Iceland Escape: Golden Circle & Whale Watching Upgrade
Observe Iceland’s most extraordinary animal
Experience both the nature and incredible inhabitants of Iceland with this adventure vacation. Go whale watching, relax in the Geysir Geothermal Area, and tour the beautiful Golden Circle.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Reykjavik into Keflavik Airport (KEF)
- Round-trip airport transfers via Flybus Airport Shuttle
- 3 nights in Reykjavik at the CenterHotel Laugavegur, Grandi by CenterHotels, or similar
- Full-day guided Golden Circle Classic Tour
- Whale Watching Tour
- Daily breakfast
Prefer to travel in the winter to experience the Northern Lights? Check out our Wonders of Iceland Upgrade package!
Great Ways to Explore
-
Visit Reykjavík, a city of bold contrasts: cosmopolitan and small-town yet vibrant and sophisticated.
- Enjoy the perfect balance of scheduled activities with free time.
-
Your full-day guided Golden Circle tour brings you to 3 of the country’s incredible “must-see” sites!
-
Marvel at the majestic Gullfoss Falls.
-
Take part in an unforgettable Whale Watching adventure at sea.
Enjoy the exciting city of Reykjavik, with the ideal combination of scheduled activities and free time to explore on your own!
Reykjavik, the northernmost capital of the world, boasts a wide array of exciting activities and attractions. Reykjavik is pure, clean and vibrant -- creating the perfect settings for a relaxing yet refreshing vacation. Dominated by a range of majestic mountains to the east and divided by one of the country's best salmon rivers, the city of Reykjavík is a tempting attraction for anyone who loves to combine a lively city experience with the wholesome sights and sounds of nature.
You’ll enjoy a guided full-day Golden Circle Classic tour, highlighting three of Iceland’s most incredible and iconic attraction – Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall, and the famous Geysir geothermal area.
You’ll also take part in an unforgettable whale watching experience, observing these extraordinary animals and various sea birds in their own environment, with commentary and stories from expert guides. The whales in this area are not shy, and the viewing success is 90% - however if you don’t see any, you’ll get to repeat the tour on another day, for free!
In between, you can create your own personalized experience to include as much of the city’s famous natural offerings, arts and culture, renowned dining, local designer shopping, health and wellness facilities, and exciting nightlife as you’d like!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Reykjavik into Keflavik Airport (KEF)
- Round-trip airport transfers via Flybus Airport Shuttle
- 3 nights in Reykjavik at the CenterHotel Laugavegur, Grandi by CenterHotels, or similar
- Full-day guided Golden Circle Classic Tour
- Whale Watching Tour
- Daily breakfast
Prefer to travel in the winter to experience the Northern Lights? Check out our Wonders of Iceland Upgrade package!
-
Visit Reykjavík, a city of bold contrasts: cosmopolitan and small-town yet vibrant and sophisticated.
- Enjoy the perfect balance of scheduled activities with free time.
-
Your full-day guided Golden Circle tour brings you to 3 of the country’s incredible “must-see” sites!
-
Marvel at the majestic Gullfoss Falls.
-
Take part in an unforgettable Whale Watching adventure at sea.
Enjoy the exciting city of Reykjavik, with the ideal combination of scheduled activities and free time to explore on your own!
Reykjavik, the northernmost capital of the world, boasts a wide array of exciting activities and attractions. Reykjavik is pure, clean and vibrant -- creating the perfect settings for a relaxing yet refreshing vacation. Dominated by a range of majestic mountains to the east and divided by one of the country's best salmon rivers, the city of Reykjavík is a tempting attraction for anyone who loves to combine a lively city experience with the wholesome sights and sounds of nature.
You’ll enjoy a guided full-day Golden Circle Classic tour, highlighting three of Iceland’s most incredible and iconic attraction – Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall, and the famous Geysir geothermal area.
You’ll also take part in an unforgettable whale watching experience, observing these extraordinary animals and various sea birds in their own environment, with commentary and stories from expert guides. The whales in this area are not shy, and the viewing success is 90% - however if you don’t see any, you’ll get to repeat the tour on another day, for free!
In between, you can create your own personalized experience to include as much of the city’s famous natural offerings, arts and culture, renowned dining, local designer shopping, health and wellness facilities, and exciting nightlife as you’d like!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Reykjavik!
Welcome to Iceland! Upon arrival at Reykjavik/Keflavik Airport, you’ll take a Flybus transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure, to begin exploring this vibrant city!
Transfer to Reykjavik hotel
With its prime location on Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping and dining street, guests will enjoy close walking distance to many popular shops and attractions. Guests can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee all day in the lobby. The hotel also has a delicious restaurant and a bar where guests can experience modern Icelandic cuisine.
All rooms at Center Hotels Laugavegur have a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. Other amenities include a hairdryer, safe, and iron.Â
Aside from being a short walk to the main shopping area, the hotel is close to a number of other great attractions in Reykjavik. The Hallgrimskirkja Church, Solfar Sun Voyager, Einar Jónsson Museum, and ReykjavÃk Art Museum are all within a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while the National Museum of Iceland is about 25 minutes away.
At the heart of Reykjavik's funky creative quarter, Grandi by Center Hotels offers its guests a bar, cafe, and excellent proximity to the fun! Kick back in your comfortable guestroom and enjoy the minibar, free wifi, and other amenities. Take a dip in the outdoor lagoon and see if you can catch the Northern Lights!Â
Stay in the center of Reykjavik in Iceland in a room at the Miðgarður by Center Hotels. Located at the end of the end of the city's main shopping street, this modern hotel is seated at the perfect place for you to experience the best parts of Reykjavik. Guests who stay at the hotel can enjoy a delicious meal at the hotel's gourmet restaurant, Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar. A fitness room and a fully equipped spa room (with sauna!) is available for guests as well.
Each guest room comes designed in sleek decor with a minimalist approach. Room features include a flat-screen TV, phone, private bath, desk, and window views of the beautiful mountain side. A 24-hour front desk with friendly staff makes the stay all the better. Other amenities at the hotel include (but are not limited to) a laundry room, concierge, lounges, and an outdoor terrace. When you're ready to take your Icelandic adventures outside of the hotel, you can visit some of the nearby attractions. Notable ones include Reykjavik Art Museum, Kjarvalsstadir, National Museum of Iceland, Sculpture Garden, and the Imagine Peace Tower.
Fosshotel ReykjavÃk is Iceland’s largest hotel in the heart of the city, where you can easily explore ReykjavÃk's magnificent architecture, captivating history, vibrant markets and rich culture. Fosshotel ReykjavÃk is located at Höfðatorg, a short walk from Höfði House where the famous ReykjavÃk summit between Gorbachev and Reagan took place in 1986.
Stylish and contemporary, the interior design is dominated by warm, natural materials that make the guests feel right at home. Unwind at the beer garden with local Icelandic draught beer and enjoy select dining at Fosshotel ReykjavÃk's restaurant, Haust or enjoy access to the hotels' modern gym. Rooms are sleek and modern and offer complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen televisions.
Feel immersed in the beauty of Reykjavik at this tastefully decorated hotel right in the city center. Wake up to a day of adventure in your bright room that combines Icelandic nature with city charm to create a raw but cozy atmosphere. After a complimentary energizing breakfast, take a short walk to Laugavegur, Iceland's main shopping area.
After shopping the day away, indulge in Icelandic cuisine at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area. Be sure to save some energy for nighttime -- Reykjavik's nightlife will have you dancing long after the sun goes down. When it's time to relax, cozy up in your comfortable room with a hot drink and use the hotel's complimentary WiFi to plan your next day.Â
Day 2. Reykjavik
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a full-day guided Golden Circle
Classic tour! Explore the geological wonders of Thingvellir National
Park, marvel at the golden Gullfoss Falls, and visit hot springs at
Geysir Geothermal Area.
Golden Circle Classic (Full Day)
The Golden Circle Tour takes you on a wondrous circular journey through the heart of Iceland’s Southern Region, stopping at some of Iceland’s most iconic sites. You will visit historical places of Iceland and see incredible Icelandic nature, all in one day. The Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal area, and Gullfoss Waterfall have their own stories to tell.
Rich History & Colliding Continents at Thingvellir National Park: The first stop during the Golden Circle tour is at Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is an attraction of great historical, geological, and cultural significance. Thingvellir is located in a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. The UNESCO designated World Heritage Site is also the birthplace of the Althing - Iceland’s parliament founded in 930 AD, where the nation’s most powerful leaders would meet to decide on legislation and carry out brutal Viking-age justice. Thingvellir became Iceland’s first national park in 1930. It is also home to Iceland’s largest natural lake, Thingvallavatn.
Majestic Gullfoss Falls: Another stop during Iceland Golden Circle is Gullfoss (Golden Falls). Gullfoss waterfall gets its name from the golden color of its water as it churns up silt and sediment. The magnificent waterfalls lie in the Hvitá River and are fed by Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. In total, Gullfoss is 105 feet high, falling two tiers that are 35 and 65 feet high, respectively. Gullfoss is also at the center of one of Iceland’s most famous acts of environmental activism. Back in the early 20th century, developers wanted to dam the mighty waterfall to generate electricity, but through the will and determination of Sigriður Tómasdóttir, Gullfoss was saved. Extra time is allotted at this location for a lunch break at Gullfoss Café.
Bubbling with Excitement at Geysir Geothermal Area: The last stop on the Golden Circle tour is at Geysir geothermal area, which is located in the Haukadalur valley and is the scenic home of the infamous Geysir hot spring. To visit is to pay your respects to the progenitor of all geysers, as Geysir is the geyser for which all others are named. Geysir doesn’t erupt often but is surrounded by bubbling cauldrons of super-heated mud, steaming pools, and Strokkur, a geyser that erupts every 6-10 minutes. The smells, colors, and eruptions at this popular destination are a window into all the geothermal activity happening across (and beneath) Iceland, making all those hot tubs, swimming pools, greenhouses, and geothermal energy possible.
Day 3. Reykjavik
Today you will be in for a treat - an unforgettable whale watching experience, departing from the Old Harbour in Reykjavik.Â
Whale Watching from Reykjavik
This approximately three-hour tour will be led by experienced guides who will share their wealth of knowledge (and some old sea stories!) as you observe whales and other interesting sea life.
The whales here are not shy, either, and will often surface very close to your boat. They are so sure that you’ll observe whales during the tour, that if you don’t, you can take the tour again on another day, for free! You’ll travel in comfort, too, as the boat offers a café lounge with Wi-Fi, hot drinks and refreshments, as well as use of warm overalls, if needed.
Day 4. Depart Iceland
If your flight is in the afternoon, use your last moments to walk along the harbor seafront and breathe the fresh Atlantic breeze. Based on your pre-arranged time, you will be met by Flybus at your hotel, and transferred to the airport for your flight home.Â
Transfer to Reykjavik airport (KEF)
Fly home!
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.
Advertised vacation package prices are per person based on two people traveling together, unless otherwise noted. Advertised package rates are based on select departures as noted on the booking calendar above, were available via the Great Value Vacations website and may not represent current prices.
Vacation packages include round-trip economy class airfare on valid international carriers as noted in specific package inclusions and as indicated on booking engine calendar, which may also include code share flight agreements between carriers as indicated during the booking process. Carriers may vary based on city of origin.
Air fares are based on a 14-day advance purchase and include round-trip economy class airfare, including carrier and government-imposed taxes and fees, and the September 11th Security Fee of $5.60 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect some taxes or fees. Other departure dates and origins are available at slightly higher rates. Fares apply to North American originating passengers only, and are not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Child/infant discounts are not available, and stopovers are not permitted. Advance seat selection is controlled by the carrier(s), and may not be available on all flights. Baggage fees may apply; please check with carrier for specific policies.
Vacation packages are subject to availability, are capacity controlled, may not be available on every date or on all flights, and may be restricted to certain hotel room and car categories. Higher rates may also be available throughout travel period. Full payment is required at the time of reservation. Rates cannot be combined with any other discount/promotion, and are valid for new bookings only. Offers may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice. Website contains special pricing that is exclusively for Internet sale only. Bookings made through our call center may incur a concierge fee of up to $25 per person.
Escorted vacation packages are per person based on two travelers (unless otherwise specified), and typically include hotel accommodations; transportation with professional driver/guide; sightseeing as listed, some meals, local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage of one (1) suitcase per person, due to limited capacity on motor coaches. Space is limited and prices may be restricted to certain travel dates, length of stay or room type. Driver and guide gratuities are not included, and are at the discretion of the traveler. Terms and conditions apply. Minimum child ages and handicapped traveler restrictions may apply on escorted tours; please call for details.
Promo Code Offer Details: All promotions are subject to availability, valid for new bookings only, cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount, voucher or any other offers, and are not redeemable for cash. Offers are available for phone bookings via our reservation agents as well as online. This promo code can be input online on the payment screen. The call center is open Monday through Friday 9AM – 9PM ET, Saturdays 10AM – 6PM ET. Discounts will apply only once per passenger and are not valid for airfare only, or any other products or services. If a flight reservation is changed or cancelled, the original fare basis rules apply (plus any increase in fare). Additional restrictions may apply.
Cancellations/Changes: Rates are non-refundable. Substantial restrictions apply for cancellation/change, and depend upon the package type. Trip protection is recommended.
Call 1-800-896-4600 or go to https://www.greatvaluevacations.com/travel/terms-and-conditions for full details on change/cancellation policy.