Þingvellir National Park — walking between two continents
Gullfoss Waterfall — the crown jewel of the Golden Circle
Strokkur geyser — erupting every 5–10 minutes at Geysir
Gullfoss — a two-tiered fall on the Hvítá River
Kerið crater lake — a volcanic crater lake
Geysir geothermal area — hot springs and steam vents
Rainbow over Gullfoss — the Golden Circle
Private Golden Circle Tour
The perfect way to explore Iceland's most famous landmarks at your own pace. Chartered exclusively for your party, with the flexibility to add or skip stops as you like. We have a carefully planned route to suggest, built around the Golden Circle's most iconic sights, but every stop can be tailored to your interests — and, unlike our small-group departure, so can the length of the day itself.
The Experience
Þingvellir National Park
We begin at Þingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense historical and geological significance. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly drift apart, creating dramatic rifts in the landscape — among them the Silfra fissure, famed for its crystal-clear water. It's also where Iceland's parliament, the Alþingi, was founded in 930 AD, and where the country's independence was declared in 1944. We take an easy walk to Öxarárfoss, one of the very few human-made waterfalls in Iceland, its river channel diverted here in the 10th century to supply water for the parliament's assembly.
Efstidalur Dairy Farm
Next, a stop at Efstidalur, a working dairy farm with views toward Mount Hekla and a chance to say hello to the resident cows, horses and dogs. It's a family-friendly favourite on the route — not least for the organic, homemade ice cream made right there on the farm.
Geysir Geothermal Area
From there we reach the Geysir geothermal area, where the ground itself seems alive — bubbling hot springs, steaming vents and mineral pools in shades of blue, yellow and orange. The star of the show is Strokkur, which erupts every five to ten minutes, sending a jet of hot water 20–30 metres into the air. The original Great Geysir, after which all geysers are named, sits quietly nearby — now mostly dormant.
Gullfoss Waterfall
We continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Circle's best-known landmark. Fed by the glacial Hvítá River, this two-tiered waterfall drops a combined 32 metres into a rugged canyon — on a sunny day, look for a rainbow rising in its spray. Well-placed viewing platforms let you take it in from above, or step closer and feel the spray on your face.
Kerið Crater Lake
We close the day at Kerið, a volcanic caldera formed around 3,000 years ago — roughly 55 metres deep and 170 by 270 metres across, its steep red and black volcanic slopes framing a vivid blue-green lake. A path along the rim offers sweeping views, while a trail down to the water's edge lets you experience the crater up close.
Highlights
- A private, fully customisable itinerary — add, skip or reorder stops as you like
- Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — walk between two continents and see the Silfra fissure
- Öxarárfoss, one of Iceland's few human-made waterfalls
- Efstidalur dairy farm — organic, homemade ice cream and resident farm animals
- Strokkur geyser, erupting every 5–10 minutes at Geysir
- Gullfoss, a two-tiered 32-metre waterfall, and Kerið volcanic crater lake
Included & What to Bring
Included
- Private charter minibus & knowledgeable local driver-guide
- Flexible pickup & drop-off, greater Reykjavík area
- Admission to Kerið
- Free WiFi on board
- English guiding, with other languages available on request
- All taxes, fees & handling charges
What to Bring
- Warm, wind- and waterproof outer layers
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes
- Cash or card for lunch and snacks (not included) — or bring a packed lunch
- Your own camera, if you prefer it to ours
A Typical Day
Good to Know
- This is a private departure — stops can be added, skipped or reordered, and the duration adjusted to suit your party; the itinerary above is our suggested route.
- The order and availability of attractions may change due to road or weather conditions — we reserve the right to delay or reroute a departure for the safety of our guests.
- This tour operates in all weather and throughout the year — dress in warm, wind- and waterproof layers regardless of season.
- We stop for lunch and snacks along the way, but these are not included in the tour price — you're welcome to bring your own packed lunch.
- Refunds apply only when we cancel the tour ourselves, most often due to unfavourable weather or safety conditions.
- Cancellations made by you within 72 hours of departure are not eligible for a refund — we recommend travel insurance that covers tour cancellations.
- Easy and accessible for anyone in good health — no extensive physical activity is required, just comfortable walking.
- Guiding is in English by default, with other languages available on request.
Gallery
Why Travel With NorthStar
An Icelandic company — NorthStar Travel ehf. — planning journeys in the country we call home.
No shared departure. Your group, your pace, and a day shaped around what you want to see.
Only cancellations made within 72 hours of departure are non-refundable — no hidden conditions.
See full policy →Book online through Bókun's secure checkout, with live availability and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
This departure is chartered exclusively for your party — no other guests share the vehicle, and the itinerary and duration are yours to customise. Pricing is per vehicle: 190,000 ISK for up to 7 guests, and 245,000 ISK for 8 to 19 guests.
Yes — the route above is our suggested itinerary, but stops can be added, skipped or reordered, and the roughly 8-hour duration can be adjusted to suit your party's pace and interests.
Cancellations made within 72 hours of departure are not eligible for a refund. We recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers tour cancellations for full peace of mind.
Yes — pickup is flexible within the greater Reykjavík area, with departures available at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 or 12:00.
Yes — this tour operates in all weather and throughout the year. The order of stops may change to keep the day as safe and rewarding as possible.
This tour includes a stop at Þingvellir where you can see the Silfra fissure, but snorkelling and diving aren't part of the day itself. Let us know when booking and we're happy to help arrange it separately.
Guiding is in English by default, with other languages available on request — let us know when booking.
Join Our Small-Group Departure Instead
Prefer to share the ride? Our small-group Golden Circle Tour follows the same signature route, from 18.990 kr per person.
See the Small-Group Tour →