Golden Circle Tour with Extra Waterfalls Small Group Tour

One Golden Circle day can feel like a full trip.

This small-group tour strings together big hits plus a few calmer stops, from Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss to Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir, all with an English-speaking guide. I especially liked having Evó at the wheel, because his humor and storytelling make the long drive feel short. I also liked the practical setup, WiFi on board and air-conditioning for a long Iceland day. The main thing to watch is that lunch and waterproof gear are not included, so you’ll want to plan for wet, cool weather.

You’ll start early, move fast, and get a lot of Iceland in one day. The “extra waterfalls” part isn’t just a marketing line, either, since Evó is the kind of guide who may add an additional stop when timing and conditions allow. With that said, the day is still a series of stops, not a slow, lingering experience, so you should be okay with shorter time at each viewpoint.

Key points before you go

• A guide-led day, not a bus ride, with an English-speaking professional and plenty of conversation to keep the miles from feeling endless
• Evó is a standout name, praised for being welcoming, funny, and genuinely passionate about Icelandic culture and history
• Waterfall focus plus one crater stop, so you get the iconic Golden Circle flow and the colorful Kerið walk
• Air-conditioned transport and onboard WiFi, helpful for a long day and for keeping your plans straight
• Max 40 travelers, which keeps it from feeling like a cattle-call day trip
• Weather matters, since the experience requires good weather and can be rescheduled or refunded if conditions spoil the plan

How This 11-Hour Golden Circle Tour Feels in Real Life

This is the kind of day that makes Iceland look like it has cheat codes. You start in the Reykjavík area, then you’re off to chase waterfalls, steam, and volcanic color, with just enough time at each stop to soak it in before you move on.

The rhythm is the real appeal. You get several “wow” moments back-to-back, but they’re balanced with quieter breaks like Faxafoss and the crater walk at Kerið. If you like an itinerary that actually gets you from point A to point B without losing half the day to indecision, you’ll feel right at home.

The total duration is listed at about 11 hours, which is a long day, but it’s also why the tour earns its value. You’re not just seeing one highlight, you’re checking off a whole set of Iceland classics in one go.

Pickup and Small-Group Setup in Reykjavík

The day begins with a start time of 8:00 am, and pickup happens between 8:00 and 8:30 am. Be ready at your pick-up location by 8:00, because Iceland time can be punctual even when everything else feels wild outside.

Downtown Reykjavík pickup can be tricky due to traffic restrictions. The tour confirms your pick-up location by email, so you should treat that message as part of your trip plan, not an optional detail. If you’re outside Reykjavík, direct pickup may not be possible, so reach out if you’re staying beyond the city.

This tour runs with a vehicle that keeps things manageable, and in one account the group traveled in a smaller minivan setup. Even with that flexible vehicle approach, the cap is clear: a maximum of 40 travelers, which makes it easier to feel like a group rather than a crowd.

On board, you get WiFi and an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters more than you might think, especially if you’re using your phone to check maps at stops or organize photos before you get back out into mist and wind.

The Day’s Route: Hveragerði, Then Waterfall Hits

Your first stop is Hveragerði, with a quick 15-minute stop for coffee and snacks. This is a handy launchpad, because it’s early, and you’ll be surprised how quickly the day’s cold and motion can drain your energy.

From there, you move into the waterfall core.

Skógafoss: Big, loud, and photo-proof

Skógafoss is scheduled for 30 minutes. It’s described as a powerful wall of water, and that’s exactly how it plays in person. You don’t need special tricks to get the shot, but you do need a quick decision about where to stand, because the best viewpoints fill up fast.

Practical tip: plan your photo stop, then give yourself a minute to simply watch. The mist shifts, and the light changes enough to make the scene feel new even if you’ve seen pictures.

Seljalandsfoss: The walk-behind waterfall moment

Next up is Seljalandsfoss, also for 30 minutes. This is the one people talk about because you can walk behind the waterfall. The tour explicitly nudges you to bring a rain jacket, and that’s not overkill. It gets splashy, and the spray can turn a “light mist” day into a wet layers situation fast.

If you’re wearing shoes with decent grip and you’re okay with getting splashed, this is one of the most memorable stops on the route.

Kerið Crater and the colorful volcanic walk

Then you head to Kerið, with a 20-minute short walk around the crater. Kerið is where the tour switches from pure water spectacle to volcanic color. The schedule is tight, but it’s the right kind of tight for this stop. You walk the rim, you see the vivid red slopes, and you get the teal-blue lake in view.

Admission for Kerið is listed as included, which removes one small friction point from the day.

Faxafoss and a More Peaceful Side of the Golden Circle

After the big waterfall concentration, the itinerary adds Faxafoss for 20 minutes. This is framed as peaceful and often overlooked, with charming vibes. That description fits the idea of breaking up the day. If your day is mostly roar and spray, Faxafoss gives you a breather to reset your senses.

This is also a good time to check your timing in your head. You’ve got the “Golden Circle” core coming next, so use these calmer minutes to regroup and take stock of your plans, not just your photos.

Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir: The Golden Circle Core

This is where the Golden Circle name earns its reputation.

Gullfoss: Iceland’s most iconic waterfall, on a longer stop

Gullfoss gets 45 minutes, which is longer than several other stops. You feel the difference immediately. More time means you can move around for angles, stand in different spots, and still have time left over.

It’s also a good stop to practice your “Iceland day gear” routine. Keep layers accessible, because you’ll go from open wind to misty damp without warning.

Geysir: Strokkur puts on a show every few minutes

Next is Geysir, scheduled for 1 hour. The focus here is the hot springs area and the fact that Strokkur erupts every few minutes. One hour is a comfortable window. You can catch an eruption, get your photos, and watch a second or third without needing to rush.

Even if you’ve seen geysers on video, the sound and steam in person are something else.

Þingvellir National Park: historic site plus dramatic geology

Your final stop is Þingvellir National Park, for 45 minutes. This is protected and also historic, tied to Iceland’s first parliament. The geology around the park gives you a different kind of “wow” than waterfalls and steam. It’s Iceland’s history and landscape working together, not just one kind of scenery.

This late-day finish matters because it gives you a sense of context. You’re not only seeing natural forces, you’re seeing the places where people shaped and governed Iceland.

The Guide Makes the Whole Machine Work: Evó and the Small-Group Pace

The tour’s biggest advantage is the guide. In the reviews, Evó comes up again and again as welcoming, funny, and genuinely invested in Icelandic culture and history. That kind of guide does more than point at a waterfall.

He helps you pace the day, gives you context as you’re walking from stop to stop, and makes it easy to feel included, even if you’re traveling solo. One person described feeling nervous about going alone, and the group size plus Evó’s friendly vibe helped a lot.

Also, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys casual conversation, one review mentioned great tunes and an overall fun atmosphere. That might sound small, but it matters on an 11-hour day when everyone is together in the same vehicle for hours.

What’s Included, What’s Not, and Why That Affects Your Budget

The price is $167.37 per person. For an all-day tour, that’s not “cheap,” but it can still be good value if you’d otherwise spend money and time on your own transport, plus tickets, plus a driver who knows the route.

Here’s what’s included:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
• Professional, English-speaking guide
• Admission fee for Kerið
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• WiFi on board

Not included:

• Lunch
• Tips and gratuities
• Waterproof gear

Now the practical part. Since lunch is not included, you should either bring something simple or plan to buy snacks during the day. The tour does include a short Hveragerði stop for coffee and snacks, which helps, but you’ll still want a plan for a proper meal before the day gets too long.

Waterproof gear not being included is also a budgeting item you should not ignore. This tour is designed around waterfalls, and at least one stop is specifically a walk-behind. If you don’t already own rain gear, it’s worth buying or borrowing before you go.

Stop Time Is Tight, So Work Smart at Each Viewpoint

This itinerary is packed, with many stops in the 15 to 45 minute range. That means you need an efficient routine.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

• At each stop, pick one main viewpoint first, then explore around it only if you still have time.
• Wear footwear you trust on wet stone. Iceland surfaces can go from solid to slick quickly.
• Keep your rain layer easy to grab. At Seljalandsfoss, you’ll likely want it on before you regret it.
• Use the WiFi on board to check timing and map directions so you don’t waste energy scrolling in the cold.
• If you like geocaching, one review mentioned plenty of geocaches along the stops. If that’s your thing, you might turn downtime into an extra little game.

And if you hear the phrase extra waterfalls from your guide, treat it as a bonus. One account specifically notes Evó added an extra waterfall, which is the kind of flexible touch you hope for on a busy day.

Price and Planning: Is This Worth Booking?

You’re looking at $167.37 for about 11 hours, and this is an experience that’s often booked well ahead, with an average booking window of 82 days. That’s a hint that people plan Iceland properly, especially when they only have one day to do the Golden Circle.

I think it’s worth booking if:

• You want the classic Golden Circle highlights plus extra waterfall time without organizing transport
• You like having a guide for context and pacing
• You prefer a small-group feel rather than a huge bus crowd
• You’re okay with a long day and shorter stop times

It’s less ideal if:

• You want a slow travel day with long hikes and plenty of rest
• You’re depending on lunch being provided
• You don’t want to deal with wet conditions at waterfall stops

Should You Book This Golden Circle Tour with Extra Waterfalls?

If it’s your first time doing the Golden Circle, I’d lean toward booking. The route covers the famous trio at the heart of Iceland travel, Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir, and it adds multiple waterfall moments that many Golden Circle plans skip or shorten.

The deciding factors for me are simple: Evó as a guide, the small-group cap, and the inclusion of Kerið admission plus pickup and drop-off. Those details reduce the hassle you’d otherwise handle yourself.

My one caution is gear and expectations. Bring rain protection, plan for food, and accept that this is a packed day. If you can handle that, you’ll get a serious amount of Iceland into one clean, guided experience.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and when does pickup happen?

The tour start time is 8:00 am. Pickup takes place between 8:00 and 8:30, so you should be ready by 8:00.

Where do I get picked up in Reykjavík?

Pickup is offered in Reykjavík, but direct pickup from some downtown hotels may not be possible due to traffic restrictions. Your exact pickup location is confirmed by email before the tour.

Is Kerið admission included?

Yes. Admission fee for Kerið is included in the tour.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included.

Do I need waterproof gear?

Waterproof gear is not included. Since Seljalandsfoss involves walking behind the waterfall and it gets splashy, bringing a rain jacket is specifically recommended.

How large is the group?

This tour has a maximum of 40 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What if weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.