Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

The best part of this 10-hour Highlands tour is that it takes you beyond Iceland’s well-worn sightseeing circuit. You follow rough gravel roads toward Háifoss, blue waterfalls, the Valley of Tears, and the stark slopes of Hekla, places that are hard to reach without a capable vehicle and a guide who knows the way.

I like two things here. First, the stops feel varied: Gjáin is a green pocket with small cascades and an old farm, while the Valley of Tears is broad, quiet, and full of blue-green water. Second, guides such as Thor and Otto add useful local stories, humor, and flexibility when wind or road conditions force a change.

The main drawback is the price, listed at $1,922.34 per person. That is a serious premium, so this makes the most sense for a private group that values access, comfort, and a full day away from the crowds. Weather can also change the route.

Key points before you book

• Háifoss delivers a big first impression: One of Iceland’s highest waterfalls drops into the Þjórsárdalur valley.
• Gjáin adds a softer side: Walk about 500 meters each way through a small oasis of cascades and old farm remains.
• The Valley of Tears is the signature stop: Sigöldugljúfur offers a series of small falls and blue-green water from above.
• The route needs a capable vehicle: Expect rough gravel tracks and Highland conditions rather than ordinary paved roads.
• Lunch is not included: You stop at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, where you can buy food or bring your own.
• This is weather-dependent: High winds have closed roads before, and guides may substitute another scenic stop.

Why this route reaches a different Iceland

Many day tours from Reykjavík stay close to the main roads. This one heads inland toward the Highlands, where the road itself becomes part of the experience. You are not simply pulling into a busy parking area, taking one photograph, and moving on.

The route brings you to six distinct places over about 10 hours. Some stops are quick, such as the 15-minute visit to Sigöldufoss. Others give you time to walk and look around, especially Gjáin and the Valley of Tears.

That variety matters. You get waterfalls of different sizes, a canyon, volcanic country, old farm remains, and broad views near Hekla. The day also has a sense of discovery because many independent visitors cannot reach these roads in an ordinary rental car.

The experience is described as private, with only your group participating. Some past bookings have been described as small-group outings, so I would confirm the exact vehicle and group arrangement before paying, especially at this price.

Gjáin starts the day with small-scale beauty

Gjáin is an oasis at the edge of the Icelandic Highlands. Instead of one giant waterfall, you find a cluster of smaller cascades, streams, rock formations, and an old farm site. It is a good opening stop because it shows a gentler, more intimate side of Iceland.

You walk roughly 500 meters each way to the old farm and into the oasis. That is not a long distance, but the ground can be uneven, and outdoor shoes are recommended. In wet or windy weather, waterproof footwear will make this part much more pleasant.

Gjáin also served as a filming location for Game of Thrones. That may interest fans, but the place works even if you have never watched the show. The appeal is the contrast between the rough Highland surroundings and this small pocket of water and vegetation.

You have about an hour here, which is enough to explore without turning the stop into a strenuous hike. Still, this is not a fully paved attraction. If you have limited mobility, ask about the walking surface before booking.

Háifoss brings the big waterfall moment

From Gjáin, the tour follows rocky gravel roads toward Háifoss. The name means High Waterfall, and the setting lives up to it. From the viewpoint, you look into Þjórsárdalur valley as the waterfall plunges down the cliff.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for the viewpoint and photographs, though you should not expect a long walk or a broad network of marked paths. The rough approach is one reason a guided vehicle is useful.

Háifoss is also a good example of why conditions matter. Gravel roads, wind, and changing weather can affect the drive. Your guide decides what is safe, and that judgment matters more here than sticking rigidly to a printed schedule.

If you want a waterfall that feels powerful and open, Háifoss is likely to be one of the day’s strongest stops. If your main goal is to stand close to falling water, the viewpoints on this route are more about scale and setting than a close-up spray experience.

Hrauneyjar gives the day a practical pause

After the waterfall stops, you pause at Hrauneyjar Highland Center for about 40 minutes. Lunch is not included, so you can buy something there or bring your own food.

This break is more important than it sounds. A long Highland outing needs a proper pause, and Hrauneyjar breaks up the driving before the route continues toward the Valley of Tears and Hekla.

The available food selection has been described as small but good. Do not plan on a large city-style menu or a long leisurely meal. Use the stop for food, restrooms, and a chance to warm up or regroup.

Because lunch costs extra, include that in your budget. Alcoholic drinks and snacks are also not included. The tour price covers the guided outing and parking fees, not every expense during the day.

Sigöldufoss is brief but striking

Sigöldufoss is a smaller waterfall near the entrance to the Highlands. The water is often a strong blue, giving this short stop a different look from Háifoss.

You spend about 15 minutes here. That is enough to get out, see the falls, and take photographs, but it is not a place where you will wander for an hour. The short visit works well in a packed route, though some people may wish they had more time.

The color of the water depends on conditions, light, and the day’s weather. You might see the vivid blue-green shades associated with the area, but nature does not work to a fixed schedule. That uncertainty is part of visiting Iceland’s outdoors.

The Valley of Tears is the reason to choose this tour

Sigöldugljúfur, often called the Valley of Tears, is the day’s most distinctive stop. It is a canyon lined with a series of small waterfalls, and the water can appear green-blue as it moves through the valley.

You explore from above for about 35 minutes. The view is less about one towering fall and more about the repeated pattern of water, rock, and open Highland country. It is especially appealing if you enjoy photography and quieter viewpoints.

This is also the place where a guide adds real value. The canyon is not presented as a major roadside attraction, and reaching it requires the right route and vehicle. You can appreciate the setting without worrying about finding an obscure turn or navigating rough tracks yourself.

Do not expect a long marked trail or a full afternoon at the canyon. The stop is compact. But within that time, it can become the visual centerpiece of the tour.

Hekla shows Iceland’s harsher side

The final listed stop takes you into the desolate area around Volcano Hekla. The visit is short, around 10 minutes, and conditions determine how close the vehicle can go. When it is safe and the road is open, the guide may drive toward Rauðaskál crater.

This is not a traditional volcano walk. The point is the stark volcanic setting and the chance to see Hekla from a safe distance. The area can feel empty and exposed, especially after the waterfalls and streams earlier in the day.

High winds can change this part of the route. On one outing, a road closure meant the final scheduled stop could not be reached, and the guide found another beautiful place instead. That is a useful reminder: flexibility is part of a Highland trip, not a failure of planning.

The guides shape the day

Thor is the guide most closely associated with this experience. He is described as funny, attentive, and well-informed about Icelandic culture and nature. His style appears conversational rather than formal, with stories and jokes mixed into the drive.

Otto, also known as Otto the Viking, has led the route as well. He is described as considerate with time and good at adapting when roads close. Another guide has also been praised for making extra efforts to reach viewpoints when the day ran late.

That range of guide experiences suggests a personal outing rather than a scripted bus tour. You can ask questions, adjust the pace within reason, and get more context about what you are seeing.

There is one practical issue to keep in mind. One person found it hard to hear the guide from the back seat, even when a speaker was used. If clear narration matters to you, ask where you will sit or confirm how the vehicle handles group communication.

What the price buys you

At $1,922.34 per person, this is not a budget day trip. You are paying for access to the Highlands, a long driving day, a private or very small-group format, parking fees, and a guide who handles the rough route.

The value improves if you are splitting the cost among a private group and want places that are difficult to reach independently. It also makes more sense for people who have already seen Reykjavík’s standard sights and want a less common side of Iceland.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick waterfall sampler. You could spend less on more conventional outings, though you would likely trade away the remote roads, smaller crowds, and Valley of Tears stop.

Food is extra, and the day is long. Before booking, ask yourself if you want a full day of changing scenery and rough-road travel. If you prefer short transfers, polished facilities, and a fixed schedule, this may feel expensive and tiring.

Who will enjoy this Highland adventure

I would recommend this outing to you if you:

• Want to see parts of Iceland that are difficult to reach in a standard rental car
• Care more about unusual scenery than famous, crowded stops
• Enjoy waterfalls, volcanic country, and photography
• Prefer a personal guide to a large coach
• Can manage short walks on uneven outdoor ground
• Are comfortable with a long day and weather-related changes

It is less suitable if you need a fully accessible route, dislike gravel-road driving, or want every minute planned around indoor facilities. Most people can participate, but the walking at Gjáin and the outdoor viewpoints still require reasonable footing.

Bring outdoor shoes and clothing suited to wind and rain. Pack snacks or lunch if you do not want to buy food at Hrauneyjar. Give yourself time to reach the 8:30 a.m. start at BSÍ bus terminal or arrange the offered pickup from an assigned Reykjavík bus stop. Pickup is also available in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.

Booking, cancellations, and weather

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour ends back at the starting meeting point, and pickup is offered in the stated areas.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if the Valley of Tears, remote waterfalls, and rough Highland roads are the part of Iceland you most want to see. The tour’s strongest points are its unusual route, personal guiding, and willingness to adapt when weather closes a road.

Think twice if $1,922.34 per person feels hard to justify or if you prefer a shorter, easier day. For a private group that wants access beyond the usual circuit, this is a memorable and practical way to reach the Highlands without driving the tracks yourself. For everyone else, compare the price carefully and confirm the group size before booking.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The standard meeting point is BSÍ Parking and bus terminal in Reykjavík, at 8:30 a.m.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from assigned bus stops in Reykjavík and BSÍ bus terminal. Pickup is also available in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

The activity is described as private, with only your group participating. Since some outings have also been described as small-group tours, confirm the exact group arrangement before booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You stop at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, where you can buy food or bring your own.

What should I wear for Gjáin?

Outdoor shoes are recommended because the walk into Gjáin covers about 500 meters each way and may involve uneven ground.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The tour requires good weather, and strong winds or road closures can prevent access to some stops. The guide may offer a different scenic stop when conditions require it.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.