Iceland's Golden Circle in Depth (2024)

Overview

• Meals: Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.
• Transport: Private vehicle.
• Accommodation: Hotel (4 nights).
• Reykjanes Peninsula - Herbal tea and salt workshop visit.
• Reykjanes Peninsula - Gunnuhver hot springs.
• Reykjanes Peninsula - Bridge between Continents.
• Reykjanes Peninsula - Strandarkirkja.
• Golden Circle - Strokkur Geysir.
• Fludir - Secret Lagoon.
• Golden Circle - Gullfoss Waterfall.
• South Coast - Kvernufoss Waterfall Hike.
• South Coast - Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.
• South Coast - Skogafoss Waterfall visit.
• South Coast - Solheimajokull Glacier Hike.
• Reykjavik - Leader-led walking tour.
• Golden Circle - Thingvellir National Park.

Welcome to Iceland! Your adventure begins in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital and an eclectic place full of charm. At 6 pm you’ll meet your local leader and travel companions at an important welcome meeting at your hotel. If you arrive in Reykjavik with time to spare, why not hit the streets and explore the city's quirky boutiques and cosy cafes. After your welcome meeting, you may like to head into town with the group and get to know each other over dinner.

Wake up and take a moment to breathe in the fresh Icelandic air before heading out towards the Reykjanes Peninsula. Stop at family-run workshop where they use native Icelandic ingredients to make herbal teas, jams and salts. Tour their production area and learn more about their sustainability initiatives while sipping on a cup of their delicious tea. Next up you’ll see the Bridge between Continents, a footbridge that spans a fissure between the North American and Eurasian continental plates, and visit the eerie mud pools and steam vents of Gunnuhver, named for the angry ghost that is believed to have been trapped in the hot springs 400 years ago. A steaming bowl of lobster soup awaits you in the fishing village of Grindavik for lunch (vegetarian alternatives available), before you continue to Strandarkirkja, a Lutheran church that has been a landmark for seafaring travellers since the 12th century. After a busy day you’ll head for your accommodation near the town ofHveragerdi. This evening will be a good opportunity to turn your head to the skies in search of the Northern Lights.

Today is all about exploring Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. Head to the geyser geothermal area to check out Strokkur and watch as the geyser swells with blue water before erupting and shooting some 20-30 metres in the air. Marvel at the immense beauty and sheer power of the Gullfoss double waterfall on the Hvita River. After witnessing these natural wonders, it’s time to reap the benefits of Iceland’s geothermal activity for yourself, with a soak in the warm waters of the Secret Lagoon. Fed by various hot springs in the surrounding area, this spot is the oldest pool in Iceland – though it’s had a facelift since first opening in 1894. Once you're fully destressed (or before your fingertips start to prune), head back to your accommodation, and depending on the weather, rug up in warm clothing and head out in search of the northern lights.

Start the day by visiting the magical Seljalandsfoss waterfall and take a walk behind its cascade for a different perspective, followed by the powerful Skogafoss waterfall, one of Iceland's biggest at a width of 25 metres and a drop of 60 metres. From here embark on a short hike to another breathtaking waterfall, Kvernufoos, hidden in a nearby valley, and unbeknownst to most. The waterfall is framed by moss-coated cliffs of lava rock, adding to its otherworldly appearance. After you’ve had your fill of gorgeous waterfalls, prepare to take a walk on one of Europe's biggest ice caps – the mighty Solheimajokull Glacier. No experience is necessary to partake in the hike – your guide will brief you on all you need to know so you can explore the icy caves and crevasses safely. This evening you’ll enjoy a comforting dinner at your accommodation before looking to the skies in search of dancing lights.

It’s time to head back to Reykjavik. En route, stop at Thingvellir National Park to see the Parliament Plains, the site of Iceland’s first parliament. Thingvellir also contains the Silfra fissure, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart, the resulting gap partly filled with fresh water and clearly visible. Once you get back to Reykjavik, your leader will take you out on a walking tour to discover more of the history and culture of this fascinating city. Once this concludes, you will say your goodbyes and your adventure will come to an end.

Travel Partner

Book with confidence

• Book by online enquiry, in-store or by phone
• Expert travel advisors
• Extra savings on selected holidays
• Nationally accredited

Terms and conditions

Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803) serves as an agent, selling various travel-related products and services on behalf of many providers like airlines, coach, rail, and cruise line operators, as well as wholesalers and tour operators. As your agent, Members Travel Group provide booking and advisory services including making travel bookings on your behalf and arranging contracts between you and the travel service providers. Any bookings made either in-store or online will be subject to Members Travel Group'sprivacy policy,terms of useandbooking conditionsin addition to anythird-party booking conditions and privacy policies. Members Travel Group does not act as a travel agent in relation to car hire and International Driving Permit products referenced on the page.

Stays prices may include a booking fee which, in the event of a cancellation, is refundable (or non-refundable) on the same basis as the stays fee itself. Stays discounts do not apply to the booking fee.

*Terms and conditions apply to all offers. View the individual offer for full details. Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.Booking fees may apply.

Clicking links to access discounts and benefits may take you to a third-party site, which will be subject to the terms of use and conditions of the third party separate to RACQ. By providing information via that third-party site, you will be providing information directly to that third party. We recommend that you read the privacy statement of the third-party site if you are clicking through or redirected.

To view the RACQ Privacy Policyclick here.