By eight thirty you are on a minibus leaving Reykjavík. By lunchtime-ish you have walked behind one waterfall, squeezed into a canyon to see another and stood under a third that drops 60 metres. The afternoon is ice and black sand. It is a long day, and it earns it.

EastWest runs this South Coast tour in a small group, with a driver who is also your guide and who fills the drive with Iceland's history, geology and folklore.

What you'll see on the South Coast tour

The route heads out of Reykjavík past the farming towns of Selfoss and Hvolsvöllur, with the glaciers coming into view and the Westman Islands out to sea.

• Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the falling water if conditions allow
• Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall tucked away in a narrow canyon next door (weather dependent)
• Skógafoss, with its 60-metre drop
• Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, seen up close (no glacier hike on this tour)
• Reynisfjara black sand beach, with its basalt columns and big Atlantic waves
• The village of Vík í Mýrdal

What's included

• A professional driver/guide
• Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
• Transport in an air-conditioned minibus
• Wi-Fi on board

Food and drinks are not included, so plan to buy or bring your own.

Good to know before you go

Pickup starts at 8:30, so be ready at your chosen meeting point from then, and make sure your hotel reception has your phone number; the crew will call if they cannot find you. Dress for the weather, and bring waterproofs whatever the forecast says. In winter, crampons are recommended. The tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible, children must be with an adult, and because of the long, fixed schedule the operator advises against bringing infants aged 0 to 3.

Pro tip: wear a proper waterproof jacket for Seljalandsfoss. Walking behind it means walking through its spray, and you have a lot of day left to dry off in.