Explore a few of Iceland‘s most famous landmarks on Golden Circle Direct as well as go on a search for the northern lights in one day. Begin the day with a Golden Circle tour, where you will visit Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park.
Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings as you walk down into the rift valley where the American and Eurasian continental plates are literally pulling apart at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament. Witness the steaming geothermal springs as the ground trembles and hot water spouts spectacularly skywards from the famous Strokkur Geyser at home of the one-and-only original geyser and Iceland's most iconic natural attraction. Experience the magnificence and power of Gullfoss Waterfall, a set of glacial river cascades falling 32 meters into a narrow canyon with a thunderous roar. Best part, this is all done within 6 hours!
A favourite stop along the Golden Circle is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters into the air every few minutes. The area became active more than 1000 years ago and comprises more than a dozen hot spring holes. Although you can only see steam emerging from the surface of Geysir these days, its name was adopted to represent spouting hot springs all over the world.
Along the tour, the newly opened Geysir Center offers guests and travellers a chance to use the restroom and to catch some refreshments as well as lunch. Gullfoss Waterfall
As one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland, Gullfoss is a waterfall located in the Canyon of the Hvítá River in the southwest of the country. The beautiful Hvítá river rushes southward in three steps into a narrow canyon with a breath-taking roar and grandeur. Furthermore, on clear days the magnificent Langjökull glacier, Iceland's second largest glacier, can be seen in the distance. Guests may use the restroom and purchase food and refreshments at this location as well.
Located on the northern shores of Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, Þingvellir is the national pride of Iceland and the first National Park. It is, for one, a key location in Icelandic history as the oldest existing parliament in the world first assembled there in 930 AD. For this reason, Þingvellir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is, therefore, a protected national park due to its unique geology and natural features. From the viewing area the Almannagjá canyon between two tectonic plates can be seen, a visual representation of continental drift.
You will arrive back in Reykjavík around 18:30. You will have a few hours to spend before you join our Northern Lights tour later that evening.
The three-hour long Northern Lights tour will take you out of the city for the best possible view of the lights. The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the North Pole.
The locations visited during the Northern Lights tour vary from day to day depending on weather conditions.
- Operates 25th August till 15th April @ 12:30
- Duration around 6 hours for the Golden Circle then a break back in Reykjavik then 3 hours for the Northern Lights
- Price Includes Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off for both tours, professional tour guide & Free Wi-Fi
- Because this tour is weather dependent, sightings are not guaranteed. However, if you do not see any northern lights during this tour, you are welcome to join the tour again, free of charge. Indicated return times may vary if the activity is good.
