Description
Summary
Description
Make your time in Iceland count and explore the famous Golden Circle on a private shore excursion from the Reykjavik Cruise Terminal. This exclusive tour is a great choice for cruise passengers who want to see waterfalls, erupting geysers, and the Thingvellir National Park with greater flexibility.
This 7-hour tour takes the hassle out of your day ashore, starting with pickup right at the Reykjavik Cruise Terminal. You’ll travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide, perfect for a relaxed and informative experience.
After picking you up, your private guide will lead you through Southwest Iceland's landscape shaped by glaciers and volcanic activity. The drive takes you past mossy lava fields, distant mountains, and steaming hillsides.
Your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a place where the land seems to stretch apart beneath your feet. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart.
Thingvellir is one of Iceland’s most important historic sites. It’s where Iceland’s first parliament met in 930 AD, making it the world’s oldest. Its striking landscapes and history earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list and a feature in the Game of Thrones series.
In the National Park, sheer rock walls line the path as you follow the Almannagja Gorge, with clear spring water and rugged cliffs surrounding you. Nearby, the Oxararfoss Waterfall spills over dark basalt, adding a soft roar to the stillness of the landscape.
From here, your guide continues the route to the Geysir Geothermal Area. Strokkur Geyser steals the show with eruptions that launch boiling water up to 98 feet (30 meters) into the air every five to 10 minutes. It’s a rhythm that keeps everyone watching!
Next is Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most iconic natural attractions. Fed by meltwater from the second largest ice cap in Iceland, Langjokull Glacier, this powerful cascade drops in two stages into a narrow canyon below. On sunny days, mist from the falls often catches the light, creating rainbows that arch above the golden-colored rock.
Depending on your interests and available time, you can explore nearby highlights. These include the blue-green waters of Kerid Crater, a relaxing soak at the Secret Lagoon, or a geothermal bread-tasting experience at Laugarvatn.
You may also visit the geothermal exhibition at the Hellisheidi Power Plant, see the historic bishop’s seat at Skalholt, or enjoy the quiet beauty of Faxafoss Waterfall. For lunch, Fridheimar Greenhouse serves fresh tomato dishes in a geothermal-powered greenhouse.
After your final stop, you’ll return to Reykjavik Cruise Terminal with plenty of time before departure. The return journey offers a final chance to take in Iceland’s wide-open landscapes and reflect on the natural wonders you’ve explored.
Witness the power of Iceland’s natural forces on a private Golden Circle shore excursion that brings you face-to-face with waterfalls, geysers, and tectonic wonders before returning to your cruise ship in Reykjavik. Check availability now by choosing a date.
