Incredible 11-Hour Golden Circle & Rafting Tour from Reykjavik

Pack a day in Iceland with breathtaking natural attractions and thrilling adventure with this unforgettable combination of Golden Circle sightseeing and river rafting from Reykjavik. Whether you are a solo traveler, couple, or group with children eleven and over, you won’t regret booking this classic summer excursion, regardless of your experience!

Your day begins when a friendly guide picks you up in a minibus from a point in Reykjavik near your accommodation for the Golden Circle component of this combination tour. You’ll be escorted through beautiful countryside and lava landscapes, often surrounded by mountains, until you arrive at the first feature of this famous sightseeing trail, Thingvellir National Park.

Thingvellir is world-renowned for its dramatic geology and fascinating history, not to mention its gorgeous forests and sparkling springs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site lays directly between the tectonic plates that separate Iceland, and you can clearly define the edges of each. The location was also the original site of Iceland’s parliament in 930 AD, an institution ongoing today.

Next, you will head to the exploding geyser of Strokkur in the Geysir Geothermal Area, which is surrounded by steam vents and hot springs. This monumental feature erupts every five minutes or so, and your guide will provide you with time to watch it blast water to astounding heights several times before departure. 

The final site of the Golden Circle trail is its namesake: Gullfoss, the golden waterfall. Originating at a nearby glacier and thundering into a dramatic canyon that rips through the otherwise innocuous landscapes, this is one of the country’s most beloved and famous features.

With these magical attractions enjoyed, you will head a short way downstream from Gullfoss to your rafting adventure base camp. Your expert guides will provide you with all the equipment needed to keep you safe and as warm as possible before boarding you onto a bus designed to traverse the bumpy road to the river. 

After a quick demonstration on operating the raft, you’ll board your vessel and set out into the waters of the Hvita river. You’ll have a short practice, then get into the action, cruising into a sheer-walled canyon where incredible geological marvels, daunting rapids, and a great sense of adventure await.

The course alternates between calm and choppy spells, providing entertainment for novices and experts alike. 

After around ninety minutes on the water, your bus will pick you up from your exit point downstream and escort your back to the base camp. You’ll find showers and a geothermal hot tub to warm up in and have time for a quick meal or drink at the on-site restaurant before returning to Reykjavik.

Combine Golden Circle sightseeing with a rafting adventure down a glacier river by booking this brilliant summer tour. Check availability by choosing a date.