Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

One day in the Icelandic Highlands feels like a secret. You get Haifoss towering over Þjórsárdalur, then the Valley of Tears canyon for that rare, blue-green water look. I especially like that this tour keeps walks short, yet still pulls you off main routes. One drawback to plan for is wind, because the last stretch near Hekla depends on conditions.

I also love how the day is built around “stop, look, walk a bit, move on,” instead of long dead time in the car. It’s private, in English, with hotel or bus terminal pickup in the Reykjavik area and farther out. Just note that lunch is a real lunch break, but lunch is not included, so you will need to budget for food at the highland center.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Gjáin oasis walk: a roughly 500 meter each-way walk to waterfalls and an old farm site
• Haifoss viewpoint time: quick gravel-road driving, then an easy walk to the outlook
• Hrauneyjar lunch at the highland center: a proper midday pause with food options on site
• Sigoldufoss color payoff: a small waterfall that can look intensely blue
• Sigoldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears: canyon views from above, with often green-blue water
• Hekla only when it is safe: the Rauðaskál crater is targeted when conditions are good

Why this Highlands day feels different from typical Reykjavik tours

This is not the usual “big waterfall, quick photo, then back to town” format. The route is designed around remote highland stops where you can actually slow down at viewpoints and short walks. Even with a full day, the timing at each place is tight enough that you still feel you are doing something, not just traveling.

You also get a tour guide presence that matters in Iceland. In the reviews tied to this experience, guides like Thor and Otto the Viking are repeatedly praised for storytelling, timing, and making sure everyone stays safe on rough roads. When your schedule depends on weather, good guiding is not a nice extra. It is the whole point.

If you care about getting photos without wrestling tour crowds, a private setup helps. A smaller group also means you spend less time waiting at the same railing.

Price and what you are really paying for

At $1,922.34 per person for an approximately 10-hour day, this is a premium outing. The price is not just “transport to waterfalls.” You are paying for the day’s logistics, the guide, and access to places that are harder without local driving skills.

Here is the practical breakdown of value:

• Parking fees are included, which matters when you are bouncing between multiple sites in one day.
• Admission is listed as free for the stops on the schedule, so you are not stacking extra ticket costs on top.
• You get pickup from the Reykjavik bus network and BSÍ bus terminal, plus service farther out than just downtown.
• The guide can steer the timing and viewpoints based on real conditions, especially near the Hekla area.

Still, you should be honest with yourself about the cost. If you are traveling solo or as a couple, that per-person rate can feel steep. If you are traveling with a small group that can share the private format, the value tends to make more sense.

Your day plan starts at BSÍ and runs like clockwork

The tour starts at 8:30 am from BSÍ Parking (101 Reykjavík) and returns you back to the same meeting point. That matters because you are not trying to coordinate rides later in the day.

Pickup is offered at assigned bus stops across the Reykjavik area and at BSÍ, and pickup can also cover Hveragerði-Selfoss and Hella. This is useful if you are staying just outside the core downtown zone and do not want to spend the morning hunting a bus that may not match your schedule.

The day is paced with short stop durations, then a real lunch break. You should think of it as an organized route through the highland foothills, with the long emphasis reserved for the canyon viewpoint and waterfall time rather than hours of driving without stops.

Gjáin oasis at the roots of the highlands

Your first stop is Gjáin, an oasis area at the roots of the Icelandic Highlands. It feels like a small pocket of life in a place that otherwise looks carved out of rock and wind. You walk to an old farm area and into the Gjáin oasis, with small waterfalls along the way.

The walking is modest but real: plan for about 500 meters each way. That is exactly the kind of distance that still adds up when you factor in uneven ground. Outdoor shoes are recommended for this part, especially if the ground is damp or gritty.

Gjáin is also noted as a Game of Thrones shooting location, which can add a fun layer if you are a fan. Even if you are not, it helps explain why the spot is famous and why it is worth seeing beyond the standard scenic pull-offs.

What to watch for at Gjáin:

• The oasis walk is the most “foot-on-ground” part early in the day.
• Water sound and mist can make paths slippery, so give your shoes a chance to grip.
• This is one of the stops where looking up matters as much as looking at the water.

Haifoss, one of Iceland’s highest waterfall viewpoints

Next comes Haifoss, one of Iceland’s taller waterfalls. The payoff here is the view into Þjórsárdalur, which gives the falls context instead of being just a close-up splash.

You drive up rocky gravel roads to reach the parking area. Then you walk from there toward a viewpoint. The schedule gives about 30 minutes for this stop, which is enough to take in the falls and still move before the wind gets annoying.

This is a great stop if you like the moment when you understand scale. Haifoss is tall enough that your brain wants a reference point, and the valley view provides it.

A small caution: gravel roads can be slow and bumpy, so your best comfort move is dressing for wind and wearing layers you can adjust quickly.

Hrauneyjar Highland Center for lunch that is actually practical

Lunch is at Hrauneyjar, at the highland center. You get about 40 minutes for the break, which is long enough to eat without the pressure of sprinting.

One detail worth noting is that lunch is not included. The lunch break is essentially a chance to refuel at the nature center, not a meal provided by the tour. In past experiences, the on-site selection is described as small but good, which is exactly what you want in a remote area.

Practical tip: this is your best time to think about snacks and water for the later canyon and Hekla portions. Once you are back on the road, you will not have time to hunt for a store.

Sigoldufoss entrance waterfall, small size, big color

After lunch, the tour stops at Sigoldufoss. It is described as a small waterfall that is often intensely blue, especially against the stark highland entrance scenery.

The scheduled time is about 15 minutes, so this is not a long hike stop. It is more of a quick viewpoint and photo pause, designed to give you that “I am really in the Highlands” feeling.

This works well because it bridges the time between the larger stops. You get a visual rhythm: oasis walk, tall waterfall, lunch pause, then a quick color hit before the canyon.

Sigoldugljúfur (Valley of Tears) from above

Now for the star name that pulls a lot of people in: Sigoldugljúfur, often called the Valley of Tears. This is a canyon with a series of small waterfalls, and the water can show up green-blue depending on conditions.

You explore from above for about 35 minutes. That “from above” approach is key. It gives you layered views of the cascade lines, and it keeps you from spending time inside terrain that can be tricky in wet, windy weather.

This is also one of the best stops for photography, particularly if you like compositions where the water reads as a pattern. From the canyon viewpoint, you can capture multiple waterfall strands in one frame rather than getting only a single fall.

Timing matters here. If the wind is strong, the canyon can feel exposed. The best approach is to move slowly, check your footing near viewing areas, and take your time with a few photos instead of trying to grab everything in one burst.

Hekla approach and the Rauðaskál crater, only when it is safe

The last scheduled stop targets the Volcano Hekla area. You explore the desolate surroundings from a safe distance. When conditions are good, the plan is to drive up to Rauðaskál crater for a closer look.

This portion is short, about 10 minutes, and it is explicitly tied to safety and conditions. That matters because Hekla is not a “guaranteed crater walk” kind of place in a day tour. The goal is seeing the volcanic environment safely, not forcing a rushed or risky approach.

In practice, think of Hekla as your final impression: wind through rock, a dramatic sense of emptiness, and volcanic terrain that feels unlike the areas around Reykjavik.

If the weather is poor, the tour can adjust. Since the experience requires good weather, do not assume every exact minute will play out the same way every day.

What to bring and how to dress for this highland route

Highland days are weather days. You can plan your outfits around the stops that involve short walks and open viewpoints.

My practical checklist:

• Windproof outer layer, since you will be exposed at waterfalls and canyon overlooks.
• Outdoor shoes with grip for Gjáin and for any uneven ground near viewpoints.
• A warm layer even in decent weather, because the highlands can cool fast once the wind picks up.
• If you are sensitive to noise, consider ear protection, because audio from a guide can vary depending on where you sit in the vehicle.

In one of the experiences tied to this tour, the guide used a speaker at times, and people seated farther back reported the audio being harder to hear. That is not a reason to skip the tour. It is a reason to sit where you can see and hear clearly.

Small group private energy, and why it helps your photos

Although this is a private tour limited to your group, the overall vibe still benefits from a small headcount. Several experiences connected to this itinerary praise the low-crowd feel and the faster flow between points of interest.

That makes a difference at places like:

• Haifoss, where a viewpoint can get crowded quickly in peak daylight
• Sigoldufoss, which is quick, so having space helps you take your time
• Sigoldugljúfur, where you want calmer moments to frame the canyon

If you care about getting shots without constant foot traffic in your frame, this format is part of the value.

Who should book this Valley of Tears and Highlands tour

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a highland day without needing to drive off-road yourself
• Prefer multiple waterfall stops over a single long excursion
• Like short, efficient walks and viewpoints rather than long hikes
• Want a guide who shares culture and story along the way, not just directions to look here

It is also a good option if you are celebrating something and want a private feeling to the day. In the reviews connected to this tour, guides like Thor are described as funny and dedicated, which helps make a long driving day feel like time well spent.

If you hate driving on rough roads or you dislike wind exposure, you might want to consider a more sheltered route. This experience does go to exposed viewpoints and gravel-road approaches.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an organized, guide-led highlands day that hits the big waterfall names, then goes further with the Valley of Tears canyon and the Hekla volcanic area when conditions allow. You are paying for remote access, tight timing, free admission at the listed stops, and a private day in English with pickup that reduces hassle.

Skip this one if the per-person price feels too steep for your budget, or if you know you struggle with windy open-air viewpoints and gravel-road driving. Also, if you rely on the tour to include lunch, make sure you plan for buying food at Hrauneyjar because lunch is not included.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 8:30 am and runs for approximately 10 hours.

Where do we meet?

The meeting point is BSÍ Parking, located at 43Q7+9M7, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup is offered at assigned bus stops in the Reykjavik area and at the BSÍ bus terminal. Pickup is also listed for Hveragerði-Selfoss and Hella.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour, and only your group participates.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

What tickets or admissions are included?

Parking fees are included. Admission tickets are listed as free for the stops on the schedule.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, even though there is a lunch stop at the Hrauneyjar highland center.

What if weather conditions are not good?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is cancellation free?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, with the rules based on the experience’s local time.