Guided Private Day Tour
Embark on a journey to see Iceland’s iconic geysers, waterfalls, and national parks on our Golden Circle tour. Private Golden Circle guided tour for families, small groups and individuals on comfortable SUV 4×4 or Minivan customised for your needs.
Your private Golden Circle tour starts in Reykjavik where we pick you up at your accommodation and from there we head off to see Iceland’s three crowned jewels.
No trip to Iceland, whether a weekend break or a longer one, would be complete without seeing Iceland’s three crowned jewels, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir known as The Golden Circle. A pilgrimage to these extraordinary sites will leave you yearning to see more of Iceland. Because of their proximity to Reykjavik, all three sites and more can be experienced in one exciting tour!
We begin in Reykjavik and head east through rolling valleys dotted with farms and interesting geological formations which hint at what incomparable wonders you are about to experience.
Thingvellir (Parliament Plains) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the home of the world’s first parliament established in 930 AD. Located on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn, Thingvellir is a sacred place to Icelanders and geologists! Not only does this breathtaking area have historical significance, but geologically it has merit as this is where you can see where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. An Icelandic proverb states “Fertile is water that runs under lava.” Thingvallavatn is known for its 150 species of aquatic plants and three of the five freshwater species of fish found in Iceland.
As you approach Gullfoss or Golden Falls, the grand dame of all Icelandic waterfalls, you can only hear her roar. The waters of this massive tiered waterfall on the Hvita (White River) originate at Langjokull glacier. A visit to this waterfall will leave you completely energised. It is hard to imagine that foreign investors wished to make a hydroelectric power plant that would have destroyed Gullfoss. One woman, Sigridur Tomasdottir walked barefoot from Gullfoss to Reykjavik (on unpaved roads) in protest and saved the falls. You can thank Sigridur at the monument in her honour at the top of the falls.
Geysir is home to the geyser named Geysir which lends its name to geysers all over the world. Although Geysir itself has been quiet for many years, its neighbour, Strokkur is very active and consistently spouts off every 5 -7 minutes. Follow the path through a very active geothermal field filled with steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots and try your best not to scream when the geyser spouts!
Heading back to Reykjavik feeling very small, you will visit the beautiful waterfall Faxi on the way.
Places we visit
Thingvellir National Park where the Viking settlers established Parliament and the Tectonic plates divide at the rift valley.
The geysir Strokkur that erupts every 5-10 minutes.
The mighty waterfall Gullfoss where glacial water cascades about 200 ft into a dramatic canyon.
We also visit the waterfall Faxi with clear water
Good to know
There are many many choices for stops along the way to photograph the wonders of nature and, there are also many choices for lunch. Duration is around 8-9 hours.
Optional on the Golden Circle tour:
TripAdvisor
Based on 149 reviews
I toured Iceland twice with Thor ! Every time he was considerate, on time. He is a great driver on snow and ice. We trusted him with our lives! He knows Iceland history and regaled us with stories. He cares about the people and his country. Those blue eyes and that smile welcomed us. He even woke upon at 4 am to take me to the airport! That is genuine kindness and commitment! Best tours with lots of places to discover. Thanks a million! You are the best!!
My husband and I did a private South Coast tour with Thor, Salty Tours. From the first communication through to dropping us off at our apartment, we had an incredibly positive experience. Any questions before the tour were answered promptly. The tour itself was fantastic. Thor is very knowledgeable, personable and interested in giving his clients the best day possible. He tailored the tour to suit our interests and pace. He timed out stops so we weren’t competing with the larger tour buses and gave us honest tips about each stop, ensuring that we got the best experience possible. Highly recommend Salty Tours!
My tour of Iceland in March was perhaps the best travel experience I have ever had. Our tour guide, Thor, did his utmost to make sure we had the best experience possible. We were able to see the northern lights on three nights and he took fabulous photos and beforehand told us a little bit about science behind the northern light. The accommodations were wonderful, the food was excellent, and in out-of-the-way places, the tour arranged for private meals where there weren’t restaurants. It was wonderful to go in March to see the northern lights and to avoid the crowds from the cruise ships.
Contact us for a quote
