Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

The best thing about this tour is how much Iceland it packs into one booking: a red volcanic crater, erupting hot water, a roaring glacier-fed waterfall, the birthplace of Iceland’s parliament, a geothermal soak, and a night under the Northern Lights. I especially like the included Kerið and Secret Lagoon tickets, plus the fact that you can leave winter driving and route planning to an experienced driver.

I also like the two-part format. You get a full Golden Circle day, then a separate evening bus for the aurora hunt. The catch is stamina. With an 8:00 am start, a pickup window of up to 30 minutes, a short break before the night tour, and an evening that may run until around midnight, this is a big day.

Key points at a glance

• A full Iceland sampler: Kerið, Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir, the Secret Lagoon, and a Northern Lights search all fit into one package.
• Two separate bus tours: Your daytime and evening rides use different buses and guides.
• Strong guide service: Guides named Anna, Daniel, Sunny, Matt, and others have been praised for clear explanations, local stories, patience, and photo help.
• Secret Lagoon access included: Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent them at the pool for an extra fee.
• Large-group transport: The maximum is 60 people, so expect efficiency rather than a small-group feel.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: Poor weather can cancel the evening trip, but a different date or full refund may be offered.

One long day from Reykjavik to Iceland’s best-known sights

At $185 per person, this is a practical package for a first visit, especially if you have only a short stay in Iceland. The price includes transportation, a guide, WiFi on board, entrance to Kerið, and admission to the Secret Lagoon. Lunch is not included, so you will need to buy food during a stop.

The value comes from combining a daytime sightseeing route with an evening Northern Lights hunt. Booking these separately can take more planning, and you would need to arrange transport between them. Here, you return to the same central Reykjavik meeting point before setting out again at about 8:30 pm.

This is not a relaxed spa day with a little sightseeing attached. It is a high-output Iceland day, with long drives between stops and time outdoors in changing weather. If you want to see as many major sights as possible without driving, the pace makes sense. If you prefer quiet roads, small groups, and plenty of time at each stop, a smaller tour may suit you better.

Pickup is at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, and the evening collection uses the same location. The morning meeting can feel confusing when several buses arrive together and guides call out names near running engines, so arrive early, stay close to the stop, and check the bus details carefully.

Kerið crater brings color and easy walking

Kerið is an ancient volcanic crater with a lake at its center. Its red and rust-colored slopes contrast with the water, and the walking paths let you view the crater from above before following a winding trail down toward the lake.

The planned stop gives you about 25 minutes on location, though the broader itinerary lists roughly 90 minutes for this part of the journey. That is enough for photographs and a short walk, but not a slow circuit with long pauses. Wear shoes with a decent grip, especially in wet or icy weather.

I like this stop because it adds a different kind of scenery to the Golden Circle. Geysir and Gullfoss are dramatic through heat and force. Kerið is quieter and more graphic, with its bowl-shaped volcanic form and colored rock.

Geysir and Strokkur: wait for the burst

The Geysir geothermal area gives the tour its most regular natural show. The original Geysir helped give the word geyser to languages around the world, but it is Strokkur that provides the action today.

Strokkur usually erupts every few minutes, sending hot water and steam upward, sometimes as high as 40 meters. You will have about 75 minutes here, which gives you time to watch several eruptions instead of taking a single hurried photograph.

Stay on the marked paths. The pools and streams are extremely hot, and steam can obscure the ground. The area also has a visitor center with toilets, food, drinks, and shops. This is often the most useful place to buy lunch, and the schedule may allow extra time here for a meal.

A good guide can make this stop much better. Anna, Daniel, Sunny, and other daytime guides have been praised for adding Icelandic stories and explaining what you are seeing without talking nonstop. If your guide suggests a higher viewpoint, the climb can reward you with a broader view across the geothermal area.

Gullfoss gives the tour its loudest moment

Gullfoss is a powerful two-stage waterfall fed by meltwater from Langjökull glacier. The river drops through a broad upper section and then plunges into a narrower gorge, creating spray, noise, and a constant sense of movement.

You get about 40 minutes at the falls. Several viewing points offer different angles, from broad views across the drop to close positions where spray can reach your face. In winter, paths may be slippery and wind can cut through clothing quickly.

This is a stop where you should keep your camera protected and avoid spending every minute taking pictures. Look up from the viewing rail and listen to the water. The scale is difficult to capture in a single image.

There is a cafe near the falls, and hot chocolate can be welcome after standing outside. The waterfall has frozen during severe winters, although that is increasingly uncommon. Do not count on a completely white Gullfoss, but expect winter conditions around the paths.

Thingvellir connects Icelandic politics and geology

Thingvellir National Park is important for two very different reasons. Iceland’s Alþingi parliament first met here in the late 10th century, bringing chieftains together to discuss laws and disputes. The site is also located along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the European and American tectonic plates meet.

The tour allows about 40 minutes at Thingvellir, after a substantial drive. A guide may walk you to a key viewpoint and explain the site before giving you time to explore on your own.

This stop rewards attention more than speed. The rock formations and open views matter, but the main appeal is understanding why this particular place became central to Icelandic public life. You are not just looking at a geological divide. You are standing in a place tied to the country’s early system of government.

The walking is generally manageable, but the route can feel exposed in bad weather. Keep your hat and gloves handy even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave.

The Secret Lagoon is warm, rustic, and not private

Gamla Laugin, better known as the Secret Lagoon, is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. The water is warm, and small hot springs bubble around the pool. A miniature geyser erupts every few minutes, adding a small natural show while you soak.

Your entry is included, which is important because the lagoon is one of the main added costs in a combined tour. Bring your own swimsuit and towel if you can. Both can be rented at the pool for an extra charge.

The changing facilities include lockers, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers. You must shower without a swimsuit before entering the pool, and the shower area does not offer much private enclosure. If you are modest, this is worth knowing before you book.

The lagoon is maintained and comfortable, but it has a more natural feel than a polished modern spa. Some people appreciate the algae and geothermal character. Others may find the water less clean-looking than a man-made pool. I would approach it as a warm outdoor spring, not a luxury wellness center.

The lagoon can be peaceful once you are in the water, though a full bus arriving at once means the changing rooms and pool may be busy at first. Bring a plastic bag for wet swimwear and keep the soaking time in perspective: you still have an evening tour ahead.

The Northern Lights hunt depends on nature

The evening tour begins around 8:30 pm and lasts about three hours. You board a different bus and head into the countryside, where the guides look for darker skies and gaps in the cloud. The bus may stop at more than one location if conditions change.

The guides do more than drive you to a viewpoint. Some help with camera settings and take photographs for the group. One guide, JP, was especially praised for helping people get a good picture with different types of phones and cameras. Hot chocolate may also be served during the wait.

Still, no guide can promise an aurora. Cloud, wind, and solar activity all matter. Several departures have been canceled or offered for another night because of poor conditions, and some outings produced only a faint display. That is not a failure of the route, but you should treat the evening as a weather-dependent attempt, not a guaranteed show.

The group setting also affects the mood. Some guides keep talking during the ride, while others give more quiet time outside. One bus was described as unusually noisy, so this may not be the calmest way to spend the end of a long day.

If the lights do not appear, ask about rebooking. The cancellation terms allow a different date or full refund when poor weather cancels the experience. That protection does not make a cloudy night less disappointing, but it does reduce the financial risk.

Guides can shape the entire day

The strongest part of this experience is often the daytime guide. Anna has been praised for her energy, humor, local detail, and ability to give the group both guided walks and independent time. Daniel has been described as patient and informative, while Sunny has been noted for explaining Icelandic life as well as the main sights.

Matt received special praise for taking group photographs and pointing out good photo positions. On the Northern Lights portion, JP and other evening guides have helped with camera settings and stayed alert to whether people were satisfied before moving on.

Guide quality can vary, as it does on any large bus tour. The best guides make long drives useful by adding stories and context. The less personal evening departures may feel more like transport with commentary.

The practical drawbacks of a 60-person bus

The maximum group size is 60, so this is not an intimate outing. You may need to wait for people at each stop, and popular sites can feel crowded when a full bus arrives.

Seats cannot be reserved in advance. If you are traveling as a family or need to sit together, arrive early and ask the guide for help. A family was split up after boarding late, which caused a serious problem for a child with autism. The operator has stated that guides can assist, but there is no guaranteed seating system.

The pickup process is the weakest part of the operation. Several buses may gather at the same Reykjavik stop, and names can be hard to hear over engines and street noise. Confirm your bus before boarding, and do not assume that a nearby coach is yours.

The daytime route itself is better organized once underway. Toilets appear at several stops, and food is available at the geothermal area, Gullfoss, and other roadside stops. You should still carry water and a snack because lunch is not included.

Who should book this Iceland combination tour?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Iceland for the first time, have limited time, do not want to drive, and want the broadest possible sample of the Golden Circle in one day. It also works well for solo visitors because the itinerary provides structure while leaving enough time to walk around independently.

It is a good match for anyone who values sightseeing efficiency over privacy. The included lagoon entry and separate Northern Lights outing make the $185 price reasonable, especially when you count the transport and guide service.

I would think twice if you dislike large buses, need guaranteed family seating, want a quiet evening, or find long days physically tiring. The combined schedule can mean more than 13 hours of activity once pickup and waiting are included. Dress in layers, bring waterproof outerwear, and wear shoes suited to wet or icy paths.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Iceland’s major geothermal, geological, historical, and waterfall sights without renting a car. The Secret Lagoon gives the day a warm pause, and the Northern Lights hunt adds a worthwhile second chance to see something that cannot be scheduled.

Do not book it expecting a private experience or guaranteed aurora. The strongest value comes from the range of sights, included admissions, helpful daytime guides, and the chance to rebook a weather-canceled evening. For a first Iceland visit, that is a fair trade for the early start, large bus, confusing pickup, and very long day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes.

What time does the daytime tour begin?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

Does the price include entrance to the Secret Lagoon?

Yes. Admission to the Secret Lagoon and Kerið crater is included.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes, bring both if possible. Swimsuits and towels can be rented at the Secret Lagoon for an additional fee.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are available at stops such as the Geysir area and Gullfoss.

Is the Northern Lights tour on the same bus?

No. The evening Northern Lights hunt uses a different bus and begins with pickup at the same location at about 8:30 pm.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.