GOLDEN CIRCLE AND WHALE WATCHING
Highlights
Reykjavik, Þingvellir, Gullfoss
Group Tour
11 Hours
VERY_EASY
English
Description
Two of Iceland's top five in one day
For an unforgettable action-packed day, take Iceland´s most iconic tour, the Golden Circle, and afterward head out to sea for an evening of whale watching.
The Golden Circle Classic is our bestselling day tour! 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 literally 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 harbor with its design boutiques and coffee houses, or simply stroll around and take in all the action in the busy harbor.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 harbor porpoises and the huge humpback whales.
Please note that after the whale watching tour customers will have to find their own way to their accommodation.
Join our tour and step aboard one of our new buses, fully equipped with WiFi-connected computer tablets for each guest.The tablets provide you with a continuous stream of relevant information along the journey with a GPS-synced Audio Guide, available in a choice of 10 languages.Along the tour, our local hosts will make your experience comfortable and are happy to answer any questions you might have about our peculiar country.In each seat, you will also find a USB outlet to charge any of your devices.
Itinerary
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Reykjavik Terminal
• 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.
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Þingvellir National Park
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.
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Geysir Hot Springs
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.
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Gullfoss Waterfall
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.
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Whale Watching
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 on board café with light refreshments, basic bathroom facilities.Once underway, an on board 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
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Please Note
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.