4.5
Discover the iconic Golden Circle - a route through the best-loved attractions in Iceland! In just one day, you’ll witness the eruptions of the country’s most active geyser, walk through the valley between two continents, and experience the power of the 105-foot Gullfoss waterfall. In addition, you’ll discover the volcanic Kerid crater, hidden just off the main path, and the authentic geothermal town of Hveragerði, where bananas grow!
This small-group tour offers a more personal experience, and the convenient pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavik provide a carefree adventure.
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Get ready to spend your dream day in the Land of Ice & Fire!
Our golden loop starts in Reykjavik, where we’ll meet and drive 40 minutes to Hveragerði. On the way to Gullfoss waterfall, we’ll stop at the vibrant Kerid volcanic crater. We’ll also explore hot springs, geysers, and the wonders of Thingvellir National Park. After the tour, we’ll return to Reykjavik and drop you off in the early evening.
The charming town of Hveragerði is famous for its geothermal activity. The natural warmth and sustainable energy from natural sources create perfect conditions for greenhouse cultivation. You’d be surprised to know how big is the variety of fruits and vegetables that can be harvested there year-round. In fact, Hveragerði is known as the world’s northernmost place where bananas can grow!
We’ll walk through the area, soaking in the stunning landscape and observing numerous hot springs (some of which are even found in locals’ backyards!). After the excursion, we’ll enjoy a delicious treat from a local bakery before heading to our next destination.
Kerid Volcanic Crater is a hidden gem. This natural wonder is the result of a volcano collapse that occurred over 6,500 years ago. What was left is what we see today—a round crater filled with blue groundwater that, when viewed from above, looks like "The Eye of the World."!
The caldera is 886 ft (270 m) in diameter and up to 180 ft (55 m) deep. The interesting thing is that the crater's walls are not black (as you would expect from a volcano) - they are red! This occurs due to the oxidation of the iron deposits. The ruby-red walls and the blue-green water of the lake create a mesmerizing contrast of colors rarely seen together in nature.
You can take an easy 20-minute hike around the crater to admire this colorful gem.
The Golden Waterfall - that’s what Gullfoss is often called. It is one of the three most famous wonders of the Golden Circle and for a good reason! The two cascades of the falls, together measuring 105 ft (35m), plunge down into a deep canyon with tremendous power. Be ready to feel the mist as you get closer!
Why “golden”? The river Hvítá, which feeds the waterfall, changes color depending on the weather. Sometimes, it takes on a golden-brown shade, giving the waterfall its name.
Gullfoss never fails to amaze its visitors no matter the season, making it a must-see destination for everybody traveling through Iceland.
Geysers and hot springs are a signature feature of Iceland. The hot spring area in Haukadalur Valley is one of the most famous geothermal regions in the country. It is home to the oldest Icelandic geyser, Geysir, and the most active one, Strokkur. The area also features numerous springs, fumaroles, steam vents, and mud pools.
Looking at the Great Geysir is like looking at history itself. Not only is it one of the oldest such phenomena in the world, but it is also known to be the origin of the word “geyser.” In its active times, this mighty giant once was one of the world’s tallest, shooting hot water 400 ft (122 m) into the sky!
While Geysir is sleeping, his neighbor Strokkur steals the show! The most active water-spouting hot spring in the country, Strokkur amazes every visitor by erupting up to 130 ft (40 meters) every 4-10 minutes.
To complete the Golden Circle, we end our tour with a visit to Thingvellir National Park. The area holds great historical importance and has many remarkable geological features. The Eurasian and American tectonic plates meet here, and Althingi (the Icelandic parliament) was formed on these rocks in 930 AD, making it the oldest parliamentary site in the world. Thingvellir was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
The site is just brimming with nature wonders: the impressive Almannagjá rift, the crystal clear Silfra Fissure, and the stunning Þingvallavatn Lake. We will explore many beautiful sites and learn a lot about Iceland’s history at every corner.
Your Golden Circle small-group sightseeing tour starts with pick-up from your selected location in Reykjavik at 8:00 a.m. Please note that the pick-up can take up to 30 min.
Check out our list of designated pick-up points here.
The pickup time is stated on your voucher and therefore we recommend you to review your voucher carefully. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated as you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the right pick up time that you chose when booking the tour.
Wait for your guide at your assigned pick up location.
Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.
View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.
Alcohol is prohibited on all of our tours before and during activities. If we find the participant to be intoxicated, we will prohibit them from taking part in the activity.
After the activities of the day are finished then you are more than welcome to have a drink and relax.
Yes, we do have a tour into Langjökull Ice Cave that has no minimum age and it is a fantastic option for the whole family. As a Whale Watching with our partner company Special Tours, enjoyable tour for a family traveling with young children, these guys have an enormous success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).
If you want to explore parts of Icelandic Highlands than we have our magnificent Landmannalaugar Safari tour that also offers you to bathe in natural hot springs. Almost all of our jeep tours are suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. Then we also have a relaxing experience that we highly recommend, our Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.
We reserve the rights to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Your safety is our number one priority.
Please read more information in our terms and conditions in regards to this matter.
Yes, we have specially trained and certified guide on all of our tours, expect on our self-drive tours.
All of our tours are English guided.
No, for all your questions and concerns you would need to contact our customer service.
We have four different categories that help participants to get a better understanding of what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. All of our tours are rated to make it easier for you to find a tour that suits you.
For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.
