Private Silver Circle Tour

Private tour of the wonderful west of Iceland

Your private guide and SUV meet you in Reykjavík for a day exploring the Silver Circle, West Iceland's quieter answer to the Golden Circle. Because the tour is private, the day belongs to you and your group alone — no strangers, no fixed crowd, just the pace and the stops that suit you.

The drive opens along Hvalfjörður, the "whale fjord". Bypassed by most travellers who take the tunnel beneath it, this long, calm fjord is one of West Iceland's best-kept secrets, its quiet road winding past still water and steep, green mountainsides.

Next is Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Around 180 litres of 97°C (200°F) water surge to the surface every second — enough to heat the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes many kilometres away. The steam and roar of the spring are a vivid reminder of the geothermal forces at work beneath Iceland.

Right beside the spring sits Krauma, a geothermal spa that draws its bathing water straight from Deildartunguhver. There's the option to stop and soak in its mineral-rich baths and steam rooms, fed entirely by the hot spring next door, before the day continues.

From there we reach Reykholt, a small place with an outsized role in Icelandic history. This was the home of the medieval chieftain and saga writer Snorri Sturluson, and it remains a cornerstone of the country's literary and cultural heritage.

A short distance on lie the Hraunfossar, the "lava waterfalls". Rather than a single cascade, Hraunfossar is a wide run of countless clear rivulets seeping straight out of the dark lava field over some 900 metres and spilling into the glacier-fed Hvítá, the "white river". The contrast of white water, black rock and seasonal colour makes it a favourite with photographers.

Just upstream churns Barnafoss, the "children's falls", where the river forces through a narrow rocky channel carved over thousands of years. Its name comes from an old and sombre local legend, but the rush of water through the gorge is mesmerising.

The tour reaches its western turning point at Húsafell, a green, sheltered spot on the edge of the highlands and the historic gateway to Langjökull glacier. It's a favourite summer retreat for Icelanders, and a good place to pause for a meal at Hotel Húsafell or the Húsafell bistro before the return drive to Reykjavík. Optional add-on activities in the area — such as snowmobiling, an ATV ride, horse riding or a lava-cave visit — can be arranged in advance on request, for an additional fee.

Please note that this itinerary depends on weather and road conditions. In winter, Iceland's daylight hours are short, so some stops may be visited in low light or adjusted. We'll always do our best to keep the day running smoothly, but ask for your understanding if changes are needed.