Description
Summary
Description
See the three main sights of the Golden Circle, plus Kerid Crater, on this full-day bus tour from Reykjavik. The Golden Circle is a route of about 186 miles (300 kilometers) that covers some of the most varied sights in Iceland.
On morning departures, the first stop is Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater lake known for its contrasting colors: maroon mineral sediment, dark lava rock, and blue water. The crater formed almost 6,500 years ago, when the magma chamber emptied and collapsed after an eruption. You can walk around the rim or follow the path down to the water, which often freezes over in winter.
Next is Gullfoss Waterfall, fed by Langjokull, the second-largest glacier in Iceland. The water runs down a 36-foot (11-meter) step and then plunges 69 feet (21 meters) into a deep canyon, and on sunny days the mist often forms a rainbow. Paths lead to an upper viewpoint by the visitor center and a lower viewpoint closer to the falls, though the lower path can close when it's icy.
Then you continue to the Geysir Geothermal Area in Haukadalur Valley, with steam vents, bubbling hot springs, and mud pools. The Great Geysir, which gave its name to all other geysers, is no longer active, but nearby Strokkur Geyser shoots water about 66 feet (20 meters) into the air every 4 to 16 minutes. The tour stops here for lunch at the visitor center.
The last stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Iceland's parliament, the Althingi, was founded here in 930 AD and is one of the oldest parliaments in the world. You walk through the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, on the only part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge visible above sea level.
After Thingvellir National Park, you drive back to Reykjavik.
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