Golden Circle Tour Iceland
Book Your Private Tour of the World-Famous Golden Circle
One of the best ways to experience Iceland is to explore the Golden Circle. There's a good reason why this tour is so popular. The 300 kilometer loop surrounds a landscape that resembles what our planet might have looked like long ago, before there were even trees. It's a place of profound, timeless beauty.
The Golden Circle Tour Includes Three Incredible Stops:
The Golden Circle Tour Includes Three Incredible Stops:
- The first stop is Þingvellir (or Thingvellir) National Park, a place that’s shaped by the convergence of two tectonic plates. At the park, you can actually walk in-between the North American and Eurasian continental plates.
- The second stop is Haukadalur, a geothermal area marked by steaming red mud and bring green patches of moss. Here you’ll get up close and personal with two powerful geysers: Geysir and Strokkur – which erupts every 5-10 minutes.
- The final stop is Gullfoss, a huge waterfall that spills into a crevice more than 2 kilometers long.
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Golden circle - Your WayYour own version of the classic Golden Circle tour can be
‘daylight-adjusted’ and personalized to your needs to ensure that you get to enjoy three of Iceland’s best known sights in their very best light. Duration: 6-8 hours Departure: Flexible What's included in the price: Hotel pickup in Reykjavik, an experienced guide and driver, Thingvellir National Park admission fee for all guests. What's not included in the price: Food and drinks, and admission fees for any extra activities. Difficulty: Easy What to bring: Weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Availability: We offer daily departures year-round (even in the winter)! Pricing: 93,900 ISK for groups of 1-6, 119,900 ISK for groups of 7-15. |
"It was amazing! The best part about being on a tour of our own was that we were free to improvise. We had dinner at a small family-run farm/hotel/restaurant. This is something we'd never have discovered on our own". - Tripadvisor
What's it like?
Reserve Your Private Golden Circle Tour Today
Land Rover Discovery & Expert driver guide - Price: 93.900 ISK - Max 6 guests per car
Mercedes Benz Sprinter & Expert driver guide - Price: 119.900 ISK - Max 15 guests per car
Mercedes Benz Sprinter & Expert driver guide - Price: 119.900 ISK - Max 15 guests per car
Start by clicking on any available date in the calendar below. Then choose the type and number of vehicles you want to reserve for your Golden Circle Day Tour.
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Don’t Miss Your Chance to Explore Middle-earth with a Local Guide
According to old Norse mythology, Miðgarður, or Middle-earth, is the human-inhabited world that shares borders with Utgard, the world of the Jotnar (Giants), and Alfheim, home of the Elves.
There's no denying the people who first settled this ancient land had vivid imaginations. And when you witness this place for yourself, you'll understand why their myths are so colorful. The impossibly black lava rocks, seas of emerald moss, inhospitable fields of sulfur, unstoppable waterfalls, dramatic geysers, and delightfully blue geothermal baths are sure to stir your imagination as well.
The Golden Circle region is the real Middle-earth (where Peter Jackson should have filmed The Lord of the Rings, instead of New Zealand). The landscapes – the lakes – the waterfalls – the geothermal baths – all seem to belong to another era. In short, it’s the perfect setting for your next adventure.
Part One: Journey to Thingvellir
We leave Reykjavik and take the scenic route through a mountain pass towards Þingvellir (pronounced Thingvellir) National Park. Knowing Þingvellir like the back of our hand we might park on the less crowded stops and take the hidden back-road to explore the park. And that’s a good thing, because the scenery here is meant to be seen without the distraction of hundreds or even thousands of people.
In the park you can actually see the tectonic plates that are slowly drifting apart, leaving fissures filled with water, juxtaposed by high cliffs and open plains to fill the spaces between. The entire park is a rift valley, lying between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It's also home to Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.
The name Þingvellir actually means 'assembly fields' in Old Norse. It's derived from the word AlÞing (Althing), the national parliament of Iceland that was established at Þingvellir in 930 AD. Leaders across Iceland used to gather here for two weeks every summer to settle disputes, trade goods, and share stories. It remained an official place of assembly until 1798.
The park itself was founded in 1930 on the one-thousandth anniversary of the Althing, and it was designated a World Heritage Site in 2004.
Part Two: Geysir and Strokkur
If you smell sulfur, you'll know we're close to our next stop, Haukadalur, the home of the historic Geysir. This has been a tourist attraction as far back at the 17th century. Geysir has the unique honor of being the original ‘geyser’ (it was one of the first geysers discovered in the western world and so all other geysers now take their name from it). Fun fact: the word ‘geysir’ actually means 'the one that erupts' in Icelandic.
You’ll notice a stark contrast between the quiet solitude of Thingvellir and the bubbling activity at Geysir. This place is unmistakably alive. We'll get as close as possible while staying safely out of range of the boiling water that blasts out of the ground.
Geysir itself has been quiet for the past several years, and nobody really knows when it will wake up again. But it's far from the only geysir in Haukadalur. You'll get to experience the impressive Strokkur, which erupts up to 40 meters into the air every 5-10 minutes. At first, it might look like a simple pool of water. But stick around for a few minutes and you'll see why it was named after the word for ‘churn’ in Icelandic.
The first time it goes off, you'll probably be too surprised to take a good photo. But we’ll have plenty of time to wait for a second eruption.
Part Three: Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall)
On the river Hvítá (white river) sits the mighty Gullfoss. This giant waterfall of glacial meltwater from the highlands plunges 32 meters into a deep crevasse that’s about 20 meters wide and an amazing 2.5 kilometers long.
As we approach the waterfall, it might seem like the river simply vanishes into the ground. But when we get closer, you'll see that it doesn't simply vanish, but instead plummets spectacularly into the deep crevice below. Taking in the sound of the water hammering the rocks and the resulting mist is exhilarating. Photos just don't do it justice.
In the local folklore, Gullfoss is known as the last major checkpoint on the way to the inhospitable Icelandic highlands. You can catch a glimpse of these mysterious, rugged lands beyond the falls to the North.
In modern history, Gullfoss represents the first major success story in the conservation of the island's natural wonders. It was once set to become a hydroelectric dam, but it’s been a protected site since coming into the ownership of the Icelandic government.
The Road Back to Reykjavik
If weather permits, we'll take another scenic route back to Reykjavik searching for the best sunset or even Northern lights depending on the time of day and season.
Make this Trip Your Own
Along the way we'll pass lots of great restaurants. We often stop at Efsti Dalur, where you can enjoy farm-to-table meals and homemade treats like waffles and ice cream, or Fridheimar, a restaurant inside a greenhouse!
Ultimately, where we stop for food and refreshments is up to you. Our guides know where to find the best food and can help you decide. No matter what, you're guaranteed to find a place you'll love.
Many people also choose to stop at the Secret Lagoon or Fontana geothermal pools for some relaxation time. Both are great alternatives to the often overcrowded Blue Lagoon.
You'll also have the option of stopping at several less popular (but no less interesting) places like …
We always have places that are off the beaten track for those who want a little extra adventure. Just tell your guide what you are looking for and they'll make sure to find the right spot and fit it into your tour.
There's no denying the people who first settled this ancient land had vivid imaginations. And when you witness this place for yourself, you'll understand why their myths are so colorful. The impossibly black lava rocks, seas of emerald moss, inhospitable fields of sulfur, unstoppable waterfalls, dramatic geysers, and delightfully blue geothermal baths are sure to stir your imagination as well.
The Golden Circle region is the real Middle-earth (where Peter Jackson should have filmed The Lord of the Rings, instead of New Zealand). The landscapes – the lakes – the waterfalls – the geothermal baths – all seem to belong to another era. In short, it’s the perfect setting for your next adventure.
Part One: Journey to Thingvellir
We leave Reykjavik and take the scenic route through a mountain pass towards Þingvellir (pronounced Thingvellir) National Park. Knowing Þingvellir like the back of our hand we might park on the less crowded stops and take the hidden back-road to explore the park. And that’s a good thing, because the scenery here is meant to be seen without the distraction of hundreds or even thousands of people.
In the park you can actually see the tectonic plates that are slowly drifting apart, leaving fissures filled with water, juxtaposed by high cliffs and open plains to fill the spaces between. The entire park is a rift valley, lying between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It's also home to Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.
The name Þingvellir actually means 'assembly fields' in Old Norse. It's derived from the word AlÞing (Althing), the national parliament of Iceland that was established at Þingvellir in 930 AD. Leaders across Iceland used to gather here for two weeks every summer to settle disputes, trade goods, and share stories. It remained an official place of assembly until 1798.
The park itself was founded in 1930 on the one-thousandth anniversary of the Althing, and it was designated a World Heritage Site in 2004.
Part Two: Geysir and Strokkur
If you smell sulfur, you'll know we're close to our next stop, Haukadalur, the home of the historic Geysir. This has been a tourist attraction as far back at the 17th century. Geysir has the unique honor of being the original ‘geyser’ (it was one of the first geysers discovered in the western world and so all other geysers now take their name from it). Fun fact: the word ‘geysir’ actually means 'the one that erupts' in Icelandic.
You’ll notice a stark contrast between the quiet solitude of Thingvellir and the bubbling activity at Geysir. This place is unmistakably alive. We'll get as close as possible while staying safely out of range of the boiling water that blasts out of the ground.
Geysir itself has been quiet for the past several years, and nobody really knows when it will wake up again. But it's far from the only geysir in Haukadalur. You'll get to experience the impressive Strokkur, which erupts up to 40 meters into the air every 5-10 minutes. At first, it might look like a simple pool of water. But stick around for a few minutes and you'll see why it was named after the word for ‘churn’ in Icelandic.
The first time it goes off, you'll probably be too surprised to take a good photo. But we’ll have plenty of time to wait for a second eruption.
Part Three: Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall)
On the river Hvítá (white river) sits the mighty Gullfoss. This giant waterfall of glacial meltwater from the highlands plunges 32 meters into a deep crevasse that’s about 20 meters wide and an amazing 2.5 kilometers long.
As we approach the waterfall, it might seem like the river simply vanishes into the ground. But when we get closer, you'll see that it doesn't simply vanish, but instead plummets spectacularly into the deep crevice below. Taking in the sound of the water hammering the rocks and the resulting mist is exhilarating. Photos just don't do it justice.
In the local folklore, Gullfoss is known as the last major checkpoint on the way to the inhospitable Icelandic highlands. You can catch a glimpse of these mysterious, rugged lands beyond the falls to the North.
In modern history, Gullfoss represents the first major success story in the conservation of the island's natural wonders. It was once set to become a hydroelectric dam, but it’s been a protected site since coming into the ownership of the Icelandic government.
The Road Back to Reykjavik
If weather permits, we'll take another scenic route back to Reykjavik searching for the best sunset or even Northern lights depending on the time of day and season.
Make this Trip Your Own
Along the way we'll pass lots of great restaurants. We often stop at Efsti Dalur, where you can enjoy farm-to-table meals and homemade treats like waffles and ice cream, or Fridheimar, a restaurant inside a greenhouse!
Ultimately, where we stop for food and refreshments is up to you. Our guides know where to find the best food and can help you decide. No matter what, you're guaranteed to find a place you'll love.
Many people also choose to stop at the Secret Lagoon or Fontana geothermal pools for some relaxation time. Both are great alternatives to the often overcrowded Blue Lagoon.
You'll also have the option of stopping at several less popular (but no less interesting) places like …
- Kerið, a strangely symmetrical volcanic crater with a blue pool at the bottom
- The town of Hveragerði, a hotbed for Icelandic horticulture
- The impressive Nesjavellir and Hellisheiði geothermal power plants on both sides of the active volcano Hengill, which last erupted just 2,000 years ago
We always have places that are off the beaten track for those who want a little extra adventure. Just tell your guide what you are looking for and they'll make sure to find the right spot and fit it into your tour.