Borgarfjörður is Iceland at its most story-soaked. This private day tour in the Northeast hits the places that powered the Icelandic sagas, then adds the science and steam of Deildartunguhver. What I like most is how the day mixes myth with the real geothermal force behind it.

I also really like the waterfall pair: Hraunfossar’s crystal rivulets and Barnafoss’s darker legend. You get contrast in one trip—clean, slow-looking water over lava, then churning power tied to folklore.

One consideration: the tour runs about 10 hours, so if you hate long driving days or cold/wet weather, you’ll want to plan your comfort (and keep optional add-ons realistic).

Key highlights worth planning around

• Borgarfjörður sagas in the scenery: you’ll travel through the valleys and mountains linked to famous names from Icelandic storytelling.
• Deildartunguhver’s steam and near-boiling flow: water comes up around 97°C / 207°F right before your eyes.
• Hraunfossar (Lava Falls): multiple clear streams seem to surface from the Hallmundarhraun lava field.
• Barnafoss (Children’s Falls): a powerful, churning waterfall with a tragic folklore backstory.
• Optional Langjökull Ice Tunnel: a glacier-vehicle ride plus a man-made tunnel experience inside the ice.
• Optional Krauma Geothermal Spa: outdoor soaking in geothermal water, plus a cold plunge option and a simple indoor rest room.

Why Borgarfjörður feels different once you’re on the road

The best part of this kind of day is that it’s not just sightseeing. Borgarfjörður is where the Icelandic sagas were born and retold, and you’ll feel that connection as the scenery shifts from farmland to lava fields and river cuts. The drive itself matters here, because the region is spread out and the quiet roads let the places sink in instead of feeling rushed.

This is also a private tour setup. You’re not waiting around for a big group. You ride with a guide in a private vehicle and you have hotel pickup and drop-off, so you can spend more time focused on the stops and less time managing logistics.

If you enjoy stories but don’t want them to feel like a lecture, this day works well. The saga context is tied to what you’re seeing—valleys, mountains, and water—so it lands as something lived-in, not just memorized.

Deildartunguhver: steam, temperature, and why it matters

Your first major geothermal hit is Deildartunguhver, billed as the most powerful hot spring in Europe. The reason this stop is so memorable is simple: you’re seeing geothermal power in action at full volume. The water comes up around 97°C / 207°F, and you can feel the heat in the air as steam rises from near-boiling flow through mossy lava rocks.

This is also a practical stop, not just a pretty photo moment. Deildartunguhver provides hot water to much of West Iceland and feeds local geothermal systems, including spas like Krauma. That means when you see water here, you’re not just looking at a natural oddity—you’re seeing how Iceland uses its own engine to heat everyday life.

You’ll want to dress for wet conditions and cold wind. Geothermal areas can be slick underfoot, and Iceland weather loves to change without asking permission.

Hraunfossar vs. Barnafoss: two waterfalls with opposite moods

After Deildartunguhver, the day shifts from geothermal steam to water moving across (and out of) lava.

Hraunfossar: Lava Falls and the illusion of water emerging

Hraunfossar, often translated as Lava Falls, is a spread of clear, small rivulets that seem to appear from beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field. It’s wide and visually complex: you’re not looking at one single drop so much as a whole system of water leaving the lava like it has a hidden plumbing route.

What I like about Hraunfossar is that it rewards a slow glance. If you rush, you get one pretty view. If you pause, you notice how the flow breaks into multiple channels and how the water color shifts over distance.

Barnafoss: Children’s Falls and a darker legend

Then comes Barnafoss, or Children’s Falls, with a totally different energy. This is a strong, churning waterfall, framed by a setting that feels dramatic even without added storytelling. The folklore explains the name through a tragic legend involving two children who fell to their deaths here.

You don’t need to be a history buff to feel the contrast between the two waterfalls. Hraunfossar looks clean and spread out; Barnafoss feels forceful and urgent. Together, they make a strong mid-day arc: calm wonder, then power and mystery.

The optional Langjökull Ice Tunnel add-on: when you want the blue world

If you choose the Into the Glacier add-on, you’ll head toward Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. The experience is built around two big moments:

1) You ride in a specially modified glacier vehicle up the icy slopes.

2) You explore a man-made tunnel that takes you deep into the ice.

Inside, the ice corridors tend to look surreal—blue-toned and quiet in a way that feels far from the hot springs earlier in the day. What makes this add-on especially valuable is the educational angle: you learn how glacier meltwater supports Iceland’s freshwater system, including how the meltwater becomes the kind of pure tap water enjoyed in Reykjavik.

Two practical notes from the tour details:

• The add-on time fits into the broader day schedule, but it may not be the right move if you’re sensitive to confined spaces.
• Entrance is not included in the tour price, so you’ll want to budget extra if you add it.

Also, the tour info asks you to advise whether you want Krauma or Into the Glacier after booking. Do that early so the day can be arranged properly.

Krauma Spa optional: geothermal heat after waterfalls

If you skip the glacier option, Krauma Geothermal Spa is the obvious recovery stop. Krauma is fed by geothermal waters from Deildartunguhver, and it’s cooled with glacial meltwater from nearby rivers. Translation: you get steady warm soaking that feels comfortably planned, not just random steam.

Krauma’s setup includes five outdoor pools, designed for different temperatures. There’s also a cold plunge option if you like an adrenaline jolt, plus a minimalist relaxation room where you can warm up again after being outside.

What I like here is that it closes the loop with the rest of the day. You start with near-boiling spring water, then you chase waterfalls, then you end with a controlled version of the same geothermal idea: human comfort built around Iceland’s natural heat.

Entrance to Krauma is not included in the base tour price, so you’ll want to add that cost when you decide.

Off the Ring Road: quiet roads, lava, and the chance for small surprises

One of the subtle reasons this tour works is that it leaves the busier Ring Road behind. That matters in Iceland, where being stuck in traffic can steal hours from the day.

As you travel through farmlands and lava fields shaped by eruptions from long ago, you may catch glimpses of hidden waterfalls tumbling down mossy cliffs, glacial rivers rushing through narrow gorges, and the occasional Icelandic horse grazing in open sight. Those little moments are exactly what you want on a private day: not constant stops, but the feeling that you’re moving through real working country.

Private 10-hour pacing: how to make the day feel worth it

This is a 10-hour private day tour, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The long duration isn’t a flaw by default, but it does mean you should handle it like a full-day plan, not a quick excursion.

Here’s what helps most:

• Wear hiking shoes you trust. The tour specifically asks for hiking shoes, and geothermal areas and waterfall viewpoints can be uneven.
• Dress for changing weather. Iceland doesn’t do one consistent vibe, so bring layers you can adjust fast.
• Expect a packed day if you choose both optional add-ons. You can absolutely do it, but you’ll want to keep your energy steady.

Also note the guide language: live guide in English. If you want extra language support, the feedback shows that guides like Christian were praised for being friendly and attentive, and even mentioned as capable in German. Your exact guide may vary, but the guide experience here seems strong.

Price and value: $1,655 for up to 4 people (and what you’re paying for)

The price is listed as $1,655 per group up to 4 for a 10-hour private day. That means value comes down to your group size and your tolerance for travel time.

A simple way to think about it:

• If you fill all four seats, it’s roughly $414 per person.
• If it’s two people, it’s roughly $828 per person.
• If it’s just you, it’s the full group rate.

So what are you buying besides the sights?

• A private vehicle and guide for the full day
• Hotel pickup/drop-off, which saves time and stress
• Flexibility to focus on what interests you most (including advising whether you want Krauma or Langjökull after booking)

In Iceland, a private day like this often pays off when you want less waiting, fewer compromises, and a guide who can keep the day flowing without juggling multiple groups. Based on the high rating (4.9 across 7 reviews), the service quality seems to be a big part of what people remember—especially how guides handle the day attentively and adjust to requests.

What to pack (and what to skip)

The tour asks you to bring hiking shoes and to dress according to the weather. Beyond that, you’ll feel happiest with basic Iceland day gear: layers, a waterproof outer layer, and warm socks. This is a day that includes steam, spray, and possibly cold open-air soaking if you add Krauma.

Food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat on your own timing or bring snacks if you know you get hungry during long scenic drives. The waterfalls and geothermal stops tend to be worth lingering at, so having some on-hand energy keeps the day from feeling like a sprint.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)

This private day tour is a great fit if you:

• Want saga storytelling tied to real places (not just a generic facts stop)
• Love geothermal Iceland but also want standout waterfalls
• Prefer a private guide and smoother logistics than a big-group tour
• Might add one “wow” experience: either the Langjökull Ice Tunnel or a soak at Krauma

You might consider a different style of tour if you:

• Are extremely budget-sensitive (private days cost more, and the rate is per group)
• Don’t like long driving days
• Get uncomfortable in colder outdoor settings without much flexibility

Should you book The Silver Circle Borgarfjörður Day Tour from Reyk?

If you’re planning a first-or-second pass through Iceland and you want a day that feels both dramatic and grounded, I’d book it. Borgarfjörður gives you saga context without turning it into a theme park, and Deildartunguhver plus the two waterfalls do the heavy lifting in terms of unforgettable visuals.

Make your decision based on two things:

1) Your interest in geothermal + waterfalls together. If that combo is your thing, this tour is a strong match.

2) Whether you want to pay extra for one major add-on. Choose the ice tunnel if you want glacier-scale wonder and freshwater education. Choose Krauma if you want warmth, recovery, and a more relaxing end to the day.

With hotel pickup, a live English guide, and a private setup for up to four, this feels like a good value when you split the group cost and you’re excited to spend the day off the main road, in the saga country where water and fire both show up.

FAQ

How long is the Silver Circle private day tour?

The tour duration is 10 hours.

What does the tour price include?

It includes a private vehicle and guide, plus hotel pickup and drop-off. Food and drinks are not included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private group experience for up to 4 people.

Which major stops are included?

You’ll visit Deildartunguhver hot spring, Hraunfossar waterfall, and Barnafoss waterfall, within Borgarfjörður.

Are the Krauma spa and Langjökull ice tunnel fees included?

No. Entrance fees for Krauma Spa and Into the Glacier (Langjökull Ice Tunnel) are not included in the tour price.

Do I need hiking shoes?

Yes. The tour lists hiking shoes as something to bring.

Where are pickup and drop-off points?

Pickup and drop-off are included at your hotel or pickup location. You’ll need to be ready at the hotel lobby or pickup spot on time.