Reykjavik Golden Circle Private Tour: An Honest Review

So, you’re thinking about taking a private tour of Iceland’s famed Golden Circle from Reykjavik? That’s very exciting! I mean, deciding whether a personal tour is the way to go, or, is it better to save some money and pile on a bus, can be a toughie. In this write-up, I want to share all about my own adventure on a Golden Circle private outing, what I enjoyed (very much!), and maybe, just maybe, a few things I think you ought to think about. By the end, you’ll definitely get a handle on if a personal tour is spot-on for you, too.

Why Go Private on the Golden Circle?

The Golden Circle is super popular, it’s almost like the “must-see” location when you’re knocking about Reykjavik. It’s a loop, that starts and ends there. But because it is so attractive, that means buses — a lot of them. Doing it private means dodging some very sizeable tourist groups, and getting to enjoy the places at your tempo. More freedom is very much an advantage of the whole operation, if you ask me.

With a personal outing, you have the flexibility to change course if you choose to. Maybe you want to take a bit more time at Geysir’s bubbling hot springs or stop somewhere truly secret your driver tells you about? Those aren’t necessarily options on a tour that is less flexible, of course.

What’s Included in a Typical Private Tour?

OK, let’s look closely at what you get when you open your wallet for a Golden Circle private tour. Very generally speaking, most tours cover the must-sees: Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir), the Geysir geothermal region, and the amazing Gullfoss waterfall.

Many operators will take care of getting you door-to-door support — they swing by and grab you straight from your hotel in Reykjavik and haul you back when you’re all through. I feel, they ought to also include a host, basically a personal driver who is something of a walking, talking guide. Being local, they very usually are really insightful in revealing stories and facts about the countryside that you very likely will not get with just an average guide-book.

Þingvellir National Park: Where History Meets Geology

Thingvellir isn’t just very pretty, yet that’s what it is! But it is significant also for its past — it’s where Iceland’s parliament was first set up way back in the old days, like over one thousand years back. But maybe much more amazing, it sits directly atop the spot where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift from each other. I find it to be truly mind-blowing being able to stroll between continents.

With a host dedicated just to you, you can chew over the history and geography without any crowds fighting for your spot. I was very thankful I wasn’t hurried through the famous spots. In fact, I very nearly could soak in the peaceful mood of the landscape without struggling to hear what the host was telling me over twenty other visitors!

Geysir Geothermal Area: Waiting for Strokkur

Alright, next on our hop, skip and jump, there’s Geysir. And the main show, Strokkur geyser. It shoots up a gigantic spray every few minutes or so. You’ll want to have a video camera handy! I believe the general area smells just a bit like eggs because of all the sulphur in the soil, yet the hot springs are truly stunning.

During a normal coach trip you probably have a very short period to grab a quick pic and shove in. Having a personal guide to haul me around, I saw, made it easy to try several places for the ultimate viewpoint. The host additionally understood the best place to hold up so I would miss being splashed by the hot waters!

Gullfoss Waterfall: The Golden Falls

Then you have Gullfoss. So its huge, that it needs to be seen to be accepted. This is really, certainly, the high spot of the Golden Circle. A massive amount of icy water plunges in an immense show. The mist flies upward and it is very awe-inspiring. There are many places to gaze over from.

What truly tickled my fancy with my personal tour was that my host suggested we go and sightsee at a less usual location above the waterfall. Because most buses drop guests off at the chief observation spots, we basically sidestepped a ton of faces. Believe me, that meant I got far better pics, and some unforgettable views — the peaceful nature of this place had a lot to do with that.

Little Extras That Make a Difference

It may be the small points which cause a big difference in just how satisfying a visit happens to be. So there’s things you ought to think of while sorting out your private tour.

Snacks and drinks: Check out in advance if your trip sets out nibbles and drinks. Very often, many trips bring bottles of fresh glacial waters or a handful of very local eats.

Wi-fi: Let’s be honest, who doesn’t need to upload pics as they tour? Wi-fi at times in the journey ensures you’re plugged in.

Extra add-ons: Perhaps you prefer to pack on glacier climbing, or perhaps tour a local place to chow down? Many hosts tailor the journey to your own style of play, if it helps you have even greater adventure.

The Cost Factor: Is It Worth the Splurge?

There’s no point saying that a personal tour is kind of expensive over a tour bus ticket. Even so, examine just what you’re purchasing: a more individual experience, freedom, and insider details that aren’t that straightforward. So that makes the ticket justified for many guests.

Assess your priorities. Perhaps budget rules all the way, go for the bus tour. Though, do you value privacy, or would like that more tailor-made schedule, maybe that personal host and generally that special edge? Then, going solo can be really value for money. When you also take into account any savings in money from dodging very tourist trap traps — you get to chomp somewhere more special with your host — that price discrepancy can become very smaller.

What to Look for When Booking

To make certain you use only what is available in the world of individual tours, here’s a number of considerations:

Read feedback: Get the sense about your travel host via past guest feedback. Were they friendly? Did guests truly like it? Are the travel hosts very knowledgeable regarding the landscape?

See how much time you have free: Determine if you’re wanting an entire Golden Circle experience or need them changed.

Learn precisely what is brought up in your visit: Confirm, what is standard — food, complimentary hotel pickups and so forth.

Vehicle: Based on how many of you that may be making this travel adventure. An SUV must make great sense, against a sedan.

Personal Golden Circle: FAQs

Is a private Golden Circle trip good, specifically for small groups of people?

You bet! Smaller sets of tourists may find a personal trip great. Sharing up front money means you divide prices which make that really inexpensive for each. Besides, any personal host may attend to that bunch.

What exactly does it cost over some random coach?

It generally costs rather a bit extra; costs count towards privacy and modifying freedom. Based on the firm together with included parts/options costs might quite vary.

What’s generally accepted thing if you intend providing hosts an extra amount?

Though an extra isn’t ever fully called upon across the board. If a host helped to make an excursion amazing an additional 10%-15 % must be viewed.

What’s the common outfits to experience each area?

Iceland atmospheric factors is often fickle. Using coatings helps. In some measure place an rain-proof outfit plus quite hardy trekking trainers particularly if visiting each water feature sites.

So, wrapping up, a Golden Circle travel alone isn’t only about traveling from destination a to spot b; still regarding designing recollections around you with assistance from that private manual’s details. The important aspects may be from selecting Thingvellir absent each hubbub or merely experiencing Gullfoss during quiet spots on grounds. If this means of visiting which matches anyone actually after; potentially taking a risk on things only a tad may just become totally ideal!