Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

The clever part of this 13.5-hour Iceland package is that it joins a full Golden Circle outing with a geothermal soak and a separate northern lights search. You get Kerið crater, Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir National Park, and the Secret Lagoon without renting a car or managing winter roads.

I like the included entrance fees for Kerið and the Secret Lagoon, and I like the guides who turn bus time into useful Icelandic context. Guides such as Anna, Daniel, Sunny, and Matt have been praised for their stories, patience, and practical help. The tradeoff is a very long day, crowded pickup points, and no guarantee that the aurora will appear.

Key points to know before booking

• Two tours in one day: The Golden Circle and lagoon run in the daytime, while the northern lights hunt uses another bus at about 8:30 pm.
• Kerið and Secret Lagoon admission included: You do not pay extra for either main paid stop.
• Expect a large coach: The maximum group size is 60, so this suits efficiency better than a quiet, small-group outing.
• Plan for a full day outside: Wind can make Iceland feel cold even when the temperature looks mild. Bring warm layers, waterproof outerwear, and a swimsuit.
• The aurora depends on nature: Cloud or poor conditions can cancel the evening outing, with another date or a refund offered under the stated policy.
• Bring money for food: Lunch is not included, though Geysir and other stops have places to buy food and drinks.

One long day through Iceland’s best-known sights

At $185 per person, this is not a bargain-basement bus ride, but it covers a lot. You receive round-trip transport from central Reykjavik, a guide and driver, WiFi on board, the Kerið admission fee, the Secret Lagoon ticket, and a second evening outing.

The value comes from combining several separate expenses and decisions. You do not need to rent a car, pay for fuel, navigate unfamiliar roads, or arrange a second trip to the lagoon. You also get an evening attempt at the aurora, which can otherwise require another booking.

The cost is your time and energy. The day begins around 8:00 am, pickup can take up to 30 minutes, and the northern lights bus begins pickup at about 8:30 pm. There is only about a two-hour break between the daytime and evening portions, so this is best treated as an all-day Iceland project, not a relaxed sightseeing trip.

The bus can hold up to 60 people. That gives you a dependable, generally affordable way to cover ground, but you should not expect the personal attention or quiet pace of a small minibus. Seating cannot be reserved, and one family reported being separated on the bus. If sitting together is important, arrive early at the pickup point and ask the staff for help.

Kerið crater gives you a quick volcanic introduction

Kerið is an ancient volcanic crater with a lake in its bowl. The stop includes time to walk around the rim and use the path that winds down toward the water. That makes it more than a quick photo stop, though you can keep your walk short if the ground is slippery or the weather is rough.

The red and dark volcanic earth around the blue-green water creates one of the day’s strongest color contrasts. You get a clear sense that Iceland’s scenery is shaped by fire as much as by ice and water.

Allow enough time to look beyond the main viewpoint. The walking trail around the crater gives you different angles, while the path into the crater offers a closer look at the lake. Comfortable shoes matter here, particularly in wet or icy conditions.

Your admission is included, which is a small but useful saving. Kerið is also a good early stop because it gives you an active walk before the longer sequence of viewpoints and bus rides.

The Secret Lagoon is a warm break in the middle of the route

The Secret Lagoon, or Gamla Laugin, is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. Its setting is simpler and more rustic than the country’s larger, more polished bathing facilities, and that is part of its appeal. The warm water offers a welcome pause after time outdoors.

The pool area also has small geothermal features, including a miniature geyser that erupts every few minutes. You may notice hotter water around some sources, along with one much colder source. The pool itself is warm, but the walk between changing rooms and water can feel chilly, so keep your robe or towel close.

You need a swimsuit and towel. Towels and swimsuits can be rented for an extra fee, but bringing your own avoids that added cost. Lockers, showers, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers are available.

One practical point deserves clear attention: the changing routine requires you to shower naked before entering the pool, with limited privacy in the communal shower area. If that makes you uncomfortable, this stop may not suit you. The pool is also a natural geothermal bath, so it can feel less sterile and more organic than a modern indoor spa.

The order of the day can affect how this stop feels. On some departures, the lagoon comes early, before Geysir. On another schedule, it appears later. Either way, two hours and 35 minutes is a generous allocation for changing, bathing, and getting ready for the next stop.

Geysir and Strokkur provide Iceland’s most reliable show

The Geysir geothermal area gave the word geyser to the world. The original Geysir is largely inactive, but nearby Strokkur erupts roughly every 10 minutes, sending boiling water and steam into the air. It has reached heights of up to 40 meters.

You do not need luck to see an eruption. Watch the surface tighten into a blue bubble, then brace for the burst. The timing is not exact, so stay near the viewing area for several cycles rather than leaving after one quiet minute.

Steaming pools and hot ground surround the path, making this a place where you should follow marked routes and pay attention to barriers. The smell of sulfur is part of the experience. It is not unpleasant to everyone, but you should expect the unmistakable scent of geothermal activity.

The nearby center provides food, drinks, toilets, and shopping. This is often the most practical place to buy lunch, since lunch is not included in the tour price. One useful feature of a guided day is that your guide can explain how much time you have, so you can choose between eating, watching more eruptions, or walking uphill for a wider view.

Gullfoss is the day’s most powerful natural stop

Gullfoss drops in two main stages through a deep gorge, fed by meltwater from the Langjökull glacier. The scale is impressive even when the weather is gray. In good conditions, you can feel spray from the waterfall along the walking paths.

The viewing areas give you several perspectives. One route brings you closer to the falling water, while other points let you see the full shape of the gorge. Keep your hands free for balance and protect cameras and phones from spray.

You get about 40 minutes here, enough for the main viewpoints and photographs. It is not enough for an unhurried walk along every path, so follow your guide’s return time carefully. The area also has a café, where hot chocolate can be especially welcome in cold weather.

Gullfoss can partly freeze during severe winters, though complete freezing is increasingly unusual. Even without ice, snow and spray can make the walk slippery. Warm waterproof clothing is more useful here than a stylish but thin city coat.

Þingvellir connects Icelandic politics and geology

Þingvellir National Park is important for two very different reasons. Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, first met here in the late 10th century, when chieftains gathered to discuss laws and disputes. The site therefore connects the scenery with the country’s early political life.

Þingvellir also sits along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the European and American tectonic plates move apart. Iceland is unusual because this ridge can be seen on land. You can walk through the visible rift area and get a physical sense of the forces shaping the island.

Your guide may lead you to a key viewpoint and explain the site before giving you time to explore independently. This is where a good guide makes a real difference. Anna, Daniel, Sunny, and other guides have been praised for combining facts with stories about Icelandic life rather than giving a stream of dates and names.

The stop includes walking, but you can stay close to the bus if conditions are poor or you prefer a shorter route. The park is broad, and the experience depends heavily on weather and daylight. In winter, the low light can make the place feel stark and dramatic, but it also limits how far you may want to walk.

The northern lights hunt is exciting, but never certain

The evening portion uses a different bus and a different guide from the daytime tour. You return to the same central pickup location, then head into the countryside in search of darker skies and clearer weather.

The guide may try several locations rather than stopping at the first roadside viewpoint. That flexibility matters because the aurora can be hidden by cloud in one direction and visible a short distance away. Some guides also help with camera settings and take photographs for the group.

A small cup of hot chocolate has been provided on some outings, which is a simple comfort while you wait outside. You should still bring a warm hat, gloves, and several layers. Standing still in a field at night feels colder than walking between daytime sights.

The best result is a clear display of green or colored light. The realistic result may be a faint glow, a brief appearance, or nothing at all. Cloudy conditions have led to cancellations and failed sightings. The operator may allow you to rebook, and the stated policy provides a different date or a full refund when poor weather cancels the experience.

Do not judge the daytime tour by the aurora. The Golden Circle portion can be excellent even when the night sky refuses to cooperate. If the northern lights are your main reason for booking, leave room in your Iceland schedule for another attempt.

Pickup and group size require patience

The official meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes. Several large buses may gather at once, with guides calling names while engines run and people try to identify the right vehicle.

This is the weakest part of the operation. A few departures have had late or confusing pickups, including an evening case where a party missed the northern lights bus. Arrive early, keep your booking details ready, and confirm both the guide and bus before boarding. Do not assume the nearest coach is yours.

Once you are moving, the experience appears much better organized. Drivers have been praised for smooth, safe driving, and guides such as Szymon, Jessica, Anna, and Matt have received strong marks for clear explanations and helpful attitudes. The guides can also point out horses, bonus viewpoints, or small roadside details when time and conditions allow.

What to bring for comfort and value

Pack lunch money, water, a swimsuit, and your own towel if possible. You may find food at the Geysir center, Gullfoss café, a fuel station, or other rest stops, but you should not count on a formal included meal.

Wear shoes suitable for wet paths and layers that you can adjust. The waterfall spray, geothermal steam, crater paths, and nighttime waiting all demand different clothing. A long coat and warm layers under it have worked well for cold, windy conditions.

The tour includes WiFi on board, but you will spend much of the day looking out the window or walking. Keep your phone charged for photographs, and bring protection for it around Gullfoss and the geothermal areas.

Who should book this Iceland combination tour

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Reykjavik and want the major Golden Circle sights, a geothermal bath, and one northern lights attempt in a single booking. It is especially useful for first-time visitors who do not want to drive on unfamiliar roads.

It also suits solo visitors and families who value a clear route and a guide’s help. The repeated praise for guides such as Anna, Daniel, Sunny, and Matt shows how much the human side can improve a long bus day.

I would look elsewhere if you dislike large groups, need guaranteed family seating, want a quiet spa, or prefer to set your own pace. You should also avoid packing this into a day when you need an early night. The evening bus may return well after midnight, and the next morning could feel short.

Is the $185 package worth it?

For $185, I think the package offers solid value if you plan to use both parts. Kerið and Secret Lagoon admissions are included, transport covers the day’s long distances, and you receive a separate aurora attempt without arranging another excursion.

The value drops if you mainly want a small group or if you are too tired for the evening search. The northern lights are never guaranteed, so book this for the full combination of sights, not for a promised display.

My advice is simple: book it when you have one packed day available, dress for wind and wet weather, arrive early at both pickup times, and keep another evening free if seeing the aurora matters most. Skip it when calm pacing and guaranteed seating matter more than covering a lot of Iceland in one go.

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, admission to Kerið, admission to the Secret Lagoon, guides, drivers, and WiFi on board.

Where does the tour begin?

The listed meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik. Morning pickup begins around 8:00 am and can take up to 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are available at stops such as the Geysir area and other rest locations.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. You should bring both for the Secret Lagoon. Towels and swimsuits can also be rented there for an additional fee.

Is the northern lights tour on the same bus?

No. The evening northern lights outing uses a different bus and begins pickup at about 8:30 pm from the same central location.

What happens if bad weather cancels the northern lights tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you may be offered another date or a full refund under the stated cancellation conditions. A northern lights sighting itself is not guaranteed.