Golden Circle Classic Half Day Tour

Situated on the brink of two tectonic plates, Iceland is being pulled apart by approximately 2 cms every year. The Thingvellir National Park is situated at a distance of 40 kilometers from Iceland’s capital Reykjavik. It is considered one of the most culturally and historically significant locations of Iceland and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

The region of Haukadalur has been well documented to have hot springs since the 13th century. The English word geyser originated in the 18th century from this region, and this unusual phenomenon gained a lot of interest worldwide. Soon, the word geyser went on to become popular across the world. The Gullfoss, also known as the Golden Falls is a waterfall situated in the canyons of southwest Iceland. A two-step waterfall, Gullfoss consists of water melting from the Langjokull glacier, as it plummets into a steep gorge cut into the natural rock formations in the region.

Your bus tour will begin at the easily accessible BSI Terminus in downtown Reykjavik. With a headset for each visitor, you can enjoy a brief overview of the geography and history of the area through an audioguide. The Thingvellir National Park is well-known for its remarkable tectonic and volcanic activity and is one of the most spectacular rift valleys known to man. A visitor center can also be seen, which can help you get oriented to the park. A number of faults and cracks are visible in this region.

At the geothermal area of Haukadalur, the steaming geysers, Strokkur and Geysir conjure a gorgeous scene. The sight of Strokkur erupting every 10 minutes is something that you must witness. Reaching nearly 40 m in height on some occasions, the towering geyser is a display of the extreme geothermal activity in the region.

The Gullfoss waterfall presents one of the most unique and stunning spectacles in the world. As you approach the waterfalls, it seems as if the river seems to melt into the Earth suddenly. On closer scrutiny, you will observe that it plunges abruptly into a massive crevice. The spray of water, as it cascades to the ground, with a backdrop of the famous Icelandic natural beauty is a truly unforgettable experience!