Combination 3-Day Sightseeing Tour of the Golden Circle & South Coast with Whale Watching
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on this fun-filled combination tour for three days of adventure to some of Iceland's best-loved attractions, on the Golden Circle sightseeing route and the South Coast, and get the chance to spot a whale in the wild. Those eager to see some of Iceland's most spectacular natural sights should book this tour now.
Your tour starts when your expert English-speaking guide picks you up from Reykjavik. This excursion is perfect for families, and the smaller group size promises you will get more time with your guide and fellow passengers.
On the first day, you will tour the Golden Circle sightseeing route. The Golden Circle is Iceland's most popular sightseeing route, covering about 190 miles (300 kilometers) round trip from Reykjavik.
It features three iconic attractions: Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, Geysir geothermal area, home to the erupting Strokkur geyser, and Gullfoss waterfall, a stunning two-tiered waterfall.
On the second day, you will explore some of the stunning sights on Iceland's South Coast. Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls, is the first stop.
Dropping around 197 feet (60 meters) from a cliff, it offers a unique experience: visitors can walk behind the cascading water for a striking perspective. This feature makes it one of the most photographed sites in Iceland.
The waterfall is fed by the Seljalands river, which originates from the Eyjafjallajokull glacier. Its accessible location and stunning surroundings make it a popular stop for travelers exploring the south coast.
Another highlight of day two is the Reynisfjara black sand beach. Reynisfjara is a striking black sand beach on Iceland's South Coast, known for its basalt columns, powerful waves, and dramatic sea stacks called Reynisdrangar.
Located near the village of Vik, it's a popular stop for its unique volcanic landscape. Visitors should exercise caution due to strong and unpredictable tides.
Your final day sees you go to Reykjavik harbor to board a boat. You'll set out to sea to look for the whales that live here.
This combination excursion offers you and your family three separate tours, so you have different activities each day. Each day, you will be picked up and dropped off in Reykjavik.
Starting from Reykjavik each day means you don't need to change accommodations each night or spend your vacation time repacking, providing more time for sightseeing and adventuring.
Don't miss this immersive three-day experience, where you can see some of Iceland's most spectacular natural sights and search for whales. Check availability now by choosing a date.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - The Golden Circle
On the first day of your combination tour, you'll experience Iceland's most popular sightseeing route, the Golden Circle. You will be picked up and welcomed aboard a comfortable minibus and taken to the first attraction of the day, Thingvellir National Park.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Thingvellir National Park is the original congregating site of the Icelandic Parliament, established in 930 AD, making it the longest, continuously running parliament in the world.
You also have the remarkable opportunity to walk between two continents as the park is in a rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Next up is the Geysir geothermal area, named for the largest hot spring in the region, which used to erupt regularly but now lies mostly dormant.
However, its nearby neighbor, the Strokkur geyser, still blows frequently, reaching heights of up to 67 feet (20 meters), and it is an extraordinary natural event. Explore the area to admire the space-like landscape and the mesmerizing colors of the pools and surrounding rocks.
You will travel to the incredible Gullfoss waterfall not far up the road from the Geysir geothermal area.
This stunning waterfall is captivating for its raw power and throws water into a vast canyon, creating a mist that can often develop rainbows that further enhance its natural beauty.
You can view this waterfall from different spots, creating dynamic perspectives and guaranteeing excellent photo opportunities.
Your final stop for the day will be the town of Hveragerdi, characterized by its geothermal energy and rising 'Hverir' - steam clouds, after which the town is named.
After a stop at the Earthquake Exhibition, you will admire the noble and beautiful crater Kerid esteemed for its scale and fantastic colors.
You will then be dropped off at your accommodations in Reykjavík, where you are free to spend the rest of the day exploring the city or just unwinding after this eventful day.
Day 2 - The South Coast & Vik
On the second day of your combination tour, you will travel the Ring Road to discover the well-loved South Coast, where countless waterfalls fall from the interior before their rivers find their way to striking black sand beaches.
Your first stop will be Seljalandsfoss waterfall, a waterfall with a difference as there is a large cavern behind it, offering the unique perspective to admire it from varied angles.
Skogafoss waterfall is the next attraction, a towering waterfall with a curtain-like torrent of water, creating an exhilarating mist. On sunny days, you may see a rainbow in the mist above the waterfall.
You can also climb a staircase next to Skogafoss waterfall so you can admire it from its lofty beginnings.
Between the waterfalls, you will drive past Eyjafjallajokull, the notorious volcano that disrupted air travel in 2010 with its eruption and subsequent ash cloud.
On clear days, you can also glimpse the dramatic Westman Islands, a rocky archipelago off Iceland’s South Coast.
You will have lunch in the picturesque town of Vik, and you will visit the wool factory and shop where you can pick up your own iconic Icelandic jumper.
You will then drive back to Reykjavik, stopping at the impressive black sand beach at Reynisfjara.
Its basalt column cliffs define this particular piece of coastline and its eye-catching sea stacks, rumored to be greedy trolls caught out in the sunlight and petrified to stone.
After a very short drive, you will also stop at Dyrholey, an immense rock arch standing defiantly in the sea, providing a home for many birds, including the iconic puffin in the summer.
Marvel over all that you have seen today on the drive back to Reykjavik in time for any evening plans you might have.
Day 3 - Whale Watching
On this exciting combination excursion's third and final day, you will go whale watching.
You'll go to the Old Harbor to participate in whale watching, one of Iceland's most exciting wildlife activities.
In the summer, you can choose from two boats: one is a larger vessel, and the second is a swifter catamaran. The first boat is available all year round and geared towards education and interactive learning. It boasts its very own cafe, perfect for families with young children.
A trip on this boat takes about three hours, whereas the smaller boat takes less time to reach the prime whale-watching spots and is subsequently one hour shorter but only available in the summer.
Your expert captain will take you out to sea, and your guides will keep their well-trained eyes on the horizon.
On bright days, you will see the Reykjanes and Snaefellsnes peninsulas and Hvalfjordur, the appropriately named whale fjord.
Your experienced English-speaking guide will point out landmarks as you leave the harbor and keenly spot and alert you to the presence of any sea life.
The types of whales you can look forward to spotting include harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and humpback whales.
Not as frequently spotted but not unheard of are sightings of orcas, pilot whales, fin whales, and even basking sharks. You are not guaranteed to see whales during your trip, but the crew knows the best places to see them, giving you the best chance of spotting them.
If you do not see a whale during the tour, you'll be given a ticket to return and do the tour again another day.
You'll return to the harbor, and then you can spend the rest of the day sightseeing in the city or venture out into the countryside if you'd prefer.
What to bring
Good to know
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers if you are visiting in the winter. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
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