Experience many of Iceland´s natural gems in a magnificient day tour. The Golden Circle is the name given to a 300 kilometer route and the name comes from that in a day you can reach many of Iceland famous landsmarks and pearls.
The Golden Circle can easily be completed in one day, either by renting a car or going as part of a group. There are money options for tours both with super jeeps and also with buses. You have also the option of staying for longer, as there are hotels, farm cabins and summer houses on the way.
Geysir
One of the greatest natural attractions of Iceland, Geysir, has been dormant since 1916 when it suddenly ceased to spout. It came to life only once in 1935, and as quickly went back to sleep. Since then its repose has sporadically been disturbed by the dumping of tonnes of carbolic soap powder into its seething orifice in order to tickle it to spout. It is believed that it came into existence around the end of the 13th century when a series of strong earthquakes hit Haukadalur, the geothermal valley where Geysir is located.
The attraction of the area is now Strokkur, another geyser very close to the orginal Geysir, which erupts at regular intervals every 10 minutes. The column of boiling water can reach as high as 20-30 metres.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss, (“Golden falls”) in the river Hvítá, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland and a favourite with tourists. It falls 32 m in two cascades. The canyon below the falls is
2,500 m long and 70 m deep, a magnificent sight. Gullfoss is state property. An information centre is located near the falls. On a sunlit day, the mist clouds surrounding the hammering falls are filled with dozens of rainbows, providing an unparalleled spectacle of color and motion. In winter, ice around the edges of the falls freezes to form magical shapes of ice and snow.
Thingvellir
From 930 to 1798 it was the annual meeting place of the Althing (Parliament). Though little remains of any of the early buildings, the spectacular setting in which much of Iceland’s early history unfolded is now a national park. The national park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.
