Exclusive Private Golden Circle Tour – Discover Iceland Your Way!
Experience Iceland’s Golden Circle on a private tour with a dedicated guide. Visit Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss at your own pace for a personalized adventure.
Your adventure starts with a convenient pickup in Reykjavík. As you settle into your private vehicle, your local guide will lead you through breathtaking landscapes towards the Golden Circle. This celebrated route has captivated visitors worldwide with its unique blend of natural and historical wonders.
Our first stop is the Þingvellir National Park, a site of immense geological and historical importance. Here, the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates converge, creating a dramatic rift valley filled with striking fissures and cracks. Þingvellir is also famed as the site of Althingi, Iceland’s ancient parliament, making it a place where history and natural beauty intertwine.
As we stroll through the Almannagjá Gorge, the stunning volcanic scenery encapsulates you, standing at the literal crossroads of continents. This area was once the epicenter of important decisions and settlements during Iceland’s Viking Age.
Next, we journey to Haukadalur, a geothermal valley hosting the iconic Great Geysir and its active neighbor, Strokkur. Strokkur delights visitors by erupting boiling water skywards every 5-10 minutes. The area's bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles are equally fascinating, providing a vivid display of Earth's inner workings.
Following a light snack, we visit Gullfoss, or the Golden Falls, a breathtaking two-tiered waterfall plunging into a deep canyon. The waterfall's sheer power and beauty are best appreciated from the nearby viewing platform, offering an up-close experience of this natural wonder.
Weather permitting, our Super Jeeps will then take us off the beaten road into the rugged Highlands. Here, we explore the wild terrain around Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier. This adventure through the wild landscapes offers periodic stops at awe-inspiring viewpoints.
Our journey continues with a visit to either Faxi, a charming waterfall, or Kerið, a 3000-year-old volcanic crater lake (admission not included). Each of these sites offers a unique perspective on Iceland's diverse natural beauty.
As our tour concludes, we return to Reykjavík, carrying memories of a day filled with the extraordinary sights and sounds of Iceland’s most revered landscapes.
- Availability
- All year
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 10 hours
TourID: PAI-01
Activity provider: Activity Iceland
- Flexible Cancellation
- No Booking Fees
Tour itinerary
What’s included and what to bring on this tour
It’s important to always be prepared for your next adventure in Iceland. See our list of what’s included, and what you should bring or add to your trip
Included
- Private guided sightseeing tour
- Private SUV or SuperJeep transfer
- Free 4G WiFi and iPad on the board
- English speaking local expert guides and drivers
Not included
- Food and drinks
Tour highlights
Are you wondering about something?
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, it's important to be prepared with the right information. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan your trip
The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most appealing drives. This 190-mile long scenic route loops through some of the country’s most extraordinary landscapes and is visited by a large proportion of visitors to Iceland.
While the colour gold has connotations of first place, implying the Golden Circle is the number one activity you should plan in Iceland, the name comes from Gullfoss waterfall which translates as “golden falls” in English. Legend has it that a Viking threw his treasure into the waterfall’s plunge pool so that nobody could take his riches after he died, and that is where the name Gullfoss comes from. Others say it is simply because the falls have a golden hue when the sun hits them, due to the sediment carried down from glacial valleys.
The Golden Circle traces its path through southern Iceland, typically starting and concluding in Reykjavík. A journey encompassing the wonders of Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss guides you across the southern uplands, initially venturing inland before looping back to Reykjavík along the scenic south coast.
Three main attractions anchor the Golden Circle and are featured on every tour: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most splendid waterfalls. Other key stops include Kerid Crater and historic Skálholt cathedral.
The Golden Circle spans approximately 250 kilometres (155 miles) and, without stopping, would take around three hours to drive. Of course, with stops you’ll want to allow a lot longer, around five to six hours just to hit the highlights and even longer if you want to embark on a glacier hike, try horseback riding or explore one of the walking trails at Þingvellir National Park.
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