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Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon & Kerið Small Group Tour

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Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, and bathing in Icelands Oldest natural hot spring

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Woman standing watching geysir erupting, next to small crowd viewing

Father and baby bathing in Secret Lagoon during sunset in summer.

Landscape view of Gullfoss waterfall in spring.

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About tour

Discover Iceland’s most famous natural wonders in the comfort of a small-group minibus. With fewer guests on board, you’ll enjoy a more personal experience and plenty of time at each stop.

Journey through the legendary Golden Circle: stand between tectonic plates at Thingvellir, feel the power of Gullfoss waterfall, and watch Strokkur geyser erupt sky-high. Then, slip into the warm geothermal waters of the Secret Lagoon — Iceland’s oldest swimming pool — surrounded by steaming vents and mossy lava fields. For the grand finale, visit the photographers’ favorite, the Kerið volcanic crater.

This is one of Iceland’s best-loved day tours, and in 2024 it was awarded Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award thanks to thousands of glowing reviews.

Free cancellation

• Up to 24 hours in advance

Lowest price guarantee

• See a lower price? We’ll refund the difference

Highlights

Relax in the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool
Witness the raw power of Gullfoss waterfall
Watch Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes
Walk between the tectonic plates at Thingvellir
Enjoy a cozy small group experience by minibus
Visit Kerið volcanic crater

Included

Small group guaranteed (max. 19 passengers)
Transfer to/from Reykjavík by comfortable minibus
Guided sightseeing tour of the Golden Circle
Entrance to the Secret Lagoon
Free Wi-Fi on board

What to bring

Warm, waterproof clothing
Hat & gloves
Sturdy shoes
Ice spikes (Oct–Apr)
Packed lunch
Bathing suit and towel

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year

Duration 9 hours

Departs From Reykjavik

Level Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.

Minimum age 6 years

Ratio 1:19 Guide to client ratio

Meet on Location No

Pickup Yes

Small Group Experience

• More attention from your guide

Expert Guides

• Deep local knowledge

From

157

Per

Adult

No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment

Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024

From

157

Per Adult

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Itinerary

Starting directly from Reykjavik, you'll discover Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Hot Spring Area — iconic landmarks that make up the Golden Circle. You’ll explore them on foot, learning from your guide about their stories and taking pictures. We’ll round out the tour with a visit to the Secret Lagoon, a geothermal pool perfect for relaxing. It’s the ideal way to end an adventurous day!

Look at the itinerary below to learn more about the locations you’ll visit.

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park

top view of the Thingvellir park in the Golden Circle Iceland

We'll kick off the day with a morning pick-up from your selected location. A 40-minute drive brings us to our first stop: Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. It was once home to Iceland's first parliament, Althingi. Stepping into Thingvellir, you'll immediately sense the power of standing in a rift valley, proof of our Earth's constant movement. Exploring the park, you'll walk between the two tectonic plates—Eurasian and North American. Iceland's stunning natural beauty and rich history come together here to form one of the most breathtaking spots in the world.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Next up on our itinerary is one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls: Gullfoss, translated to "Golden Waterfall." Gullfoss receives glacial waters from Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier. This majestic two-tiered cascade seems to disappear into the depths below, plummeting an impressive 102 feet (32 meters). It's a captivating display of nature's power. Whether you visit in summer, winter, spring, or fall, Gullfoss never fails to be mesmerizing.

Geysir Geothermal Area

Beautiful geysir erupting in to orange sunset skies and reflection to ground

Next on our itinerary is the Geysir Geothermal Area, which is famous for being home to Iceland's most well-known geysers. This area is actually the namesake of all geysers! Here, you’ll stroll among bubbling water pools, clear geothermal springs, and steam vents. The most active geyser, Strokkur, erupts every 4 to 10 minutes, giving you many chances to see boiling water shoot up between 49 and 65.6 feet (15 to 20 meters) into the air.

Secret Lagoon

After seeing so many attractions, you’ll regain your energy soaking in geothermal waters at Iceland's oldest swimming pool, Secret Lagoon. Located in the moss-covered lava fields, this pool harnesses geothermal power to keep the water at 100.4° - 104°F (38° - 40°C) throughout the year. As you swim, look out for a small geyser erupting near the edge! Make sure to pack your swim gear. If you forget it, you can rent out at the Secret Lagoon.

Kerið Crater

Scenic view of volcano crater from above

Our final stop of the day is definitely worth the wait. Kerið is a striking volcanic crater filled with a vivid blue lake and framed by steep slopes. The crater is around 6,500 years old, yet it still feels alive with color and texture. In summer, its walls are painted red and green by moss and minerals, while in winter, the blue lake contrasts beautifully with the white snow. Take an easy walk around the rim, where every angle offers a new view of the surrounding landscape and the water below. Nicknamed the “Eye of the Earth,” Kerið is a photographer’s dream and a scenic finale to your adventure.

Pick-Up Information

Pick-up: Pick-up starts at 09:00 a.m. from your accommodation or a nearby authorized meeting point in Reykjavik. Everyone's pick-up can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is much appreciated.

Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.

Interactive Map

Explore the top attractions of the tour with our interactive map

FAQ

How is it best to be ready for a pick-up for a tour with Arctic Adventures?

This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.

Here you should wait for your guide.

Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.

Can I drink alcohol before or during Arctic Adventures tours?

Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.

After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.

Do you offer any family friendly tours, for younger children?

Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.

Can the itinerary for the tour change?

Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.

Is there a guide on each Arctic Adventures tour?

Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.

All of our tours are guided in English.

Can the guide advise if I am eligible for rescheduling the tour and/or a refund?

No, our guides are not able to provide information on these matters, but our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask that you reach out to our customer care team regarding any questions or concerns.

Do I need crampons for this tour?

If you're visiting during winter, typically from mid-October to mid-April, we highly recommend using lightweight crampons (also called ice spikes) for added safety on icy paths while sightseeing. You can purchase them during the booking process to ensure a more secure and comfortable experience.

Find more details about crampons and ice spikes in this guide.

What type of power outlets are used in Iceland? Do I need to bring an adapter?

The standard in Iceland is 230V and 50Hz and we use F-type power sockets and plugs, so you might have to bring an adaptor if you are visiting from UK, USA, Canada or other countries using a different voltage, Hz or plugs.

How are the tours rated in terms of difficulty?

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

How does carbon offsetting work?

We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.

The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.

Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.

Do you offer a tour that is solely the Golden Circle?

Yes, we offer the tour Golden Circle small group tour which is basically the Golden Circle with some extra stops. This tour is focusing on sightseeing and the history of Iceland. Our stops are Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir national park (home to one of the first parliaments of the world), Geysir hot spring area and the historic Skálholt cathedral. View Golden Circle Tours.

I want to book the Golden Circle in combination to another tour, what are my options?

We offer numerous options to spice up your Golden Circle tour and make the most of your day. Here is a list of some great tours.

All year-around options:

Summer season:

Winter season:

What sights will I see on the Golden Circle?

The tour is based around the three most popular attractions in Iceland Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and The Great Geysir. We offer several Golden Circle trips that combine sightseeing with some of our adventure tours.