The iconic Golden Circle Route is the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland for good reason and is home to a multitude of incredible sights that are an absolute must for any visitor to the land of fire and ice.
This tour encompasses 300 kilometers of volcanically crafted landscape, creating an ever-evolving place of seemingly timeless beauty. There is an option to add extra activities to this tour, for more information check the tour itinerary below.
This tour is part of our carbon offset program. You can read more about our sustainability actions here.
We will take you on a private guided tour through this amazing loop, replete with ancient fissures between continents, teeming geysers, and gushing waterfalls, with an expert guide who will tell you about the myths and history that surround what you are seeing. The tour itinerary is also flexible, ensuring that you can go where you want, see what you want, and enjoy all the magic that the spectacular Golden Circle Route has to offer. So there's always an option to add extra activities to your private tour itinerary when ordering.
Please note: transportation for this tour is in a private vehicle, a Mercedes Benz V Class or similar that seats up to 7 guests, with a private guide for the duration of the tour. Capacity per day is 2 vehicles. For custom inquiries with more than 14 participants or other available dates please send us a line by filling the form in the section below.
The tour begins at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is steeped in both geological and historical significance. It was the original location of Althingi, where a group of Vikings gathered together in 930 AD to elect a Lawspeaker and form the first Icelandic Parliament. The modern parliament still bears its name to this day, making it one of the oldest continuously operating parliaments in the history of the world. It also straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that marks the ever-expanding gap between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, allowing us to walk between the gap that separates two continents. This coupled with the sapphire blue Silfra Fissure that is home to the clearest water in the world, several mesmerizing waterfalls, amazing rock sculptures crafted by volcanic activity, and much, much more, ensures that Thingvellir is one of the most interesting landscapes in the world. Our expert guide will tell you about the natural and human history of the area, making for a fascinating and enjoyable stop.
From there we will head to the Haukadalur geothermal area, famed for its red iron-stained mud and emerald patches of moss. It is home to Iceland’s most famous geysers and has become totemic of the land of fire and ice. The first of these, ‘the Great Geysir’ is now dormant, but was the first geyser to appear in the English language and gives all geysers their name. While the second ‘Strokkur’ is still very much active and fires boiling jets of water into the air every 5-10 minutes. These eruptions are incredibly violent and will give you a profound new perspective on the power of the subterranean forces that lie beneath our feet.
The final stop on the tour is the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall (the golden falls), whose rushing cascade tumbles down three stages of volcanic rock into a 2-kilometer crevice below. Its name originates from the golden hue that its water takes as it passes over the brown volcanic rock under it. The valley surrounding the falls is covered in luscious green vegetation, while rainbows regularly form above it on sunny days. All of this and more makes it a truly spectacular place of magnificent natural beauty and the perfect way to end the famous Golden Circle Route.
The entire tour can be customized according to what you want to see, lasts around 6-8 hours, and is commonly considered to contain some of the best sights that the land of fire and ice has to offer: it simply cannot be missed!
Also, we go to Kerið, a volcanic crater lake located in Grímsnes municipality. First thought to be formed by a huge volcanic explosion (as is usual for volcanic craters), research now tells us Kerið was more likely a cone volcano that erupted and emptied its magma reserve. The cone then collapsed into the magma chamber exposing the strong colored red volcanic rock which now contains the lake. Part of the crater is covered in green moss, and the contrast is quite magnificent.
There is availability to add extra activities to this tour for an additional fee, here are the optional extras we offer:
Snowmobiling;
Please note that the minimum age limit for snowmobiling is 8 years old.
A driver's license is needed to drive a snowmobile.
Snorkeling at Silfra Fissure;
Please note that the minimum age limit for snorkeling is 14 years old.
Fontana Geothermal Spa Admission.
Please note: if snowmobiling is selected as an extra activity, it is not possible to add Snorkeling or Friðheimar Greenhouse lunch options additionally. However, it is possible to select Friðheimar Greenhouse lunch, Fontana Geothermal Spa, and Snorkeling as additional activities together. The extra activities are not private, but they will be joined for the scheduled departures. If you would like to have the additional activities private as well, please contact us.
Yes, we can design and fully customize this experience for you. We could add more attractions, meals, add additional days, etc. Please contact us and let us know what ideas you have.
Yes, you can rent bathing suits, towels, and robes at Fontana Spa.
Yes, the main course for lunch is tomato soup, which is vegan. However, the rye bread contains milk and is usually served with butter and Arctic Char.
