Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

The best thing about this tour is that it gets you into a part of Iceland most visitors cannot reach in an ordinary rental car. You leave Reykjavik for rough highland roads, blue waterfalls, volcanic ground, and the remarkable Valley of Tears, where small cascades run through a canyon. I especially like the private-group format and the chance to spend more time at places that large buses skip.

I also like that the day mixes famous sights, such as Háifoss, with quieter stops including Sigöldugljúfur. Guides such as Thor have earned praise for clear explanations, humor, and local stories. The trade-off is the price, $1,922.34 per person, plus the long day and uncertain highland weather. This is a special-interest tour, not a cheap waterfall outing.

Key points before you book

• Remote Highlands access: Gravel roads and rough tracks take you beyond the usual south-coast circuit.
• Six very different stops: You see a green oasis, tall waterfalls, a canyon, volcanic country, and a highland lunch stop.
• Private experience: Only your group participates, with pickup available around Reykjavik and selected towns.
• Short walks, serious weather: The walks are generally brief, but wind, rain, and road conditions can change the plan.
• Guide-led storytelling: Thor is frequently praised for humor, Icelandic culture, and clear information about the terrain.
• Lunch costs extra: Hrauneyjar offers a small selection of food, but lunch, snacks, and drinks are not included.

Why this Highlands tour feels different from a standard Iceland day trip

Iceland is easy to see from the main roads. You can drive the Golden Circle, follow the south coast, and visit waterfalls with a regular car. The Highlands are another matter. Roads can become gravel tracks, conditions shift quickly, and access depends on the vehicle, the weather, and local road rules.

That is the main value here. You are not simply being driven to one famous waterfall, then hurried back to Reykjavik. The day reaches the southern Highlands around Hekla and the Þjórsárdalur area, with several stops that feel far removed from the usual sightseeing route.

The tour lasts about 10 hours and begins at 8:30 a.m. Pickup is available at assigned Reykjavik bus stops, BSÍ bus terminal, and in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. The exact driving time is not listed, but the stops add up to only a few hours, so much of the day is spent on the road. That is not a flaw here. The remote setting is the point, but you should be ready for a full day in a vehicle.

The private setup matters. Your group is the only group on the activity, so the pace can feel more personal than a large coach tour. You may have more flexibility at a viewpoint, and the guide can answer questions as you go. At the same time, private pricing is high. At $1,922.34 per person, this makes the most sense for people who place a strong value on access, convenience, and a tailored day.

Gjáin, an oasis at the edge of the Highlands

The first stop is Gjáin, a small oasis near the roots of the Icelandic Highlands. It is a striking contrast to the bare volcanic country farther along the route. Here, low waterfalls, streams, rock formations, and plant life gather in a sheltered pocket.

You walk about 500 meters each way to reach the old farm and the oasis. That is not a long distance, but the ground can be uneven, so outdoor shoes are a sensible choice. You should also expect the stop to feel more like a short walk than a roadside photo pause.

Gjáin has a connection to Game of Thrones, which may interest fans of the series. Still, the setting works even if you have never watched it. The appeal is the sudden change from open, stark terrain to a small green place marked by water and stone.

Allow about an hour here. That gives you enough time to walk in, see the old farm, explore around the falls, and take photographs without treating the stop as a race. In wet or windy weather, take care on the paths and rocks.

Háifoss and the wide Þjórsárdalur view

Háifoss is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls, and the viewpoint looks down into the Þjórsárdalur valley. The waterfall itself is the main attraction, but the broader view is just as important. You get a sense of how water, cliffs, and open volcanic country fit together on a much larger scale.

The drive reaches the falls by rocky gravel roads. After parking, you walk toward the viewpoint for about 30 minutes. That short walk makes the stop manageable for most people, but the rough road is worth noting. Anyone expecting a smooth paved approach may find the ride tiring.

This is one of the tour’s strongest stops for sheer scale. Háifoss gives you the classic Iceland effect: a powerful ribbon of water dropping into a deep cut in the land, with very little development around it. The viewpoint is also a good example of why a highland guide helps. The road access and conditions are not the same as a normal city excursion.

Hrauneyjar, the practical lunch break

After the waterfall stops, the tour pauses at Hrauneyjar highland center for about 40 minutes. Lunch is not included, so you pay for your own meal. Snacks and alcoholic drinks are also excluded.

The food selection is described as small but good. That is useful to know. Hrauneyjar is a convenient highland stop rather than a destination restaurant with a long menu. You can use the break to eat, warm up, visit facilities, and reset before the more remote stops.

I like the fact that the schedule includes a proper break. Ten hours of highland driving, walking, and wind can wear you down, even when the walks are short. Still, do not count on this being a flexible food-shopping opportunity. Bring snacks if you need something specific, since snacks are not included and the choice at the center may be limited.

Sigöldufoss, a small waterfall with bright water

Sigöldufoss is smaller than Háifoss, but it can be intensely blue. It sits near the entrance to the Icelandic Highlands, making it a good transition point between the more familiar southern routes and the emptier interior.

The planned stop is about 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not a long walk. The color of the water can vary with weather, light, and conditions, so you should enjoy the place for what it is rather than expect an identical version of a photograph.

This stop also shows the tour’s broader appeal. It is not built around one headline sight. Instead, the day strings together several waterfalls with different moods and shapes. Sigöldufoss is quick, bright, and easy to reach, while the next canyon stop takes more time and offers a more unusual setting.

Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears

The Valley of Tears is the emotional center of the day. Sigöldugljúfur is a canyon marked by a series of smaller waterfalls, with water that is often green-blue. From above, you look into the cuts and channels of the canyon, where many thin streams create a layered view rather than one giant fall.

The stop lasts about 35 minutes. That is enough time to explore from the upper viewpoint and take in the canyon, though you may wish for longer if photography is your main goal. The terrain and weather can affect how comfortable it is to linger.

This is the place for people who want something less familiar than Iceland’s best-known attractions. It has a quieter, more open feeling, and the combination of colored water and repeated cascades gives you plenty to study. It also rewards patience. The visual effect depends on light, water flow, and your viewing angle.

The access is not simple for a normal self-drive day, especially if you do not have the right vehicle or highland-road experience. That makes this stop a central reason to consider a guided trip. You are paying not only for the view, but also for the route, driving, and practical judgment needed to reach it.

Hekla and the stark volcanic country

The final listed stop brings you around Volcano Hekla, one of Iceland’s major volcanoes. The area is described as desolate, and that is the attraction. After the waterfalls and sheltered greenery of Gjáin, Hekla presents a harsher side of Iceland, with open volcanic ground and a feeling of distance from settled areas.

The planned visit is brief, about 10 minutes. When conditions are good, the vehicle may continue toward Rauðaskál crater. The wording is important: this part depends on safety and road conditions. Do not assume the crater approach will always happen.

Wind can be a serious issue in the Highlands. One tour day had to change its final stop because strong winds closed roads, and the guide found a different scenic stop instead. That is the right way to think about this experience. The route is planned, but it is not guaranteed in every detail.

The guides and the feel of a private day

Thor is the guide name most closely associated with this experience. He is praised for humor, stories, information about Icelandic culture, and an easy manner. The strongest descriptions portray the day as feeling like a friend showing you favorite places, rather than a guide reading facts from a script.

That personal tone is a major part of the value. The scenery is impressive on its own, but a good guide helps you understand why the ground looks the way it does and gives the long drives more purpose. Thor is also described as attentive and careful behind the wheel.

Other departures may use another driver-guide, including Otto, who is praised for being considerate with time and adapting when high winds forced a change. The specific guide is not guaranteed in the tour details, so book this for the route and format first, then treat a particular guide as a bonus.

One practical issue deserves attention. A passenger sitting in the back reported difficulty hearing the guide, even when a speaker was used. In a private group, ask about seating or communication before setting off if hearing every story is important to you.

Weather, roads, and what to wear

The Highlands are not a controlled sightseeing environment. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. A minimum number of participants may also apply despite the private format, with a new date, another experience, or a refund offered if that requirement is not met.

Strong wind can close roads. Rain can make paths and gravel approaches less pleasant. The guide may alter the final route for safety, and that flexibility is a benefit, not a failure.

Wear sturdy outdoor shoes, especially for Gjáin and the waterfall viewpoints. Bring warm, waterproof layers, since conditions can shift during a 10-hour day. You should also have water and snacks, as neither snacks nor lunch is included.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied practical information. Still, the tour involves gravel roads, short walks, uneven ground, and exposure to wind. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator about the exact conditions before booking.

Is the $1,922.34 price worth it?

The price is difficult to call inexpensive. At $1,922.34 per person, this is far above a standard group day trip. The value depends on what you are trying to buy.

You are paying for a private outing, pickup options, access to remote highland locations, parking fees, and a full day with a driver-guide. You also avoid the need to find and drive difficult gravel routes yourself. For a group splitting the cost of a private vehicle, the price may feel more reasonable than it does for one or two people.

The best comparison is not with a cheap south-coast bus tour. Compare it with the cost and effort of arranging a private highland vehicle, finding the route, handling changing road conditions, and giving up a full day of driving. If your priority is seeing the Valley of Tears and similar lesser-visited places, this tour offers a direct solution.

If your priority is low cost, easy roads, included meals, or a relaxed schedule, I would choose something else. The tour is expensive because it goes beyond the easy circuit.

Who should book this Iceland Highlands adventure?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• People visiting Iceland who have already seen, or do not care about, the busiest south-coast sights.
• Photographers looking for waterfalls, colored water, canyons, and open volcanic scenery.
• Visitors without a suitable 4×4 who still want to see the Highlands.
• Small families or friend groups that value private transport and direct guide time.
• Repeat visitors seeking places outside the standard Reykjavik day-trip menu.
• Anyone who enjoys long scenic drives and does not need every minute filled with major attractions.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone on a tight budget, anyone wanting guaranteed access to every listed stop, or anyone uncomfortable with rough roads and exposed weather. The itinerary is strong, but nature gets the final vote.

The tour is often booked well in advance, with an average booking lead time of 104 days. That suggests planning ahead is wise, especially if your Iceland dates are fixed.

Should you book the Valley of Tears tour?

Book it if the idea of remote roads, quiet viewpoints, several waterfalls, and a private guide sounds better than another crowded coach excursion. The Valley of Tears and Háifoss are the main reasons to go, while Gjáin, Sigöldufoss, and Hekla give the day useful variety.

I especially like this tour for repeat visitors and for anyone who wants Iceland beyond the postcard stops. Just budget honestly for the high price, bring lunch money and outdoor clothing, and accept that wind or road closures may change the plan. If those conditions suit you, this can be one of the more distinctive full-day outings from Reykjavik.

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 Reykjavik, BSÍ bus terminal, and in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour 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. The tour stops for lunch at Hrauneyjar highland center, where you can purchase food.

Are snacks and alcoholic beverages included?

No. Snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and road closures or unsafe conditions can lead to a different route, date, or a full refund.