Private Golden Circle and South Coast Tour: An Exciting 1N2D Adventure from Reykjavik
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Embark on an exciting 1N2D adventure from Reykjavik with our Private Golden Circle and South Coast Tour. Explore the Geyser area, Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, magnificent waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches.
Duration: 2 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Golden Circle - Secret Lagoon

Thingvellir National Park - Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík. It’s known for the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. On the site are the Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault.

Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths - We make the bread from an old recipe, we dig it into the warm ground and bake it for 24 hours, we dig the bread up, and it’s delicious! Come and see for your self!

Experience the geothermal energy first hand and try our geothermal baked bread!

Efsti-Dalur 2 - This family farm has opened up for tourists and offers a variety of products straight from the farm, such as the famous ice cream, skyr, and feta cheese. The restaurant also offers beef from the farm and other local food.

Geysir - Geysir, sometimes known as The Great Geysir, is a geyser in southwestern Iceland. It was the first geyser described in a printed source and the first known to modern Europeans. The English word geyser derives from Geysir. The name Geysir itself is derived from the Icelandic verb geysa the verb from Old Norse

Gullfoss Waterfall - The wide Hvítá river flows southward, and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the right and flows down into a wide curved three-step “staircase” and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 metres or 36 feet, and 21 metres or 69 feet) into a crevice 32 metres (105 ft) deep. The crevice, about 20 metres (66 ft) wide and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length, extends perpendicular to the flow of the river. The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 140 cubic metres (4,900 cu ft) per second in the summer and 80 cubic metres (2,800 cu ft) per second in the winter. The highest flood measured was 2,000 cubic metres (71,000 cu ft) per second.

During the first half of the 20th century and some years into the late 20th century, there was much speculation about using Gullfoss to generate electricity. During this period, the waterfall was rented indirectly by its owners, Tómas Tómasson and Halldór Halldórsson, to foreign investors. However, the investors’ attempts were unsuccessful, partly due to lack of money. The waterfall was later sold to the state of Iceland, and is now protected.

Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the daughter of Tómas Tómasson, was determined to preserve the waterfall’s condition and even threatened to throw herself down. Although it is widely believed, the very popular story that Sigríður saved the waterfall from exploitation is untrue. A stone memorial to Sigriður, located above the falls, depicts her profile.[1]

Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. Together with Þingvellir and the geysers of Haukadalur, Gullfoss forms part of the Golden Circle, a popular day excursion for tourists in Iceland.

Fridheimar - At Friðheimar, we grow tomatoes all year round, despite Iceland’s long, dark winters, under artificial lighting in greenhouses. We welcome visitors to see our greenhouses and then enjoy a taste of the crop. And now they can make delicious food souvenirs away with them, made of our tomatoes and cucumbers. We also breed horses and put on a horse show – in fourteen different languages.

Secret Lagoon - Gamla Laugin - Secret Lagoon natural hot springs are located in the small village called Fludir and are in the Golden Circle area. We have kept it natural and unique for our guests so they can get the true Icelandic feeling. The pool’s natural surroundings and steam rising into the air gives the place a magical feeling. The warm water stays at 38-40 Celsius all year. In the whole area there are several geothermal spots and a little Geysir which erupts every 5 minutes, showing off for the guests relaxing in the hot spring. During winter, the northern lights often give a great lightshow above Secret Lagoon. What better way to view the spectacular light show overhead than relaxing in the pool’s warm water?

The South Coast tour and Glacier Hike

Seljalandsfoss - Seljalandsfoss waterfall is a supremely graceful waterfall located in the South Coast of Iceland. This spectacular natural wonder drops around 60 meters into the otherwise tranquil pool below and a hidden path leads you behind the waterfall so you can view the fall from a complete 360° angle.

Skogafoss - Only a few kilometers away from the south shores of Iceland, lies the village of Skógar along the Southern Ring Road. It is a popular summer-resort centre surrounded by unusual scenic beauty. The breath-taking view of Skogáfoss waterfall and scenic surroundings and the snow-capped heights of two towering glaciers are Skógar’s major summer attractions. There are two settlements by this name. One is Ytri-Skógar (outer or western Skógar) and the other Eystri-Skógar (eastern Skógar), located at a short distance from each other. Ytri-Skógar, commonly referred to as Skógar, is the main settlement. It is an old farm and has a church from 1890. It is located between the Skógá and Kverná rivers. The greatest attraction of Skógar is of course the beautiful 60-metre high Skogáfoss waterfall in the river Skógá. Like the legends of buried treasures of Egill Skallagrímsson in Mosfell near Reykjavík and Ketilbjörn in Mosfell near Skálholt, there is a similar legend about the settler Þrasi who is believed to have buried his chest of gold under the Skogáfoss waterfall. If the sun conditions are favourable - one can see a vivid rainbow in front of the waterfalls. The river below the falls holds a large salmon and char population and fisherman are seen here fishing July - October. The path leading to the top of the waterfalls continues following the river upstream - where numerous more dramatic waterfalls of sheer beauty are to be found. A great hike - to say the least! One of the finest folk museums in Iceland is situated in extraordinarily beautiful natural surroundings. The interesting local folk museum has a collection of over 6000 artifacts and examples of various types of dwellings in Iceland since the early times. The collection of tools and equipment used at land and sea is outstanding. The museum also has an old turf farmhouse, where guests can experience the standards of living in Iceland in past centuries. From Skógar the Ring Road runs eastwards along the foot of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, across the southern sandy plains and over glacial rivers, passes Seljavellir and continues along the soaring glaciated massive of Eyjafjöll and the two waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. From here runs a 10 km long trek along the river Skógá over the Fimmvörðuháls Pass between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers to the mountain oasis of Þórsmörk. Skógar is a place to explore the natural diversity of the south or, if the weather is good, to spend a holiday amid beautiful and rugged landscapes. It is also very close to the ocean and the unique black beach.

Solheimajokull Glacier - This is an informative and easy glacier walk on Sólheimajökull glacier. Your certified and experienced glacier guide will lead you through a frozen wonderland of different shades of glacier ice. The spectacular colors of the ice can be white, blue or crystal clear. You will safely view deep crevasses and water cauldrons, along with other interesting features of the glacier. During the glacier hike, you will have plenty of photo opportunities. Additionally, your expert guide will share their wisdom about the ever-changing landscapes of the Icelandic glaciers, their formation and how these icy giants are connected with the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. No technical skills are needed for this tour and you will be provided with all the necessary glacier walk equipment. This is a great, family-friendly way to experience an Icelandic glacier.

Black Sand Beach - Reynisfjara is a world-famous black-sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland, just beside the small fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal. With its enormous basalt stacks, roaring Atlantic waves and stunning panoramas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beaches. In 1991, National Geographic voted Reynisfjara as one of the Top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on the planet. Reynisfjara is found around 180 kilometers (112 miles) from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavík, and is a popular stop-off for those taking a sightseeing tour along the popular South Coast.

What's Included
  • Pick up from accommodation
  • Accommodation with breakfast included
  • Complimentary WiFi on board
  • Bottled water provided
  • Exclusive private tour
  • Knowledgeable driver/guide
  • Complimentary Icelandic water
What's Not Included
  • Lunch and dinner
Additional Information

Pressed for time in Iceland? Don’t worry. Our two-day itinerary ensures you experience two of the most famous regions of the country. Day one involves touring the

Geyser area, Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and a few other attractive spots. On the second day, we drive along the stunning southern coastline. Highlights include the remarkable waterfalls

Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss,

a glacier walk, and a chance to touch the black sand of Reynisfjara beach.
Notes One night’s accommodation is part of the package. We expect you to have a place to stay for the night before and the night following the tour when we return you to the city. Pick up is available from Reykjavík city only - if required elsewhere, please notify us in advance. 

If you need an additional night’s stay, please reach out to us in advance for booking assistance.

  • Operates in all type of weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Minimum age is 10 years (with adults)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(4 Ratings)
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Maps36787656587
Aug 14, 2023
Wonderful and exciting time in Iceland - Our party of 8 used Iceland Highlights for 3 private tours and airport transfer. The booking office and the guides were prompt, knowledgeable, friendly &courteous. I would highly recommend this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tonya_l
Jul 3, 2023
Loved every minute! - Amazing trip! Marius was a spectacular guide, gave us so much history and truly made it a 5 star experience. Golden Circle and South Coast were beautiful. Great communication from tour agency as well. Couldn't ask for a better trip!
Review provided by Viator
Readytotravel2007
Sep 24, 2022
Outstanding service- highly recommend - I highly recommend Iceland Highlights. We originally booked our tour with California-based Acanela Expeditions who didn’t deliver on the original itinerary. They changed the itinerary 2 weeks prior to the tour and dropped a full day off the package. They subcontracted Iceland Highlights and left them to deal with the mess. Tung and our incredible tour guide, Agnes quickly ironed out the situation. Our family of 4 had an incredible time in Iceland. Agnes quickly became part of the family. Her enthusiasm and energy was admirable. She made our much-needed trip an awesome memory that will stay with us for a lifetime. Moral of the story: Don’t book with a third party group, book your tour directly with the local dependable company - Iceland Highlights! Thank you Tung and Agnes fro an incredible look into Iceland! We’ll be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenniferdl3883ay
Sep 8, 2022
Amazing trip!!!! - Every detail of our trip was attended to! Tung did a fabulous job planning a spot in itinerary! And our guide Agnes was absolutely amazing! We left feeling like she was part of our family! We would highly recommend Iceland Highlights and Agnes!! Thank you all for making our trip to Iceland more than we could ever have imagined!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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