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HomeTour the Golden Circle an Hunt for the Northern Lights
Iceland's most popular natural wonders in one day. Find the dancing northern lights after a joyful Golden Circle tour.
Highlights
- Þingvellir: the rift valley and the site of the oldest modern parliament.
- Geysir: hot spring & geothermal area and home to Strokkur, the erupting geyser.
- Gullfoss Waterfall: the powerful glacial waterfall known as the 'Golden Waterfall' in English.
- Northern Lights Hunt: In the evening we will head out to hunt for the northern lights.
- GPS synced audio guide: will give you all the information you need for your journey
Description
Take the Golden Circle Tour in the morning, which allows for a 3 to 6-hour interval before heading off on the Northern Lights tour. That interval is the perfect opportunity to grab dinner or to go on our Cheers to Reykjavík tour in Reykjavík. Visit the country´s three iconic natural treasures: Þingvellir National Park, where the American and Eurasian plates have been pulling apart; the erupting geyser that sends water and steam spouting skywards; and the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall where a glacial river thunders 32 meters into a canyon. When night falls, we set off hunting for the magical and elusive Northern Lights. Of course, it all depends on the weather forecast and visibility conditions as to whether we go, so do keep this in mind. And, don´t forget, the Auroras are only visible during the winter months.
Itinerary
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Departure from Reykjavík Terminalexpand_more
The tour departs from the Reykjavik Terminal located at Skógarhlíð 10. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes before departure along with a printed or digital copy of your ticket/voucher. If you have booked a hotel pick-up with Smart bus, please be at your chosen pickup location 30 minutes before the departure of the tour. Look for the Green Smart bus which will be outside your accommodation within the 30 minutes of pickup.
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Visit to Þingvellir National Parkexpand_more
First, you will visit Þingvellir National Park.
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Visit to Geysir Hot Springsexpand_more
Next, you will visit the Geysir Hot Springs, the home of the one-and-only original geyser and Iceland’s most iconic natural attraction. Steaming hot water erupts from the famous Strokkur Geyser every few minutes.
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Visit to Gullfoss Waterfallexpand_more
Proceed to visit Gullfoss, a waterfall located in the canyon of Hvítá river in southwest Iceland. Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The wide Hvítá rushes southward in three steps into a narrow canyon with a breathtaking roar and grandeur.
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Hunting for Northern Lights Huntexpand_more
After a day of touring around Iceland's most popular sites, you will join us on a hunt for the northern lights. The knowledgeable northern lights guide will be happy to share stories and information about this ever-elusive phenomenon.
What's Included
In bus audio guide with a choice of 10 languages (English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Finnish)
Knowledgeable local Reykjavik tour guide
Admission to the sights
Free Wi-Fi and USB charger in every seat
Free use of camera tripod (please note, we only have a few and many people come on the tours, if you own, please bring it along)
Free use of an astronomical telescope, for moon and stargazing
Photo memory of you and the northern lights (when aurora can be seen)
Instructions about how to set up your camera to capture northern lights and the night sky
What's Excluded
Lunch is not included. At Geysir & Gullfoss, you can buy food and drinks.
Pick-up and Drop-off at the hotel can be booked as an extra service with our SmartBus™ service. Otherwise, you are advised to be at our Reykjavik Terminal 15 minutes before the tour departure time.
What to bring
For the In-Bus-Audio-Guide: Bring your own headphones. They are also available for purchase on every bus.
For your comfort: Dress according to the weather. In Iceland, it is always wise to dress in warm waterproof clothes. Weather changes can be sudden, so be prepared for all weather conditions. Waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves, and warm socks/waterproof shoes are recommended, especially since we will be outside at night during the hunt for the northern lights.
For the Blue Lagoon: Bring a swimsuit.
Know before you go
Please show up at our Reykjavik Terminal (located at Skógarhlíð 10) 15 minutes before the departure time. We kindly ask you to be ready at your pick up point with your voucher, either in digital or printed form.
If you have booked a hotel pick up with Smartbus™, please be at your chosen pickup location 30 minutes before the departure of the tour. Look for the Green Smartbus™ which will be outside your accommodation at within the 30 minutes of pickup.
You will be travelling in a coach that holds approximately 40-65 people but is very spacious and comfortable. It is featured with lavatory facilities as standard. The bus offers free wifi and USB charging ports.
After the Golden Circle tour, we recommend taking the time to grab dinner in Reykjavík before we pick you up for the Northern Lights Tour.
The Northern Lights are only visible over the winter months, and departures are highly dependant on weather conditions.
Scheduled departures from 24th of August to the 15th of October & 15th of March until the 15th of April are: 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 or 12:00 for Golden Circle and 22:00 for Northern Lights. From the 15 October to 14 March, every day at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 or 11:00 for the Golden Circle and 20:00 or 21:00 for the Northern Lights.
There is no age limit for this tour.
Duration: Total travelling time is around 10 hours, including a minimum 30 minute stop at Geysir Hot Springs, Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park and a 3 hour approx. Northern Lights tour. Please note there is a break of 3-6 hours in Reykjavík between the Golden Circle Tour and the Northern Lights Tour.
Please note: We cannot refund this tour in the event of an unsuccessful northern lights hunt. However, you may re-book the tour and continue coming back on subsequent tours until you have a night of successful northern lights. During your stay in Iceland, if the northern lights portion of the tour is cancelled due to bad weather and you have no subsequent chance to reschedule, then that portion the tour will be refunded.
Meeting Point
Skógarhlíð 10, Reykjavík, Iceland
Language
English
Activity Level
Easy
Cancellation Policy
- Fully refundable in case of any cancellation upto 2 days before the tour.