The 12 Best Glacier and Northern Lights Day Trips Worldwide

1.South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glacier Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 11,030 reviews · 10 hours · from $126Our pick

Spend 10 hours touring Iceland’s South Coast by coach with an English-speaking guide. Walk behind Seljalandsfoss when conditions allow, see 60-meter Skógafoss, visit Sólheimajökull glacier, stop for lunch in Vík, and view Reynisfjara’s black sand and basalt sea stacks. Pickup from selected hotels, guesthouses, bus stops, and the cruise port is available.

“Tomas was so friendly and helpful. Absolutely incredible day out - I feel so lucky and recommend this whole-heartedly”

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2.Reindeer Sled, Dinner, and Chance of Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,651 reviews · 4h 30m · from $219

Meet Sami reindeer herders at a camp with around 300 reindeer, feed the animals by hand, and take a nighttime sled ride. Warm up with hot drinks and a three-course meal, then hear Sami stories and joik in a lavuu. The northern lights may appear above the camp.

“reindeer stew was delicious. Cake too. just had too little time. because of nothern light”

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3.Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobiling Day Trip from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,328 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $300

Spend about 10 hours exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle and riding a snowmobile across Langjökull glacier. A guide such as Ritchie J, Sigrun, or Edgar may lead different parts of the day, with coach transport, safety gear, and a one-hour glacier ride included. Expect a long, carefully timed day with striking scenery, cold conditions, and shared snowmobiles.

“Extremely good. Worth every penny. Both the tour guide and the driver were extremely good. Very educated and helpful. Pawel and Gudjon Jes made the day the best it could be. Thanks very much!”

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4.Glacier Hike, South Coast and Waterfalls Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 915 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) Top rated

This full-day Holiday Tours trip combines a guided 1.5-hour glacier walk with Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Seljalandsfoss, and Gljúfrabúi. Your guide provides crampons, a helmet, and an ice axe, while you bring hiking boots and outdoor clothing. Expect a small group of up to 15, Wi-Fi, weather-based route changes, and guides such as Michal, Svenni, Roberto, and Christopher.

“This tour was incredible! Our tour guide, Svenni, was a true expert. His intentional attention to the weather allowed us to find a break in the rain to do and enjoy our glacier hike despite previously thinking it would be canceled. He was knowledgeable, thoughtful, and patient. We also got a flat tire and Svenni remained calm and got us back safely, an absolute pro through and through. The waterfalls were magical and the black beach was breathtaking (Svenni made sure we all knew the guidelines given the severe warning signs). While the glacier hike was the highlight of the tour, we also stopped at a quaint little town called…”

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5.Full-Day Trip to Riviera Col du Pillon & Glacier 3000

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 695 reviews · 6 - 10 hours · from $102Best value

Ride from Geneva through Vaud’s countryside to Col du Pillon and the Les Diablerets Alps. With an English-speaking guide such as Babis, Roger, Thomas, or Normand, you can choose a Glacier 3000 cable-car option, cross the 108-meter Peak Walk, enjoy snow activities, then spend free time in Montreux before returning to Geneva.

“It’s an amazing trip, good weather and Thomas is amazing driver and tour guide he keep us safe and very accommodating, He offer Us hot tea before we get on the van which is very nice! The experience and view is worthy every penny! Highly recommend 😉”

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6.Waterfalls, Black Beach & Glacier Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 479 reviews · 12 hours · from $146

Travel from Reykjavík to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Gljúfrabúi, Írafoss, Eyjafjallajökull, Reynisfjara, and possibly Sólheimajökull. English-speaking guides such as Christina, Mika, Filip, and Siggi have led recent departures. Expect a small minibus, flexible pacing, Icelandic stories, and a full day outdoors.

“This was the best tour I took while in Iceland. Did the glacier hike first to avoid the crowds, and it was an amazing experience. The waterfalls were beautiful. The entire landscape even while on the bus was amazing. It was a small group of 14 people so we didn’t have to wait on people. My only recommendation would be to start the tour an hour earlier since the sun was setting at the last waterfall and we had to rush.”

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7.From Banff: Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 408 reviews · 11 hours · from $276

Spend 11 hours traveling from Banff along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield. Ride an Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier, walk the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk, stop at Bow Lake and other viewpoints, and enjoy a packed lunch. Guides such as Jake, Emma, Rob, and Roz are praised for clear commentary and warm service.

“Awesome. Really loved our guide Roz, she was so informative and we learnt heaps from listening to her. It is a well planned tour and value for money. We would definately recommend.”

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8.From Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Northern Lights Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 151 reviews · 14 hours · from $320

Leave Fairbanks around 1 PM with an English-speaking guide such as Paul, Ash, Colleen, or Ryan. Cross the Arctic Circle, visit the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and Yukon River, stop at Finger Mountain, then hunt for the aurora on the return drive. Sandwiches, hot drinks, certificates, hotel pickup, and drop-off are included.

“Our trip was great. Our driver was very knowledgeable and kept us entertained. Claudia was awesome!”

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9.Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 115 reviews · 4h 30m · from $229

Spend 45 minutes at Mendenhall Glacier, then board a whale-watching boat with a naturalist guide. Alaska Tales crews, including guides such as Riley, Steph, Genevieve, and Captain James, look for humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles. The boat has indoor seating, open viewing areas, snacks, and bottled water.

“Highly recommend this activity for cruisers especially. They are very cognizant of time and had us back on time. The boat was comfortable and the crew knowledgeable and provided great service. Monica, Will and James were top notch. We saw quite a number of whales and a bald eagle.”

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10.Zermatt Day Trip & Glacier Paradise Cable Car Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 107 reviews · 13 hours · from $226

Spend 13 hours traveling from Geneva to Zermatt by comfortable air-conditioned bus, electric shuttle, and optional cable car. Enjoy free time among old Walser houses, or ride to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise for glacier views, an ice palace, and a high Alpine viewing platform. Guides such as David, Babis, Roger, and Ameen are known for clear instructions and friendly service.

“Our day trip to Zermatt was wonderful! The buses are very nice and our guide Zed was fantastic and friendly. He knew his way around and even led the group up the cable cars and through the ice caves. Took photos for people and got us there and back safely. I highly recommend this tour because it is beautiful and the transport is much easier than on your own!”

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11.Puerto Natales: Day Trip to Perito Moreno Glacier Argentina

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 100 reviews · 16 hours · from $175

Travel from Puerto Natales into Argentina for a full day at Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. You cross the border by coach, meet an English or Spanish-speaking guide in El Calafate, and spend time at the glacier with an optional boat ride. Bring your passport, Argentine pesos, snacks, and patience for the long road day.

“The glacier is stunning - easily one of the most beautiful/impressive places I’ve ever been. The trip isn’t bad but it’s a long trip. The coaches are comfy, the guide only joined at el calafate just before the glacier. It probably makes sense cost-wise? The guide was knowledgable enough, if not a bit condescending. It would’ve been nice to stop in el calafate. If you get the chance to go to this beautiful part of the world, do it! Also say yes to the boat ride - absolutely worth the cost.”

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12.From Montreux: Glacier 3000 Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 82 reviews · 6 hours · from $123

Travel by comfortable Swisstours minibus from Montreux to les Diablerets and Glacier 3000. Add the cable car for snow, the Peak Walk suspension bridge, sledding, and views of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Jungfrau. Guides such as Aristotle, Amin, and Normund have led recent departures. The tour ends with free time in Montreux.

“This was an excellent tour! Not too long or too short, a perfect day's outing. Our guide, Aristotle, was friendly, helpful & hospitable & a good driver. He arrived promptly & the van was spacious & comfortable with a scenic glass roof, do we had great views of the surrounding countryside. He explained everything clearly & ensured we were aware of times, meeting points etc It was a perfectly sunny clear day in the Alps & the scenery was magical. This was a far better & far cheaper tour than the Glacier Express day trip we took from Zurich. Forget that & do this instead! Better scenery & better organised.”

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