If you’re visiting Iceland for the first time, the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon are absolute must-sees. This iconic route is one of Iceland’s most popular day tours, covering a distance of just 250 km (155 miles), making it a perfect fit for any itinerary.
When I designed this tour, my goal was to introduce you the most symbolic wonders of Icelandic nature. Throughout the day, we’ll explore a variety of unique locations that capture the essence of Iceland’s natural beauty.
You’ll have the chance to walk around the crater of an extinct volcano and witness the eruption of geysers up close. There’s also time to unwind and soak in Iceland’s oldest thermal pool, the Secret Lagoon.
The tour includes a visit to the stunning Gullfoss waterfall and a unique dining experience at Friðheimar, a geothermal greenhouse where you’ll enjoy lunch among thriving tomato plants. This tour also offers a glimpse into Iceland’s history at Þingvellir National Park, the birthplace of Icelandic democracy.
Every stop on this tour has been carefully selected to create the Ultimate Golden Circle experience.
Itinerary
PICK-UP
Before our expedition, I will pick you up directly from your accommodation or place of your choice.
KERIÐ
Kerið is a crater of an extinct volcano in Grímsnes Valley in South Iceland and is about 3000 years old, which makes him half the age of most volcanic calderas in Iceland.
Kerið is approximately 55 m (180 ft) deep, 170 m (558 ft) wide, and 270 m (886 ft) in circumference. We will take a hiking path around the crater’s edge and descend to the shore of the aquamarine waters of the crater lake.
SECRET LAGOON
Secret Lagoon natural hot springs are located in the geothermal area near the small village of Fludir. Founded in 1891, it is the oldest thermal pool in Iceland.
The place kept its natural and unique form with brand new facilities next to the pool with a locker room and showers for women and men. The pool’s natural surroundings and steam rising into the air create a magical feeling. The warm water stays at 38-40 Celsius all year. In the whole area, there are several geothermal spots with small geyser in the corner of the pool erupting every couple of minutes. It’s a perfect place for relaxing soaking on our Golden Circle expedition.
FRIÐHEIMAR FARM
Friðheimar is a perfect example of Icelandic farming. It’s a family-run geothermal farm where vegetables grow year-round in perfect harmony with nature.
In the year 2010, the farm owners came up with a brilliant idea to open a restaurant in the Piccolo- tomato greenhouse. All dishes served in the restaurant are based on vegetables and herbs grown in Friðheimar.
Dining inside the greenhouse among tomato plants growing around is a unique food experience you will never forget.
I’m a huge fan of this place. Visiting Friðheimar in cold, snowy, wintery weather is like entering the Narnia through the wardrobe.
GULLFOSS WATERFALL
Gullfoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls of Iceland. Because of his cascades, Gullfoss could be split into two separate waterfalls. The first drop is 11 m (36 ft), while the second is 21 m (69 ft) high. The Hvita River supplies the waterfall and falls into the over 70 m (230 ft) high Gullfossgjúfur Canyon. It is a mighty waterfall in which the water flow depends on the time of the year. In the summer, around 140 cubic meters (459 cubic feet) of waterfalls down the waterfall every second, while in winter, flow drops to about 109 cubic meters (358 cubic feet) per second.
GEYSERS VALLEY
The geysers’ valley is home to one of Iceland’s most iconic symbols, the Great Geysir, and his little brother Strokkur. Even though Great Geysir is sleeping and rarely erupts these days, geyser Strokkur is still very active and erupts up to 30 m (98 ft) high every five to ten minutes. It’s a unique phenomenon in this part of the world that makes admiring it a lifetime experience.
ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK
Þingvellir is the birthplace of Icelandic democracy and, for every Icelander place of historical, cultural, and geological significance. Located on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it an excellent place to witness the effects of continental drift.
On the 1000th anniversary of the Alþingi changed its status to become a National park. Since 2004 has its place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
REYKJAVIK
Straight from there, we will go to your hotel or place of your choice in the Reykjavik area.
ALL YEAR
EASY
YOUR ACCOMMODATION OR PLACE OF YOUR CHOICE (FREE PICK-UP IN REYKJAVIK)
STANDARD GROUP UP TO 4 PEOPLE (MAXIMUM UP TO 8 PEOPLE)
260KM/10H
I do my best to make my trips as comfortable as possible. That’s why I provide complimentary hot chocolate to keep as WARM 🙂 Additionally, I offer crystal clear Icelandic Glacial water in my car at no extra charge.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
photo session
Guiding Services
Private Transportation
Wifi access
Crampons
Rain gear – pants and coats
Tolls
Parking fees
National park admission pass
Secret Lagoon admission tickets
What's extras
Personal Expenses
Souvenirs
Food, Drinks, Snacks
*Please note that while we offer pre-designed tours, all private tours offered by Arctic Mike might be customized if possible. We always work with our clients to tailor the itinerary to ensure it fully meets all your needs and expectations.
*I will be happy to answer all your additional questions! Feel free to contact me. You may also find answers to commonly asked questions in the FAQ section
What my guests
EastCoastTraveler November 2024
We had the best time with Arctic Mike !!! From being super communicative and helpful prior to our trip – to having 2 fabulous days with Mike !!
We did both his South Coast and Golden Circle Tours . Mike made sure we saw all the best sights that were must sees in Iceland . It felt very luxurious – VIP would be a great definition . Everything was handled – Mike knew how to avoid crowds – have lunch reserved and a table waiting . Took awesome photos and gave us so much history and information about Iceland and every destination we visited with him . He definitely MADE our trip !!
Tracey H September 2024
Artic Mike is amazing! We all agreed one of the best tours we have ever taken. What Mike doesn’t know about Iceland is probably not worth knowing. He is passionate, caring and has a wicked sense of humour. Mike picked us up in his very spacious, comfortable and spotlessly clean vehicle from our cruise ship terminal shortly after we docked to start our day trip of the Golden Circle tour. This included a visit to see the tectonic plates in a national park and stunning scenery, after which Mike warmed us all up with his flask of hot chocolate. Our next stop was to see the geysers in the Geothermal Fields which was absolutely thrilling. We also visited the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall which was breathtaking and the sound was mind blowing. On our way to a tomato farm for lunch Mike stopped so we could say hello to some very friendly horses. After a very tasty lunch we had a very relaxing swim at the Secret Lagoon which is one of the oldest pools in Iceland where Mike very kindly bought us out a beer which we enjoyed very much whilst still in the pool! Our very last stop was a visit to Kerid Crater which apparently is still bubbling gently under the water but not expected to erupt anytime soon, thankfully!!! In the words of Artic Mike ‘ it will be fine’. If you are looking for an unforgettable day out in Iceland I 100% recommend you book with Artic Mike, you will have the most memorable of days.
Neely S March 2024
If you’re looking for an amazing Iceland guide, look no further than Arctic Mike! We took a short weekend trip to Iceland from the US in hopes to see the northern lights and tour around the south coast and golden circle. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for the northern lights, and we began the trip a bit disappointed, unsure of what to expect for our weekend. We booked 2 days of touring with Mike, and I can’t begin to express how much we enjoyed him! Mike is a dream of a tour guide – he knows the island like the back of his hand and knows all the tricks to avoid crowds and where to take the best photos. He is a wealth of knowledge and shared just about everything there is to know about Iceland (and more)! A tour guide can really make or break your trip, and since we only had 3 days in Iceland, and 2 with Mike, it was a gamble for sure, but it’s safe to say we hit the jackpot with him! If/when we return, we would absolutely book with Mike again. Until then, I will be dreaming of his famous homemade hot chocolate!
Tomy H January 2024
We did two private tours (Golden Circle and South Coast tours) with Mike and both times, he was amazing! He has way exceeded our expectations and I can say Mike is the best tour guide we ever had. He took us to many non-touristy areas, making the whole experience more enjoyable and fun. These places were spectacular and Mike took many great photos of us. We stopped by to restaurants that were booked by Mike and lunches were amazing. I had the best tomatoes in one of the restaurants he booked for us for lunch. Mike ensure that our travel is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. He is very knowledgeable about buildings, history and culture of Iceland. We’ve learned a lot about Iceland from him. He’s also very flexible with the itinerary and that we can make changes to accommodate our wants. For example, he took us to places where we can fly our drone and had amazing shots.
Mike is very friendly, generous, kind and approachable. We would definitely recommend Mike to anyone who is going to Iceland. And one thing, he made a bloody delicious hot chocolates. It’s probably the top 2 or 3 hot chocolates we ever had. Thank you Mike for guiding and hosting us. It was truly an amazing trips!
Tas_wanderers November 2023
We were lucky enough to get to spend two days with Mike showing us around the South Coast and the Golden Circle. We had the most magical and memorable days. Mike was an amazing guide and 5/5 isn’t a high enough score- easily a 10/5 🙂
Mike had great knowledge of the areas we visited and the history. His stories were engaging and informative. He knew how to avoid the crowds with the order of the activities and he took the most amazing photos of our family so we have those memories forever. We went to places we wouldn’t have dared even try to go to without Mike taking us, and we always felt safe and looked after. Our only complaint was he doesn’t do more tours in the winter – because we absolutely would have booked them too!
Mike was brilliant with our daughter and was a lot of fun, adding a stop she could feed Icelandic horses, which she absolutely adored.
If you are wanting to see the best of the Golden Circle and the South Coast (and taste the best hot chocolate ever!) and want the best guide there is – book with Mike. Mike is the best and you will have the most amazing time.
Suzy November, 2023
The Golden Circle and The Secret Lagoon Private Day Tour:
Artic Mike’s Golden Circle tour was an absolute delight. From hiking around an extinct volcano to witnessing geyser eruptions, each moment was a breathtaking encounter with Icelandic wonders. The Secret Lagoon’s thermal pool provided relaxation, and lunch at the Friðheimar geothermal greenhouse was a unique culinary experience amidst tomato plants. Artic Mike’s thoughtful itinerary and comfortable Mercedes V Class made this tour unforgettable.
Icelandic South Coast Private Day Tour:
Embarking on the South Coast tour with Artic Mike felt like exploring a friend’s favorite places. The journey included hidden waterfalls like Gljufabui and iconic ones like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. A lunch break at Skógafoss Bistro and a hike to Sólheimajökull Glacier added to the adventure. The Black Sand Beach at Reynisfjara provided a stunning finale. Artic Mike’s attention to comfort, including hot chocolate and Icelandic mineral water, made this tour exceptional.
In both tours, Artic Mike’s service was outstanding—knowledgeable, attentive, and ensuring nothing was too much trouble. The combination of remarkable destinations and his warm hospitality turned these trips into cherished memories. Highly recommend!
Laura C. October, 2023
Arctic Mike was absolutely amazing! Four of us spent 2 days with him and covered the golden circle and south Coast. He planned the perfect itinerary making sure we got to certain sites at the right time based on the level of crowds, sunrise/sunset. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a great overview of the history and culture of Iceland. He has a great personality and is really easy to talk to. He included special touches like hot chocolate (with whip cream!!), a stop at an incredible greenhouse for lunch and was an amazing photographer. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Laura S. October, 2023
Two of the BEST days with Arctic Mike exploring Iceland. Warm, friendly, knowledgeable and the best photographer. Mike truly goes the extra mile for those on his tour. By the end of two days he feels like family! Thank you Mike, you made our trip so memorable! Book with Arctic Mike, you’ll be so happy you did!
Julie G. October, 2023
We had the most INCREDIBLE time with Arctic Mike over the past two days. He truly thinks of everything and goes above and beyond to ensure you have the BEST experience. He took us to the most majestic places in Iceland, had amazing knowledge of the country and is an excellent photographer, capturing all our wonderful memories. If you are coming to Iceland no other way to do it then with Arctic Mike.
Lynsey S July, 2023
Our family spent two PERFECT days touring with Mike. There is a reason that he gets such excellent reviews. First of all, Mike has an amazing personality and is genuinely such a good guy. He is incredibly knowledgeable and has put a lot of time and effort planning his tours to perfection. We really did feel like we were traveling with a good friend. Not only is Mike a great tour guide for adults, he is fantastic with kids. Loved it!
Susan July, 2023
We are happy to leave another well-deserved 5-star review for Mike. We are a couple in our 60s, and Mike guided us on full-day tours of the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Communications was excellent from the start, and we were met at the cruise port seamlessly for our first tour and dropped of at our hotel each day. Mike is extremely knowledgeable about Iceland, including its history and geology. He has an easy style, and did everything he could to be sure we were comfortable and didn’t feel rushed at any of the sights–a major advantage of a private guide vs a group tour. He organized our tour so that we could see very popular sites when they were less likely to be overrun with large bus tours. I am not the steadiest on uneven terrain, but Mike made a special point to be there to lend a hand so that I could see a waterfall inside a cave! He also had excellent recommendations for other things to do on our own. We felt very taken care of and privileged to experience the magic of Iceland with Mike.
Maciej K. May, 2023
Our trip with Mike started at the airport. From that moment the best vacation of our lives began. We never got bored with him.
Except beatiful places he showed us, he was able to interest our child ( it is almost impossible).
He is a great guide.
Jenny T. April, 2023
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland and in need an amazing tour guide? Look no further. Mike is your guy!
I did the Golden Circle tour with Mike and it was truly one of the best ways to experience Iceland. In addition to being so incredibly kind and fun, Mike is a lover of history and shared so many facts and stories! He is a walking Icelandic Wikipedia! Not only that, he knows the best spots for photos! And of course, he knows where all of the bathrooms are. Very important 🙂
He really took care of us and gave us the space to explore without ever feeling like it was overbearing. He was always there when we needed him.
Thanks so much again Mike!!!
North Star March, 2023
Travelling with two girl friends I booked the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon with Mike after stumbling across him on Mumsnet. It was simply the most magical experience that none of us will ever forget. Mike is the ultimate professional with so much knowledge of his country.
The tour led to us seeing the most amazing sites of Iceland with a true gentleman.
If you are thinking of booking with Mike, do it you will not regret it !
Amy December, 2022
Mike is truly a phenomenal guide! He is a charismatic, friendly, engaging, happy and knowledgeable man. A true enthusiast of all things Iceland! He has a great wealth of knowledge and is a terrific disseminator of information. He knows the country roads like the back of his hand. He is an excellent driver! We felt very secure & safe with him. He knows the roads like the back of his hand. His vehicle was very luxurious and quite nice with the bonus seat warmers. Mike is so accommodating and thought of everything! From his own secret recipe of hot chocolate he provided and might I add topped with whip cream, so delicious! He provided waters and even offered us Kleenex at one point when we were outside. He is a real gentleman and we thoroughly enjoyed his company. He went above and beyond to get the best photo he could when we were at the geyser and made being out in the cold even more fun than we could have expected! Our day spent with Mike was fantastic as if we were hanging out with a friend! We enjoyed our tour so much that we are already thinking about returning in the summer/fall to book another day private trip with him. He is hands down one of the best guides/tours we have had the honor of experiencing! It was our pleasure to spend our day with him. He is exactly what helped to make our vacation even more memorable! I highly recommend any excursion Artic Mike has to offer and I can promise he will not disappoint! When you are finished with your adventure with him you will feel like you don’t want it to end! He is also amazing at his communication and if you need anything or have any questions, concerns, or would like suggestions for things to do near you, restaurant referrals etc, he is happy and willing to help you out any way he can 🙂
Andrea S. October, 2022
I can’t say enough about how wonderful Arctic Mike was during our stay in Iceland! We booked him for private tours for two days plus the drive to the airport on our last day. First day was Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon. The second tour was the South Coast Tour (which was truly amazing!!). I have difficulty walking far and Mike did everything he could to help me make the most out of our tour, including climbing up behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, something I never imagined I could do. He was excellent with communications leading up to the trip and the whole time we were there, including excellent restaurant recommendations and apps to watch for the Aurora. He took such good care of us, was knowledgeable, considerate and fun. If there were more than 5*****’s I would give them all to Mike!
Angel September 2022
Listen. I read Artic Mikes review before booking. Everything said is absolutely true! Mike went above and beyond to make sure our group was taken care off. Exceptional service is when someone goes above and beyond and Mike did just that. Great driver. Knowledge about Iceland. We learned so much fun facts. Great photographer. Overall great tour guide. I couldn’t even think of a complaint if I had one. Some people have special callings in life and Mike has found his. He was funny, caring and smart. Everyone in our tour group was happy and glad we choose Mike. So do yourself a favor and book with Mike. I’m a researcher so I looked up other tour guides and non compared to Mike. I’m glad we booked him.
Kristina J September, 2022
Mike offered such a memorable experience. The word “kind” isn’t even close to how genuinely thoughtful he is. Every single excursion was well thought out and planned for. He took our group wants and made them all happen. He was very compassionate to one of our group members who had difficulty moving around; he went as far as getting a step-up for them, parked in such a way that the person could easily get in and out, and never once made them or anyone feel bad or that they were missing out. To say he accommodated is an understatement.
He has a great sense of humor, an abundance of knowledge, and a welcoming and friendly spirit.
Mike and the experiences he provided were some of the best we’ve had.
If you’re looking to spend your hard earned money wisely, Mike is it.
Jennifer L. July 2022
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Mike. we did two trips with him, The Golden Circle and the South Coast. Mike ensured that both days were perfect. There was never a feeling of being rushed, he is so knowledgeable of everything Icelandic he answered my non stop questions and made sure we got to see everything we wanted to do. Mike knew i wanted to see horses or sheep because i was talking non stop about so he made sure i got to see both and meet some horses. He is a great photographer for you as well and knows literally every spot for the best photos. Mike times his tours perfectly so you avoid the big tour groups and busses as much as possible. He is so kind, funny, and makes you feel comfortable and welcome right from the first minute. It was my boyfriend and I traveling but i would have felt 100% safe and comfortable as a solo or small group of female travelers as well. if you get a chance to go for the tomato farm for lunch on a tour with Mike, please do, it was absolutely beautiful in both food and the space and science behind the infrastructure. thank you Mike for making this one of our most memorable vacations yet. i will be raving about and recommending Arctic Mike for the foreseeable future every time anyone literally mentions Iceland.
Not B. June 2022
We did Mike’s Golden Circle tour and it was amazing! Mike has hand-picked the best sites along the Golden Circle and carefully designed his tour to reduce crowds and maximize time spent actually seeing and experiencing the beautiful spots. We didn’t miss having a car at all when we had Mike bringing us to each site and passionately telling us all about them. He also chose the most amazing and unique tomato greenhouse restaurant for lunch, a real highlight!
We also had a great time just chatting with Mike! He seemed to know the answer to literally any question we had about Iceland’s culture, geography and history. He also had a bunch of finishing touches that made things perfect, like taking a picture of us with the geyser erupting in the background, dropping us off at one side of Thingvellir and picking us up on the other so we didn’t ever have to backtrack, and providing hot chocolate to keep us warm and awake at the end of our tour. Cannot recommend a tour with Mike more!
Kim B. June, 2022
We spent two days with Arctic Mike. One to the golden circle and one to the south coast. Both were phenomenal. We had four in our group, my daughter, her friend and my friend. It was AMAZING. Besides the magical country side of Iceland…Mike couldn’t have been more accommodating. He adjusted our first day to give us the best chance of seeing things better due to rain. He knew where all the best photo spots were and helped us with wonderful photos. He had fantastic stories and information about everything he saw. He always made sure we had enough bathroom breaks. We randomly would pull over to visit other sites because we wanted to. his hot chocolate, vehicle and his company were the best! We cannot wait to return. I have traveled a ton all over Europe and other locations. This was by far the best tour/s I have been on. I recommend to get this on your itinerary if you are heading to Iceland!!
Adventurer February, 2022
Mike is an amazing guide and made our family to Iceland. His trips were fantastic, he was great company and we felt very at home with him. We did the South of the island and the golden circle tours, both were excellent and Mike’s attention to detail is exceptional. Mike is very knowledgeable about Icelandic history and culture and we had the most wonderful time with him. We highly recommend him and his tour and would definitely meet up with him again when we return.
Thanks Mike for helping us create wonderful memories.
Stephanie E. September 2021
My mother and I spent two days with Mike, doing both the southern Iceland trip and the Golden circle. I definitely recommend doing both. We are SO grateful for the experiences we had with Mike. It was just the two of us and we felt like we had VIP treatment! Mike went above and beyond to make this a once in a lifetime experience. He was flexible, extremely professional and so kind. We hit all the most amazing places, and in an order that ensured we missed crowds. Mike is so incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Iceland! We have traveled all around the world and this was the best private tour experience we have ever had. Do not hesitate and book your private tours with Mike! You will not regret it!!! It will take your trip to Iceland to the next level!!! Thank you Mike!!!!! We will be back!!! 🙂
Mary W. September, 2020
Amazing tour with a fantastic guide.
I was so fortunate to have gone on this once in a lifetime tour with Michal.
He took us to places that were jaw-dropping and special.
To go around the Golden Circle with a private tour was just so worth it.
The landscape in this part of Iceland is incredible – along with the stories and history of the area.
I have to say – that the geysers were fantastic and the waterfall was just beautiful – the place where we had lunch – and I won’t say too much about this – was for me, the best part of the trip.
You will be bowled over by this farm.
On a personal note, I found Michal to be a very easy and entertaining person – always with a smile on his face.
We never felt rushed.
He also recommended several restaurants that were close to where we were staying and when I tell you that the one we chose – based on his experience – was out of this world.
Michal, I wish you all the luck, because you really are a fantastic guide.
Next time I travel to Iceland, I will definitely be using his guide services again.
Oh! and his vehicle is very comfortable and he had hot coffee and water for us when he arrived to pick us up.
Copyright 2024 Arctic Mike ehf.
