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 in the Reykjavik area.
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)
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
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
SarahSOliver March 2024
If you are planning a trip to Iceland with excursions to experience the natural wonders-You must contact Mike! This was my first time to Iceland and Mike’s intriguing tours made the experience truly wonderful. He is very informative and takes care to make sure each of his guests is comfortable and has an enjoyable experience.
His small group tours create a personalized vibe with hands on experience. We spent the time being entertained with his stories while exploring the amazing landscape.
Cannot recommend him enough – Already planning my next trip back during warmer months and I will most definitely be calling Mike for any excursions we decide to take!
Thank you Mike for an absolutely fantastic experience!
Anna November 2023
The absolute most incredible tour guide!! Mike balanced sightseeing with history, fun, and humor. Absolutely beautiful tour and Mike’s personal approach gives the best view and perspective of everything you see. 10/10 Arctic Mike
Malloyello L. September, 2023
Mike made the trip so much fun and informative! He made sure we were comfortable, got the best view and best photos too! I highly recommend him as a tour guide!
Troy H. July, 2023
Mike makes the trip personal. It’s like visiting a close friend and then taking you around to show you the sights! He will have you laughing, intrigued with stories as well as in awe of the beauty of Iceland. I 1000% recommend booking both tours with Mike while you’re in Iceland because you won’t want to see the rest of the country without your new best friend!!!!
Brady July, 2023
Mike was wonderful and such a friendly guide. If I could rate our experience 7/5 I would! He’s very knowledgeable about all things Iceland as well as having great recommendations for things to do. We did the Golden Circle Tour and the entire 10 hours were absolutely phenomenal. It’s laid back, comfortable, full of variety and well worth the cost. I wish we could’ve done our whole trip with him as our personal guide! Couldn’t recommend Mike enough.
Jenny G. July, 2023
We’ve just returned from a week exploring Iceland, on a first time visit for both myself and my 18 year old nephew. We spent our first day exploring the Golden Circle with Mike. His genuine friendly hosting skills and knowledge of Iceland sights and history made us feel at home from the start. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to be introduced to this fabulous country and way of life. From the start of our interactions during planning I felt I found someone trustworthy and safe, which was top of my requirements as a solo female traveler with my nephew by my side this trip. In person, Mike was all of that and more. Providing us with additional recommendations above and beyond our tour that also proved quite fun. We’ve made a connection and friend for all future trips to Iceland.
Very highly recommend Mike!
Victoria V. May, 2023
We LOVED our time with Arctic Mike and highly recommend him to anyone going to iceland! We did two full days with him, the first day was around the golden circle including some of the hidden treasures that tourists don’t often get to see while also still hitting all the must sees in the golden circle! Day two was full of waterfalls and glaciers that were beyond beautiful!
Mike picked us up right at our Airbnb and had all of the equipment we needed, including heavy duty rain gear and hot chocolate made with a piece of his heart! He took us to some of the most beautiful spots and even knows how to avoid the crowds so we got a one of a kind experience at the sites!
Outside of the beautiful sites, Mike knows everything about Iceland history, stories, and culture. There wasn’t a question we asked that he couldn’t answer, and we asked a lot of them! We learned more from Mike than we could have from any other tour experience! He was also extremely kind and funny making the days of beauty even more entertaining.
Vamins February, 2023
I traveled solo to Iceland and was skeptical to drive due to weather. And found Mike on Instagram.
After taking two Day Tours with Mike, I felt that this is the best way to see Iceland. The man has so much of knowledge about History and Places of Iceland. He is the most energetic Guide I have seen.
I did The Golden Circle & South Coast Tour with him.
He has all the extra Winter & Rain wear for all of us.
His Car has a wonderful car. Most comfortable and fully equipped with Icelandic conditions.
Even after the day tour ended, he pinged me to go out and see the Northern Lights above Reykjavik Sky.
Whatever he does, he does it from heart.
Thanx Mike
I’ll see you soon… When I come in summer for my Motorcycle Tour
Cheers and All the best
Mick H. February, 2023
Under no circumstances book with anyone else! Mike is amazing! he is funny, a great story teller, part folklore expert and part Historian. He is also one hell of a photographer and drone pilot. If he saw a great shot he would use his own camera then air drop them to you. He was able to navigate around all those busses full of people so no location we visited was ever packed. He took us to great restaurants and provided hot chocolate which was a blessing on the cold days. My wife also swears he might be a geologist because of his knowledge on the tectonic plates, volcanos, and glaciers. Book as soon as you can. He has gone viral because he rocks and quickly fills up.
Georgia W. January, 2023
Our group had THE best time with Mike on our Golden Circle adventure. We saw some absolutely beautiful sights and paired with Mike’s extensive knowledge of Iceland and some delicious hot chocolate, we had a trip of a lifetime. Thank you so much Mike – we’ll be returning again to explore south of the island soon!!
Nicole January, 2023
I’m almost exclusively a solo traveler and sincerely prefer to go about my exploration’s alone but I booked my first trip to Iceland in haste and hadn’t properly planned out what I wanted to see, do, experience, etc. Whenever this happens, I’ll usually book a simple walking tour of my destination early in my visit to get a lay of the land and go from there. However, after seeing a video of Mike on TikTok, I impulsively decided to message him on Instagram to see if he had any time during my stay for something a bit more elevated than what was on offer from random tour operators I found online. Best decision ever!
I was fortunate enough to join Mike for an adventure around the Golden Circle not long after my arrival into Iceland. We saw so much in just ~ten hours, without my ever feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or under-informed. Every stop was breathtaking, interesting, and fulfilling. The beauty and magnitude of these places will humble you in the best possible way.
Mike is an incredibly thoughtful, knowledgeable, humorous, detail-oriented, and warm host! I felt comfortable with him from the moment he arrived – he’s one of those people you feel like you’ve known for years. He oscillated very easily between sharing in-depth knowledge of the region, its history, the makeup of the terrain, etc. and providing insight into the day-to-day Iceland experience. He was even borderline nerdy in his enthusiasm for it all and that’s exactly the kind of person you want showing you around a new place.
In addition to highlighting the sights, sounds, and specifics of the region, he also paid attention to my small mentions of certain interests and would immediately provide a plethora of recommendations that would enhance my Iceland experience. Everything he suggested or guided me to do was a knock out of the park. I’m so grateful to him and super happy we’ve met. I look forward to more escapades with him on my next visit!
On a silly side note that may matter to some folks depending on when they’re planning their visit: most moments I spent behind the wheel navigating the Icelandic winter came with an underlying concern (it was ~fine!), but Mike was very obviously well-versed and comfortable on the roads. With him, I felt perfectly safe the entire time; it was a wonderful treat to be hands-off and have the opportunity actively enjoy the gorgeous landscape alongside his company! So, even if you’re whizzing that car rental around the island, taking some time to sit back and relax with Mike at the helm is an absolute must. 🙂
Joel P. November, 2022
We had the BEST day with Mike!!
He is such a great guy – kind, caring, knowledgeable, easy to talk to and he genuinely wants you to have an incredible experience when you’re with him!! From the time he picked us up, to the time he dropped us off, Mike was so thoughtful about the day, what we saw, background info and he reminded us that the day was ours and he just wanted to help make it the best experience possible! Our day with him flew by and felt like we had spent the day with a great friend!! 10/10 would book with Mike again, the absolute best in world class tours!!!
Mary K. October 2022,
Mike was SUPER! We had SUCH a great time with him for two days. We enjoyed all his insights but moreover his wonderful information about everything!!
He made our stay even more memorable.
HIGHLY recommend Mike to your Iceland tours.
Carol F. September, 2022
We were so lucky to have toured the Golden Circle with Mike yesterday. He was the best tour guide I have ever had on a guided trip. He was attentive, kind, fun to be with, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make us comfortable.
He is really someone who loves his job, and it shows . He is definitely the tour guide you will want to book for your next adventure in Iceland!
Jeremiah H. April, 2022
My friend and I took two tours with Mike – the Golden Circle and the South Coast. We had a great time, and Mike was a terrific guide! Both tours were around 10-11 hours long, but the time flew by, and there was plenty of time to rest. Mike was extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of the tours and Iceland itself. He was very attentive to everyone’s needs, and his vehicle is amazing. He does have four spaces for each tour, so if your group is less than four, you might meet some new people.
I highly recommend Arctic Mike!
Finbar Hoban March, 2022
Well what else can be said about the legend Michal, everything you may have heard is true, The legend is real. This was the best part of my trip to Iceland. The tour is so good and Michal is a great guy. From the moment we met I felt very comfortable in the company of Michal. Michal knows all the great spots around Iceland that a lot of other tourist companies do not offer. This is well worth the price, we did so much activities through the day. The places we seen were amazing and this was all down to this tour. I highly recommend anyone coming to Iceland to try this tour out you won’t be disappointed.
Also the stories are also true about the legendary Hot Chocolate Michal makes. Thank you Michal for a wonderful day!!!
Anita Marzec, 2022
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Lazah B. March, 2022
Arctic Mike puts a little bit of his heart into his tours…and his hot chocolate! We had two incredible tours with Mike on our last visit and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. Mike is passionate about the history and culture of Iceland and is a wealth of knowledge. He has created one of a kind tours with unique stops along the way that you just won’t get with the big tour companies. He makes his best effort to avoid crowds and tourist traps for a more intimate experience, and man does it work! From excellent food to remarkable waterfalls, Mike is the only tour guide you want trucking you around Iceland’s breathtaking landscape!
Bastian November, 2021
Experiencing the Golden Circle with Mike was the BEST day of my entire trip!
Absolutely phenomenal guide with a deep understanding of the points of interest you are going to see, but more importantly it was such a relaxed and enjoyable experience. It’s the perfect way for single travellers or couples to see the Golden Circle.
If you want to get the most out of your trip to Iceland, you have to do a tour with Mike!
Ergert November 2021
Michal was incredibly accommodating and one of the best guides you could ask for. Michal is extremely conscious of his guests comfort and experience will always go the extra mile to ensure utmost comfort to his guests. We always felt safe in Mikes hands and really couldn’t ask for a better host. We strongly recommend Mike if you’re looking for a tour guide who seriously knows his stuff
Samuel November 2021
It was a fantabulous experience with Mike. He was very dedicated, enthusiastic and super friendly. We had much fun chitchatting and shared many interesting stories along the way. We enjoyed our trip very much and would definitely recommend others for the experiences he offers.
Bianca November 2021
We booked both tours with Mike, the South Coast and the Golden Circle. We had a great time with Mike and on the South Coast it was only us. It was great to hear Mike’s stories about everything and he was very attentive to our needs and always happy to help. Sorry we were quite slow so we took 1 hour longer. Mike has WiFi on the car which is very spacious. We enjoyed all the stations be it the waterfalls or the black sand beach and the glacier. It was a great trip and I would definitely recommend it! Thank you we had a great day!
Emily F. September, 2021
To tell you how amazing Michal’s tours are, let me say this, we did one and then immediately booked ANOTHER one a couple days later (Golden Circle and South Coast). That is how much we loved his tours! He is knowledgeable, passionate and engaged as a host and tour guide. He will take you to the most beautiful places in Iceland. You get the feel of a tour while not being packed on a bus full of people with limited times at certain spots. We experienced so many amazing things during this tour that by the end it felt like we had seen a weeks worth of sights. He knows all the spots! Obviously, sight seeing in Iceland is wonderful on it’s own, but Michal was very precise with getting us around (even volunteering to be our photographer and having beverages on hand for the chilly weather). He gave us flexible time and space to enjoy each location. We never felt rushed because he planned out everything well. He gives you the perfect balance of being informative while also giving you personal space to enjoy independently. I would highly recommend booking this tour!
Adriana July, 2021
Two day trip with Mike were amazing and beyond our expectations.
Me and my 10 year old son felt very safe, relaxed and comfortable travelling in such a nice and friendly company.
The places we have seen were obviously breathtaking and I can’t find words to describe it.
Perfect pace with no rush, plenty stops for food, coffee or toilet if we needed.
Most relaxing holiday we have ever had. We definitely didn’t want to leave and would absolutely (hopefully ) return one day.
I recommend Mike to everyone!
Andreas July 2021
This was the second tour we did with Mike and it was simply amazing. Highly recommend booking both the Golden Circle and South Coast with him as he is a phenomenal guide, extremely knowledgeable and will show you some amazing and magical places in Iceland. We loved the South Coast as it was such a wonderful drive full of beautiful scenery. He took us to some of the most extraordinary waterfalls you will ever see in your life, including some off the beaten path with almost no people around. Highly recommend booking this trip and the Golden Circle with Mike. You will not regret it!
Corey July 2021
Forget renting a car rental — leave your time in Iceland to Michal. After partaking in two of his tours (Golden Circle & South Coast), I can tell you that there is no way better to see the sights of the country. Michal is generous with his time, knowledge, and most of all, his kindness. When we said our goodbyes at the end of the second day with him, it truly was parting as friends. Book this experience if you want hit all of the spots (plus some wonderful gems I NEVER would have seen on my own), with a genuine soul.
Vince July 2021
Michal is one of the nicest people I have met. Even before leaving for Iceland, he was helping me figure out logistics that could not be figured out from home. The experience itself was really wonderful. We saw some very beautiful things and places and it was all very comfortable in his truck. I would highly recommend this experience because Michal will make sure you have an amazing time!
Kevin June 2021
I took two tours with Mike, I liked the Golden Circle so much I booked the South Coast later that week. The South Coast trip includes so many things, waterfalls, the black beach and Mike’s take on living in Iceland. He’ll even play you some Icelandic folk tales if you want on the drive back.
The vehicle is new and very comfortable. I happened on both trips to meet some very interesting and nice people. Some spots are unique, a lot of my friends who did a south coast tour didn’t get to see the hidden waterfall.
Overall the trip is laid back, the company is good and the trip is “curated” by Mike, who picks the best spot and is just an all round nice guy to spend the day with.
I’ve been all over Iceland on this trip and done a lot of tours. Skip the bus and big crowd of retirees from Florida and London. This tour size is just right. The tours with Mike were the best I’ve had on Iceland.
Charlie J. January, 2020
Absolutely amazing experience. Had high expectations for this tour from previous reviews, Mike was not a let down and exceeded our expectations. The Golden Circle Tour started off really well by relaxing at the secret lagoon for a couple of hours, this was a perfect amount of time and great way to start the day. Next we went and had lunch at Freidheimar Tomatoes, Mike took us on a personal tour around the greenhouse before sitting down and having delicious tomato soup, bread, burrata and tomato cheesecake. From there we went to Gullfoss waterfall where Mike thankfully kitted us out with crampons for our short icy walks to the falls viewing platforms. The tour then went onto go to Geysirs, Kerid volcano and finally Thingvellir National park. This was all a really nice balance of a guided tour and being left to explore on your own. Mike would drive from the start and meet us at the end of the walk with the car and yummy hot chocolate. Would highly recommend him to anyone who’s wanting the best Golden Circle experience going!
Age M. March, 2020
I still dream about the misty snowy road when the sun was slowly raising in Reykjavik, the day looked promising and ended up more than awesome.
Volcanoes are sleeping giants and most of them lives in in Iceland, I’m lucky to have a nice volcanic rock near to my books, that beautiful rusty copper color is one in a million, and was Mike idea’s that would be a good memory.
Don’t even hesitated, just go.
Iceland is like an never ending magic tale, you won’t even notice what’s real what’s not.
Totally recommend Mike as tour guide he is awesome, took his time to take me to the city, showed me some places, recommendations.
I went alone so you know, is not easier when you are on your own.
Thanks Mike again!
Copyright 2024 Arctic Mike ehf.
