The Silver Circle: Private Borgarfjörður Day Tour from Reyk.

One stop feels like a whole saga. This private Borgarfjörður day pairs Viking legend country with serious geothermal power. I especially like the chance to see Deildartunguhver up close, then cool off with two very different waterfalls in the same long day.

Next, I love how this tour stays human-sized. You get a private vehicle and live English guide, so the pace and small detours can match what you want to focus on. That matters when weather, timing, and road conditions in Iceland can change quickly.

One drawback to plan for: it is a 10-hour day, and food and entrance fees for add-ons are not included. You’ll need to budget for optional stops like Krauma Spa or the Langjökull ice tunnel if you want them.

Key things to know before you go

Deildartunguhver at near-boiling temps (97°C / 207°F) with steam rising from mossy lava rocks
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss side by side, with totally different waterfall vibes
A true saga setting, including references to Egill Skallagrímsson and Snorri Sturluson
Optional Langjökull Ice Tunnel using a modified glacier vehicle, with entrance not included

• Optional Krauma Geothermal Spa, with outdoor pools and a cold plunge, with entrance not included

Borgarfjörður Day Trips From Reyk, Built for Comfort and Flexibility

This tour is designed for people who want more than a quick drive-by. You start with hotel pickup and drop-off, then spend the day in a private vehicle with a live English guide. With a group limited to up to four, you avoid the herd feeling and can spend extra minutes looking when you spot something interesting.

Borgarfjörður is also a smart choice for a single-day plan. You get wide-ranging scenery and culture without committing to overnight travel, and the route is set up to leave the busiest roads behind. Expect quieter farmland, broad lava fields, glacial rivers in narrow cuts, and the occasional Icelandic horse grazing in the open sky.

From a practical point of view, the 10-hour timing is long enough to feel like a real outing, not a half-day tour. It is also long enough that comfort matters, which is why a modern, comfortable private van experience makes a difference. (In past feedback for this kind of private day, a newer Mercedes van has come up as a big plus.)

Deildartunguhver Hot Springs, Where Steam Is the Main Event

Deildartunguhver is the kind of place you remember because it is powerful, not just pretty. This stop is billed as the most powerful hot spring in Europe, and the numbers back it up: water bubbles at about 97°C (207°F). You’re not looking at a small trickle. You’re watching heat and water interact with the lava-rock ground in a dramatic way.

One detail I love here is the setting. The steaming water rises from moss-covered lava rocks, which gives the scene texture and contrast. It feels wild, but it is also very understandable: hot water, heat pressure, and the physical reality of geothermal activity.

There is also a useful real-world connection. Deildartunguhver supplies hot water to much of West Iceland and even powers local spas like Krauma. So when you see this hot spring in action, you also get context for why Icelanders have such a strong relationship with geothermal baths.

Practical note: this is an outdoor stop with steam. Plan for cool air, damp conditions around hot water, and changing visibility if weather rolls in.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, Two Waterfalls With Different Stories

After the heat, the tour shifts into water and motion, with two waterfalls that feel like they belong to different moods.

Hraunfossar, the lava-fall effect

Hraunfossar, sometimes called Lava Falls, is special because the water seems to come from the lava field itself. You’ll see a series of crystal-clear rivulets that emerge from beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field, then spread out as they tumble toward the Hvítá river.

What I like about Hraunfossar is that it looks both delicate and big. The water isn’t one single curtain. It is many strands working together, and that makes it feel unusually intricate for a waterfall. It also gives you multiple spots to watch as the angle and light shift.

Barnafoss, powerful water with a darker legend

Then comes Barnafoss, or Children’s Falls. This one is louder and more turbulent, with water churning as it drops. The name comes from folklore about tragedy, where two children are said to have fallen to their deaths near the falls.

There is also a striking natural element in the scene, including a natural stone arch effect around the water. The combination of the legend and the physical force makes Barnafoss feel haunting in a way that stays separate from Hraunfossar’s clarity.

If you like to photograph, this pairing is ideal. Hraunfossar rewards close observation of the flow. Barnafoss rewards stepping back and taking in the full power.

Saga Country Feel, With Viking Names and Real Valleys

Borgarfjörður is where the sagas get grounded. The tour sets the mood by connecting the scenery to the Icelandic Sagas, the medieval tales of heroism, family conflict, and survival. You’re not just hearing generic “myths in Iceland.” You’re moving through valleys and mountains tied to the stories people still retell.

Two names the tour highlights are Egill Skallagrímsson and Snorri Sturluson. Even if you only know a little about them, it helps to hear the names while the land is around you. You start noticing how the geography could support survival stories, disputes, and travel routes.

This is the difference between a sightseeing drive and a “this makes sense” day. When the guide points out the saga connections, you understand why those stories stuck around, and you feel the place as more than a backdrop.

Optional Langjökull Ice Tunnel or Krauma Spa, Picking the Right Ending

The core of the tour covers hot springs and waterfalls. The two optional add-ons are what turn it into a custom day: Langjökull Ice Tunnel for a glacier encounter, or Krauma Geothermal Spa for a geothermal reset.

The Into the Glacier add-on

If you choose the glacier option, you’ll go into Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. You ride in a specially modified glacier vehicle up the icy slopes, then enter a man-made tunnel leading deeper into ancient ice.

Inside, the experience is about contrast: cool air, bright blue-toned ice corridors, and the sense of being far from the normal surface world. You’ll also learn how the glacier plays a role in Iceland’s freshwater system, including how meltwater becomes pure tap water used in Reykjavik.

Two important notes for planning: the entrance fee is not included, and the tour listing specifically says you should advise them if you want this after booking. So if this is your priority, make sure you confirm it early.

The Krauma Spa add-on

If your energy level needs a softer landing, choose Krauma. This geothermal spa is fed by Deildartunguhver’s geothermal water and cooled using glacial meltwater from nearby rivers. The result is the kind of comfortable, natural temperature that makes soaking feel easy.

Krauma has five outdoor pools, so you can find your preferred heat level. There is also a cold plunge option for the brave and the bored. After that, there is a minimalist Icelandic-designed relaxation room where you can unwind by the fireplace.

Just like the glacier tunnel, the entrance fee is not included, and you’ll want to tell them you want to add it after booking.

Which add-on fits you?

If you want science-meets-wonder and cold air, pick Langjökull. If you want warmth, recovery, and a calmer finish, pick Krauma. Either way, the optional stop makes the day feel complete, not just packed.

What to Pack for a 10-Hour Private Day in Iceland

The basics for this tour are simple and worth following. Bring hiking shoes, and dress according to the weather. Iceland weather can shift fast, and you’ll be outside at least for the hot spring and waterfall segments.

Also remember: food and drinks are not included. That doesn’t mean you go without. It just means you should plan to buy or pack what you need for a full day. Since this is a private format, you can usually adjust timing a bit, but you cannot assume meals are covered.

If you’re doing one of the add-ons, you’ll also want to plan your comfort. Spa time is about soaking, while glacier tunnel time is about cold and traction. Your clothing choices should match the option you pick.

Price and Value for a Private Group Up to Four

The price is $1,655 per group for up to four. That makes the math easy: if you fill the group, it can work out to a reasonable per-person cost for a full private guide and vehicle day in Iceland. If you travel as a solo person or as a couple, it can feel steep because you are paying for the whole private setup.

Here’s the value angle I like: the tour includes private vehicle and guide, plus hotel pickup and drop-off. Those two items add real convenience. In places where road conditions can be variable, having a guide and driver coordinating the route saves time and stress.

Then you weigh what is not included. Food and drinks are on you. Also, entrance fees for Krauma Spa or Into the Glacier are not included. If you plan to add both, your total day cost rises.

Still, for people who want a “one vehicle, one guide, your pace” day focused on Deildartunguhver plus Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, the pricing can feel fair.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a great fit if you fall into one of these categories:

You want a private day in Iceland, not a crowded schedule.

You like geothermal sights and waterfall variety, side by side.

You enjoy saga storytelling tied to real places, including named references like Egill and Snorri.

It might not fit if you want a short outing or if you prefer tours where meals and attractions are all bundled into one ticket. Also, if you do not like long days, the 10 hours may feel like a lot.

Should You Book the Silver Circle Borgarfjörður Tour?

I’d book it if you want an efficient Iceland day that mixes myth, heat, and water, with a guide who can keep the day personal. The strongest case is the combination: near-boiling Deildartunguhver, the clarity of Hraunfossar, and the heavier feeling of Barnafoss. Add in optional Krauma for a relaxing ending or Langjökull for a glacier highlight, and your day can match your mood.

If you’re watching the budget, do the math carefully based on whether you add entrances. And if you care about comfort in the cold and wet, bring proper hiking shoes and dress for the weather.

FAQ

How long is the Borgarfjörður day tour?

The tour duration is 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private group tour.

What is the price?

The price is $1,655 per group, for up to four people.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Do I need to bring hiking shoes?

Yes. Hiking shoes are listed as what to bring.

Is the guide English-speaking?

Yes. The live tour guide is in English.

Are Krauma Spa and the Into the Glacier ice tunnel included?

No. Entrance fees for Krauma Spa and Into The Glacier are not included. You can add them if you let the provider know after booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.