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Trace the Golden Circle and Enjoy Whale Watching

10 Hours 30 Minutes

From spouting Geysir to the spouting Whales in a blink of an eye.

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.

Whale Watching with Elding: head out to sea and go searching for the whales of Iceland.

GPS synced audio guide: will give you all the information you need for your journey.

Description

For an unforgettable action-packed day, take Iceland´s most iconic tour, the Golden Circle, and afterwards, head out to sea for an evening of whale watching. Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings of old as you walk down into the rift valley where the American and Eurasian continental plates are pulling apart at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament. Witness the steaming geothermal springs as the ground trembles, and hot water spouts spectacularly skywards from the famous Strokkur Geyser at the home of the one-and-only original geyser and Iceland's most iconic natural attraction. Experience the magnificence and power of Gullfoss Waterfall, a set of glacial river cascades falling 32 meters into a narrow canyon with a thunderous roar.

After returning to Reykjavik around 15:30, the whale watching trip will begin at 17:00 meaning you will have about 1.5 hrs to enjoy the quaint old harbour with its design boutiques and coffee houses, or stroll around and take in all the action in the busy harbour. In the bay, a large variety of whales, dolphins and birds can be found. The minke whales are playful and in large numbers, along with the quick and quirky white-beaked dolphins, the cute harbour porpoises and the huge humpback whales.

Please note that after the whale watching tour customers will have to find their way to the accommodation.

Itinerary
  • Reykjavik Terminalexpand_more

    • Tours depart from the Reykjavik Terminal located at Skógarhlíð 10. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure along with a printed or digital copy of your ticket/voucher. 
    • If you have booked a hotel pickup 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.

  • Þingvellir National Parkexpand_more

    Located on the northern shores of Þingvallavatn (Iceland's largest lake), Þingvellir (anglicized as 'thingvellir') is the national pride of Iceland and our first National Park. It is, for one, a key location in Icelandic history as the oldest existing parliament in the world first assembled there in 930 AD. For this reason, Þingvellir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is, therefore, a protected national park due to its unique geology and natural features. From the viewing area, the Almannagjá canyon between two tectonic plates can be seen, a visual representation of continental drift.

    As the first stop along the tour, you will have an opportunity to walk through the park and use the restroom if needed.

  • Geysir Hot Springsexpand_more

    A favorite stop along the Golden Circle is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters (100 ft) into the air every few minutes.The area became active more than 1000 years ago and comprises more than a dozen hot hot spring holes. Although one can only see steam emerging from the surface of Geysir these days, its name was adopted to represent spouting hot springs all over the world.

    Along the tour, the newly opened Geysir Center offers guests and travelers a chance to use the restroom and to catch some refreshments as well as lunch.

  • Gullfoss Waterfallexpand_more

    As one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland, Gullfoss is a waterfall located in the canyon of Hvítá river in the southwest of the country. The beautiful Hvítá river rushes southward in three steps into a narrow canyon with a breathtaking roar and grandeur. Furthermore, on clear days the magnificent Langjökull glacier, Iceland's second largest glacier, can be seen in the distance. 

    Guests and Travelers may use the restroom and purchase food and refreshments at this location as well.

  • Whale Watching expand_more

    After a full day of sightseeing, we will drop you off at the Elding Whale Watching office. After checking in and hopping on board, you will receive warm clothing if you feel it needed and you will find several outdoor viewing platforms, a large indoor saloon with an onboard café with light refreshments, basic bathroom facilities. 

    Once underway, an onboard guide will be there to will commentate on the sights and views at hand through the intercom system on board and will be available to you and happy to answer any questions you may have throughout the tour.

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 guide

Admission to the sights

Free Wi-Fi and USB-charger for each seat

Our specially modified whale watching boats all have big viewing decks as well as indoor facilities such as a cafeteria and toilets.

Access to the Whale Watching Centre

Wireless internet on board

“Whale Guarantee” If we find no whales on your tour you get another free try on our classic Whale watching tour.

What's Excluded

Food & Drinks

Pick-up 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.

Drop off is never included after the whale watching part. Customers will have to find their own way to accommodation after the whale watching.

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.

Please note, it will not be possible to refund this tour in the event of an unsuccessful Whale Watching Tour. However, you may re-book the tour and continue coming back on subsequent tours until you have the chance to see whales.

Available all year round (depending on weather)

Pricing: Teenagers 12-15 years 50% off & children 0-11 years old free

Age limit: No age limit

Duration: Approx. Ten hours including a minimum 30 minute stop at Geysir Hot Springs, Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park and approx. Total distance covered: 290 km or 180 mi. The Whale Watching Tour is approx 3 hours. 

*If you don’t have warm clothing we will supply you with a hot overall and more gear, as well as having some sweaters to lend on the Whale watching boat.

Accessible for those with limited mobility.

Infant seats available

Meeting Point

10 Skógarhlíð

Language

English

Activity Level

Easy

Cancellation Policy
  • Fully refundable in case of any cancellation upto 2 days before the tour.
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From

EUR 28.50
Starting From
USD 87 / Person
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