The best way to see and experience most of what Iceland offers is by going on The Golden Circle tour. And what is the best way to get your strengths back after your trip? It's by soaking in hot springs!
Let's spend our day on a Golden Circle and Hvammsvík Hot Springs tour. On our way, we'll visit Kerid Crater to find out why it's called "The Eye of The World," we'll get a chance to see the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall and sleepy Geysir. We'll continue our tour by going to Þingvellir National Park, where we'll deepen our knowledge about Icelandic nature and make a quick stop at Þórufoss waterfall. At the end of our trip, we'll get a real treat – a few hours in Hvammsvík Hot Springs.
Get ready for a day full of new activities, spectacular sceneries, and fresh air!
The tour day will start in Reykjavik at 8:00. We'll be departing Reykjavik at 8:30 sharp, but you'll have to be prepared for the departure at 8:00. On our way to Kerið, you'll be introduced to the guide.
The very first stop that we'll have is at Kerid Crater. Here we'll explore the magnificent-looking volcanic crater and the lake situated in its center. This lake is also called "The Eye of The World" because of the crater's shape, which reminds of a human eye.
Despite there being more crater lakes, Kerid attracts tourists with its vivid color scheme of blue waters and green mixed with red volcanic landscapes. Formed 3000 years ago, Kerid Crater is one of the must-see attractions on your way to Golden Circle.
After we check the area and get those breathtaking pictures of the crater, we'll continue our trip to Gullfoss.
The most famous waterfall in Iceland – Gullfoss Falls (or "Golden Falls"), are situated in the southwest of Iceland, at a Hvítá river canyon. What makes Gullfoss so spectacular? 32 meters high, two-tiered waterfall with an average water flow of 109 m3/s charms tourists with its astonishing scenery.
If you're curious to know why these falls are also referred to as "Golden Falls," it's because when the sun shines, it makes the water look golden-colored. The water that runs through Gullfoss comes from Langjökull glacier that carries old sediments from the earth, giving the water the brown-gold color.
Another interesting fact about the waterfall is that Iceland almost lost it to industrialization. You'll hear this inspiring story about the Gullfoss from the guide during your 45 minutes stay here.
Following the Golden Circle tour further, our next stop, only 10 minutes away, is Geysir Hot Spring Area, or "The Great Geysir." It was active for approximately 10,000 years. Until 1916, the geyser would spit heated water 60-80 meters high. From 1916 to 2000, the Geysir was taking its sweet time erupting and wouldn't have if not for the earthquake in the Haukadalur area. The last time the Geysir broke out was in 2016.
Despite this unpredictable natural phenomenon that might make you wonder if you can witness the eruption of a geyser, the answer is yes. Strokkur – a very active geyser "exploding" every 3-8 minutes, going as high as 35 meters, is in the area.
Thingvellir National Park is an attraction where you can learn about its exciting history and fascinating nature. Find out some useful information in the visitor center and discover the gorgeous environment by going on walking paths.
While this attraction became a well-known place because of its idyllic nature, its visitors are encouraged to attend exhibitions, spend time walking and hiking paths, and try out snorkeling, scuba diving, and even angling. Its importance to people helped the park make it to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 2004.
Did you know that Thingvellir is the only place in the world where you'll find yourself standing between two continental plates? We'll witness this during our stay in the park by going to the rift valley.
On our way to Hvammsvík Hot Springs, we'll make a quick stop at Thorufoss waterfall. The waterfall is part of the river Laxá í Kjó, which is 25 km long. It's 18 meters high and almost 30 meters in width. While not as famous as the waterfalls around the area, it still looks pretty spectacular because of the landscape that changes with each season. During winter, Þórufoss freezes over, creating an impressive view.
Amusing fact for "Game of Thrones" fans – Thorufoss was used as one of the locations where television series were filmed.
Hot springs are one of the essential activities to try out in Iceland. This is why we'll finish our day tour with a bang by going to Hvammsvík Nature Resort & Hot Springs. After spending the whole day wandering through Iceland, it's time to experience nature and wildlife in a more relaxing way.
Get your powers back by sitting in one of the eight natural hot springs, surrounded by peace and quiet, with a view of the mountains and black beaches. The temperature of hot springs depends on the Atlantic Ocean temperatures, so it often changes, ranging from around 10°C to 42°C.
For you to be able to enjoy the most of what Hvammsvík has to offer, don't forget to bring your swimsuit and a towel.
After we spend a few hours in the facility, we'll be heading back to Reykjavik, and at approximately 18:30, we should finish our tour.
- 1 day notice: 100% charge
Your Golden Circle and Hvammsvík Hot Springs tour is approx. 9 hours, so we will be back in the city between 17:00 and 17:30.
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