Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

Iceland’s Valley of Tears tour reaches the sort of places that are easy to miss from the main roads: a canyon threaded with blue-green falls, rough highland tracks, and the stark country around Volcano Hekla. I like the small, private format and the guide-led access to roads you may not want to tackle in a normal rental car. The main catch is the price, $1,922.34 per person, so this is a serious splurge unless your group values privacy and hard-to-reach scenery.

I also like the mix of gentle walks and short viewpoint stops. You get time at Gjáin and Sigoldugljufur, yet you do not spend the whole day hiking. Guides such as Thor and Otto are often praised for humor, local stories, flexibility, and safe driving. Still, the Highlands depend on weather and road conditions. Strong wind can close roads or force a change in the final stop.

Key points at a glance

• The Valley of Tears is the star: Sigoldugljufur offers a canyon lined with small waterfalls and often green-blue water.
• Háifoss brings a huge view: One of Iceland’s highest waterfalls drops into Þjórsárdalur Valley.
• Gjáin adds a softer side: This small oasis has waterfalls, old farm remains, and a Game of Thrones connection.
• The drive is part of the adventure: Expect rough gravel roads and highland tracks, not a smooth sightseeing loop.
• Lunch is not included: Stop at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, where you buy your own meal.
• Weather can reshape the day: The operator may alter the route or cancel for safety.

Why this Highlands trip feels different

Many Iceland day trips follow the same well-known circuit. This one points inland, toward the southern Highlands, where the scenery is quieter and the roads are rougher. You are not simply stepping off a bus at a marked roadside attraction. You are relying on a driver-guide who knows how to reach waterfalls, canyons, and volcanic ground that a standard rental car may not handle.

That matters most if you are touring Iceland without a 4×4. A camper van or ordinary car can take you around much of the Ring Road, but the highland tracks are another matter. Booking a private vehicle lets you see this part of Iceland without making your own difficult route decisions.

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. from BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík, with pickup also offered at assigned Reykjavík bus stops and in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. The tour returns to the original meeting point after roughly 10 hours. Since the listed stops add up to only a few hours, much of the day is spent driving between them. That is not wasted time. The changing views and rough-road journey are part of the appeal, but you should not expect a nonstop sequence of long walks.

The private format is another strong point. Only your own group participates, giving you more room to ask questions and adjust the pace than you would get on a large coach. The supplied material also includes praise for small groups, so exact vehicle arrangements may vary. Ask the operator about your group size and vehicle before booking if that affects your decision.

Gjáin: a small oasis before the open Highlands

Gjáin is a fine first stop because it gives you a close look at Iceland’s gentler side. At the roots of the Highlands, this sheltered oasis has little waterfalls, unusual rock formations, and the remains of an old farm. It was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, though the natural setting is the real reason to come.

You walk about 500 meters each way to the old farm and into the oasis. That is not a demanding distance, but the ground is outdoors and can be uneven. Bring proper outdoor shoes rather than casual street footwear.

I like this stop because it offers detail before the day opens into wide, stark volcanic country. You can look closely at water, rock, and plant life, then hear how the old farm fitted into such a remote setting. One unusual detail from the experience is the chance to taste some of the local vegetation, depending on the guide and conditions.

Allow about an hour here. It is a place for slow looking, not a quick photo stop. If you have limited mobility, ask ahead about the walking surface. The general guidance says most people can participate, but it does not promise fully accessible paths.

Háifoss and the Þjórsárdalur view

From Gjáin, the tour takes rocky gravel roads toward Háifoss, one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls. After parking, you walk toward the viewpoint for a broad look into Þjórsárdalur Valley.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so this is mainly a viewpoint visit rather than a long hike. Háifoss makes its impression through scale: water plunges into a deep valley, with layered ground stretching beyond it. The approach road is an important part of the practical picture. This is not the sort of place you should casually attempt in a regular city car.

A guide earns their keep here by managing the road and choosing a safe place to stop. Several accounts praise the driving in strong wind, which is worth noting in Iceland, where conditions can change quickly. You should still dress for exposure. A beautiful viewpoint can become unpleasant fast if the wind rises.

Hrauneyjar: a useful lunch break

The Hrauneyjar Highland Center is the day’s planned meal stop and lasts about 40 minutes. Lunch is not included, and neither are snacks or alcoholic drinks, so budget for food separately.

The center has a small but useful selection of food. It is not presented as a culinary destination, and you should treat it as a practical chance to eat, use facilities, and pause during a long day on rough roads. That break matters. A 10-hour Highlands outing needs a proper reset, especially if you have been outside in wind and cool weather.

Bring a snack of your own if you prefer choice or need to eat at a particular time. Since the tour starts early and the lunch stop is fixed, having something in your bag is sensible. Do not assume that food is part of the tour price.

Sigoldufoss: a quick flash of blue

Sigoldufoss is a smaller waterfall than Háifoss, but its color can make it one of the most memorable stops. At the entrance to the Icelandic Highlands, the water is often strikingly blue.

You get about 15 minutes here, enough for a short walk and photographs. This is not a long exploration. Its value comes from contrast: after the massive view at Háifoss, you see a more compact waterfall with color as its main feature.

Water color varies with light, weather, and conditions, so do not expect a guaranteed postcard shade. Still, the stop earns its place because it helps show how varied Iceland’s waterfalls can be. A tripod or elaborate photo setup may be impractical during such a brief visit, but you should have time for a few good views.

Sigoldugljufur and the Valley of Tears

Sigoldugljufur is the centerpiece of the route. The name Valley of Tears suits the scene: a canyon with a string of small waterfalls, often surrounded by green-blue water. You view the canyon from above, which gives the falls a layered effect rather than a single straight drop.

The stop lasts around 35 minutes. That is enough to walk around the viewpoint area and take in the canyon, but not enough for an extended trek. The setting is often described as one of Iceland’s best photography locations, and I can see why. The water, narrow cuts in the ground, and repeated small cascades give you more to frame than a single waterfall.

This is also where the private format has real value. The route is less familiar than Iceland’s headline sights, and a guide can handle the approach, road conditions, and safe viewing points. The lack of crowds is part of the attraction, though it cannot be guaranteed on every departure.

Watch your footing and stay within safe viewing areas. The tour description says you explore from above, not that you descend into the canyon. Do not trade a photograph for a risky step near an edge, especially in wind.

Around Volcano Hekla and Rauðaskál crater

The final scheduled area is the desolate ground around Volcano Hekla. The stop itself is listed at about 10 minutes, with a possible drive toward Rauðaskál crater when conditions are good and the route is considered safe.

This is a short stop, but it changes the mood of the day. The waterfalls are about movement and color. Hekla’s surroundings are about emptiness, volcanic force, and the stark character of Iceland’s interior. You get a better sense of how quickly the country shifts from green pockets to bare volcanic ground.

The wording around Rauðaskál matters. You may not drive there if weather, road conditions, or safety concerns intervene. A previous outing had to skip its last planned stop because high winds closed roads, and the guide substituted another scenic location. That flexibility is useful, but you should book this tour for the Highlands as a whole, not for one guaranteed crater view.

Thor, Otto, and the guide experience

Thor is the guide most often associated with this experience. He is described as funny, attentive, and full of Icelandic culture, local stories, and facts about the terrain. That combination matters on a long driving day. A silent transfer between stops would make the tour feel much less worthwhile.

Otto, also called Otto the Viking in one account, has guided departures as well. He is noted for being considerate with time, picking up a group outside the city center, and finding an alternative when wind closed a road. The guide assigned to your date may vary, so do not assume Thor personally will lead every departure unless the operator confirms it.

One practical issue came up: passengers in the back sometimes had trouble hearing the guide, even when a speaker was used. If you care about every story, ask about seating or vehicle layout when you book. In a private group, it may be easier to solve than on a large coach.

The strongest guide-related benefit is not simply information. It is the combination of route knowledge, humor, safe driving, and the ability to make a judgment call when Icelandic weather changes the plan.

Price, comfort, and what you are really buying

At $1,922.34 per person, this is expensive. You are not paying only for waterfall viewpoints. You are paying for a full day, private participation, pickup options, parking, a driver-guide, and access to a highland route that may be awkward or unsafe to manage independently.

The value improves for a group that wants its own vehicle and has no suitable 4×4. It also improves if your priority is quiet scenery rather than checking off the busiest sights near Reykjavík. For a solo visitor or a couple watching every króna, the price may be hard to justify.

Parking fees are included. Lunch, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are not. The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the stated participation guidance says most people can take part.

Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes inside that window are not accepted, and cancellations inside it are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient demand cancels the tour, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this day out

I would choose this tour if you want Iceland’s southern Highlands without driving the tracks yourself. It suits photographers, repeat visitors, couples or families who want a private day, and anyone more interested in quiet waterfalls than the standard Reykjavík day-trip circuit.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy a flexible guide-led day. The route includes short walks, viewpoints, a lunch stop, and long drives through remote country. You do not need to be an expert hiker, but you should be comfortable walking outdoors in changing weather and wearing sturdy shoes.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, you dislike gravel-road driving, or you need a fixed route with guaranteed access to every stop. The tour requires good weather, and the Highlands do not follow a strict sightseeing timetable.

Should you book the Valley of Tears tour?

Book it if the Valley of Tears, Háifoss, and lesser-seen Highland waterfalls are high on your Iceland wish list, especially if you do not have a 4×4. The private setup, rough-road access, and guides such as Thor or Otto give this day a personal feel that a large bus cannot match.

Skip it if $1,922.34 per person feels out of proportion to your trip budget or if you prefer a predictable, low-cost route. For the right group, this is a rare look at Iceland’s interior. Just bring outdoor shoes, lunch money, warm layers, and a willingness to let the weather have the final word.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at BSÍ Parking, 43Q7+9M7, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, at 8:30 a.m.

Is pickup available?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You stop at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, where you can buy food. Snacks and alcoholic drinks are also excluded.

What should I wear for Gjáin?

Outdoor shoes are recommended because you walk about 500 meters each way and explore the oasis on outdoor ground.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can weather change or cancel the itinerary?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. Poor conditions may lead to a route change or cancellation. If the operator cancels, you can receive another date or experience, or a full refund.