Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

Iceland packs a remarkable amount into this one long outing: a red volcanic crater, erupting hot water, a roaring waterfall, an important national park, a warm lagoon, and a night search for the aurora. The Northern Lights portion is never guaranteed, but the daytime route gives you plenty to see even when the sky refuses to cooperate.

I like that Kerið and the Secret Lagoon are included rather than added costs. I also like the mix of guided storytelling and free time, so you can hear why Þingvellir matters, then wander a waterfall viewpoint or crater trail at your own pace.

The catch is simple: this is a very long day, about 13 hours and 30 minutes, followed by a second bus tour in the evening. Pickup at the central Reykjavik bus stop can be confusing, and the buses do not offer reserved seats.

Key points to know before booking

• Five major daytime sights: See Kerið, Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir, and the Secret Lagoon in one packed Iceland day.
• Two separate bus tours: The Northern Lights hunt uses a different bus from the Golden Circle tour.
• Secret Lagoon entry included: Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent them for an extra fee.
• A full day outdoors: Wind can make Iceland feel much colder than the forecast suggests, so dress in warm layers.
• Large-group format: The tour can include up to 60 people, which keeps the price reasonable but makes pickups and loading less personal.
• Weather affects the aurora: If conditions cancel the evening outing, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Why this combo makes sense from Reykjavik

At $185 per person, this is a practical package for someone who wants a broad first look at Iceland without renting a car. You get transport, a driver, guides, the Kerið admission fee, and entry to the Secret Lagoon. Lunch is not included, but the route includes food stops where you can buy pastries, drinks, or a proper meal.

The value comes from combining two outings that would otherwise take separate planning. During the day, you cover Iceland’s best-known sightseeing loop. At night, you hand the search for clear skies to a guide who can move the bus when conditions change.

You should know what you are buying. This is not a small minibus trip with a quiet, private feel. The maximum group size is 60, and several buses may gather at the same pickup point. Once everyone is aboard, though, the experience can run smoothly, with guides such as Anna, Sunny, Daniel, Matt, and JP praised for clear explanations, patience, and a friendly manner.

The advertised start is 8:00 a.m., and pickup may take up to 30 minutes. The evening pickup begins at 8:30 p.m. at the same location. That leaves roughly two hours between the daytime and Northern Lights portions, which is enough for a meal and a short rest, but not enough to properly reset after a long day.

Kerið Crater, a volcanic bowl with a walkable rim

Kerið is one of the most unusual early stops. This ancient volcanic crater has a striking red and orange rim around a small lake, with walking paths along the edge and a winding route down toward the water.

The included admission matters here, since some crater sites charge a separate entrance fee. You usually have enough time to walk around the rim, descend toward the lake, and take photographs without treating the stop as a rushed bus exit.

The paths can feel slippery or uneven in poor weather. Good shoes help, especially if you plan to go down into the crater. You can stay near the bus if you prefer a shorter walk, or spend the full stop exploring.

This is a good example of the tour’s strength. You are not seeing only the famous postcard stops. Kerið adds a smaller volcanic site that gives you a sense of Iceland’s geology before the more dramatic attractions later in the day.

The Secret Lagoon, warm water with an old-Iceland feel

The Secret Lagoon, also called Gamla Laugin, is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. It is less polished than some of the country’s larger modern bathing complexes, and that is part of its appeal. Steam rises from the warm water, and a small geyser erupts nearby every few minutes.

Your entrance is included, and the stop is long enough to change, shower, and spend meaningful time in the pool. Lockers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hair dryers are available. Swimsuits and towels can be rented for an added charge, but packing your own saves money and avoids another queue.

There is one important cultural and practical detail: the changing facilities require you to shower naked before entering, with limited privacy in the shower area. If you are modest, this may be the least comfortable part of the day. It is worth knowing before you book, rather than discovering it beside the lockers.

The water feels especially welcome in winter, when the air can be cold and windy. You may find smaller hot sources around the pool, along with a much colder source. The lagoon is not a sleek, artificial spa, and some algae is part of its natural character. If you want a highly manicured bathing complex, this may not be your favorite stop. If you want a warm outdoor soak with geothermal activity close by, it fits the day well.

The precise order can vary. Some departures visit the lagoon early, then continue to Geysir and Gullfoss, while the published route places it later. Either way, the stop breaks up the sightseeing and gives your legs a rest.

Geysir and Strokkur, Iceland’s famous hot-water show

The word geyser comes from Geysir, the original Icelandic name that entered common use around the world. The original Geysir is now mostly inactive, but the nearby Strokkur supplies the spectacle.

Strokkur typically erupts about every 10 minutes, sending hot water and steam high into the air. It has reached around 40 meters, although individual eruptions vary. You do not need perfect timing to see it. The stop lasts about 75 minutes, giving you several chances to watch the pool swell, pause, and burst.

Walk carefully around the steaming pools and marked paths. The ground is hot in places, and the mist can make surfaces wet. A warm hat and gloves are useful here, even when the temperature does not look severe on paper.

The nearby visitor center provides toilets, food, and shopping. This is often where you can buy lunch, and the extra time works well because nobody has to eat while walking between sights. A bakery or fuel station stop may also appear during the day, so you have more than one chance to pick up pastries or drinks.

Geysir is busy and highly organized, but the natural event itself remains wonderfully elemental. You are watching water from deep underground force its way into the open air, with Iceland’s winter ground or dark volcanic soil around it.

Gullfoss, the day’s most powerful waterfall

Gullfoss is a two-level waterfall fed by glacial meltwater from Langjökull. The river drops through a broad upper section and then plunges into a narrow gorge, creating a roar that you feel before you fully take in the view.

Several platforms offer different angles. From the upper viewpoints, you see the full shape of the falls. Lower paths bring you closer to the spray, but the footing can be wet and icy. Waterproof shoes and a coat with a hood are sensible, even on a clear day.

The stop is around 40 minutes, enough for the main viewpoints and photographs. It is not a long hiking visit, so you should focus on the marked paths rather than trying to cover every possible angle.

A cafe near the falls serves hot drinks, including hot chocolate. That small detail matters on a winter tour. You can warm up before returning to the bus instead of spending the next drive cold and damp.

Gullfoss is often the emotional high point of the Golden Circle. Geysir gives you movement and surprise. Gullfoss gives you scale and force. The waterfall can freeze in exceptionally harsh winters, though that is increasingly uncommon.

Þingvellir, where parliament and tectonic plates meet

Þingvellir National Park brings together Icelandic history and geology in one stop. Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, first met here in the late 10th century. Chieftains traveled from across the country to gather, debate, and settle public matters at a time when the meeting itself required a serious journey.

The park also sits along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the European and North American tectonic plates pull apart. Iceland is unusual because this ridge is visible on land. Your guide will usually point out the relevant rock formations and explain how the site connects to the country’s geology.

This is one place where the guide adds real value. Without context, you might see a broad valley and rocky channels. With a good explanation from someone such as Anna or Daniel, you understand why this particular ground mattered to Iceland’s political life and why the rock formations look the way they do.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes, with walking from the bus to viewpoints and time to explore on your own. The paths are not presented as a demanding hike, but weather can change their feel. Stay aware of wind, ice, and daylight, especially in winter.

The evening Northern Lights hunt

After the daytime tour ends, you return to the same central meeting point for the second bus. Pickup begins at 8:30 p.m. and may take up to 30 minutes. Do not assume the daytime guide or bus will continue into the evening. This is a separate outing with a different vehicle and guide.

The Northern Lights guide watches cloud cover and aurora conditions, then drives into the countryside in search of clearer skies. The bus may stop at more than one location. A determined guide such as JP can help with camera settings, take group photos, and check that people are ready before moving on.

Bring patience. The aurora needs suitable conditions, and no guide can order it into the sky. Several departures have been canceled or moved because of clouds and poor weather. On successful nights, the lights may appear soon after reaching a clear area. On other nights, you may see little or nothing.

The provided tour information includes no guarantee of a successful sighting. If poor weather cancels the outing, you may be offered a different date or a full refund. Some guides also allow free rebooking after an unsuccessful attempt, but you should confirm the available arrangement for your departure.

The evening can be cold and tiring after the Golden Circle. Warm drinks, including hot chocolate on some departures, are a welcome touch. Your phone may capture only a faint blur, so accept the guide’s advice and do not judge the experience only by the pictures.

Buses, pickup confusion, and the long-day reality

The tour starts at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, at Þórunnartún 6 in Reykjavik. Pickup can be offered, but the process may be crowded when several buses arrive together. Drivers may call names while people gather around multiple vehicles, and the lack of clear bus markings can make the first few minutes stressful.

Arrive early, keep your booking details ready, and ask a staff member to confirm the bus before boarding. Do the same in the evening, when several Northern Lights departures may leave at once. One unfortunate risk is missing the second bus in the confusion, so do not wander away from the meeting point without checking.

Seats cannot be reserved. If you are a family or need to sit beside someone for medical or personal reasons, tell the guide as soon as you board, but do not count on a guaranteed arrangement. Large groups can also mean some noise and less personal attention than you would get on a small tour.

The good news is that the route is broken into manageable stops. You are not sitting on the bus for the entire day, and toilets appear at several points. Most people can participate, but the crater, waterfall, and park involve walking outdoors on paths that may be wet or icy.

What to pack for 13.5 hours outside and on the road

Pack for changing conditions, not just the morning forecast. Wind is the real troublemaker in Iceland, and a mild temperature can feel bitter beside a waterfall or geothermal field.

Bring:

• Warm base layers, a windproof outer coat, hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes
• Swimsuit and towel for the Secret Lagoon
• A small bag for wet swimwear
• Water and snacks, especially if you prefer not to rely on roadside food
• A phone or camera with enough battery for the evening
• Cash or a card for lunch, drinks, rentals, and personal purchases

You can rent a swimsuit and towel at the lagoon, but those costs are not part of the tour price. Lunch is also extra. The tour includes WiFi on board, although connection quality can vary as you travel into rural areas.

Who should book this Iceland combination tour?

I would choose this tour for a first visit, a short Reykjavik stay, or a stopover when you want to cover the main sights without driving. It suits solo visitors, couples, and families who value convenience over a small-group atmosphere.

It is also a good choice if you want both a daytime sightseeing plan and a structured aurora attempt. The guides often add local stories and practical help, and the included admissions make the price easier to justify.

I would hesitate if you dislike long days, crowded pickups, shared buses, or uncertain evening plans. The two-hour gap between tours is not a full rest period, and the Northern Lights may be canceled or produce no sighting. If the lagoon’s communal shower arrangement makes you uncomfortable, consider a different bathing stop.

At 92 percent recommended and a 4.5 rating from 63 reviews, the package has a strong record, but the uneven pickup experience is worth taking seriously. The daytime sightseeing receives the most consistent praise, while the evening portion depends heavily on weather, timing, and the guide assigned to your bus.

Should you book the Golden Circle and Northern Lights package?

Book it if you want an efficient Iceland sampler and can handle a long, weather-dependent day. The combination of Kerið, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir gives you the essential Golden Circle, while the Secret Lagoon adds a real Icelandic soak instead of another lookout.

The best value comes when you see the aurora, but the package should still make sense to you without it. Think of the Northern Lights as an extra chance, not a promise. Dress warmly, bring your own towel if possible, arrive early for both pickups, and expect a large group.

If those conditions suit you, $185 is a sensible price for transport, guiding, two bus outings, and two included admissions. If you want quiet roads, flexible stops, or guaranteed aurora viewing, rent a car or choose a smaller private outing instead.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes two bus tours on the same day, round-trip transportation from the central Reykjavik meeting point, experienced guides, WiFi on board, admission to Kerið, and entry to the Secret Lagoon. Lunch, towel rental, and swimsuit rental are not included.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik, Iceland. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes.

Does the Northern Lights tour use the same bus?

No. The evening Northern Lights hunt uses a different bus from the daytime Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour. Evening pickup begins at 8:30 p.m. at the same meeting point.

Is the Secret Lagoon admission included?

Yes. Entry to the Secret Lagoon is included. You need to bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent them at the lagoon for an additional fee.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food and drink stops are available during the route, including options near the Geysir area.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.