South and North Iceland’s best are Golden Circle, South Coast, and Diamond Circle.
This 4-day tour will allow you to explore some of the best attractions in the North and South of Iceland. Enjoy the adventure of visiting waterfalls, black sand beaches, and geothermal wonders in the south, as well as lunar landscapes, soothing hot springs, and entertainment in the north. This tour package with scheduled activities and a flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri will shorten your travel time by car and give you more time to enjoy Iceland’s natural wonders.
Highlights
- This tour is an excellent introduction to your first visit to Iceland.
- Explore the famous Golden Circle and South Coast routes
- Discover the Diamond Circle route in North Iceland
- Bathe in the healing waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths
- Experience the whale-watching tour from Husavik
- Explore Iceland’s attractions at your own pace with a private guide
| Travel Style | Privately Guided Multi-Day Tour |
| Availability | May-September, Daily |
| Tour Duration | 4 Days |
Brief Itinerary | Day 1. Highlights of the Golden Circle. Hotel in Reykjavik Day 2. South Coast: Waterfalls, Beaches & Cliffs. Hotel in Reykjavik Day 3. Flight to Akureyri. Godafoss and Myvatn. Hotel at Myvatn Day 4. Dettifoss, Asbyrgi & Whale watching. Flight to Reykjavik |
| Transportation | SUV or Minivan for a group of 1-5 people |
- Private transportation on the tour
- Your driver-guide services during the trip
- Rental car costs for two days in North Iceland
- Hotel accommodations for a group
- One night accommodation for driver-guide at North Iceland
- Domestic flights Reykjavik-Akureyri-Reykjavik
- Food and drinks
Optional Extras
- Entrance fee for the Myvatn Natural Baths (1-2 hours)
The price in the description is per person based on four adults on tour. Accommodation for your group during the trip is to be reserved separately. We can book hotels for your group or book hotels yourself at the locations indicated in the tour program. Please send us a tour request to clarify the price for your group.
Reserve Now & Pay LaterOur trip starts from Reykjavik to the Nesjavellir geothermal near the Hengill volcano. At Nesjavellir, we will have a short walk to the observation deck above the geothermal power plant to explore the breathtaking bird’s eye views.
Next, we will head to Thingvellir National Park and drive along the shores of Thingvallavatn lake, the largest in Iceland. Thingvellir served as the parliament base for centuries, from the early Viking settlers until the late 18th century. We will walk along the Almannagja fissure in the park, where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge.
We will then travel to Haukadalur, the Valley of Geysers, where Strokkur, the largest active geyser in the country, spews a mixture of hot water and steam up to 20-30 m/65-100 feet every 5-10 minutes. At the same time, other hot springs in the area are calm but also colorful.
One of the main attractions of the route will be the Gullfoss waterfall, which consists of two cascades of 11 and 22 m/36 and 72 feet of water falling into a long canyon.
From Gullfoss, we will drive to Fridheimar, the tomato greenhouse and an excellent example of Icelandic gardening. It is open to the public. Here, we can enjoy unique dishes in a restaurant surrounded by tomatoes.
Another stop we make along the way is the Kerid crater. The steep slopes, about 55 meters (180 ft) deep, resemble an ancient arena, and the bottom of the cavity is filled with water, forming a small lake.
On the way to Reykjavik, we will drive through the Hellisheidi mountain pass and take you back to Reykjavik to your hotel or guesthouse.
Duration of 8-9 hours. The driving distance is approx. 260 km/162 miles. Overnight in Reykjavik
The south coast reveals many hidden spots and shows Iceland’s green and icy sides. On this day, we will discover the magical Seljalandsfoss waterfall (63 m/210 ft) and will be able to walk behind without getting completely wet. We will also visit Glufrabui, the beautiful waterfall hidden in a gorge in the same area.
After enjoying these two impressive falls, we will head towards another beautiful, powerful waterfall, Skogafoss (60 m/195 ft), high. Even from a distance, you will feel its power. And to observe Skogafoss from above, we climb the long stairs to the observation deck above to enjoy views from different angles.
Our next area on this day is the most picturesque and unique for Iceland – the southern cape of Dirholaey and the mysterious black sand Reynisfjara beach with basalt columns and Reinisdrangar cliffs towering above the water in front of the beach.
On the way back to Reykjavik, we will stop at the Solheimajokull glacier, the source of the Myrdalsjokull glacier. Here we walk along the trail from the parking lot to the glacier, partially covered in ash from the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. After this stop, we will return to Reykjavik.
Duration of 10 hours. Driving distance 400 km/250 miles. Overnight in Reykjavik.
Our first stop on the Diamond Circle route will be Godafoss, a beautiful and historically famous waterfall. Its name is associated with Iceland’s conversation with Christianity around the first millennium. The waterfall is 12 m / 40 ft high and 30 m / 100 ft wide and is formed by the glacial river Skjalfandafljot. We can enjoy the waterfall view from the observation deck and get closer to the water at its footage.
We then head towards Myvatn, Iceland’s fourth-largest lake, formed during an eruption of flowing lava. Lake Myvatn gets its name from the midge, which is the basis of the lake’s ecosystem. Here we find many free-standing pillars and lava formations in and around the lake. The lake also has the largest selection of duck species found anywhere globally.
We begin our acquaintance with the pseudocraters Skutustadagigar, also called craters without roots. They formed when lava flowed over a wetland, leaving steam underneath. The steam pressure caused explosions, creating these peculiar pseudocraters.
Another stop at the lake will be Dimmuborgir (Dark Fortress). Here you will see unique lava formations, between which we will take a short walk.
We will visit the Myvatn Natural Baths, often called the Blue Lagoon of the North. Here you can swim in the beautiful blue water and relax after sightseeing on Lake Myvatn. Bluewater comes from a depth of about 2500 meters and is considered beneficial for the skin as it is rich in minerals.
Hotel at Myvatn Lake. Duration of 6 hours. Driving distance 100 km/60 miles.
After checking out from our hotel in Myvatn, we head towards the Namafjall mountain at Hveraond’s high-temperature geothermal zone with fumaroles and pools of boiling mud. This place is sometimes called Hell’s Kitchen, as it boils very much here, and the smell of sulfur is in the air. The yellow-orange color of this area is associated with the gray that has accumulated on the surface.
A little north of Namafjall is the Stora Viti (Great Hell) crater with a lake at the bottom. This crater was formed by an eruption in 1724 during the Myvatnseldar fires. The lake has acquired a stunning azure-blue color.
Then we will drive to Jokulsarglufur canyon and stop at Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Dettifoss is 44 m/145 ft high and 100 m/330 ft wide, and its flow is 193 m3/s, which makes it incredible when you stand next to it. The waterfall is formed by the Jokulsa, a Fjallum glacial river, which originates in Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe. The water in glacial rivers is milky white, grayish, and icy.
Now we will go to Asbyrgi (Shelter of the Gods), one of the most magical places in Iceland. Asbyrgi has a length of 3.5 km and a width of 1.1 km, and the height of the walls reaches 100 m/330ft. At the very bottom of Asbyrgi, we shall see the serene Botnstjorn lake.
Our last stop will be in Husavik, the capital of Iceland, for whale watching. Historically, fishing and fish processing have been the primary sources of income for most of the inhabitants of Husavik. In recent years, Husavik has made an impressive entry into the tourism industry. Many years ago, an initiative to organize whale-watching tours in Skjalfandi Bay led people to refer to Husavik as the world whale-watching capital. We can arrange the whale watching 3-hour tour from Husavik on a classic oak fishing or RIB-safari boat.
From Hussavik, we head to Akureyri to catch an evening flight to Reykjavik and spend a night there.
Duration of 8 hours. Driving distance 255 km/160 miles. Overnight in Reykjavik
Accommodation is not included in the tour package. The cost of accommodation and the price of the tour depending on the chosen category (comfort or quality), as well as the time of year you visit Iceland (low/shoulder/high tourist season). The price per person specified in the tour description is calculated when four adults together accommodate in two double comfort rooms during the low tourist season or shoulder season if a tour is not provided during the low season. Please note that accommodation can be changed at your request to rooms of a higher category. If you plan to stay in Iceland longer than the duration of the tour, for example, to add a day before or after the tour, please notice that in the application form.
Reykjavik is a convenient place to stay during the trip, as it is the capital and a very lively and hospitable city. In the city center, there are many small hotels 3*-4* and guesthouses, which are conveniently located for evening walks and visiting local restaurants. For multi-day tours, we recommend staying at hotels fitted to the route. That allows to minimize road overlapping and extend traveling area outside of Reykjavik. It is less choice of lodging places in the countryside and most of the hotels are three-star. It is better to book accommodation in advance, especially for the summertime, otherwise, it will be difficult to find conveniently located hotels at an affordable price.
High season: June 1 – August 31; December 30 – January 2
Shoulder season: May 1 – May 31; September 1 – October 31
Low season: November 1 – December 29; January 3 – April 30
The high tourist season in Iceland is quite short, from June to the end of August. Most tourists visit the country in the summer months, and the maximum load for hotels, rental companies, tour operators reaches in July and August. Lodging and rental prices at this time are almost doubling compared to the low season, and availability may be limited. Therefore, we recommend booking a summer tour a few months before the trip.
Comfort: Standard rooms with separate bathroom and shower (or bath) in a three-star hotel or comfortable guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
Quality: High-quality rooms with separate bathroom and shower (or bath). A superior room in a three-star hotel or a standard room in a four-star hotel. Breakfast is included
In all tour package with a level of comfort or higher, you will have a separate bathroom in the booked rooms. Breakfast is always on.
Double rooms in most Icelandic hotels are rooms with two single beds. In most cases, two single beds can be put into a double bed. However, this can vary between hotels/guesthouses. Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed, so when you install an extra bed, space can be limited. You can choose a combination of rooms when booking.
Children under 2 years old get free accommodation if they live in the same room as their parents. Families with one child are advised to book 3 persons in a double room. This room can accommodate an extra bed or mattress if the available room is too small to accommodate an extra bed. Two adults and two children book two double rooms. Children living in a separate room pay the full cost. When one adult travels with one child, the full cost of a double room is charged.
Check-in time for accommodation in Iceland is usually from 14:00 to 16:00. Some hotels offer early check-in for a minimum fee. However, it depends on the hotel and room availability. The only way to ensure an early check-in is to also book the night before. However, if the room is ready, you can check-in sooner.
If you want to change the hotel, we will do everything possible to change your stay in the hotel. Please note that due to low availability and high demand in summer we cannot guarantee some hotels. If you want to book a particular hotel, we will naturally do our best to provide it to you, but keep in mind that there may be an additional charge.
Most hotels and guest houses in Iceland provide free access to wi-fi internet. Some hotels and guesthouses may charge a small fee for internet access.
Assuming that before ordering a tour or when you prepare for the trip, you may have questions that we want to answer in advance to provide you with complete information about the tour and make it comfortable as possible. If you have any other questions, please contact us.
In general – the sooner the better, considering the fact that most of our tours are privately guided, availability on certain dates might be limited.
We require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 4 weeks before arrival.
Payments are collected online while booking. We accept major credit cards. If you have any problems with using a credit card, please contact us. If another way of payment is preferable, please contact us through e-mail at info@topicelandtours.com
Once you are confident about your trip selection proceed to press the Tour Request tab. Here you will fill in the required information and proceed through the tour request.
After agreeing on the details of the tour and price, we require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 4 weeks before arrival date.
Once a booking is made an automatic e-mail is sent informing you that the order has been placed and is currently being processed by the Top Iceland team. You will then be contacted by one of our trusted travel agents with further details.
Several factors determine the tour price:
- Time of the year you plan on visiting (high, low, and shoulder seasons)
- Accommodation type (we offer comfort and quality grades, you can choose one or a mixture of both)
- Number of people traveling together (up to 15 people in a group)
- Type of vehicle for transportation (SUV, Minivan, or Minibus)
- Optional Activities (Various optional activities are available with each trip)
Pick-ups are included in the tour price and provided from Keflavik airport upon your flight arrival, your driver-guide will await you at the arrival hall holding a tag with the lead traveler name. Pick-up and drop off on other days will be from hotels reserved according to the tour itinerary.
Check-in time for accommodation in Iceland is usually between 14:00-16:00. The only way to secure an early check-in is to book the night before as well. However, if a room is ready you should be able to check-in early.
Most hotels and guesthouses in Iceland provide free access to Wi-Fi Internet. Some hotels and guesthouses might charge a small fee for access to the internet.
Solid, warm & waterproof shoes, as well as warm rain & windproof outdoor clothing, is recommended for all the tours. (Please see the question below about weather and temperature).
Here below, a table with average temperatures, precipitation, and daylights by months in Iceland:
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Avg. Rainfall | Avg. Sunlight |
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 4 inches | 5 hours |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.3 inches | 8 hours |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches | 12 hours |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 34°F (1°C) | 2.9 inches | 16 hours |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 40°F (4°C) | 2.3 inches | 18 hours |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.1 inches | 21 hours |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.7 inches | 19 hours |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 inches | 16 hours |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches | 13 hours |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 4.5 inches | 9 hours |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.2 inches | 6 hours |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 29°F (-2°C) | 4.1 inches | 4 hours |
Please remember, that weather in Iceland changes rapidly and you cannot count on long-term forecasts. Two most reliable sources of the weather forecast: https://www.vedur.is/ and https://www.yr.no/
Fortunately not, even on the shortest days of the year, there are several hours of daylight every day – between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If you wish to check a specific time of a year we recommend to use https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik
Yes, it is requested by Icelandic law to have child seats/boosters. Some families are already traveling on their own, but if you would like us to provide child seats and/or boosters on the tour, please send us an e-mail at info@topicelandtours.com
We arrange refreshment stops at cafés or restaurants on every day tour, where you can purchase your lunch and snacks. Therefore, you do not need to bring your food for the tours, however, if you prefer to bring some snacks or drinks, that is accepted. Please note that food is not included in the price of the tour.
Nearly all restaurants in Iceland offer some vegetarian food. There is no problem with purchasing vegetarian meals on tours.
The bathrooms are available at visitor centers at many stops on popular routes such as Golden Circle and South Coast. Some bathroom stops are available on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour. Your driver-guide will inform you about available places for bathroom stops on the route.
Tipping in Iceland is not required but always appreciated.
Cancellation policy for multiday tours and accommodations:
All cancellations should be made in writing and be notified as soon as possible.
- For changes made 15 days or more before arrival date: 20% cancellation fee
- For changes made 14-8 days before arrival date: 50% cancellation fee
- For changes made 7-4 days before arrival date: 75% cancellation fee
- For changes made 3 days or less before arrival date: 100% cancellation fee
Please note: Activities (Optional Extras) are individual products provided by other local operators that can have different cancellation policies. For full information about cancellation policies please check the page Terms & Conditions.
Refunds of tours canceled before departure by Top Iceland Tours:
When the tour is prepaid, a full refund will be issued in case a customer does not wish an alternative date of the tour or an alternative tour. When a tour is purchased through a third party (tourist office/booking agency or a hotel), please take your voucher back to the third party and they will issue the full refund after reconfirming with Top Iceland Tours that the tour was canceled.
Refunds of delayed, altered, or shortened tours after the departure:
When a tour is delayed due to weather, unsafe travel conditions, or unforeseen circumstances, no refunds are provided if the tour still operates. When the tour is altered or shortened after the departure due to weather, any unsafe travel conditions, or unforeseen circumstances, a partial refund is provided. The percentage of the refund is calculated according to how much of the initial itinerary has been completed.
Cancellations or change of multiday tours and accommodations by customers:
All cancellations should be made in writing and be notified as soon as possible.
- For changes made 15 days or more before arrival date: 20% cancellation fee
- For changes made 14-8 days before arrival date: 50% cancellation fee
- For changes made 7-4 days before arrival date: 75% cancellation fee
- For changes made 3 days or less before arrival date: 100% cancellation fee
This cancellation policy may apply also when booked through a third party.
No Show
When passengers are not present at the pickup place at the appointed time, we try to contact the lead traveler through the hotel staff or by phone. If we can’t contact the lead traveler, and there are no passengers are shown during an hour, this is considered as “No Show” and no refund will be made.
