Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

Iceland packs a lot into this 13-and-a-half-hour combination tour. In one long day, you see a volcanic crater, an erupting geyser, a mighty waterfall, the historic Þingvellir valley, and a geothermal pool, then head back out after dark to search for the northern lights.

I like two things right away. The entrance fees for Kerið and the Secret Lagoon are included, which makes the $185 price easier to justify. I also like having separate daytime and evening bus trips, so you can focus on sightseeing without worrying about icy roads, navigation, or finding a dark place for the aurora.

The catch is simple: this is a very long day. Pickup can be disorganized, seats cannot be reserved, and the northern lights are never guaranteed. If the evening hunt runs its full three hours, you may not return until around 1:30 in the morning.

Key points to know before booking

• Kerið admission is included: Walk around the red volcanic crater and take the path down toward its blue-green lake.
• Strokkur erupts about every 10 minutes: You have plenty of time to watch Iceland’s most reliable geyser.
• The Secret Lagoon includes changing facilities: Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent them for an extra charge.
• Guides shape the day: Anna, Daniel, Sunny, Matt, Heidi, and others are praised for stories, local insight, and help with photographs.
• The evening trip uses another bus: Return to the same meeting point for the 8:30 p.m. northern lights pickup.
• Bad weather can change the plan: The aurora trip may be canceled or rescheduled, with a refund available if the experience cannot operate.

Why this combination works for a first Iceland visit

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most useful introduction to the country. It gives you three major sights in a compact circuit from Reykjavik, then adds two experiences that make the day feel less like a standard sightseeing loop: a volcanic crater and a hot spring soak.

You are not simply looking at waterfalls from a coach window. You get time to walk, take photographs, watch hot water burst from the earth, and rest in warm geothermal water. For a first visit, that variety is the main appeal.

The package also solves a practical problem. Driving in Iceland can be easy in good weather and stressful in winter, when wind, ice, darkness, and changing road conditions complicate even short routes. Here, your driver handles the road while your guide explains what you are seeing.

The group may be as large as 60 people. That keeps the price below many small-group options, but it also means a less personal feel. You will need to stay aware of departure times and listen carefully during pickup.

Starting at Bus Stop 12 in Reykjavik

The listed meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so do not arrive expecting the bus to appear at exactly 8:00 a.m.

The morning collection is one of the weaker parts of the operation. Several large buses may be loading at once, drivers may call names over engine noise, and people can gather around the wrong vehicle. Get there early, keep your booking details ready, and ask clearly which bus is serving this tour.

Seating is not reserved. If you are a family or group that must sit together, arrive early and board promptly. The operator says guides can help where possible, but there is no promise that everyone in your party will have adjacent seats.

Once you are moving, the experience tends to settle down. Drivers are repeatedly praised for smooth, safe handling, and the guides often keep the ride useful without filling every minute with talk. Guides named in the feedback include Anna, Daniel, Sunny, Matt, Heidi, and others. The best of them add Icelandic culture and everyday life to the basic facts.

Kerið crater and a walk inside a volcano

Kerið is an ancient volcanic crater with a lake at its center. The exposed red and orange earth gives it a different look from the black lava fields and green hills seen elsewhere on the route.

Admission is included, and the stop lasts about 90 minutes including the drive from the previous point. You can walk around the rim and follow a winding path down toward the water. That extra time matters because Kerið is more rewarding when you move beyond the first photo stop.

The walking is manageable, but the ground can be uneven and slippery in poor weather. Good shoes are more useful here than fashionable ones. If conditions are windy or icy, you can stay near the bus and still enjoy the main view.

This is also an easy place to appreciate how volcanic Iceland is. The crater is not just a scenic hollow. Its shape, colored sides, and water-filled basin make the forces beneath the island visible without requiring a long hike.

Geysir and the reliable burst of Strokkur

At the Geysir geothermal area, you walk past steaming pools and hot streams toward Strokkur. The original Geysir gave its name to the phenomenon around the world, but it is Strokkur that provides the regular show today.

Strokkur usually erupts about every 10 minutes, sometimes sending boiling water as high as 40 meters. The timing is helpful because you do not need to spend the whole stop staring at one pool. Wait near the viewing area, watch the surface swell, and keep your camera ready.

The planned stop lasts about 75 minutes. That gives you time to see several eruptions, walk around the geothermal area, and use the nearby center for food, drinks, shopping, and toilets.

You may also find time to climb toward a higher viewpoint. From there, the hot springs area becomes part of a much wider Icelandic scene. Stay behind the marked barriers. The pools and steam vents are not harmless puddles, and the ground is hot and unstable in places.

Food is not included, but the Geysir area is one of the main chances to buy lunch. A bakery and fuel station stop may also appear during the day, giving you a chance to pick up pastries or other food. Bring money or a card and do not count on squeezing in a full restaurant meal at every stop.

Gullfoss, where the river drops in two stages

Gullfoss is the tour’s big waterfall moment. Fed largely by meltwater from Langjökull glacier, the river plunges in two major drops through a narrow gorge. The force is easy to feel, especially when wind sends spray across the paths.

You have about 40 minutes at the falls, after a short drive from Geysir. Several viewing areas provide different angles, so use your time for more than one photograph. The upper viewpoints give you a broad sense of the falls, while lower paths bring you closer to the spray.

The paths can be wet, icy, or windy. Waterproof outer layers are useful even when the forecast looks mild. Iceland’s temperature reading does not tell the whole story. Wind can make a sunny day feel sharply cold.

There is a cafe where you can warm up with hot chocolate. That small detail matters on a winter tour, when a short indoor break can make the next outdoor stop much more pleasant.

Þingvellir, where parliament and tectonic plates meet

Þingvellir National Park gives the day its strongest historical and geological context. Iceland’s Alþingi, or parliament, first met here in the late 10th century. Chieftains traveled from across the country to discuss laws and settle matters at this natural meeting place.

The park also sits along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here, the boundary between the European and North American tectonic plates can be seen on land, making the geology unusually clear.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes, with a longer drive from Gullfoss and additional road time afterward. A guide may walk you to a key viewpoint, explain the site, and then let you explore independently.

Do not expect a long wilderness walk during this stop. The value is in understanding why this place matters, then taking in the valley, cliffs, and open views at your own pace. Guides such as Anna and Dennis have been praised for making the history easy to follow rather than turning it into a lecture.

Because the day already includes several walking stops, Þingvellir can feel like a welcome chance to slow down. Keep an eye on your watch, though. The bus cannot wait for a long independent wander.

Soaking at the Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon, called Gamla Laugin, is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. It is smaller and more rustic in feel than the country’s famous modern bathing complexes, which is part of its appeal.

Your entrance is included. You need a swimsuit and towel, although both can be rented for an additional fee. Lockers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hair dryers are available, so you can rinse off and change without carrying a full spa kit.

The water is warm, and there are smaller hot sources nearby. A colder source is also present, with water around 6 degrees Celsius. You do not need to try it, but it gives the pool area some character. A small geyser erupts every few minutes, adding a little natural action to an otherwise quiet soak.

One important cultural and practical note: the changing area requires you to shower without a swimsuit before entering the pool. The shower area does not offer much privacy. If you are modest, this may be the part of the tour you find most uncomfortable.

The planned visit lasts about two hours and 35 minutes, including travel. That gives you enough time to change, soak, dry off, and possibly buy something warm. A full bus may enter at once, so the changing rooms can feel busy at the start. Once you are in the water, the mood is much calmer.

I see the lagoon as a strong addition to the Golden Circle. It breaks up the cold outdoor stops and gives your body a chance to recover before the evening outing. Just remember that this is not a quiet private spa. It is a shared pool with a straightforward, communal setup.

Returning after dark for the northern lights

The northern lights portion begins around 8:30 p.m. at the same Reykjavik meeting point. Pickup can again take up to 30 minutes, and you board a different bus from the one used during the day.

The guide takes you into the countryside and may try several locations if clouds block the sky. That flexibility is important, but no guide can control the aurora. Clear skies and solar activity both matter, so a canceled or unsuccessful evening is possible even with a determined crew.

Some guides have helped with camera settings and taken photographs for people using phones or cameras. Hot chocolate may also be offered during the wait. These small touches are valuable because standing outside in the dark can become cold quickly.

You should treat this as a search, not a scheduled performance. The lights may appear at the first stop, or you may spend hours moving between clear patches. Sometimes the tour is canceled for weather and can be rescheduled. If poor weather forces cancellation and no suitable replacement is available, the stated policy offers a new date or a full refund.

The long day changes how the evening feels. After starting at 8:00 a.m., you may be ready for bed before the aurora trip begins. If seeing the lights is a major goal, build in enough energy for the late return. If you are already tired from a flight or a packed arrival day, the final three hours may feel demanding.

The $185 price and the real value

At $185 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride, but it covers a great deal. You receive round-trip transportation, two bus tours on the same day, entry to Kerið, entry to the Secret Lagoon, Wi-Fi onboard, and guides and drivers for both portions.

Buying the same elements separately could cost more, especially once you add transport to the Golden Circle and an evening search in the countryside. The combination is particularly useful if you have only a short stay in Reykjavik or do not want to rent a car.

The compromise is scale. A group of up to 60 people means lower cost and a broad mix of fellow sightseers, but less flexibility than a small van. You will follow the schedule, share facilities, and accept that pickup and loading may take time.

Lunch is not included. Plan to buy food at the available stops or carry snacks. A two-hour break between the daytime and evening tours may be enough to eat and rest, but it is not a full free afternoon.

The tour is recommended by 92 percent of customers and carries a 4.5 rating from 63 reviews. Those figures point to a strong overall package, while the complaints are consistent enough to take seriously: chaotic pickup, no reserved seats, long hours, and occasional problems connecting with the evening bus.

What to wear and bring

I would dress for standing outside in wind, rain, and cold rather than for the temperature shown on your phone. Wear warm layers, a windproof outer jacket, sturdy shoes, gloves, and a hat.

Pack a swimsuit and towel for the Secret Lagoon. You can rent both, but bringing them avoids an extra charge. A small bag with snacks, water, and a phone power bank will also help during the long day.

Keep your belongings compact. You will move between the coach, outdoor paths, changing rooms, and the evening bus. A waterproof cover for your phone is sensible near Gullfoss and during wet weather.

Who should book this tour?

This suits you if you are visiting Iceland for the first time, have limited time in Reykjavik, and want the main Golden Circle sights plus a geothermal soak. It is also a good choice if winter driving makes you uneasy or if you are traveling alone and prefer organized transport.

Families can see a lot in one day, but should arrive early if sitting together matters. The schedule includes regular toilets, food stops, and a mix of short walks and coach time, though the total length may be hard on young children or anyone who needs a slow pace.

You may prefer a smaller tour if you want quiet roads, more time at each location, or a personal guide. You may also prefer to separate the aurora hunt from the Golden Circle so you can rest between activities.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is maximum sightseeing for one fixed price. The included crater and lagoon admissions, experienced guides, and separate northern lights outing make it a practical package.

Skip it if you dislike large groups, need guaranteed seating, or want a relaxed holiday rhythm. The sights are excellent, the guides can be terrific, and the value is solid, but the pickup process and very long day require patience.

My advice is to book it early if this is your only realistic chance to see the Golden Circle and try for the aurora. Arrive early at Bus Stop 12, bring serious cold-weather clothing, eat whenever a food stop appears, and think of the northern lights as a hopeful hunt rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long does the full experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes. The daytime tour starts at 8:00 a.m., the northern lights pickup begins around 8:30 p.m., and the evening outing lasts about three hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, in Reykjavik. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes for both parts of the day.

Are Kerið and the Secret Lagoon included?

Yes. Entrance tickets to Kerið and the Secret Lagoon are included in the tour price.

What should I bring for the Secret Lagoon?

Bring a swimsuit and towel. You can rent both at the lagoon for an extra fee. The facility also has lockers, shower products, and hair dryers.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food and drinks can be purchased at stops along the route, including the Geysir area.

What happens if the northern lights tour is canceled?

The experience requires suitable weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Complimentary rescheduling may also be available when the lights are not visible, subject to the operator’s arrangements.