Extended Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik

After pickup from your Reykjavik hotel, journey into rural Iceland by comfortable 4x4. As you travel past lava-strewn fields and rugged mountains, listen as your guide shares tales of Iceland’s geology and ancient history.

Stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. Learn how its lunar-like terrain has been formed over thousands of years, and note the contrast between the green vegetation and rich, black earth. See where the world’s first parliament met in 930 AD, and pause at Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s biggest natural lake, set on the park’s southern edges.

Continue to Geysir, a geothermal area of bubbling mud pools and steam vents. Wander around the pools and watch the Strokkur geyser erupt. This powerful geyser shoots hot water up to 98 feet (30 meters) into the air every five to 10 minutes.

Visit the Gullfoss waterfall, whose name means ‘Golden Falls,’ a reference to the shimmering rainbows that can sometimes form above the waters as they plunge into a canyon. Admire the magnificent waterfall, and depending on the weather, walk down to get close to the cascades.

Travel on to see the Kerio crater, a lake-filled crater famous for its red moss and walls. Climb to the rim and take in the rich hues that contrast beautifully with the turquoise lake waters.

Take a drive around the Hvalfjördur fjord (whale fjord), named after the whales seen here by original settlers. Drink in the beauty and rock formations of the fjordlands, whose inlets are headed by waterfalls, as you learn about their geology.

Lastly, stop at the Secret Lagoon, one of Iceland’s oldest natural geothermal pools. Enjoy an optional bathe in the warm waters, swimming through the rising steam as you gaze over the surrounding hot springs and hills.

Your tour concludes with a hotel drop-off.