Experience Iceland's most iconic natural wonders on a Private Golden Circle Tour Iceland. Visit Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerid Crater, Efstidalur Farm, and the Fridheimar Greenhouse. Travel in luxury with a private driver-guide and enjoy total flexibility on this custom 8-9 hour itinerary.
Experience Iceland's most iconic natural wonders without the rush of a big bus. Our Private Golden Circle Tour Iceland offers the perfect balance of famous sights, local culture, and exclusive flexibility.
This custom 8-9 hour itinerary takes you beyond the standard route. In addition to the "Big Three"—Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss—you will explore the stunning Kerid Crater, taste fresh dairy at Efstidalur, and visit the world-famous geothermal greenhouses at Fridheimar Farm.
With your own luxury vehicle and expert local driver-guide, you control the pace. Stay longer at the waterfalls, enjoy a flexible lunch stop whenever you are hungry, and discover the Land of Fire and Ice in total comfort.
What's Not Included
Note: As this is a private tour, the order of stops can be adjusted based on weather and your personal interests.
Your Private Golden Circle Tour begins with a pickup from your accommodation or cruise port in the Greater Reykjavik area. We head out of the city, driving through dramatic landscapes toward the heart of Iceland.
Our first stop is the geological and historical wonder of Thingvellir. Here, you can walk through the Almannagjá gorge, the visible boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is also the site where the world's oldest parliament was founded in 930 AD.
Experience authentic Icelandic farm life at Efstidalur. Known by locals as the "Ice Cream Barn," you can stretch your legs, watch the cows in the barn, and purchase delicious gelato made fresh from the farm's own milk.
We continue to the Haukadalur Valley to witness the earth's geothermal power. The area is home to the dormant Great Geysir and the very active Strokkur, which blasts boiling water up to 20 meters (65 ft) into the air every 6 to 10 minutes.
A short drive takes us to Gullfoss (The Golden Falls). This massive two-tiered waterfall is powered by the glacial river Hvítá. On sunny days, a rainbow frequently arches over the falls. You can walk right down to the river's edge to feel the spray and hear the roar of the water.
We stop at the renowned Fridheimar Farm to see how Icelanders grow vegetables year-round using geothermal energy.
The Visit: Walk through the warm greenhouse and learn about their unique horticulture methods and biological pest controls (bumblebees).
The Tasting: While this is not a sit-down lunch stop, you will have the opportunity to buy a taste of their famous tomato soup, fresh bread, or a "Healthy Mary" drink at the bar to enjoy while admiring the plants.
Our finale is the striking Kerid Crater. Distinct for its red volcanic rock and the neon-blue lake resting in its caldera, Kerid offers a visual contrast to the rest of the Golden Circle. You can hike around the rim for panoramic views or descend the steps to the water's edge.
After a day filled with natural wonders, relax in your private vehicle as we drive you back to the capital, dropping you off directly at your hotel or ship.
We believe you shouldn't be forced to eat at 11:00 AM just because a schedule says so. On this tour, lunch is not included, which gives us the flexibility to stop whenever you are hungry.
Your guide can recommend excellent local spots along the route, such as:
Your Day, Your Way Avoid the strict timetables of big bus tours. If you want to spend extra time photographing Strokkur or stop to pet Icelandic horses by the roadside, we make it happen.
Luxury & Comfort Travel in a modern, climate-controlled vehicle (Mercedes Benz V-Class or similar) with free Wi-Fi and plenty of legroom.
Local Expertise Our drivers are knowledgeable local guides who share the stories, folklore, and geology of Iceland, ensuring you leave with a deeper understanding of our country.
Duration: 8–9 Hours.
Included: Private Luxury Vehicle, Driver-Guide, Kerid Crater Admission, Pickup/Drop-off.
Not Included: Lunch (flexible stops provided), tastings at Fridheimar/Efstidalur, personal expenses.
What to Bring: Warm layers, waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, camera.
If you have questions about accessibility or need assistance, please call us at +354 864 4400. We're here to help!
The main difference is flexibility and privacy. On a standard bus tour, you must follow a strict timetable with a large group. On our Private Golden Circle Tour, you have a luxury vehicle and a dedicated driver-guide all to yourself. You control the pace—meaning you can stay longer at Gullfoss Waterfall, skip the crowds at Geysir, or add unplanned stops for photos whenever you like.
No, lunch is not included. We keep lunch flexible so you aren't forced to eat at a set time or place. Your driver-guide will recommend various options along the route based on your preferences, ranging from a quick bite at the Gullfoss Café to a farm-to-table burger at Efstidalur Farm. You simply pay for your meal on the spot.
No, this stop is a greenhouse visit and tasting, not a sit-down meal. We stop at Fridheimar so you can explore the unique geothermal greenhouses and see the Icelandic horses. While there, you have the opportunity to purchase their famous tomato soup, fresh bread, or a "Healthy Mary" drink at the bar to enjoy while walking around, but we do not reserve tables for a full lunch service.
Yes, absolutely. Customization is the biggest advantage of a private tour. While our suggested itinerary includes the classic "Big Three" (Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) plus Kerid Crater and Efstidalur, you are free to adjust the schedule. If you want to spend more time hiking or skip a specific location, simply discuss it with your driver.
Yes, the entrance fee is included in the tour price. Unlike many other operators who charge extra for this stop, we include your admission to the Kerid Volcanic Crater. You can walk the rim of the 3,000-year-old crater and descend to the neon-blue lake at the bottom without worrying about tickets.
Do you offer pickup from cruise ship ports in Reykjavik?
We use modern, climate-controlled luxury vehicles. Depending on your group size, you will travel in a high-end SUV or a Mercedes-Benz V-Class minivan. All vehicles come with leather seats and ample legroom to ensure you travel through the Icelandic countryside in total comfort.
First-time visit to Iceland. Amazing experience with the Hidden Iceland staffs.First visited the Southern Coast on the first day, then we visited the Golden Circle and finished in the Blue Lagoon....
Our guide, Luftor, was great. He was warm and friendly and seemed to genuinely enjoy each of the sites and sharing them with our small group. Each of the sites was special but the tour...
Einar was great! We just felt like it wasn’t really worth the $220 USD per person price tag, hence the four stars. Overall we had a great experience and Einar was a great guide...
Why should you?