Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

The big Iceland day, followed by a dark-sky hunt. This 13.5-hour combination tour packs Kerið crater, Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir National Park, the Secret Lagoon, and an evening aurora search into one long Reykjavik outing. I like the smart mix of major sights and warm-water bathing, plus the chance to see Iceland by bus without worrying about winter roads.

I also like that entrance fees for Kerið and the Secret Lagoon are included, and that the evening northern lights trip is handled separately. The main drawback is the schedule: you get only about two hours between the daytime tour and the 8:30 pm pickup, so this is a full day with little room to rest.

Six useful things to know before booking

• Kerið and the Secret Lagoon are included, which helps explain the $185 price.
• The day covers all three classic Golden Circle stops: Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
• The northern lights outing uses a different bus and guide later that evening.
• Pickup at Bus Stop 12 can be confusing, with several buses and guides gathering at once.
• The Secret Lagoon requires nude showering before you enter the pool, with limited privacy.
• The aurora is never guaranteed, but you may rebook if poor weather cancels the outing.

Why this $185 package can make sense

At $185 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Iceland. But it combines two bus tours, transportation, an entrance ticket to Kerið, admission to the Secret Lagoon, guides, and onboard WiFi. If you planned to book a Golden Circle tour, a geothermal pool visit, and a separate northern lights search, the bundled price can be good value.

The real value is convenience. You can leave Reykjavik in the morning, see several major sights, return briefly, then go back out after dark. You do not need to rent a car, learn Icelandic winter roads, or keep checking cloud forecasts while driving.

That convenience comes with a tradeoff. The group can reach up to 60 people, and the buses are large. You get a safe and efficient introduction to southwest Iceland, but not the quiet, personal feel of a small-group trip.

The tour is offered in English. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, and the listed meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6. The evening pickup uses the same location and begins at about 8:30 pm.

Starting early in Reykjavik

The morning starts around 8:00 am, though the pickup process may stretch beyond that. Bus Stop 12 can become a noisy meeting place, with several buses arriving and staff calling names near running engines. I would arrive early, keep your booking details ready, and confirm the bus and guide before boarding.

There is no reserved seating. If you are traveling as a family and want to sit together, board as early as you can. This matters on a long day, especially if one person in your group needs a predictable seat or extra space.

Once you are on the correct bus, the experience improves. Guides such as Anna, Daniel, Sunny, Vic, Heidi, and Dennis have been praised for clear explanations, local stories, and a friendly manner. Drivers including Szymon, Eugen, Tomas, and Lukasz have also earned positive comments for calm, careful driving.

The quality of the guide can shape the whole day. Anna, for example, was described as energetic and approachable, while Sunny was praised for adding details about everyday Icelandic life, not just naming the sights outside the window.

Kerið crater and the first taste of Iceland

Kerið is an ancient volcanic crater with a blue-green lake in its bowl. The red volcanic sides and the water below create a sharp contrast, especially on a clear day.

You have about 25 minutes on site, with time to walk along part of the rim and take the winding path down toward the lake. The walk is not a major hike, but winter conditions can make footing less certain. Good shoes matter.

An entrance fee is included, which is a small but useful advantage. There are also toilets here, making Kerið a practical early stop.

The timing is enough for photographs and a short walk, but not for a slow circuit if you want to linger. I would use the first few minutes for the crater rim, then decide if the descent is worth it in the weather you have that day.

The Secret Lagoon and its old-fashioned hot water

The Secret Lagoon, or Gamla Laugin, is one of the best parts of this package for many people. It is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool, and the warm water gives you a welcome break from the cold and wind outside.

The pool is a natural hot spring rather than a polished city spa. A small nearby geyser erupts every few minutes, adding a little drama while you soak. The setting feels more low-key than some of Iceland’s newer bathing facilities.

Your admission is included, but towels cost extra if you need one. Bring a swimsuit and towel from Reykjavik if possible. The changing rooms provide lockers, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers.

There is one important point about the bathing routine. You must shower without a swimsuit before entering, and the shower area does not offer much private space. If you are modest, this may be the part of the tour that gives you pause.

The pool can feel busy when a full bus arrives at once. Even so, the water itself offers a peaceful reset after time on the road. The facility is maintained, and there are slightly hotter small springs and one cold source at about 6 degrees Celsius.

The exact order can vary. Some schedules place the Secret Lagoon earlier in the day, while the formal route description places it after the Golden Circle stops. Plan for the same basic result: you will bathe during the main outing, not at the end of the northern lights search.

Geysir, where a word went global

The Geysir geothermal area gives you a close look at Iceland’s restless ground. The original Geysir helped give the English language the word geyser, though it is no longer the main performer.

That role belongs to Strokkur. It sends boiling water and steam into the air roughly every 10 minutes, sometimes reaching 40 meters. With about 75 minutes at the site, you have a good chance to see several eruptions.

Do not watch only the first burst. Strokkur often builds slowly, with the water surface swelling into a blue bubble before it breaks. Keep your camera ready, but also watch the ground and steaming pools around you.

The paths can be icy, wet, or windy. Stay on marked routes and face the wind carefully, since hot water and steam are active parts of this area.

The nearby center has toilets, shops, food, and drinks. This is also where the tour may allow extra time for lunch. Lunch is not included, so budget for it or bring snacks.

A fuel station and bakery may also appear as a practical early stop, depending on the day’s timing. Pastries can be a useful way to keep going, since the schedule runs from breakfast time into the evening.

Gullfoss, a waterfall with real force

Gullfoss is the tour’s great water spectacle. Meltwater from Langjökull glacier feeds the two-level falls, which drop through a rugged gorge with impressive force.

You get about 40 minutes here. That is enough to use several viewing platforms, take photographs, and walk close enough to feel spray in the air. In cold weather, the spray can freeze on paths and railings, so gloves with a good grip are useful.

The waterfall can look very different in changing weather. Sun brings out color and texture in the gorge, while cloud and wind make the scene feel more severe. In especially harsh winters, sections have been known to freeze, though that is increasingly unusual.

A cafe near the falls sells hot chocolate, an excellent choice when the wind cuts through your coat. This is not a place to pack away your camera too quickly. The strongest view may come from a different platform than the first one you reach.

Þingvellir, where geology and politics meet

Þingvellir National Park gives the day more depth than a string of scenic stops. Iceland’s Alþingi parliament first met here in the late 10th century, when chieftains gathered to discuss law and public affairs.

The site is also part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here, you can see the gap between the European and North American tectonic plates on land, a rare geological sight.

A guide may walk you to a viewpoint, explain the history, and then let you explore on your own. One guide described the site from both the national and geological point of view, which is the right approach. Þingvellir is not just a photo stop.

The visit lasts about 40 minutes, with a long drive before and after it. That means your walking time is limited, but the main path gives you a useful introduction. Wear layers, since the open ground can feel much colder than Reykjavik.

Some versions of the day place Þingvellir first or last among the Golden Circle stops. The order matters less than the total time and weather. Your guide may adjust the route to suit road conditions and daylight.

The short break before the northern lights

After the daytime route, you return to the Reykjavik area with only about two hours before the second pickup. This is enough time to eat, change socks, charge your phone, and collect warm clothes. It is not much time for a proper nap or a relaxed dinner.

The northern lights bus leaves around 8:30 pm from the same meeting point. Treat this as a separate outing, not a continuation of the same bus ride. You will have a new guide and a different vehicle.

The aurora search lasts about three hours. Guides look for clearer skies and may drive to several countryside locations. That flexibility matters because clouds can ruin an otherwise active aurora forecast.

Some guides, including JP, Darren, Rose, and others, have been praised for helping with camera settings and taking photos. Hot chocolate may also be offered during the wait. Still, the experience is mostly standing outdoors in the dark, so warm clothing is more important than a perfect camera.

How likely are you to see the northern lights?

No company can promise an aurora display. Cloud, wind, darkness, and solar activity all have to cooperate. Several outings have been canceled or cut short because the weather was too poor, while other groups saw the lights on the first stop.

If the outing is canceled because of poor weather, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You may also be able to rebook after a disappointing forecast, depending on availability and the operator’s arrangements.

The search is not a show with a fixed stage. You may spend time waiting, move to another location, or see only a faint glow. One important practical point is that the northern lights tour can be tiring after a full day of sightseeing.

Some guides keep the group informed and help with photographs. Others may be less communicative, and one account described a late pickup followed by unnecessary waiting in a car park. I would book this part for the chance, not for a guaranteed three-hour spectacle.

What the long day feels like

The route works because the stops break up the bus time. You are rarely walking for hours at once, and there are toilets at several points. At the same time, the day is physically demanding because you leave early, spend time outdoors in cold conditions, bathe, and then go back out after dark.

You will want:

• Warm layers, including a windproof outer coat
• Sturdy shoes with good grip
• Swimsuit and towel
• Snacks or money for lunch
• A charged phone and portable battery
• Gloves and a hat for the evening search

The bus has WiFi, which helps during longer drives, but do not expect the day to feel restful. If you have only one full day in Iceland, the packed schedule may be exactly what you need. If you have several days, a smaller tour or separate outings may give you more time at each place.

The maximum group size of 60 explains the price and the occasional crowding. It also means you should keep track of your guide and bus at every stop. Return times matter, since the bus cannot wait for a long walk back from a viewpoint.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this package if you are visiting Reykjavik for a short stay, want the major Golden Circle sights, and like the idea of a geothermal soak. It is also a good fit if you do not want to drive, especially in winter.

Families can see a lot in one day, but should plan carefully for seating, fatigue, and the long evening. Solo visitors may find the organized route reassuring, while people who prefer quiet roads and small groups may find the bus too large.

The tour also suits anyone who wants to give the northern lights a serious try without renting a car. The search may fail, but the Golden Circle and lagoon still give you a full day of worthwhile experiences.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is maximum coverage in one day. The included Kerið and Secret Lagoon tickets, round-trip transport, two separate tours, and experienced guides make $185 a fair package price.

Skip it if you dislike early starts, large groups, nude communal showers, or long waits in the cold. You should also leave more time in your schedule if seeing the northern lights is your main goal, since weather may force a cancellation or rebooking.

For a first visit and a short Reykjavik stay, I think the combination works well. Go in with realistic expectations, pack for wind, eat during the day, and treat the aurora as a bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

What does the $185 tour include?

The price includes two bus tours on the same day, transportation from the central Reykjavik meeting point, admission to Kerið crater, admission to the Secret Lagoon, guides, and WiFi on board. Lunch is not included.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik. Morning pickup can take up to 30 minutes.

What time does the northern lights tour begin?

Pickup for the northern lights portion begins around 8:30 pm at the same meeting point. It lasts about three hours and uses a different bus from the daytime tour.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. You need a swimsuit for the Secret Lagoon and should bring a towel if possible. Towels can be rented at the lagoon for an extra fee.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though the route may stop at places with food, drinks, cafes, or a bakery.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.