Amazing experience with qualified professionals. The entire process was seamless from pickup to drop off. Tour offered amazing views and memories for a lifetime.”
Travel from Reykjavik in a group of up to 15 with an English-speaking guide such as Michal, Svenni, or Roberto. Visit Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Seljalandsfoss, and Gljúfrabúi, then spend about 1.5 hours on Sólheimajökull with crampons, helmet, and ice axe provided. Bring hiking boots, warm layers, food, and water.
“This was an incredible experience!! The tour guide Sveini (I know I am spelling this wrong, my sincerest apologies!) was incredible. We were originally told that due to weather we weren’t going to be able to do the glacier hike, but because of our guide’s plan he was able to make it happen for us when the weather turned out to be more mild than forecasted! I was a solo female traveler and this was a great choice as I felt safe the whole time and had a once in a lifetime experience”
Travel by bus from Geneva through Vaud’s countryside to Les Diablerets and Col du Pillon. Choose the Glacier 3000 cable car option for the Peak Walk, chairlift, and snow activities, then enjoy free time in Montreux. English-speaking guides may include Babis, Roger, Thomas, David, or Normand.
“So happy I booked this trip! I was nervous about booking a guided group trip, but our tour guide Babis honestly made our experience so much better. He was friendly, helpful, and shared lots of interesting facts along the way. He even provided us with snacks and mulled wine when we arrived to Glacier 3000! 10/10 recommend this trip. And fingers crossed you get Babis as your guide!”
Travel from Reykjavík to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Gljúfrabúi, Irafoss, Reynisfjara, and the glaciers of southern Iceland. Guides such as Christina, Mika, Filip, and Siggi are known for lively stories and careful driving. Add a guided Solheimajökull glacier hike on selected dates from April to October.
“Christina was truly an exceptional guide, the kind of person you rarely encounter. She stands out as one of the very best guides I’ve ever had—not just in Iceland, but anywhere in the world. Her explanations were clear, engaging, and full of fascinating insights. She was incredibly kind, always available to help with anything, and went out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable. Most importantly, Christina brought so much joy to the experience with her wonderful sense of humor and warm personality. We had an amazing time laughing and learning throughout the tour. It was my last day in Iceland, and she made it absolutely unforgettable—an extraordinary experience…”
Travel from Banff with guides such as Jake, Emma, or Roz along the Icefields Parkway. Stop at mountain lakes and glaciers, ride an Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier, cross the glass-floored Skywalk, and enjoy a packed lunch. Pickup is from selected Banff-area points.
“This tour was excellent! I highly recommend it if you are going to Banff. Emma was our tour guide and she was friendly and very knowledgeable. Lunch was great, the chicken wrap was huge. We were able to eat at beautiful Bow Lake, at picnic tables close to the water. The view was spectacular. Logan was our guide at the glacier and he was a lot of fun! He gave us great safety info and was entertaining at the same time.”
You’ll ride north from Fairbanks with an English-speaking guide such as Paul, Ash, or Colleen, crossing the Arctic Circle, visiting the pipeline and Yukon River, then hunting for the aurora on the return drive. Expect sandwiches, hot drinks, long hours, rough roads, and serious cold.
“Seeing the lights was INCREDIBLE!! We stopped twice to see them and got the most amazing photos. Our guide, Ash, was the best. He had great stories to tell and was very knowledgeable about the area. We stopped to sled and he participated and took photos and videos of us. He took lots of photos for us and shared them at the end. I always felt like I was in the best hands with him as our guide. We got to meet some wonderful people on the way. 10/10”
Meet Alaska Tales by Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram, ride to Mendenhall Glacier for 45 minutes, then board a purpose-built whale-watching boat for a two-hour cruise. Naturalists such as Riley, Steph, and Olive have earned praise for sharp wildlife spotting and clear explanations.
“Overall this is a good activity. Our bus driver arrived a little late this affected the time at the glacier”
Travel from Geneva to Zermatt by comfortable bus and electric shuttle, with time for the old village and an optional ride to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 meters. Guides such as Babis, David, and Roger may add local stories along the way.
“My trip to Zermatt and the iconic Matterhorn was nothing short of unforgettable. The entire experience felt like stepping into a postcard—beautiful, peaceful, and full of awe-inspiring scenery. From the charming car-free village to the panoramic mountain views at every turn, Zermatt truly captures the essence of the Swiss Alps. One of the highlights was getting up close to the Matterhorn. Whether viewing it from the Gornergrat, hiking nearby trails, or simply admiring it from the village, every angle revealed something magical. The weather cooperated, and the clear skies made the mountain look even more majestic. What elevated the trip to an entirely new level, though, was our tour guide…”
Travel from Puerto Natales across the Argentina border to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Expect a long bus day, English or Spanish guidance, and time for the glacier, park walks, and an optional boat ride. Guides may join in El Calafate, with names including Silvia, Cecilia, and José.
“Worth the long journey. The Perito Moreno Glacier was superbly majestic.”
Travel from Montreux to Les Diablerets by comfortable bus, then ride the cable car to Glacier 3000 for snow, mountain views, and the 108-meter Peak Walk bridge. Guides such as Aristotle, Amin, and Normund add a friendly touch. Cable car access depends on weather and option selected.
“I loved it! It was my first time visiting a skii resort though I didn’t skii, the peak walk was incredible and the views insane. The bus journey was very safe and clean and good music playing! Our tour guide was extremely helpful and friendly and even gave me lots of advice on what else to do during my stay. Glacier 3000 was one the most beautiful places I’ve been I highly recommend! Definitely worth the cost”
A coast, a castle, a cellar or a cave.
