Golden Circle & Langjokull Glacier Snowmobile Day Trip from Reykjavik
- Duration10 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
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Overview
This full-day trip combines the classic Golden Circle with an adventure on Iceland's second-largest glacier. A live guide takes you by coach to Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, then you head to Langjökull for a one-hour guided snowmobile ride, with protective clothing and safety equipment provided. In the options shown, two people share each snowmobile. The day lasts about ten hours. Choose pickup from selected Reykjavik locations or meet at the BSI Bus Terminal.
Highlights
- One-hour guided snowmobile ride on Langjökull glacier, two riders per snowmobile
- Walk between two tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park
- Watch Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes at Geysir
- See the two-tier Gullfoss waterfall thunder into its canyon
- Protective clothing and safety equipment provided
- Pickup from selected Reykjavik locations or a meeting point at BSI Bus Terminal, depending on the option
Full Description
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir, about forty-five minutes from Reykjavik, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Iceland's most important places. Here in 930 AD the Vikings founded the Alþingi, one of the world's oldest parliaments, which met beside the Almannagjá gorge for centuries. The park lies on the rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, and you can walk along the edge of the fault.
Trails lead past the Öxarárfoss waterfall and views of Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest natural lake. Anyone wondering what to see in the Golden Circle should start here, since the mix of geology and history gives the rest of the trip context. Allow around an hour for the walk and viewpoints.
Geysir geothermal area
The Geysir geothermal area gave the world the word geyser. The original Geysir is now mostly dormant, but its neighbour Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes, sending a column of hot water fifteen to twenty metres into the air. Around it are steaming vents, bubbling pools and colourful mineral ground.
Stay on the marked paths, since the water is close to boiling, and keep your camera ready near Strokkur, because the eruption is short. The visitor area also has toilets and places to buy snacks, though food is not included in your ticket.
Gullfoss waterfall
Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, drops in two steps of about eleven and twenty-one metres into a narrow canyon on the Hvítá river, and the spray often produces rainbows on sunny days. Paths lead to viewpoints from above and close to the upper fall, so you feel the power of the water.
In the early twentieth century, foreign investors planned to dam the river here for hydropower, and a local woman, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, is remembered for her campaign to save the falls. In winter the paths can be icy, so wear shoes with grip and be careful.
Snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier
Langjökull, the Long Glacier, is Iceland's second-largest ice cap, and the snowmobile ride is the adventure highlight of the day. After a safety briefing, you put on the protective clothing and travel in a guided line across the ice for about an hour, with wide views over the highlands. Two people share each snowmobile in the options shown.
This Golden Circle and snowmobile tour from Reykjavik is popular because it covers the main sights and a glacier in a single day, so it suits first-time visitors. Weather can affect the ride, and the guides adjust to conditions. Wear warm layers and a hat, since it is cold on the ice even in summer.
Itinerary
- Pickup or meeting at BSI Bus TerminalDepending on your option, we collect you from a selected Reykjavik location or you meet at the terminal.
- Þingvellir National ParkWalk along the rift valley and hear the story of the first parliament.
- Geysir geothermal areaSee Strokkur erupt and walk among steaming vents.
- Gullfoss waterfallViewpoints over the Golden Falls and its canyon.
- Langjökull glacier snowmobile rideOne hour of guided riding on the ice, sharing a snowmobile with another rider.
- Return to ReykjavikThe tour finishes back in the city after about ten hours.
What's included
- Golden Circle day trip by bus with guide (English)
- 1-hour guided snowmobile ride on Langjökull glacier (2 people per snowmobile)
- Protective clothing and safety equipment
- Wi-Fi on board
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 10 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Children under 6 years
- Guests who cannot travel about ten hours
- Guests with medical conditions that make sitting on a snowmobile unsafe
Meeting point
Depending on the option you choose, we pick you up from a selected location in central Reykjavik, starting about thirty minutes before departure, or you meet at the BSI Bus Terminal at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled departure. Hotel transfers are not included with the meeting-point option.
Important information
- Dress in warm layers and bring a hat, gloves and sturdy shoes; protective clothing is provided for the snowmobile
- In the options shown, two people share each snowmobile
- The order of stops can change with weather and road conditions
- Food and drinks are not included
- Age groups: adults 17 and over, youths 6 to 16
- Arrive fifteen minutes early at the BSI Bus Terminal if you choose the meeting-point option
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Golden Circle and snowmobile tour cost?
The price depends on the option (pickup or meeting point) and on the number of adults and youths. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each.
Is hotel pickup included?
It depends on the option. One option includes pickup from selected Reykjavik locations, while the other meets at the BSI Bus Terminal and does not include hotel transport.
How long is the tour?
About ten hours in total, including the Golden Circle stops and a one-hour guided snowmobile ride.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Youths from 6 years can join, and each child pays the youth price shown in the booking panel. Younger children cannot take part.
What should I wear or bring?
Warm layers, a hat, gloves and sturdy shoes. Protective clothing and safety equipment for the glacier are provided.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often, if places remain. The booking panel shows the next available dates.
What is the difference between the options?
One option includes pickup from selected Reykjavik locations; the other meets at the BSI Bus Terminal. The tour and snowmobile ride are the same.
Do I have to share a snowmobile?
In the options shown here, two people share each snowmobile. Please contact us if you want to ask about other arrangements.
Is the Golden Circle worth visiting?
Yes. Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss combine history, geology and dramatic scenery within a short drive of Reykjavik.
What is the best time to visit Langjökull?
The glacier can be visited in different seasons, and the guides adapt the route. Snow conditions and weather affect what you see.
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