Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

The Highlands reward the extra effort. This 10-hour private trip from Reykjavik reaches waterfalls, canyons, and volcanic country that are far removed from the usual south-coast circuit. I especially like the chance to see Sigoldugljufur, the Valley of Tears, and the small-group feel that lets you spend more time at each stop. The main drawback is the price: at $1,922.34 per person, this is a major splurge unless you place a high value on a private vehicle, flexible pacing, and access to remote roads.

I also like that the day has real variety. You move from the green oasis of Gjáin to the huge drop of Háifoss, then into the stark volcanic country around Hekla. Guide Thor receives repeated praise for his humor, clear instructions, local stories, and careful driving, although one passenger found it hard to hear the commentary from the back of the vehicle.

Key Points Before You Book

• Sigoldugljufur is the star of the day: The Valley of Tears is a remote canyon with a string of small waterfalls and water that can appear green-blue.
• Háifoss brings the big waterfall moment: A short walk from the parking area leads to a broad view into Þjórsárdalur valley.
• The route uses rough roads: Rocky gravel tracks are part of the appeal, but wind and weather can change the plan.
• The tour has a private format: Only your group participates, with pickup available around Reykjavik, BSÍ, Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.
• Lunch costs extra: You stop at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, but food, snacks, and drinks are not included.
• Guide quality matters here: Thor and Otto are singled out for friendly conversation, local knowledge, flexibility, and safe driving.

Why This Tour Reaches Places Most Day Trips Skip

The popular routes from Reykjavik are easy to reach and often crowded. This outing points the vehicle toward Iceland’s interior, where the roads are rougher and the scenery feels less arranged for sightseeing. You are not simply hopping between famous roadside viewpoints. You are spending a day among gravel tracks, open volcanic ground, small waterfalls, and broad views with fewer people around.

That access is the central reason to consider the tour. A regular car is not suited to every road on this route, and the itinerary includes areas that are not part of the standard Golden Circle or south-coast schedule. You get the benefit of an experienced driver while keeping the day focused on scenery rather than navigation.

The tour is described as private, and only your own group participates. Several people also describe it as a small-group experience, so confirm the exact vehicle and group arrangement when booking if that detail matters to you. Either way, the format is more personal than a large coach trip.

Thor is the guide most often named, and his style seems to be a real asset. You can expect Icelandic culture, geology, stories, jokes, and practical help with pickups. Another guide, Otto the Viking, is praised for adjusting the route when wind closed roads and for finding a worthwhile alternative. That flexibility is important in the Highlands, where conditions can override a printed plan.

Gjáin: A Green Start at the Highland’s Edge

The first stop is Gjáin, an oasis at the roots of the Icelandic Highlands. Small waterfalls, unusual rock formations, and an old farm create a softer opening than the stark volcanic country later in the day. The area was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, which adds a pop-culture detail without being the main reason to visit.

You walk about 500 meters each way to the old farm and into the oasis. That is not a long walk, but the ground can be uneven, and outdoor shoes are recommended. This is a place where you will want to leave the vehicle behind for a while and look closely at the smaller details: trickling water, moss, rock, and the contrast between the sheltered oasis and the open Highlands beyond.

The scheduled stop lasts about an hour. That gives you enough time to walk in, take pictures, and enjoy the setting without turning the visit into a long hike. Bring footwear with a firm sole, since the information provided specifically recommends outdoor shoes.

Háifoss: Iceland’s Big Waterfall View

Háifoss is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls, and the view is into Þjórsárdalur valley. The drive uses rocky gravel roads, then you walk from the parking area toward the viewpoint. The walk itself is short, with about 30 minutes set aside at the stop.

Háifoss works well in the itinerary because it offers a different scale from Gjáin. At Gjáin, the pleasure comes from small falls and a sheltered setting. Here, the sight is wider and more dramatic, with water dropping into a large valley. You get a strong photographic stop without a long trek.

The road is part of the experience, but it is also a practical consideration. Gravel and rough surfaces can make the ride less smooth than a paved sightseeing route. If you get motion sick, sit where you can see ahead and bring anything you normally use for winding drives.

Hrauneyjar: A Necessary Highland Lunch Break

After the waterfall stops, the tour pauses at Hrauneyjar Highland Center for about 40 minutes. Lunch is not included, so you pay for your own meal. Alcoholic drinks and snacks are also excluded.

This stop is useful rather than flashy. Remote touring requires a proper break, and the center offers a small but good selection of food according to the information provided. You can use the time to eat, rest, and prepare for the more exposed stops ahead.

The best advice is simple: do not assume lunch is covered in the tour price. If you prefer a particular snack or have special food needs, bring something with you, since snacks are your responsibility. The stop is short enough that you should keep your meal uncomplicated.

Sigoldufoss and the First Blue Water

Sigoldufoss is a smaller waterfall at the entrance to the Icelandic Highlands. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so this is a quick look rather than a long walk or extended picnic.

Its appeal is color. The water is often strikingly blue, giving you a different visual experience from the heavy drop at Háifoss. Water color can change with conditions, so you should treat the blue-green tones as a natural possibility, not a guaranteed shade on every departure.

This short stop also helps the day’s rhythm. You are not spending an hour at every waterfall. Instead, the guide keeps the vehicle moving toward the main prize, while still allowing time for a quick look and a few photographs.

Sigoldugljufur, the Valley of Tears

Sigoldugljufur is the emotional center of the tour. The canyon contains a series of small waterfalls, and the water is often green-blue. From above, you look across the cut in the ground and watch the falls thread through the canyon below.

The view is less about one huge drop and more about the pattern of water, rock, and color. That makes it especially appealing if you enjoy photography or places that feel different from Iceland’s famous single-waterfall viewpoints. The stop lasts about 35 minutes, which should give you time to take in the canyon and work out several angles from above.

The name Valley of Tears sounds dramatic, but the setting itself is quiet and spare. This is one of those places where the journey matters. You are going beyond the easy roadside stops to reach a canyon that is difficult to include in a standard bus itinerary.

The ground and weather deserve respect. You are exploring from above, not following a long trail through the canyon. Stay with the guide’s safety instructions and avoid treating a remote viewpoint like a city park. Strong wind can make exposed areas uncomfortable and can affect road access.

Around Volcano Hekla: A Stark Final Act

The last scheduled stop takes you around the desolate area near Volcano Hekla. The planned visit is brief, about 10 minutes, and the vehicle may go toward Rauðaskál crater when conditions are good and it is safe to do so.

This is a sharp change from the waterfalls. Hekla’s surroundings are open, dark, and volcanic, with little shelter and a strong sense of distance. You may not spend long outside, but that short pause helps explain the region as a whole. The day is not only about pretty water. It is also about the forces that shaped Iceland.

The wording around Rauðaskál matters. Access depends on safety and conditions, so you should not expect every departure to reach the crater. One outing had to skip its final scheduled stop because high winds closed the roads, and the guide substituted another scenic location. That is not a failure of the tour. It is a reminder that a Highlands trip must remain flexible.

Weather, Roads, and the Value of a Skilled Driver

Weather is the biggest variable. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. During the day itself, high winds may close roads or change the order of stops.

That uncertainty is one reason a private guided trip can make sense. You are not trying to interpret road conditions, decide if a rough track is safe, or find a backup viewpoint while also driving. A skilled guide can make the call and keep the day moving.

The feedback about driving is especially useful. Strong wind did not prevent one group from seeing the sites because the driver took care with safety. Otto is also praised for finding an alternative when roads closed. You should still arrive dressed for Icelandic weather, since wind can make a mild day feel much colder.

The tour lasts around 10 hours and begins at 8:30 a.m. Pickup is offered at assigned Reykjavik bus stops and BSÍ bus terminal, as well as Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. The trip ends back at the meeting point. Clear pickup instructions are important, and Thor is praised for providing them, but check your exact pickup details before departure.

What the $1,922.34 Price Really Buys

At $1,922.34 per person, this is not a bargain sightseeing tour. The price needs to be judged against what you want from the day, not against the cost of a standard waterfall excursion.

You are paying for a full day, private participation, pickup options, parking fees, a guide, driving on rough roads, and access to remote Highland sights. The strongest value is for a group that wants its own outing and would otherwise need to arrange a suitable vehicle, a driver, route planning, and backup plans.

For one or two people, the cost may be difficult to justify. For a larger private group sharing the vehicle cost, the calculation can look better, though the quoted price is per person and the exact group size is not provided. Ask for the current total and vehicle details before booking.

The tour does not include lunch, snacks, or alcoholic drinks. That is easy to overlook at this price, so budget for your meal at Hrauneyjar and bring water or snacks that suit you.

The perfect score from 43 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation record suggest a strong level of satisfaction, especially with the guides and the remote route. Still, a high price means you should be clear about your priorities. If you mainly want famous waterfalls with easy paved access, this is more than you need.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would choose this outing if you want to see a less familiar side of Iceland and are happy to trade smooth roads for unusual scenery. It suits photographers, repeat visitors, private groups, and anyone who has already seen the main stops near Reykjavik.

It also fits people who want a guide with personality. Thor is repeatedly praised as funny, attentive, and well informed about Icelandic culture and geology. One group compared the day to being shown favorite local places by a friend, which is a useful description of the tour’s appeal.

You should think twice if you dislike rough roads, short outdoor stops, changing plans, or exposed weather. The day includes walking at Gjáin, but it is not presented as a long hiking tour. Much of the experience comes from riding between viewpoints and making short walks from the vehicle.

The tour can suit first-time visitors, too, especially if you want a more unusual introduction to Iceland. Several people say they saw places they could not have reached in a normal car or found on their own. Still, if this is your first Iceland trip and you have limited time, compare it with the country’s classic sights before committing a full day and a large budget.

Booking Details Worth Knowing

Confirmation is provided when you book. Pickup is available in the Reykjavik area, from BSÍ, and from Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Most people can take part, but the supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment. Ask the operator about walking surfaces and vehicle arrangements if anyone in your party has mobility concerns.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the outing, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should You Book the Valley of Tears Tour?

Book it if you want remote waterfalls, a private day, and a guide who can handle rough roads and changing Highland weather. Sigoldugljufur is the main reason to go, while Gjáin, Háifoss, Sigoldufoss, and Hekla give the day enough range to feel like a real expedition rather than a single viewpoint visit.

I would be cautious only because of the price and the weather dependence. If $1,922.34 per person fits your budget, the remote route and personal guiding offer something standard day tours cannot. If cost matters more than access, choose a less expensive Iceland outing and save the Highlands for a future trip with the right vehicle and conditions.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at BSÍ Parking, 43Q7+9M7, 101 Reykjavik, at 8:30 a.m.

Does the tour offer pickup?

Yes. Pickup is offered at assigned bus stops in the Reykjavik area and at BSÍ bus terminal. Pickup is also available from Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The tour stops at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, where you can purchase food.

Are snacks and drinks included?

No. Snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.