Iceland Horizon - The Golden Circle Excursion, Reykjavik, Iceland

The Golden Circle Excursion is one of the most popular trips you can do in Iceland. As a result there are a number of tour operators that offer this trip. After some careful analysis of value and what was on offer we went with Iceland Horizon. We were not at all disappointed. In fact, it's been one of the best trips that we've been on.

The day starts with a pick-up from your hotel in Reykjavik about 8.30-9am. Our tour guide was called David, a friendly English guy who's lived in Iceland for many years. He uses a large van which seats about a dozen or so people. Immediately, he'll have you setting out from the city centre while you see tour buses still filling up with the dozens of people they'll be carrying round all day. The nimbleness and personal nature of David's trip is something to be admired in comparison.

David gives a great commentary of the history of Iceland, it's present situation, it's economy, and it's many many interesting geographical features. It'll teach you much of what you need to know to get the best out of your trip.

During the day, David took us to the see spouting geysers (a little smelly with the sulphur but not too bad), the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall (which is immense), the Thingvellir National Park (the home of the old Viking parliament and where you can see the beautiful evidence of the two tectonic plates beneath Iceland that are pulling away from each other), the smaller Faxafoss waterfall, and a host of other geological and natural points of interest.

The trip cost Kr8,000 per person and lasted until 5pm, so you feel like you get your money's worth. Be warned that Iceland does have a limited window for this excursion, so it's best to check with David if he's available to run it. June - August are seemingly the best months, as during other times it snows heavily and can become treacherous on the roads.

Website