Come with us to discover the world-famous Golden Circle, see the colorful crater at Kerid, Black Beach of Reynisfjara and magical waterfalls of the South Coast.
This 2-Day tour includes an overnight stay in Hveragerði – charming village famous for its geothermally heated greenhouses, Hveragerdi is the gateway to the South Coast of Iceland.
Day 1 | Golden Circle & Kerid Volcanic Crater
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Your 2-day tour will begin with a convenient collection from your accommodation in Reykjavik and a delightful drive out of the capital city through striking scenery, passing Mount Esja on our way to the Thingvellir National Park, the first stop on the Golden Circle.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir is Iceland’s most important historical site, a place where Viking chieftains declared laws and made alliances for nearly a thousand years. Home to the Althingi, thought to be the world’s first democratic parliament, Thingvellir is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s a superb natural setting too, as immense fissures in the Earth’s crust have been splitting the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge here for millions of years. That means that you can stand with one foot on each continent at the same time!
Geysir & Haukadalur Geothermal Area
Our next stop is the Haukadalur Geothermal area, where you’ll find Geysir, the original hot-water spout after which all other geysers around the world are named. Strokkur sits nearby, a reliable “old faithful” spout which sends cascades of super-heated water up to 30 meters into the sky every six or seven minutes in a dazzling display. Just remember to stand upwind to avoid a shower! There are lots of hissing hotpots and bubbling streams to see here too.
Gullfoss - The Golden Waterfall
The Golden Circle is also the home of Iceland’s most famous waterfall, Gullfoss. “The Golden Waterfall” is a roaring double-drop waterfall, with millions of glacial gallons continuously cascading into a deep ravine. Sheets of spray hang in the air and on sunlit days, sparkling rainbows make Gullfoss an unforgettable sight. Powered by meltwater from the nearby Langjokull glacier, it’s possible to see Gullfoss from several viewing platforms at varying heights.
Kerid Volcanic Crater
As an added extra to the standard Golden Circle tour, you’ll next see the colorful Kerid crater. Kerid is an unusual Icelandic volcano because it’s streaked with red earth and green mosses too. Combined with the blue-water caldera lake, the stunning mix of colors makes it a magnificent sight to see. It’s even possible to walk down to the crater’s bottom for a closer look.
OVERNIGHT STAY IN HVERAGERDI - town famous for Geothermal Activity
Day 2 | South Coast Waterfalls & Black Beach of Reynisfjara
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After a good night rest jump back on the bus, relax and enjoy a thrilling journey to Iceland’s sensational South Coast.
Along the way, you’ll see the little towns and villages that line the route through fertile farmland, and maybe you’ll spot the famous Icelandic horses too!
Look inland for views of the famous volcanoes such as Hekla, Katla, and Eyjafjallajökull.
Hekla has been asleep for 20 years, so keep a close eye on the volcano they call the “The Hooded One”! Out to sea, you might be able to spot the Westman Islands, where another volcano erupted in the middle of town one night in 1973!
Seljalandsfoss & Gljufrabui Waterfalls
Our first stop is at the waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. You can easily explore both of these cascades by taking a short walk from the car park.
At Seljalandsfoss, the waters crash down more than 60 meters, and there’s an exciting option to walk behind the falls too. The path can be slippery, so check with your guide first! Did you know that Justin Bieber filmed one of his famous music videos here?
Gljúfrabúi hides behind a rock face just a few minutes walk away, and many visitors don’t know that it’s there! We’ll show you the way, so you don’t miss this secret spot!
Skogafoss Waterfalls
A short drive brings you to another incredible sight – the astonishing 60-meter waterfall that we call Skógafoss. The name translates as “Forest Falls”, but there aren’t many trees left here now, as the early Vikings chopped most of them down to build their ships and huts!
You may have seen this waterfall in “Game of Thrones” or films like “Thor”, but now it’s your turn to capture it on camera! There are 370 steps to the viewing platform, where you might be lucky enough to see rainbows wrapping around the waters. Perhaps you can race each other to the top!
Sólheimajökull Glacier
Did you know that glaciers cover more than a tenth of Iceland? These mighty rivers of ice and snow reach down from the frozen Highlands to the coast near our route, which means you’ll get the chance to see one up close.
Sólheimajökull translates as the “Sun’s Home Glacier”, and it’s a stunning spectacle. We’ll stop here for a short while so you can take pictures of this natural wonder.
Dyrhólaey
Our next stop is Dyrhólaey, which means “Door Hill Island”. It’s actually an impressive peninsula that stretches across several towering stacks and stone arches, overlooking the black sand beach at Reynisfjara. The views from here are marvelous in every direction.
But the best thing about visiting Dyrhólaey in the summer are the puffins! These cute, clownish seabirds make their nests here from May until August, and you’ll be able to see them from just a few feet away!
Reynisfjara - The Black Beach
The final stop on the first day of your South Coast adventure is the fantastic black sand beach at Reynisfjara.
Chosen as one of the best beaches in the world by National Geographic, you’ll see stunning stone sea stacks and darkly brooding rock arches whichever way you look.
You’ll also discover beautiful hexagonal basalt columns clinging to the cliffs, and you might want to try to climb up them! Powerful Atlantic waves crash onto the shore here, so it’s essential to listen to your guide so you stay safely out of reach of the waters.
Accommodation for 1 night in a double or a twin room with private bathroom and breakfast included
Free Wi-Fi on bus and USB chargers next to every seat
Excluded
Lunch & Dinner – we make scheduled stops so that guests can buy lunch or snacks during the tour
Know Before You Go
Pickup takes place between 08:30 – 09:00 – so please be ready from 8:30 at your pick up location
Tour is operated under all weather conditions: please bring warm, wind & waterproof clothes
Duration of the tour is 2 days and 1 night
Estimated arrival time in Reykjavík on Day 2 is around 20:00 (Depending on weather and road conditions)
If you are a single traveler then a Single Room Supplement is mandatory
Hiking boots are highly recommended
Proper footwear when walking on uneven and slippery surfaces increases your safety and comfort. If you do not own proper footwear (solid shoes reaching above your ankle) you can rent them during booking process
One small carry-on luggage is included per person
For your convenience and safety reasons, it is recommended that you pack lightly for this tour, in a small suitcase or backpack. If you have large luggage with you, please check with your accommodation if they offer luggage storage for your time on this tour. If that is not a possibility, you can pay a small fee per luggage and we will make sure we have space for it on the tour bus or in a special luggage trailer
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We offer pick up and drop off within the city of Reykjavik. We can pick-up directly from many hotels and guest houses in Reykjavik as well as from the Reykjavik cruise ship terminals.
Parts of Reykjavík City Center are closed for the commercial traffic. Please note, that your pick up might be from one of the dedicated meeting points
