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Golden Circle Minibus Tour | Full Day Excursion
Hop on board a minibus for the essential Iceland experience: a tour of The Golden Circle. This journey will take you on a ride to Iceland’s most famous attractions, without the rush and hassle of the big buses.
This tour is for those who wants to immerse themselves in Icelandic culture; you will not only see main sights, you will also get to know Icelandic music and cuisine.
The tour starts in the morning when you are picked up by a small but comfortable minibus. You’ll then be driven to the south of Iceland to a little, hidden treasure called Faxi waterfall. Nestled in a quiet spot, not visible from the main road, Faxi is a low but wide waterfall, named after the mane of the Icelandic horse.
From the little Faxi, you’ll head towards the enormous and mighty Gullfoss. The glacial river Hvítá takes a dramatic 32-metre plunge into a canyon, creating this stunning and beautiful waterfall, one of Iceland’s most iconic attractions.
Next, you will visit the Geysir geothermal area. Located in Haukadalur valley, the ‘Great Geysir’ is a hot spring that’s been active for approximately 10,000 years.
Although Geysir is now mostly dormant, nearby is another geyser called Strokkur, which spouts water 10-15 metres up in the air every 10 minutes or so, giving you plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect photo.
The last part of the Golden Circle is the Þingvellir national park, a place of great historical and geographical significance. Þingvellir is where Iceland’s parliament, the Alþingi, was founded in the year 930, making it the oldest running parliament in the world. It is also a place where two tectonic plates are drifting apart, which can be seen in the cracks and rock fractions which traverse the region.
Along the way, your tour guide will not only tell you everything about the places you'll be visiting, he will also introduce you to Icelandic culture through music and give you samples of traditional Icelandic food and beverages.
You’ll listen to some of Iceland’s best musicians while travelling the Golden Circle. If you like the music, you’ll be able to find it right away on Spotify with the free wifi on board the minibus. This way you can relive the experience when you get back home.
Don’t miss out on a unique and first-hand introduction to Iceland through this fascinating day tour! Check availability by choosing a date.
Quick facts
- Available: All year
- Duration: 8 hours
- Activities: Sightseeing
- Difficulty: Easy
- Languages: English
- Highlights: Golden Circle,
The Golden Circle is a 300 kilometre (186 mile) route to the three most popular natural attractions in Iceland: the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park.
This sightseeing trail is easy to do within half a day from Reykjavík, either by self-drive or on one of many tours. Some of these tours have additional activities, such as snorkelling or snowmobiling, or are conducted in a unique style, such as by helicopter, or under the midnight sun.
Within the three locations of the Golden Circle are some of the clearest examples of Iceland’s fascinating geological forces, magnificent landscapes, and rich culture.
The Geysir Geothermal Area
The Geysir Geothermal Area is a hot-spring haven in Haukadalur Valley. As could be guessed, it is home to a famous geyser, the name of which has named all others: Geysir itself.
Though this feature is currently in a phase of inactivity, its neighbour Strokkur more than makes up for it. Every five to ten minutes, it blasts a column of boiling water to heights that can reach over 40 metres (131 feet).
The surrounding area is dotted with fumaroles, hot springs, and mud-pits. There are also two other smaller geysers, Smiður and Litlí-Strokkur, that can be easily visited, as well as a hotel, restaurant, cafe and gift shop across the road.
Gullfoss Waterfall
The 'Golden Waterfall', Gullfoss one of the most beautiful and powerful waterfalls in Iceland, plummeting 32 metres (105 feet) in two tiers into the river gorge of the popular rafting river Hvítá. It is just a ten-minute drive from Geysir and is the furthest point on the Golden Circle from Reykjavík.
Gullfoss was very almost lost in the early 20th century when British developers sought to harness its incredible power for geothermal energy. Though they got the lease to the land, allowing them to go ahead with their plans, they met an unlikely adversary: the daughter of the farmer who owned it, Sigríður Tómasdóttir.
This resilient woman refused to see the waterfall, to which she and her sisters paved the first path, destroyed. She, therefore, walked over 200 kilometres (124 miles) to Reykjavík and back multiple times to meet with a lawyer in order to help change the decision.
Though the process was arduous and took years, eventually Sigríður managed to exhaust the resources of the businessmen and they withdrew their plans. Because of her, all Icelandic waterfalls are now protected from foreign investors, and she is considered one of Iceland’s first environmentalists and most important historical people.
Thingvellir National Park
The largest attraction of the Golden Circle is Þingvellir National Park. The Icelandic parliament was founded here in 930 and remained until the year 1798 before moving to Reykjavík, making it the original site of what is now the world’s longest ongoing parliament.
Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important places to visit in Iceland. This is not just for its historical and cultural values, but for also its magnificent landscape and dramatic geology.
Þingvellir is surrounded by a beautiful mountain and volcanic ranges, as it is located in a rift valley directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This makes it one of the few places in the world where you can walk between the continents, in the Mid-Atlantic Rift.
The daring and qualified even have opportunities to snorkel or scuba dive in this no-mans-land, in a ravine filled with crystal-clear spring water called Silfra. The visibility here can exceed 100 metres (328 feet), revealing incredible geological sites. Though it never freezes over due to the constant flow of water into it, it is 2°C (35°C) throughout the year, thus underwater explorers are always equipped with protective suits.
Other sites of note are the magnificent Almannagjá gorge, which you can walk down into to reach the rift valley from the North American tectonic plate, and the beautiful lake Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland, which gleams to the south of the National Park.
Surrounding sites
Due to its convenient location in south-west Iceland, it is easy to visit the Golden Circle alongside with many other sites. Those seeking relaxation could head to the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir or Fontana Spa in Laugarvatn, those seeking adventure could book a trip to the ice tunnels of Langjökull glacier, and those seeking culture could visit the Sólheimar ecovillage. For more natural beauty, you can visit the nearby Kerið crater lake.
There are many tours that include such bonuses, but if driving yourself, you should check out this guide to great detours off the Golden Circle.
Geysir,Geysir is a famous hot spring in the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley, found in south-west Iceland.
Making up just one of the attractions along the world-renowned Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Þingvellir National Park and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir is most well-known for having lent its name to geysers all around the world.
Geography
Though Geysir itself is rarely active these days, Haukadalur Valley boasts a plethora of hot springs and geysers, including the powerful Strokkur, Smiður and Litli-Strokkur.
Strokkur is, arguably, the country’s most famous hot spring, shooting vast jets of boiling water from 20 metres (65 feet) up to 40 metres (130 feet) high. Don’t worry about missing this incredible spectacle of nature, as Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes; just make sure to have your camera ready.
Geysir is much larger, but years can go by between eruptions here; it is currently in an inactive phase. When it does erupt, the water can shoot up in the air as high as 70 metres (230 feet).
Just a few minutes walk north of Geysir are a wealth of fumaroles emanating steam and gas into the cool Icelandic air. Aside from watching the hypnotic pillars of steam, you will also be able to observe the yellow sulphuric stains along the fumaroles themselves, a result of the earth’s minerals crystallising around the rock bed.
At the southern part of the valley, Þykkuhverir, you’ll find various bubbling mud pots. These spooky brown cauldrons are actually fumaroles that boil up through the loose ground; after a dry spell, these mud pools are likely to transform into a hardened fumarole.
Nearby Attractions
About two kilometres (one mile) from Geysir is a preserved natural pool called Kúalaug. It has room for three to five people at a time, but care should be taken, as the area around the pool is very delicate. The temperature is 39-43°C (102-109°F), depending on where you are positioned in the pool.
The water is slightly muddy, as the pool is built on soil, and the bottom is slippery due to algae, so caution is advised when relaxing here.
Haukadalur has also seen a rise in reforestation in recent times thanks to continued experiments and research in the area. Today, Haukadalsskógur is one of the largest forests in south Iceland, boasting accessible walking paths (also for wheelchair users), fascinating vegetation and The Tree Museum, built in the memory of forester Gunnar Freysteinsson.
History
Haukadalur has been inhabited and used as a church site since the Age of Settlement. Given its historic value, it should be noted that scholar, Ari “The Wise“ Þorgilsson, grew up here; it was also where the first pastoral school in Iceland was built.
The current wooden church was last rebuilt in 1938 but its architectural style dates back to 1842, making it well worth a visit to see how Iceland looked before industrialisation.
For accommodation, Hotel Gullfoss is approximately 7 kilometre from the Geysir area, and closer still is Hotel Geysir on the other side of the road from the attraction, where you will also find a restaurant, café and a souvenir shop.
Gullfoss,Gullfoss (translated to ‘Golden Falls’) is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls, found in the Hvítá river canyon in south-west Iceland.
The water in Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 32 meters (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages in a dramatic display of nature’s raw power. This incredible site is seen by most visitors, as it is on the Golden Circle sightseeing route.
Because of the waterfall’s two stages, Gullfoss should actually be thought of as two separate features. The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 metres (69 feet). The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres (230 feet), descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon. Geologists believe that this canyon was formed by glacial outbursts at the beginning of the last age.
In the summer, approximately 140 cubic metres (459 cubic feet) of water surges down the waterfall every second, whilst in winter that number drops to around 109 cubic metres (358 cubic feet). With such energy, visitors should not be surprised to find themselves drenched by the waterfall’s mighty spray.
As mentioned, Gullfoss makes up a part of the highly popular Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Geysir geothermal area and Þingvellir National Park. Many Golden Circle tours include additional activities that can be taken from Gullfoss, such as ascending the mighty nearby glacier Langjökull and entering its ice tunnels, or snowmobiling along its gleaming surface.
History
In the early days of the last century, Gullfoss was at the centre of much controversy regarding foreign investors and their desire to profit off Iceland’s nature. In the year 1907, an English businessman, Howell, sought to utilise the waterfall’s energy and harboured ambitions to use its energy to fuel a hydroelectric plant.
At the time, Gullfoss was owned by a farmer named Tómas Tómasson. Tómas declined Howell’s offer to purchase the land, stating famously “I will not sell my friend!” He would, however, go on to lease Howell the land without the knowledge of a loophole that would allow him to proceed with his plans.
It was Tómas’ daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who would lead the charge to stop Howell’s ambitions. Having grown up on her father’s sheep farm where she helped pave the first road to Gullfoss, she sought to get the contract nullified, hurriedly saving her own money to hire a lawyer.
The ensuing legal battle was an uphill struggle; the case continued for years, forcing Sigríður to travel many times by foot to Reykjavík, a distance of over 100 kilometres (62 miles). Circumstances became so difficult that Sigríður threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if any construction began.
Her tenacity, however, resulted in success. In 1929, Howell’s withdrew from the lease, unable to keep up with the costs and difficulties of his plan. The waterfall fell back into the hands of the Icelandic people.
Today, Sigríður is recognised for her perseverance in protecting Gullfoss and is often hailed as Iceland’s first environmentalist. As such, she is one of the most famous figures in Iceland’s history. Her contribution is forever marked in stone; a plaque detailing her plight sits at the top of Gullfoss.
Interestingly, the lawyer who assisted Sigríður, Sveinn Björnsson, went on to go down in history too; he became the first president of Iceland in 1944.
Restaurant / Cafe
Besides Gullfoss, visitors can enjoy the views from Gullfoss Cafe, a locally run delicatessen that serves a wide variety of refreshments and meals. The menu has options to tantalise everyone’s taste buds: hot soups, sandwiches, salads and cakes. There is also a shop on site where visitors’ can browse and purchase traditional Icelandic souvenirs.
Þingvellir,Þingvellir National Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage site on the Icelandic mainland and one of the three stops on the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside the Haukadalur Geothermal Valley (Geysir) and Gullfoss Waterfall. Just to the south of the park is Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.
Geography
The first thing that visitors to the National Park notice is its sheer aesthetic beauty; dried magma fields, covered in Icelandic moss, sit carved by glacial springs and surrounded by a bowl of ancient mountain peaks.
Two of the greatest attractions in the park are the exposed North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; it is one of the only regions in the world where you can see geology such as this on land.
Visitors are encouraged to walk along the North American tectonic plate, where they can read more about the area’s fascinating formation and history, before descending into the valley below.
History
Þingvellir can be anglicised to ‘Fields of Parliament’, a nod to the area’s fascinating history and relevance to Icelandic culture. It is here, after all, that the world’s first democratically elected parliament that remains functioning, Alþingi, was formed in 930 AD.
It may seem unlikely that Vikings would want to be under such an uncombative government, but the thirty or so clans that lived in Iceland at the time sought to prosper in their harsh new environment.
The first gathering was such a success that the meetings became annual, and it became a place where disputes were settled, criminals were tried, and laws to the benefit of all were laid down.
This saw the birth of the Icelandic Commonwealth, a time of independence and freedom for the Icelandic people before they became constituents of the Norwegian monarchy. Sessions would continue to be held at Þingvellir until 1798.
Though the parliament was removed by the Danish at this time, it returned 1845 to Reykjavík.
Another major reason as to why Þingvellir is considered so important to Icelanders is the fact that this is where the decision was made to abandon the belief of Paganism and the Norse Gods; the people adopted Christianity in 1000 AD under threat of invasion from Norway.
This turning point in history was left to the pagan lawspeaker, Þorgeir Þorkelsson, who rested on the choice for one day and one night before reappearing to share his decision.
To symbolise the country’s change, he threw idols of his old deities into the northern waterfall Goðafoss, the name of which translates to ‘Waterfall of the Gods’.
Silfra Fissure
Þingvellir is one of the most widely visited attractions in Iceland, in large part due to the fact that it is home to the glacial spring, Silfra fissure, one of the top ten sites in the world for snorkellers and scuba divers.
Silfra (meaning ‘Silver’) is a submerged ravine within the park, boasting visibility of up to 100 metres (328 feet) and a temperature just above freezing. Participants in these tours will be attired at the Silfra carpark in neoprene hoodies and gloves, as well as an undersuit and drysuit for thermal protection.
FaxiCredit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Kkaefer.Faxi is a wide, serene waterfall in South Iceland. It can be found in the Tungufljót River.
Faxi and the Golden Circle
Faxi falls is approximately twelve kilometres (seven miles) away from Gullfoss and Geysir, two incredibly popular attractions on the Golden Circle. It is thus easy to detour from these for one extra attraction, and extend a day out.
Some guided Golden Circle tours also promise an extra stop here.
Gullfoss, otherwise known as the Golden Waterfall, is 32 metres (105 feet) tall, falling in two tiers into a beautiful canyon. It is fed by the Hvíta River, which is one of the most popular rivers for rafting in the country, accessible for novices.
Though more powerful and dramatic than Faxi, it has less of its serenity, and there are usually much bigger crowds at Gullfoss.
Geysir, meanwhile, is a geothermal area that, as its name suggests, is home to geysers. The most active of these, Strokkur, erupts to heights of up to forty metres (131 feet) every ten minutes or so.
Geysir itself has been inactive for the past few years, only going off sporadically. The area is also home to many fumaroles, hot-springs and mud-pits.
The final site of the Golden Circle, Þingvellir National Park, is a little further away, but still well worth the visit. This location sits directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, in the Mid-Atlantic Rift, and is an oasis of beautiful lava landscapes, forest and crystal clear streams.
This location is also a historical centre, being home to the original site of the world’s longest-running parliament. Icelanders formed it here in 930 AD, before much of the rest of Europe had even starting thinking about representative democracies.
The Golden Circle is as close to an essential-Icelandic experience there is, and Faxi is a perfect addition to extend the day.
Activities at Faxi
Photo Credit: Callie ReedHiking through the countryside around Faxi waterfall is a pleasure. Many Icelandic horses and a wealth of birdlife can be expected in summer. The area also draws those who enjoy salmon fishing, and the falls is pregnant with them.
Although it is not particularly rapid, kayaking and rafting are banned here. As mentioned, Hvíta is the rafting river of the area.
A restaurant stands on site, where guests can enjoy lunch with a beautiful view.
Other detours from the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle only takes approximately half a day to traverse if travelling from Reykjavík. There are thus many sites, alongside Faxi, that visitors could add to their sightseeing journey if travelling alone.
Those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation could enjoy the Fontana Spa at Laugarvatn, or else the secret lagoon at Flúðir. Those interest in culture could see the eco village Sólheimar, the historical settlement of Skálholt or else the greenhouses and horses at Friðheimar.
There are also many activities to be had in the area, such as snorkelling in Silfra, snowmobiling on Langjökull, or river-rafting (in summer).
A comprehensive list of detours can be found on this site.
Pickup time : 08:00.
Pick up starts at 08:00 am but you might have to wait 15-20 minutes, but be ready outside at 08:00. Please be at your pickup location in time for your departure. Should your pickup location be at a bus stop and you need assistance finding it, seek guidance in your Hotel's reception or contact your tour provider directly.
8 hour English guided tour
Sample of Icelandic music
Free WiFi on board
Taste of traditional Icelandic food
A lot of fun
Lunch
What to bring:
Warm clothes
Good shoes
Good to know:
Lunch is not provided but there will be a lunch break. You'll be able to buy lunch in restaurants in the area if you haven't brought your own.
Reviews
English
Arly
Enthusiastic and responsible guide, we were super lucky with the weather and the tour was comfortable with stunning views
Brooke Geller
The views were amazing, the guide was very knowledgeable about Iceland and the tour was great. Would definitely recommend.
Lexi Pao
Almar was very lovely and knowledgable. The whole bus was full but the tour did not feel rushed. Note that puffins are seasonal in the summer so we did not see any in April. Regardless, we were able to take in several lovely sights of Iceland.
Renata Adamcova
What a wonderful tour. The guide was very knowledgeable, funny, and ensured we had a great time. This tour will show you the highlights that are in easy reach from Reykjavik and the tour guide works the best way how to utilize the best possible weather conditions. It was absolutely ace!
Carol McGreevy
Our guide was excellent. Funny, informative and some "useless trivia" as he called it. We learned quite a bit about Icelandic traditions and lore while driving to the sites. Beautiful country.
Maya Malbacias
He’s very helpful and informative!
Andre Oliveira
The guide was simply amazing. Super knowledgeable and told us amazing histories about the history of Iceland and about him too. It was sad that some people were sleeping or not even paying attention but it was amazing how he kept speaking all the way through.
Sangmin An
Very nice and kindly!
Lorna Thomson
Great Tour. Guide/Driver (Sif) was very informative and knowledgeable. Amazing scenery. Mini Bus speeded up the getting on and off. Recommend this tour.
Sun
Our guide was very funny and easygoing, I learnt a lot through his introduction about Iceland and Icelandic. The local snack and drinks were very nice, and the playlist was great! If you wanna learn more about Iceland and local's life, I highly recommend this tour. The time arrangement was good, I had enough time to visit every place and the sightseeings were so beautiful.
sue wholley
FABULOUS!! This is a great tour. We saw and learned so much. I never felt rushed to go on to the next stop. Our guide, Gusti, our guide was friendly, entertaining and knowledgable. Iceland is a beautiful country!! This is a must do tour.
Stephanie Wong
I had an awesome time on this tour! Addi, our guide was super knowledgeable and passionate about what she does. She had great stories and pieces of history to share; she is a star! The tour itself was great, each stop was better than the last and I'm super glad I got to see all the amazing sights in person and not online/on paper. We even stopped at a farm to see sheep and Icelandic horses. This was the highlight of my entire trip; the horses are soooo cute and affectionate, it really made a difference! I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone, and I cannot wait to go back to Iceland and do this tour again!
Sophie G Gallagher
The tour was fantastic - our favourite day on our holiday in Iceland. Oskar was a great driver - so informative and willing to answer any questions. Also I get travel sick and he let me sit right at the front to help, it was really appreciated. The sights are great, and we seemed to be ahead of the crowds the whole day. Our favourite was either the horses or geysir. Would recommend to anyone.
selina
Excellent, the tour was fantastic. Our guide Sif was extremely knowledgable and also had a good sense of humour. The day ran smoothly, we got to see beautiful sights and learnt a lot along the way. Couldn’t fault the tour, highly recommended!
Jonie Kerins
Very enjoyable trip. Iceland is a Beautiful country and this was a great way to see it. Our bus driver was very informative. Enjoyed listening to the Icelandic music on the way and the lamb and Icelandic malt at the end was a lovely touch. I felt we got a lot done in the time given and we got back to our hotel at four which gave us lots of time to spend in Reykjavik. I would definitely recommend this trip to a friend.
Rachael
Fantastic, interesting, informative and breathe taking tour. Would highly recommend.
Max Hawker
My wife and I had a fantastic time enjoying this tour, which covered some of the key landmarks in Iceland within a reasonable amount of time. The highlight has to have been the tour guide though: he told us all about Iceland folklore, some of its history and what it's like at the moment - I could have listened to him all day.
Porsha castillo
We had a wonderful experience. Our guide was not only knowledgeable and friendly, but very funny. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone traveling to Iceland.
Hui Li
An unforgettable experience day tour in iceland! The guide is super friendly and nice. I had a good time through all the trip. Music, sightseeing, snacks and everything
Kirsty Ellis
Amazing day- our driver was courteous, funny and so immensely proud of his country. Felt privileged to be on board. So informative with dramatic scenery. Loved every minute of the day. Totally fallen in love with Iceland
Violeta Balinskaite
I think the best thing in this tour for me was guide (Aivar), he was amazing and make trip really interesting and fun. He gave a lot of information not related with the tour and this was great. I like that it was small group, it made me feel relax and enjoy it ( i do not really like organized tours).
Peter James
The Golden Circle Tour we took was excellent. The guide was very informative and took us to see some great sites, offering us plenty advice on the best ways in which to experience them. We never felt hurried and were given plenty of time to enjoy ourselves.
MyName
Excellent trip, we had the chance to taste local food, have very good views ofthe Golden Cercle, make some pics with farmer horses, liked it so much, and the guide was very freindly
Jian Guo
was a great trip. The driver was super nice, the weather was awesome that day. Made some friends during the trip as well.
Zhi-Rui Guo
It was good, like the tour guide so much! View was so beautiful:)
Lynn Horan
The Golden Circle tour was great. It was an easy way to see the natural wonders of Iceland as well as learn more about the country and the people. The tour guide (English name chosen: Kevin) was great. We visited early January so daylight was limited and he ensured that everything was scheduled during daylight. The tour guide was very informative and funny which made the drive more pleasant.
Courtney Marie Gores
I absolutely loved this tour. My tour guide, Addy, was quick with pick up so we were all on the bus and ready to go slightly earlier than departure. We listened to Icelandic music, had some Icelandic snacks (the smoked lamb was delicious) and learned a lot. Addy was very thorough and I felt like I learned more from her than all my other tours combined. We also made an extra stop to see horses. There were plenty of places to stop and use the restroom or buy food. The only thing that could have made my tour better was the weather but even in the rain I enjoyed every bit of it.
Krunal Mistry
The Golden Circle Tour is a classic in Iceland and a very convenient way to see some of the natural sights in Iceland. My girlfriend and I went on this tour around the winter solstice and our guide timed the tour so that we could see everything outdoors in the daylight. Also, our guide was very knowledgeable and one of the best parts of the tour was hearing about his stories and learning about Icelandic culture from him.
Laura Schmelzer
Wonderful trip! We ended up upgrading to the golden circle + secret lagoon. Totally worth it! The entire trip was great. It was much better than the giant bus tours that we’ve been on before. The guide was very knowledgeable and very personable.
Sisca Lim
Great. Go check my Instagram! @nicolelau1802 !
CATHERINE NORTHUP
My tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and funny. There was a lot to cover in such a short amount of time! However it was manageable even with the small amount of daylight there is in the winter. I would recommend this tour to anybody. We were able to check out a farm where no other tour company was going so it was nice to beat some Of the crouds!
Stanley Wong
Great tour guide, he share his understanding on the golden circle patiently. We no need to wait so long for the pick up at hotel, and the time in each site is enough for us to take photos. Although the Day time is the shortest in the year, it gave us fun.
May SooThoo
Perfect day spent with Bjorn our driver/ guide. He is very jovial and joked a lot making the rides very fun and pleasant. An extra stop was made for us to see Icelandic horses and sheeps which was the best thing we did for the day. I enjoyed the sights on the golden circle very much despite the brutal wind.
Jessica Miller
A really lovely foray into the island. Highly recommended if you want to maximize your time (if you're doing a stopover, for instance). Even during the winter, you get to see all the hits--you meet the shuttle at 8 (if you choose, the company is very communicative about where they'll meet you and when). The only issue is, again, during the winter, the first stop is a largely in the dark. Everything was great, as the driver (Kevin, as he chose as his English name,, given since I don't want to butcher his real name) got us on location each time ahead of the crowds. He was also very knowledgeable and funny, from history and culture information to giving us tips to avoid long lines . The bus was tightly packed with tourists, but nobody was late getting back to the bus
Barbara Salvadore
A MUST do trip when in Iceland!Our tour guide was great and stopped at the best spots. The tour bus is on the smaller size, so a bit uncomfortable.
Fung Nok Man Charlotte
it was a wonderful tour and the golden circle route was perfect. enough time at each site. Our guide was again, very friendly and knowledgable and the Icelandic music and food were great additions.
Ma LAUR
Bjorn "bear" the guide is an amazing tour guide. Great English, fun stories, fantastic voice actor. On top of seeing the three majors golden circle sights you get to meet with Icelandic horses #icelandichorseselfie and listen to local legends, folklore stories. Good music selection too... When Bjorn stops talking. :)
Denise Chan
It was an 8-hours-trip. Make sure you sleep good the night before. I'm impressed that the driver(also the tour guide) was so energetic, considering and has a great sense of humour. He gave good tips too so pay attention to him when arriving the scene. You won't be bored. If you want a nap on the minibus remember to bring a pair of earplugs .
Alfee Wong
Excellent Experience! The places were spectacular and our guide is very nice and knowledgeable! Original Icelandic experience with the traditional food and beautiful landscape!
Linda
The tour was the highlight of our stay! Our lovely guide took us to all the venues in a very modern and comfortable minibus. I particularly loved the Geyser geothermal areas experiencing the raw power of nature when Strokkur started its performance:) The National Park with its amazing waterfall was well worth the visit though I was not quite sure where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates were supposed to meet..Perhaps this would need more clarification beforehand unless I missed that part... Our guide was very proud of being Icelandic and very keen to tell us about the details of the history of this beautiful country. This trip was to celebrate my milestone birthday and could not be more happy to have arranged this! I would like to visit again other areas in different seasons!!
Sarah Mitchell
Great tour and extremely knowledgable tour guide who made the tour very fun and enjoyable. The guide was very proud of his country and made the route based on larger groups going elsewhere first this way we got to spend the maximum amount of time at each place and didn’t feel rushed. Would recommend the smaller tours over the large groups well worth the extra money. The songs and Icelandic food were a great addition.
Tina Maranon
We had a great time despite the very bad weather. Aside from sharing lots of information about his country, Almar was also a very skilled driver. And funny, too! He brought us to all the stops that was promised in this tour despite the strong winds and rain, but not without considering first our safety. He was very considerate of his passengers and went out of his way to give his service whenever needed. The pace of this tour was perfect, we had just the right amount of time in each stop to be able to enjoy and take lots of photos. Aside from the tour itself, I just want to mention that the team of Guide to Iceland has been very attentive and helpful even before I booked my tour. I had several queries in which they were very prompt to respond. The tour operator as well was very easy to communicate with even over email. Always responded in an instant. Overall, a great experience! Highly recommended!
Alice Genevois
Really good, despite heavy rain and wind! We were guided by Almar who was friendly, knowledgeable and overall a good guide and driver. The route is perfect and is worth the early wake up! Going to Faxi is great as big bus tours don't go there (small road). Very happy with the experience, despite the horrid weather. Thanks again!
Jenna Palermo
Wonderful! Our guide, Bjorn, was friendly and full of fun facts about Iceland. We had ample time to take in the beauty of all the natural wonders we visited. There was also a chance to get coffee (please treat yourself to the delicious coffee in Iceland) and pastries. Plenty of bathroom breaks too. I chose this tour specifically since it was a little shorter than other tours, which allowed us to get back in time to relax (and nap! I was quite tried after all the walking), have dinner, and go out on a northern lights tour. Highly recommend!!
Rachael
Shih Ming Wang
Great tour, with a friendly and knowledgeable guide (Addy), lovely small group and plenty of time at each site, had a lovely day!
Holly
Great tour, with a friendly and knowledgeable guide (Almar), lovely small group and plenty of time at each site, had a lovely day!
VU Quang Thien Minh
Very good tour with a good guide (Steini). The geysir Strokkur didn't blows as expected but the waterfall was amazing. I highly recommend
Antony Theobald
Excellent tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and brought the history, geology and culture of Iceland to life. Highly recommended!
Elise Schilling
I had the best time! Our guide Ardy was exceptional. She was so personable and knowledgeable about everything on the tour. It was my favorite day of the whole trip!
Lin
Truly exceptional experience with very good tour guide Bjorn, he is personable and very knowledgeable, gave us a good pic of local cultures in addition to the scenic spots that offer fantastic views. Lots of stops in between. We particularly are impressed by the knowledge of food and the recommendation that was given. Thank you for an enjoyable day.
Nikole Huffman
I definitely recommend this tour! Ævar was so much fun and so knowledgeable about Iceland. I like that the bus was small so when we went to different places there wasn't a huge number of people filing off the bus to see the destination.
Tania Elizabeth
We booked a golden circle tour with Your Day Tours and it out of this world amazing. Our tour guide Ævar was so much fun. We loved his candid nature, his sense of humor and his relish for explaining all things Icelandic. Almost immediately it felt like we had been friends for years there was such rapport on our bus. He gave us traditional food, drink & candy while explaining the history behind how & way it has become custom. It was very thought provoking. When he wasn’t regaling us which interesting stories from his experience or about Icelandic history we listen to great music. Not only did we have a fantastic day but also a surprise stop on our intinerary. It was almost like magic. A+++ “Your Day Tours” and Ævar!
Lynette Williams
This was an amazing tour! Our guide Almar was incredibly knowledgeable, easy going and really funny. It felt like we were in safe hands all day and that we got to experience the very best. Thank you!
双鱼座樱桃
Very nice and fun personality,very caring ,always ask how do we feel,and take our questions into travel arrangement consideration .good planning on the trip,very patient to explain all the travel info to us.
veronica chow
Both Faxi and Gullfoss waterfalls are truly gorgeous. Thanks to our guide Gusti who shared interesting stories and fact information on each attraction on the way. This made us be able to solely focus on the breathtaking scenery around us upon arrival.
Kim Makin
We all loved this tour it was so interesting, our guide was lovely and very helpful when my son thought he'd lost his wallet!!
Judith Durham
Excellent Tour. Kevin, (the name he used so we all could pronounce) was just the most extraordinary guide. He told us many important facts about what we were seeing as well as more general information about Iceland, and all in a very entertaining manner. My 10 y.o. granddaughter was with me and she enjoyed the tour as much as I did. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a small group tour.
Randy Lu
Danny
Brilliant, our guide 'Kevin' was hilarious and informative. Can quite honestly say it was the best day of my holiday. Had the perfect amount of time at each stop and was able to get some great pictures. 'Kevin' really did make the experience better and added to the fun of the trip, would absolutely recommend.
Melissa B Drennan
Great experience!
blaise keen
Starr A Ivey
My experience with Your Day Tours was great! First, I really like the small size tour bus and group of people. It didn't hurt that we had a mostly sunny day to enjoy all the sights either! Our guide Kevin was informative and pleasant (like all the Icelanders I met) with a chill sense of humor and I want to thank him in particular for introducing me to Kaleo! The owners of YDT went above and beyond when it turned out that I missed my initial ride from the pick-up location. One of the brothers came to pick me up personally and drove me to meet the rest of the tour group about a 15 minute drive on the way out of town. This was unexpected as I thought I might miss the tour altogether; unbeatable customer service. I would also add that if you don't want to stick to a time limit at each location it would be best to rent a car and drive the Golden Circle yourself. The full-day tour is scheduled at 8 hours and is a long day already so time limits are a must when on a group tour. There are many tourists at each stop so time management is essential. I found that using an alarm on my phone worked best to keep me on track. At almost every stop there were issues with group members being late returning to the van (myself included)! Overall though, the experience was wonderful and for an introduction to Iceland, the Golden Circle Tour is a fantastic way to start!
Anastasia Osadchenko
The tour turned out to be a stunning experience just as we expected, and so much more! Our guide Kevin was extremely knowledgeable and added fun and personal touch to all the stories and descriptions. It was such a pleasure to see all the popular sights of the Golden Circle with such comfort, nice company and great attitude of the guide. I'll definitely recommend the tour!
jeffrey Anderson
The Golden Circle is the iconic Iceland day trip that should not be missed. Besides amazing scenery and priceless photo opp's, the trip was also a great introduction to the history of Iceland (provided very well by our guide Addy). Great, organized company.
Tammy Leong
The Golden Circle was fun and relaxing. The ride isn’t too long and the tour guide was very informative and interesting. He was friendly and the pick up was easy , remember to be on time and don’t miss the bus.
Fred McCarthy
Great! Our tour guide did a wonderful job - polite, friendly, cheerful, educational!
Byron Swafford
Harp was our guide, she was incredible. She put every guest ahead of herself, and made us all feel like family. I’d recommend you use this tour company every chance you get! Byron Swafford/Batesville Arkansas
Phil Gallmeier
I enjoyed the smaller tour as it gave an opportunity to disembark more often than if on a big bus. Brian was a great tour guide and explained a lot about the current and past history.
Ang
Your Day Tours is a small and new company but they have hired some very good native tour guide. Aevar was our tour guide for this day. He was professional, extremely funny, and very informative. The tour provides a sample of icelandic flatbread and drink during the trip, has free Wifi, good a/c, and very comfortable/new Mercedes mini-coach. There were 20 people max per tour group so it is much smaller compared to some of the other big tour buses. Overall it was a great experience and I would highly recommend it for anyone traveling alone or in pairs (more than that you should just rent a car and follow the easy to find route).
Alex Temara
Just fantastic. The Golden Circle is a must must must do in Iceland and is a great day out. It is not physically demanding at all, although you definitely will benefit from having some level of fitness due to the amount of walking. The natural beauty is just breathtaking and the pacing is very good. Our tour guide Gusti was very knowledgeable and friendly. I enjoyed it a lot.
Helen Durrant
I had such a great day with Oscar. The small bus made it feel much more intimate and we beat the big buses to the sights, which made for a more pleasant day. Highly recommended!
Stephanie Marchetti
Oscar was a great guide-- we thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Pick up was quick and efficient and the tour was just as advertised. There's so many beautiful stops along the way.
Ricki Lee Laird
Aevar was a funny, knowledgeable, and a friendly driver! The day was rainy, but we still had a blast visiting the Golfoss and Faxi waterfalls, Strokkur geysir, and Thingvellir national park. The bonus detour to the farm was also super fun! Thank you Aevar for letting us experience the wonders of the Golden Circle and giving us a taste of the cultural foods and traditions.
Tamara
This tour was amazing! Lasma our tour guide was wonderful! We learned and laughed a lot! We hope that our next tour trip will be as much enjoyable as this one was!!
Lia Venet
My husband and I really enjoyed our Golden Circle Tour with Lasma. She was very warm, friendly, spoke very clear and excellent English. Listening to Icelandic music was nice. I was so happy to have such a strong Wi-Fi connection oun board our bus! Would highly recommend this tour.
Ashley Shumaker
BARA IS AMAZING! This tour was so great and our favorite tour of Iceland that we took during our time there!
David
Me and my wife had a AMASING day travling with our guide Gusti. It was a mix of great views, interesting facts and humour. Gusti was very enjoyable to listen to and a safe driver that mixed core facts about Iceland with fun factoids here and there. It really was 5 out 5 ! We enjoyed the drink and smoked lamb and Gusti even fit in a extra stop for the bus to stop and pet/see Icelandic horses (and a very cute dog). Would recommend this to everyone that goes to Iceland!
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Jeanne and Emma
The tour was simply awesome. Siggi, our guide, was super funny and even though the rest of the passengers were a bit shy, my friend and I laughed a lot. There might be a lot of drive, but you don't feel it at all thanks to the Icelandic Music and little stories our guide shared with us. We got really lucky with the weather as well, and everything was perfectly organized. I strongly recommend it <3
Kathleen Cowie
This was a wonderful tour! I LOVED the minibus experience. The tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. This was a great way to see the Golden Circle. The specific stops and length of time at the stops was excellent!
Clare Ford
We travelled with Your Day Tours for the Golden Circle Tour . Our guide Ævar was very knowledgable and very funny. We started the tour at 8am and visited many outstanding places . We haven’t got a favourite as they were all amazing. Our guide gave us Icelandic treats along the way which was a nice touch. The tour was very punctual giving us lots of time at the stops. Definitely a highlight of our trip to Iceland . Thankyou for making our holiday special.
John Robb
What a great day out. Not usually one for organised tours but the smaller group on the mini bus rather than a big coach made it feel quite special. Our guide Siggy was brilliant. Lots of facts and funny stories along the way. Highly recommended this tour for first time visitors.
Richard Sewell
We can so recommend this tour! Addy was the most wonderfully knowledgeable and engaging guide with top tips and fascinating details that made our whole day thoroughly enjoyable. This was a far more intimate experience than taking a coach. We are not usually 'tour' people but this was an amazing way of seeing some truly awesome sights. Just the right amount of time and freedom at each place for us addults and two older teens. An excellent find! JulieAnn
Anyijia Wang
Our one-day tour led by Siggi was fantastic. Siggi gave us a lot of info about Iceland and told interesting stories. There were also well-selected Icelandic songs played on the car which I enjoyed so much as I'm a big fan to Of Monsters and Men. Time given to have closer look at each spot is reasonable and it was an enriched day.
marina
Awesome tour. Tomas knows quite a bit about the city. Was very informative and fun. Lots of history and tips about and for Reykjavik. Highly recommend!
Amanda
Your Day Tours was an excellent company and I had a great experience. The tour guide Avur was so friendly, and despite a bus stop mishap, the company was so accommodating in making sure we got to join the group. Would definitely recommend!
Kate Kent
We really enjoyed the Golden Circle Tour with Bara. One of the highlights of our trip. Getting to sit back enjoy the beautiful countryside while hearing a mix of Icelandic history and music is such a great introduction to Iceland. We took some amazing photos and really enjoyed our lunch stop mid day. Highly recommend this tour!
Christina
This Golden Circle Tour (led by Siggi) in March 2018 was well organized and went to each of the sights listed with ease. While I understand the need to stay on schedule, it felt a little rushed and we were given constant reminders about the time we are meeting and to not be late. There wasn't flexibility at all, which for me personally is a downside of a guided tour. Siggi was very animated and told stores, gave lots of info, played Icelandic music. With that being said, we realized we totally could have driven the Golden Circle sights on our own with our car rental. Directions are simple, parking is easy, roads are in good condition, and you can have more flexibility. However, if you don't want to make all that effort, then this tour is good! Beautiful sights! Nice touch at the end that Siggi offered to drop each passenger at a location of their choice.
TESSIER
This tour was perfect! Aevar our guide was really funny and full of nice stories about him and Iceland. Sometimes he let the icelandic music talk...magic moments! The landscape was amazing and we had enough time to discover by ourselves. Our guide showed us a farm with horses and sheeps (it was a bonus.) Our 7years old boy loved it! I warmly recommend this tour!!!
Susan Bloom
We had a great time with our tour guide Kevin who was funny and knowledgeable ! Great sights and a fun day seeing Iceland! Strongly recommend this tour!!
Scott Peden
I would highly recommend this tour . I visited Iceland in late February and done the golden circle tour. Our guide was gusti who was an excellent driver and very funny. His knowledge of Iceland was excellent and the way he done the tour from start to finish was very professional. Thank you gusti for a fantastic experience. Hope I spelt your name correctly. Scott
Kapil Dhar
We did the Golden Circle tour with GtI. It was amazingly customer oriented, as the tour folks had to pick us to catch the tour bus because we missed the bus by a few minutes. With family, it was great to see such a hospitality. Our tour guide/driver was extremely passionate about Iceland and very knowledgeable with great sense of humour. He explained the sceneries, spots and history with great panache. I strongly recommend GtI tours. Have a nice time!
Paula Jeannette Matthews
Our tour guide for Your Day Tours which is a new company was phenomenal. The guide was safe and knowledgeable and enjoyed being our guide which made our trip enjoyable. We had our trip the 13th of February and there was a great deal of snow that day, nonetheless we covered all the places to see and had an explanation of what we were seeing as well as the countryside. The bus was comfortable and did indeed have free wi fi . Would highly recommend this company.
Anne Ylisuvanto
What a glorious, sunny day we had at the Golden Circle! There was a lot of snow due to a blizzard the day before. The guide Lasma was lovely and very informative on the nature and culture of Iceland. The Gullfoss waterfall was particularly impressive. Our guide gave us some traditional Icelandic food and drink which was a nice touch. I would definitely recommend travelling in a minibus rather than a coach as it was much more personal and intimate as well as faster. Thouroughly enjoyed it!
YU LING WU
We joined the golden circle day tour, it's an amazing well-organized trip.
Marvin
Our guide Garpur was amazing. He took us to cool places in Iceland and provided us with good insights and facts about the country. The weather cooperated with us so we were able to go through all the mentioned destinations plus, we also had a tase of Icelandic food. I would totally recommend this tour if you want to do the Golden Circle tour minus the big bus groups.
Madison Seeker
The tour was amazing!! Our driver/guide was so knowledgeable and made all of the information extremely interesting and relevant. It was a mini bus, so not a huge group which was extremely nice. The sights were beautiful, the bus was comfortable, there was free wifi, a taste of Icelandic food and Icelandic music, and just all around a great day! Would highly recommend this tour and company!
Amy Ferguson
We went on the golden circle tour on Tuesday. Our guide was Ævar and he was excellent. He talked to us throughout the journey and provided us with plenty interesting facts about the places we were passing through as well as Iceland as a country. The weather was particularly bad on the day we went on this tour but the guide got us around safely in the heavy snow and strong winds. We went on several tours during our stay in Iceland with various tour providers (the others being much larger companies) but this one was by far the best!
Jad Vargas
This was a great tour. Our guide Maki was really great about filling us in on the spots we were visiting and what we were passing by along the way. We made all the big stops and had plenty of time to see and take pictures of all we saw.
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