Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

This Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon, and northern lights combo is interesting because it stacks Iceland’s daytime icons with an evening aurora hunt, all from Reykjavik. I like that round-trip bus pickup means you do not drive or navigate. You just get on, listen, and look out the window.

I also like the included entrance tickets to Kerið crater and the Secret Lagoon, since it cuts the usual add-on costs and keeps the day moving. The guides talk you through what you are seeing, not just where to point your camera.

One consideration is the long day and the night-sky uncertainty. You can have a great morning and still miss the lights if clouds roll in, plus pickup can feel chaotic at Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg.

Key things to know before you go

• One bundled day tour plus an aurora chase: Golden Circle, Kerið, Secret Lagoon, then northern lights hunting the same calendar day.
• Included entry at Kerið and Secret Lagoon: you pay once, then focus on the sites.
• Strokkur timing is on your side: it erupts roughly every 10 minutes, so you likely catch more than one show.
• Gullfoss gives real spray: you can feel mist up close from walking paths and viewing platforms.
• Northern lights hunt uses multiple stops: the evening guide will move the group if skies are not cooperating.
• Group size stays limited for a coach trip: capped at 60 travelers, with Wi-Fi on board.

Golden Circle, Kerið, Secret Lagoon, then northern lights, all in one long day

This is a “do the best-of-Iceland first” kind of day. You start with the big geothermal and waterfall hits, then add Kerið, then soak in an older geothermal pool before heading out into the countryside for aurora chances. It’s a lot packed into about 13 hours 30 minutes, but the stops are spaced so you are not stuck on the bus for hours straight with nothing to do.

What makes it work is the mix of power, steam, history, and relaxation. You go from hot springs and eruptions to a volcanic crater walk, then to a warm geothermal bath, and finally to the low, quiet hours where you hope the sky turns on.

The main tradeoff is time and flexibility. This is a shared coach experience, and you are buying the “highlights in one day” approach, not an all-day slow travel plan where you can linger forever.

The real logistics: pickup at Höfðatorg and why the first 30 minutes matter

Your day starts at Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, in Reykjavik, with a start time of 8:00 am. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, which matters because the buses and people gather fast.

From what I’d plan for if I were doing it, arrive a little early, keep your phone ready for the mobile ticket, and double-check you are in the right group line when staff start calling names. On tours like this, even small confusion at the bus stop can cost time, and the day is already long.

Another detail I appreciate is that the evening portion uses a different bus, with northern lights pickup beginning around 20:30 at the same location. That means you should treat the afternoon break as a real reset, not just time to kill.

Golden Circle route: Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir, and what makes them worth your time

The Golden Circle is the classic loop for a reason. It gives you three different Iceland “themes” in one outing: geothermal action (steam and eruptions), glacial water power (a waterfall system), and dramatic geology plus national identity (Þingvellir).

Geysir geothermal area and Strokkur’s repeat performance

You get a substantial visit here, about 75 minutes on location, which is enough time to walk a bit, watch the steaming ground, and wait for Strokkur to cycle. Strokkur erupts roughly every 10 minutes, and it can shoot steam and hot water as high as 40 meters.

Why I’d care about that timing: you do not need to pray for a perfect moment. If one eruption happens right as you arrive, you likely get a second or third one before you leave.

Gullfoss: the waterfall you feel in your face

At Gullfoss, expect about 40 minutes on location. This is a multi-drop waterfall, fed by glacial meltwater from Langjökull, and it earns its reputation. There are viewing platforms for safer, dryer angles, plus walking trails where the spray can hit your face.

One seasonal note to keep in your brain: Gullfoss can freeze in particularly harsh winters, though that is increasingly rare. If you travel when conditions are icy, the trails may feel more slippery and you’ll want to slow down and wear grippy boots.

Þingvellir National Park: where tectonic plates meet a historic meeting place

Þingvellir is the “mind-blown” stop. It is a UNESCO site for two reasons: the historical one and the geology one.

Historically, Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, first met here in the late 10th century, with chieftains traveling from far away to discuss the issues of the day. Geology-wise, Þingvellir sits on the mid-Atlantic ridge between the European and American tectonic plates. Iceland is one of the only places on Earth where that ridge is visible on land, with plate edges clearly seen.

I like that you do not just get dropped at a viewpoint and left alone. You get guided context first, then you have time to walk and explore by yourself.

Kerið Crater: a volcanic walk that fits the whole group pace

Kerið is a crater lake with real walk-on-the-edge energy. You’ll typically have about 25 minutes on location (after the drive), which means it is not a long hike, but it is enough time to do the main loop and get down into the volcanic bowl.

What I like about Kerið for this kind of tour is the layout. There are walking trails, including a path that winds down toward the mouth of the volcano. That creates a built-in flow of photo angles, from top views to lower perspectives.

Practical note: wear shoes that can handle uneven paths. Even when it is not wet, crater walkways can feel a bit gritty underfoot.

Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin): included entry, warm water, and the shower rules

Secret Lagoon is where the day shifts gears from “see it” to “soak in it.” The tour includes your entrance ticket, and it’s described as Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. It’s a great refuge in cold weather because the water is naturally warm.

You also get a realistic amount of time here, about 2 hours 35 minutes. That is enough to shower, get settled, and then actually relax in the water instead of rushing through.

Bring a swimsuit, plan for towel logistics, and know what the changing area is like

You should plan to bring a swimsuit and towel. The information says towels can be rented for an extra fee, so you are covered either way, but you’ll likely be happier if you bring your own.

One thing to understand before you go: the shared shower setup expects naked showering with limited privacy. There are lockers for your belongings, and amenities like hair dryers and basic products are available, which helps the transition back to dry clothes.

The pool itself can look more natural than a polished spa. One note from a past experience is that it can have algae, and it may not feel as “clinically clean” as some man-made lagoon-style places.

Still, it is hard to beat the feeling of warm geothermal water on a cold day, especially after hours outdoors.

Northern lights hunt: chasing clear skies with a different bus and real photo help

The evening portion starts around 20:30 and runs about 3 hours. This is the part where nature decides the schedule.

The tour is built to improve your odds. Your guide takes the bus out into the countryside and will go to several locations if necessary to find clearer skies. That mobility matters because the aurora is often faint and sensitive to cloud cover.

What I’d call the “human value” here is the guidance once you stop. Many guides focus on practical aurora viewing tips and help with photos depending on what you’re using. Hot chocolate also shows up as a small comfort item during at least some hunts, which makes waiting outside easier.

The big reality check: aurora sightings are not guaranteed

This experience requires good weather. If clouds win, you can still have an evening out in the dark countryside, but you should not bank on seeing lights every time. The tour operator’s policy also allows for a different date or a refund when the experience is canceled due to poor weather.

If you are a “lights at all costs” traveler, book with flexibility and keep a spare evening in Iceland if your schedule allows.

How to pace yourself between the day tour and the aurora stop

There is typically a short break between the Golden Circle part and the northern lights portion. One past schedule described only about a 2-hour break, which means you might not have time for anything complicated.

Here’s how I’d handle it: eat something simple during the break, go back to warm up, and then return ready to bundle up again. When the air gets cold and you’re outside standing around, small comfort choices add up.

Also, keep in mind this is a shared coach day. You can be tired, and you still want to stand outside for aurora viewing, so your layering matters more than you think.

What to pack so the day feels fun, not miserable

This is a winter-friendly itinerary in practice, even if you travel in shoulder season. The cold is often less about air temperature and more about wind and wet ground.

Pack like this:

• Warm layers you can add or remove quickly
• A real winter coat if it’s windy, not just a light jacket
• Gloves and something for your ears
• Grippy shoes for crater and waterfall paths
• Swimsuit plus towel planning for Secret Lagoon

One guide-like tip I’d actually follow: even when it feels like you should be okay, wind can make you cold fast. Plan for that.

If you want good aurora photos, bring a phone charger and extra battery if you have one. The evening can be long, and the cold drains power.

Price and value: $185 that covers a lot of entry and a full day plan

At $185 per person, you are paying for a packaged day that includes:

• Golden Circle sightseeing with Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir
• Entrance tickets to Kerið and Secret Lagoon
• Round-trip transportation from central Reykjavik
• Wi-Fi on board
• English-speaking guides

So you’re not just buying “a bus.” You’re buying time coordination plus entry coverage plus interpretation at multiple stops.

Is it the cheapest way to tour Iceland? Probably not if you compare only transportation costs. But the value here comes from reducing decisions. You do not need to figure out ticket lines, driving order, or navigation between six separate natural sites plus an aurora hunt.

The other value is confidence. Guides take over timing, and you get a structured day even if it’s your first trip to Iceland.

Guide quality can make or break a bus day

This kind of long, shared-day tour rises or falls on the guide and the driver.

From the experiences shared, daytime guides like Anna and Heidi brought strong energy and clear explanations. Evening guides such as JP, Darren, Roman, Rose, and Thlear were described as determined to get people aurora chances and helpful with photos. That kind of active guidance matters, especially for the northern lights, where you need patience and the right setup.

Even so, do not ignore the bus realities. Pickup scenes can be crowded, and the bus stop can feel chaotic when many groups arrive close together. If you hate that kind of start, build in calm.

Seating and comfort: plan for a big group bus setup

This tour has a maximum group size of 60 travelers. That usually means lots of different personalities and likely a mix of seats.

One important note: there is no option to pre-book seats on the buses. If you are traveling as a family or you need specific seating for comfort reasons, I’d treat this as a “do not assume you’ll sit together” tour and plan accordingly. Ask staff at pickup where they can, and get your name confirmed early.

Should you book this Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon, and Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you:

• Want the big Iceland highlights in one day without driving
• Like a structured day that includes both geothermal wonders and a geothermal soak
• Are comfortable with a bus-group pace and a long day outdoors
• Can handle the aurora being weather-dependent

Consider skipping or choosing something else if you:

• Need a guaranteed northern lights experience (weather controls that outcome)
• Dislike shared-coach logistics, especially at a busy pickup point
• Are not comfortable with Secret Lagoon’s communal shower expectations and limited privacy
• Need pre-booked seating as a must-have

If your goal is a first taste of Iceland done efficiently, this combo fits the bill. Just dress for wind, keep your expectations flexible for the sky, and you’ll get a day packed with real variety.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes entrance tickets to Kerið and the Secret Lagoon, plus two bus tours on the same day. Wi-Fi on board and experienced guides are included.

How long is the Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon, and Northern Lights experience?

The full experience is about 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.), with the northern lights portion in the evening.

What time does the morning start, and how late can pickup be?

The morning start time is 8:00 am. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes.

When does the northern lights part start?

The northern lights tour begins at 20:30, and pickup can take up to 30 minutes from the same meeting point.

Do I need to drive or navigate during the tour?

No. The driver and guide handle the driving and navigation, so you can relax and focus on the stops.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How often does Strokkur erupt at Geysir?

Strokkur erupts about every 10 minutes, and it can reach heights up to around 40 meters.

Can I expect to see the northern lights on this tour?

You go out in search of the northern lights, but this experience requires good weather. The tour plan is designed to move to several locations if needed, but sightings are not guaranteed.