On our last full day in Iceland, we decided to take things abit low-key. After crawling inside caves, climbing ice, dog-sledding, scuba diving in freezing Lake Silfra, horseback riding, and taking a dip into the blue lagoon, it was time to do Iceland’s most famous tourist route:
The Golden Circle.
First of all, When Arctic Adventures said they will pick us up in a Super Jeep, what they actually meant was a
Super Duper Giant Beast of a Jeep:
Granted, it’s common to see 4-wheel drives and SUV’s in Reykjavik, but getting inside this bad boy made me feel like GOLD.
King of the Road, y’all.
The 40 minute drive to Þingvellir National Park was so smooth and bump free.
Yet somehow, the dreamy ride didn’t prepare me for what I was about to see when we got out of the jeep.
This is what I’ve been seeing in postcards in souvenir shops in Reykjavik all along!
Gullfoss means “Golden Falls” and is Iceland’s most popular waterfall. And just in case you missed how massive this is, here’s another picture where I’ve written where the group of people are in the shot:
But Gullfoss isn’t the only pretty sight in the area. Just walking around to reach the falls was picturesque enough.
There are some National Parks (around the world) that look so perfectly drawn , they paint a pretty picture. But the rock formations in Þingvellir National Park are beyond pretty.
They have that raw and earthen quality that just commands respect and awe.
After all, it was here that Iceland found it’s first parliament in the year 930 AD
Soon after we headed to the natural geysers (geysir), and their geothermal action is quite contagious, I tell you!
This tour is part of Arctic Adventures’ Golden Circle Safari + Snowmobile tour.
If you want to see the Snowmobile action that we did after this , you can click here.
I personally think touring the Golden Circle is a must for everyone visiting Iceland. You don’t need to be an adventurer/sport buff to appreciate this. It’s done in a very leisurely pace and is suitable for all ages and fitness level.
And you know , it was here on my last day when I’ve mellowed down from all the activities that I finally quite understood what Icelandic hospitality is all about.
It is rugged, beautiful, unpretentious, and at times queer.
Iceland is not flashy. It won’t bombard you with it’s best foot forward on the first go.
At times you may get rough and dirty to discover the most beautiful things that will make you fall on your knees.
It requires you to be open to exploration, discovery, and exerting effort to see what’s beyond ‘pretty’.
But one thing is for certain.
Once you do try, Iceland gives you the best seat in the house.
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Glacier Hike and Ice Climbing in Iceland
Scuba Diving in Iceland: Clean and Clear, Bluer than Blue.
Whale Watching in Iceland: Experience and Awareness in One Activity
Horseback Riding in Iceland: The Horses Make All the Difference
Gorgeous! I want to go. I have an obsession with waterfalls and that image of the people standing so close make me want to catch the next flight, but sends a shiver down my spine.
And I love that HUGE SUV. What an experience!
Hi Ann! You should give it a go when your kids are abit older they will love it for sure. those waterfalls are ‘shallow’ compared to say niagara, etc but it’s really beautiful!
LoL yes the SUV, very pimp my ride vibe 🙂 it was verrry comfy inside. it was so high that when you open the door, a ladder automatically extends for you to step on 🙂
Such amazing pictures – you got me so excited now as we are heading to Iceland next week and have also booked the Golden Circle tour. As we have three little ones with us, we can’t do that amazing things you’ve managed to do, but I am hoping this to be an unique experience anyway…
Hi Reeta! Woo hoo im so excited for you! Iceland in winter!!! Yes the Golden Circle is really a must do when you are over there. It’s definitely winter wonderland in there your kids will love it 🙂 Let me know how your trip goes and just ask if you have any questions.
Gorgeous and fun scenery and photos, Jean! And that is one Monster Jeep! I can just imagine that thing at a rally, jumping and crushing over old junk yard cars 🙂 Inspiring post to visit Iceland, Bell really wants to go see the Northern Lights- I’d like to visit when the days are longer and the weather a smidge warmer!
Hi Alex! Are you guys back from your Malaysian adventures yet? Been following it on Facebook looks like you guys really enjoyed 🙂 Yes that Jeep-house was crazy haha! We did see the Northern Lights on our last night and it was amazing. However I hear that Finland and Norway are better at seeing them (if you are only after the Northern lights) 🙂 Would love to see it from those places as well. And yes, summers in Iceland (hottest at 17 degs celcius, where locals say they feel so hot they walk around in shorts and tops off) LOL!
Hi Jean! Yes we’re back from Malaysia, it was a great time aside from getting a horrible stomach bug (or food poisoning) that lingered some days. It was such a shame as I was enjoying the food so much before that happened. Love the multiculturalism there, it’s fascinating.
That’s so funny about Icelanders being hot and wearing shorts in 17 degree weather! It’s all about perspective 🙂
Thanks for the tip on the northern lights. We actually have friends in Trondheim, Norway that have asked us about visiting. It’s a shame Ryanair doesn’t fly there from Dublin. Tickets are at least 200 euro each, plus Norway is super expensive. Crashing with friends would help though 🙂
How’s life back in Oz these days? Great we hope! 🙂
Hi Bell, aw that sucks about food poisoning. but you know what? the more you have it the more you are immune to it 🙂 take it from me ive got a gut of steel hahaha!
I just read about your railway experience with Sabah tourism that was amazing, it did look like it was back in 1910 🙂
Re Norway, yeah I heard that from Trondheim, the actual spot you can view the Northern lights from is still abit further away? In this regard it is why Reykjavik where one can most conveniently see the N. Lights as you can see it from the capital. But the best view seems to be in NOrway or Finland.
Sydney’s great this time of the year as I love summer weather 🙂 Hope everything’s great in Dublin!