Iceland small group vacations guide
There are several reasons why the majority of our vacations in Iceland are small group tours. Mainly because one of the most responsible ways to travel in Iceland is with a local guide. But it is also the most insightful. Yes, there are some honeypots and set routes to follow such as the Golden Circle but there are also so many landscapes, lakelands and lore to seek out, all of which are tucked into an expert guide’s little black book. Or black chair, perhaps, as you could also think of small group guides in Iceland as all boasting Mastermind style specialist subjects. Geology, photography, mythology and, most definitely, funology.
Traveling to Iceland with other photography enthusiasts was absolutely the best way to go. I learned so much from my fellow travelers as well as from our fantastic Icelandic teacher.![]()
Take an amphibious vehicle around icebergs. Bathe in hot thermal springs way off the beaten tourist path. Seek out orcas off the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and snorkel between two tectonic plates in the Silfra Fissure. Small groups are rarely sleepy groups. Read more in our small group travel guide to Iceland.
WHAT DO ICELAND SMALL GROUP HOLIDAYS ENTAIL?
It’s all about the itinerary
Your small group Iceland vacation usually begins in the heart of Reykjavík. Some tour operators may offer transfers into the city center if the group is all booked onto the same flight. You will have been given a detailed itinerary before arrival, as well as trip notes about what to pack and what to expect weather wise (although this is four-seasons-in-a-day terrain, so it is always a bit of a guessing game). The key of small group tours is the itinerary, however, with vacation companies creating itineraries that they are proud of. Responsible operators always seek out authentic, fun experiences, so don’t expect to be on the beaten track in Iceland for too long. The joy of a small group tour is that you just hand yourself over to your group leader and enjoy the Iceland experience, accompanied by likeminded travelers of all ages and backgrounds.
How big is a small group?
It could range between four and 16 participants, and is usually a real mix of people. Before booking, it is common for travelers to inquire about the group make up. Will you be traveling with other couples, are they mostly solo travelers, mostly male or female? You can also inquire about the minimum age in case you would prefer to travel with adults only, although the majority of small group tours to Iceland are aimed at adults. Photography vacation group sizes tend to be smaller, usually around 10 people maximum.
Kristijan Svajnzger, tour leader at our Iceland supplier Intrepid:
“The average age on our group trips is 40. My favorite moment as a group leader is sitting down in the evening with the group at one of our guesthouses, opening up a beer or a bottle of Vine and letting the experiences of the day fully sink in, while stargazing at the amazing sky over Iceland.”
What is the accommodation like on small group tours in Iceland?
As with any vacations, it varies, but the joy of a small group tour is that tour operators usually have established working partnerships with hotels and guesthouses, and they know what makes their guests happy – so you can trust them on that. You can also trust that fact that accommodation in Iceland is expensive, so even though tour operators negotiate good deals, you won’t feel as if you are getting as much for your money as you might in other parts of the world. But that is just the Icelandic way.
On an Iceland circuit vacation you might stay in a mixture of modern hotels with en suite facilities, farmhouses or even a school or social center that has been converted into hostel style accommodation in remote areas for the summer. If you are traveling solo, sharing a twin room with someone of the same gender is the norm, or you may have the option to pay a supplement for your own room. This isn’t always the case, however, so do check with your vacation company.
Your small group guides
Your small group guides
Iceland is an exciting country to visit and once you step off the beaten tourist trail with your small group, you will be heading into a land of adventures. This is where expert guides come into their own, in whom you can put your trust, have some good banter and will end up respecting no end as they lead you to the best places imaginable. These may be photography teachers keen help you capture the Northern Lights in the wildest of spots, or geographers who know the geology of this unique country inside out. And then you get guides who have encyclopedic knowledge of Icelandic mythology and history. A qualification from the national guiding school is also the important seal of approval that responsible tour leaders are proud to show off. Small group tours are made special by the quality of their guides and we are proud of all the guides we have used to date.
Kristijan Svajnzger, from our Iceland supplier Intrepid:
We use driver guides who have all had to go through Icelandic Guiding School in order to be able to correctly explain the sights you see, country you are traveling through, customs, food, etc.
What to do on a small group vacation in Iceland…
What not to do on a small group vacation in Iceland…
Our top trip
Northern Lights tour in Iceland
Springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and Europe’s biggest glacier
From
US $2995 to US $3695
6 days
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Small group travel:
2026: 15 Oct, 16 Oct, 17 Oct, 19 Oct, 25 Oct, 28 Oct, 3 Nov, 5 Nov, 7 Nov, 9 Nov, 13 Nov, 18 Nov, 20 Nov, 22 Nov, 27 Nov, 30 Nov, 4 Dec, 5 Dec, 6 Dec, 11 Dec, 13 Dec, 17 Dec, 18 Dec
2027: 2 Jan, 5 Jan, 7 Jan, 11 Jan, 14 Jan, 19 Jan, 28 Jan, 2 Feb, 4 Feb, 6 Feb, 8 Feb, 10 Feb, 12 Feb, 14 Feb, 18 Feb, 21 Feb, 23 Feb, 25 Feb, 28 Feb, 2 Mar, 4 Mar, 6 Mar, 9 Mar, 10 Mar, 12 Mar, 15 Mar, 18 Mar, 21 Mar, 24 Mar, 26 Mar, 28 Mar ...
2026: 15 Oct, 16 Oct, 17 Oct, 19 Oct, 25 Oct, 28 Oct, 3 Nov, 5 Nov, 7 Nov, 9 Nov, 13 Nov, 18 Nov, 20 Nov, 22 Nov, 27 Nov, 30 Nov, 4 Dec, 5 Dec, 6 Dec, 11 Dec, 13 Dec, 17 Dec, 18 Dec
2027: 2 Jan, 5 Jan, 7 Jan, 11 Jan, 14 Jan, 19 Jan, 28 Jan, 2 Feb, 4 Feb, 6 Feb, 8 Feb, 10 Feb, 12 Feb, 14 Feb, 18 Feb, 21 Feb, 23 Feb, 25 Feb, 28 Feb, 2 Mar, 4 Mar, 6 Mar, 9 Mar, 10 Mar, 12 Mar, 15 Mar, 18 Mar, 21 Mar, 24 Mar, 26 Mar, 28 Mar ...
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Best time to go
A small group tour that combined Iceland’s natural wonders with its aurora awesomeness – it felt like the best ‘buy one get one free’ ever.![]()
Small group vacations in Iceland are all on chosen dates and some of them book up quite far in advance, such as the Northern Lights vacations. The tour operators are seasonal experts, however, and create itineraries that are suitable for each season. Photography during midsummer all day light. Whale watching during the summer months or seeing the Northern Lights in the heart of winter. Whenever you go, the weather is unpredictable. And rarely is it hot, maximum temperature being low twenties.
Iceland Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
-3
2
105
FEB
-2
3
100
MAR
-1
3
105
APR
1
6
80
MAY
4
10
75
JUN
7
13
70
JUL
10
14
67
AUG
8
13
86
SEP
4
11
94
OCT
3
8
119
NOV
-1
4
110
DEC
-2
2
105
A MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE
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