Family-Friendly Bundled Discount Tours of the Golden Circle & South Coast with Whale Watching
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on this fun-filled tour combo for three days of adventure to some of Iceland's best-loved attractions, the Golden Circle and South Coast, and get the chance to spot a whale in the wild. This discount offer is perfect for families, and the smaller group size promises you will get more time with your guide as well as your fellow passengers.
You will get to see both the Golden Circle and the South Coast from the comfort of a minibus, admiring the many locations on offer, including waterfalls, geysers, and cultural sites. Don't miss your opportunity to walk behind a waterfall and even between two tectonic plates as they pull apart.
Your final day sees you whisked away by boat from the Reykjavík harbor to look for the gentle and majestic giants of the sea, whales, guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on even the youngest animal lovers.
This combo deal offers you and your family three separate tours, so you have different activities each day. Starting from Reykjavík each day means it's unnecessary to change accommodation or spend your holiday time repacking, providing relaxation alongside adventuring.
Don't wait! This combo doesn't just combine the most popular day trips in Iceland; it does so in a family-friendly way, so if you are traveling with children, you will want to book this tour. So grab your camera and come along on this genuine adventure. Check availability by choosing a date.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - The Golden Circle
Day one and get ready to experience the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland, the Golden Circle. You will be picked up and welcomed aboard a comfortable minibus and shuttled to the first attraction of the day, Þingvellir National Park.
A UNESCO world heritage site, Þingvellir is the original congregating site of the Icelandic parliament established in 930 AD, making it the longest, continuously running parliament in the world. You also have the remarkable opportunity to walk between two continents as the park is located in a rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates; it is the only place in the world where that is possible.
Next up is the Geysir geothermal area, named for the largest hot spring in the area, which used to erupt regularly but now lies mostly dormant. Not to worry though, its nearby neighbor Strokkur still blows frequently, reaching heights of 67 feet (20 meters), and it is an extraordinary natural event. Explore the area to admire the space-like landscape and mesmerizing colors of the pools and surrounding rocks.
Not far up the road from Geysir, you will travel to the incredible Gullfoss waterfall. This stunning waterfall is captivating for its raw power and throws water into a vast canyon, creating a mist that can often develop rainbows that further enhance its natural beauty.
You can view this waterfall from different spots making for dynamic perspectives and guaranteeing excellent photo opportunities.
Your final stop for the day will be the town Hveragerði, characterized by its geothermal energy and rising ‘Hverir’ - steam clouds, after which the town is named. After a stop at the Earthquake Exhibition, you will admire the noble and beautiful crater Kerið esteemed for its scale and fantastic colors.
You will then be dropped off at your accommodations in Reykjavík, where you are free to spend the rest of the day exploring the city or just unwinding after this eventful day.
Day 2 - The South Coast & Vik
Day two and you will be hitting the Ring Road to discover the well-loved South Coast where countless waterfalls fall from the interior before their rivers find their way to striking black sand beaches. Your first stop will be Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall with a difference as there is a large cavern behind it, offering the unique perspective to admire it from varied angles.
Skógafoss is the next attraction, a towering waterfall with a curtain-like torrent of water, creating an exhilarating mist. On sunny days this spray promises a rainbow or two. You can also climb a staircase next to the waterfall so you can admire it from its lofty beginnings.
Between the waterfalls, you will drive past Eyjafjallajökull, the notorious volcano that disrupted air travel in 2010 with its eruption and subsequent ash cloud. On clear days, you can also catch a glimpse of the dramatic Westman Islands, a rocky archipelago just off the south coast.
You will have lunch in the picturesque town of Vík as well as a visit to the wool factory and shop where you could pick up your very own iconic Icelandic jumper.
You will then drive back to Reykjavík but not without stopping at the impressive black sand beach at Reynisfjara. Its basalt column cliffs define this particular piece of coastline as well as its eye-catching sea stacks, rumored to be greedy trolls caught out in the sunlight and petrified to stone.
After a very short drive, you will also stop at Dyrhóley, an immense rock-arch standing defiantly in the sea and providing a home for many birds, including the iconic puffin in the summer.
Marvel over all that you have seen today on the drive back to Reykjavík in time for any evening plans you might have.
Day 3 - Whale Watching
The final part of this exciting combo tour doesn’t even require you to leave Reykjavík. Make your way to the Old Harbour to participate in one of the most exciting wildlife activities on offer in Iceland, whale watching.
In the summer, you can choose from two boats, one is a larger vessel and the second is a swifter catamaran. The first boat is available all year round and geared towards education and interactive learning. It boasts its very own cafe, perfect for families with young children.
A trip on this boat takes about three hours, whereas the smaller boat takes less time to reach the prime whale-watching spots and is subsequently one hour shorter but only available in the summer. Whichever boat takes your fancy. You will be jettisoned out to sea by your expert captain, and your guides will be keeping their well-trained eyes on the horizon.
On bright days you will be able to see Reykjanes and Snæfellsnes peninsulas as well as Hvalfjörður, quite appropriately named, whale fjord. Your experienced guide will point out landmarks as you leave the harbor and keenly spot and alert you to the presence of any sea life.
The types of whales you can look forward to spotting include harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, Minke whales, and Humpback Whales. Not as frequently spotted but not unheard of are sightings of orcas, pilot whales, fin whales, and even basking sharks. If you don’t see a whale, you are welcome to return for free.
Then you are free to spend the rest of the day sightseeing in the city or venture out into the countryside if the mood strikes you.
What to bring
Good to know
The weather changes quickly in Iceland, so don't be caught unawares. It is always better to bring a sweater or dress in layers which you can remove if you are too warm.
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers if you are visiting in the winter. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
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