Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

Iceland’s Valley of Tears is the main event here: a remote canyon lined with small waterfalls and blue-green water, reached by rough highland roads that most rental cars cannot handle. The route also takes in Háifoss, Gjáin, Sigöldufoss, and the stark country around Volcano Hekla.

I like the access to places that are hard to reach alone, and I like the private format, which lets your group spend more time at the stops. Guides such as Thor and Otto are praised for local stories, humor, and careful driving. The tour is also flexible when wind or road conditions change.

The main drawback is the price, listed at $1,922.34 per person, and lunch is not included. This is a full 10-hour day on gravel and rough tracks, so it suits you best if remote scenery matters more than keeping costs low or following an easy road route.

Key points before you book

• The Valley of Tears is the star: Sigöldugljúfur offers a series of small falls and often striking green-blue water.
• Háifoss gives you scale: One of Iceland’s highest waterfalls drops into the Þjórsárdalur valley.
• Gjáin adds variety: This small oasis has waterfalls, an old farm, and a Game of Thrones filming connection.
• The route uses rough highland roads: A guide and suitable vehicle make access possible without driving your own 4×4.
• Thor and Otto are named guide favorites: Both are associated with informative, good-humored guiding and safe driving.
• Plan for weather changes: High winds can close roads or force a substitute stop.

Why this highlands route is different

Many day trips from Reykjavík follow well-used roads toward famous waterfalls, black-sand beaches, or geothermal sites. This outing takes a different tack. It heads toward Iceland’s interior, where the roads become rougher, the stops quieter, and the scenery more severe.

You are not simply ticking off one famous sight. You are spending the day moving through a changing part of Iceland: a green hollow at Gjáin, a huge waterfall at Háifoss, a service stop at Hrauneyjar, brilliant water at Sigöldufoss, a canyon at Sigöldugljúfur, and the empty volcanic country around Hekla.

I like that range. The day has enough variety to avoid becoming a waterfall-only outing, yet the waterfalls remain the clear focus. You also get a look at the highlands without taking on the responsibility of navigating rough tracks yourself.

The experience is described as a private activity, with only your group participating. Pickup is offered at assigned Reykjavík bus stops, the BSÍ bus terminal, and in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. The listed starting point is BSÍ at 8:30 a.m., and the tour returns there at the end of the day.

Gjáin: a small oasis at the edge of the interior

Gjáin is a good opening stop because it feels intimate after the long approach toward the highlands. At the roots of the interior, you find a small oasis with little waterfalls, rock formations, and an old farm site.

The walk is about 500 meters each way to the old farm and into the oasis. That is not a strenuous hike for most people, but the ground can be uneven. Wear outdoor shoes with a firm sole rather than smooth city footwear.

Gjáin is also linked with Game of Thrones filming, though the setting itself is the reason to come. The attraction is the contrast: water and plant life gathered in a sheltered hollow, surrounded by the spare volcanic country of southern Iceland.

You get about an hour here, enough time to walk in, look around, and take photographs without treating the stop as a quick roadside pause. If you prefer big, dramatic viewpoints, Háifoss will likely make the stronger first impression. If you enjoy smaller details and a sense of place, Gjáin may be your favorite early stop.

Háifoss and the Þjórsárdalur valley

From Gjáin, the route continues over rocky gravel roads toward Háifoss. The name means High Waterfall, and the viewpoint gives you a broad view into Þjórsárdalur valley as the water drops into the gorge below.

The walk from the parking area to the viewpoint is short, listed at about 30 minutes for the stop. That makes Háifoss a useful choice for you if you want a major waterfall without a long hike.

The scale is the point. At Gjáin, you look closely at small falls and vegetation. At Háifoss, you step back and take in a much larger sweep of rock, water, and valley. The two stops work well together because they offer different kinds of beauty.

The road is part of the experience, but it is also a practical consideration. Gravel and rough highland tracks can make the ride bumpier than a standard paved sightseeing route. If you get carsick, sit where you can see the road and ask the guide about the best seat in the vehicle.

Hrauneyjar: a useful lunch break

After the first major sights, you stop at the Hrauneyjar highland center for about 40 minutes. Lunch is not included, so you need to pay for your own meal or snacks here.

This stop matters more than it may seem. A 10-hour excursion through remote country needs a real pause, and Hrauneyjar provides a place to eat and reset before the next stretch. The food selection is described as small but good, so think practical highland center rather than a destination restaurant.

Bring a snack if you like having extra choice, especially if you have dietary needs. Alcoholic drinks and snacks are not included, and the price does not cover lunch.

The break also gives you a chance to use facilities and prepare for the more scenic stops ahead. You are paying for the route and guiding, not an all-inclusive meal package, so include lunch in your trip budget.

Sigöldufoss: a short stop with bright water

Sigöldufoss is a smaller waterfall near the entrance to the Icelandic Highlands. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, which tells you what to expect: a quick look, a few photographs, and time to absorb the color before moving on.

Its appeal is often the water. Depending on conditions, it can appear intensely blue. Iceland’s daylight, weather, and water flow can change the look from one visit to the next, so do not expect a fixed postcard scene.

I like this short stop because it breaks up the drive without demanding another long walk. It also prepares you for Sigöldugljúfur, where the water and canyon become the central feature.

Fifteen minutes can feel brief if you want to linger with a camera. The advantage of a private outing is that your guide may have more room to adjust the pace, though road, weather, and daylight conditions still control the day.

Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears

Sigöldugljúfur is the reason to choose this route over a standard southern Iceland day trip. Known as the Valley of Tears, it is a canyon with a chain of small waterfalls. The water often looks green-blue, and the view from above gives the canyon a layered, almost unreal appearance.

You spend about 35 minutes exploring from the rim. This is a photography stop, but it is not only about taking a picture. The series of falls makes you look along the canyon rather than at one single drop. The setting feels quiet and remote, which is a major part of its appeal.

The name can sound grand, but the scene is not a massive canyon in the style of a national park gorge. Its strength is the combination of color, repeated waterfalls, and isolation. If you want a place that looks different from Iceland’s most familiar stops, this is the strongest reason to book.

The viewpoint and ground conditions may be affected by wind, rain, or uneven surfaces. Stay with the guide and take care near edges. The tour description says the canyon is viewed from above, so do not expect a long descent into the gorge.

The Hekla area and the reality of changing conditions

The final scheduled stop takes you around the desolate country near Volcano Hekla. If conditions are good, the vehicle may continue toward the Rauðaskál crater. The planned visit is short, about 10 minutes, but it adds a volcanic finish to a day otherwise dominated by waterfalls.

Hekla gives the route a harsher mood. After green hollows and colored water, you see a more stripped-back part of Iceland shaped by volcanic forces. The area is explored from a safe distance, and access depends on conditions.

This is where flexibility matters. High winds have closed roads on past outings, and guides have substituted another scenic stop when needed. That is a sensible approach in Iceland. You should judge the tour by the quality of the day’s route, not by demanding that every stop happen regardless of safety.

The brief timing also means Hekla is an atmospheric stop rather than a full volcano hike. If your main goal is a long mountain walk, this is not that kind of excursion. If you want a look at Iceland’s volcanic interior as part of a wider day, it fits well.

What the guide adds to the day

The guide is central to this experience because the route depends on rough roads, changing weather, and local judgment. Thor is the guide most often associated with this outing. He is described as funny, attentive, and well informed about Icelandic culture and geology. Otto, also called Otto the Viking, is another named guide connected with the route and is praised for careful driving and flexibility.

You can expect more than simple directions at each stop. The guiding style includes stories, facts about Iceland, humor, and explanations of the ground around you. That matters during the long drives between waterfalls, when the road itself is not the main attraction.

There is one practical warning. One person had trouble hearing the guide from the back of the vehicle, even when a speaker was used. If your hearing is limited, ask to sit closer to the front or confirm that you can hear the commentary before setting off.

The strongest guide-related benefit is personal attention. A private outing gives your own group the conversation, rather than leaving you to follow a large crowd. It can also make it easier to ask questions about the places you are seeing.

Price, transport, and what you actually get

At $1,922.34 per person, this is a costly day out. The value depends heavily on your group size and priorities. If you are comparing it with a standard coach trip, the price will look steep. If you are splitting the cost among a private group and want access to highland roads without renting and driving a 4×4, the calculation becomes more favorable.

You are paying for a 10-hour route, a private activity, parking fees, pickup options, vehicle access to rough roads, and a guide who handles navigation and changing conditions. Lunch, snacks, and alcohol are extra.

I would not book this tour simply because it includes many stops. I would book it because the Valley of Tears and the highland roads are the kind of places that are difficult to add to a normal Reykjavík itinerary. The quieter setting and access beyond the usual circuit are the real value.

Pickup is offered at Reykjavík bus stops and BSÍ, with additional pickup in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book, especially if you are staying outside central Reykjavík.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This tour suits you if:

• You want to see the Icelandic interior without driving your own 4×4.
• You care more about remote waterfalls and quiet viewpoints than famous crowded stops.
• You enjoy a full day in a vehicle with several short walks.
• You want a private setting and the chance to ask the guide questions.
• You can handle gravel roads, changing weather, and uneven ground.
• You are willing to pay a premium for access and personal service.

It may not suit you if you want a low-cost day trip, a long continuous hike, or a guaranteed visit to every scheduled stop. It also deserves caution if you dislike rough roads or are uncomfortable with plans changing because of wind.

The route is open to most people, but outdoor shoes are specifically recommended for Gjáin. Bring layers and plan for wind, even if Reykjavík feels calm when you leave.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

The tour is generally booked well ahead, with an average booking time of 104 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular guide or a private day for your group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Valley of Tears tour?

I would book this if your Iceland plans already cover the famous southern sights and you want something less predictable. The combination of Sigöldugljúfur, Háifoss, Gjáin, and the Hekla area gives you a strong view of the interior in one long day.

The decision turns on price. At $1,922.34 per person, this is not a casual add-on. It makes the most sense for a private group that values local guiding, highland access, and a route beyond ordinary rental-car roads.

If that sounds like your kind of Iceland, book early, bring lunch money, wear proper shoes, and leave room for weather-led changes. If you need a cheap or easy sightseeing day, choose a standard southern route instead.

FAQ

How long is the Valley of Tears and Highlands tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours and begins at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

The listed starting point is the BSÍ parking area and bus terminal in Reykjavík.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered at assigned bus stops in Reykjavík and BSÍ, as well as in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You stop at the Hrauneyjar highland center, where you can purchase food, and you may also bring your own snacks.

Are snacks included?

No. Snacks are not included in the tour price.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What footwear should I wear?

Outdoor shoes are recommended for exploring Gjáin, where you walk about 500 meters each way to the old farm and oasis.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Road closures may also require the guide to replace a scheduled stop with another scenic location.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.