Description
Summary
When to book
August is the cheapest month, from US$170 per person, and December is the busiest month.
Description
Explore the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland and a lava tunnel on this combination Golden Circle tour. It suits travelers who want to see the three main Golden Circle attractions and visit Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel in one day.
The tour begins at BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik, where you meet your local guide and board the bus. The bus takes your group to the lava tunnel to start your sightseeing underground.
Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel is one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland, measuring about 4,460 feet (1,360 meters) in total. In parts, it's as much as 32 feet (10 meters) tall and almost 100 feet (30 meters) wide.
Your group walks about 380 yards (350 meters) into the tunnel. Columns of light reveal the colors inside, formed by various minerals. Your guide explains how volcanic activity shaped the tunnel as you take in your surroundings and take photos.
You receive a helmet and a flashlight in the tunnel so you can see clearly and stay safe. In rainy or snowy weather, water can drip from the cave ceiling, so it's a good idea to wear a waterproof raincoat.
After about one hour in the lava tunnel, you head back to Reykjavik to start your Golden Circle tour. This route covers three of the best-known sights in South Iceland: Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Thingvellir National Park.
The Geysir Geothermal Area is home to Geysir Hot Spring, which gave its name to all other geysers worldwide. Geysir is less active these days, but nearby Strokkur Geyser erupts every 4 to 16 minutes. You watch the eruptions and learn more about geothermal energy in Iceland.
Next, you head to Gullfoss Waterfall, known in English as the Golden Falls. It's a two-tiered waterfall on the Hvita River, where the water drops a total of about 105 feet (32 meters). You have time to take photos here.
The day's final stop is Thingvellir National Park, one of three national parks in Iceland and the site where the first Icelandic parliament was founded in 930 AD. On the way, your guide explains the area's historical significance, and you then have some time to explore.
Thingvellir National Park is home to many natural features, including lava fields, glacial springs, mountains, lakes, and ravines. It's also the site of a rift valley between two tectonic plates.
When you've finished sightseeing at Thingvellir National Park, the bus takes your group back to BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik. You're then free to continue exploring or return to your accommodation.
Check availability by choosing a date.
48%
