Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

Iceland’s Highlands are where this tour earns its keep. You leave the easy stops behind and ride rough gravel roads toward Háifoss, Sigöldugljúfur, and the Valley of Tears, places that are hard to reach without a capable vehicle and a guide who knows the route. The scenery is stark, open, and often wonderfully empty.

I like the small-scale feel and the chance to spend real time at unusual waterfalls rather than joining a long line at the famous south-coast sights. I also like the guides’ personal touch, especially Thor’s stories and humor, and the way Otto adapted the route when high winds closed a road. The main drawback is the price: at $1,922.34 per person, this is a serious splurge, and rough roads and changeable weather can affect the day.

Key points at a glance

• Háifoss from a highland gravel road: Reach one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls, then walk from the parking area to a broad view over Þjórsárdalur.
• The Valley of Tears: See Sigöldugljúfur, a canyon lined with small falls and green-blue water, often the day’s most memorable stop.
• A private, flexible outing: Your group travels together, with pickup available around Reykjavik, BSÍ, Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.
• Guides who shape the experience: Thor is praised for Icelandic stories, humor, and local facts. Otto has shown the same practical flexibility when roads close.
• A true Highlands route: Expect gravel tracks, short walks, strong wind, and a desolate setting near Hekla rather than polished roadside attractions.
• Bring money for lunch: The Hrauneyjar Highland Center is the planned lunch stop, but lunch, snacks, and drinks are not included.

Why this Highlands tour feels different

Many Iceland day trips follow the same well-worn circuit. This one heads inland toward the rougher country around the southern Highlands, where roads become tracks and the scenery grows quieter. You are not simply ticking off a waterfall. You are seeing how Iceland changes once pavement, crowds, and easy access fall away.

The route begins at 8:30 a.m. from BSÍ in Reykjavik, with pickup also available at assigned Reykjavik bus stops and in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. The outing lasts about 10 hours and returns to the starting point. That is a full day, but it makes sense here. The Highlands are not close to Reykjavik, and the appeal comes from several remote stops rather than one short attraction.

This is sold as a private activity, so only your group participates. That matters on rough roads and short walks. You can ask questions without competing with a coachload of people, and the guide can give more attention to weather, footing, and photo stops. The supplied comments also describe a small-group feel, with quick travel between stops and more time at each place.

The guide is a major part of the value. Thor is repeatedly praised for his humor, Icelandic culture stories, and clear explanations of the countryside. Otto is noted for collecting a visitor outside the city center and finding a good replacement stop when high winds closed part of the route. The guide names are not guaranteed, so treat Thor and Otto as examples rather than a promise of who will drive your tour.

Gjáin: a green pocket below the Highlands

The first stop is Gjáin, an oasis at the foot of the Highlands. Small waterfalls, unusual rock formations, and an old farm give the place a softer feel than the broad, barren country that comes later. It was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, though the natural setting is the real reason to come.

You walk about 500 meters each way to the old farm and into the oasis. That is not a major hike, but the ground is outdoor terrain, so wear sturdy walking shoes. The one-hour visit gives you time to look beyond the main viewpoint and notice the small falls and folds in the rock.

Gjáin is a good opening stop because it shows Iceland’s variety early in the day. You get water, vegetation, and a sense of past settlement before the route turns toward wide volcanic spaces. If you prefer flat, paved paths and quick photo stops, this may feel less convenient. For most people who can manage a short walk on uneven ground, it is a worthwhile start.

Háifoss: a big waterfall with a wide view

Háifoss is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls, dropping into the Þjórsárdalur valley. The approach uses rocky gravel roads, which is exactly why a highland vehicle and local driver are useful. Once parked, you walk toward the viewpoint for a broad look at the falls and the surrounding valley.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a good look, but not a long hike or a full exploration of the area. The view works best as a scale experience: the waterfall is dramatic, but the open valley around it helps you understand its size.

The road conditions are part of the bargain. You may find the drive exciting and memorable, but it will not feel like a smooth transfer between attractions. If you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to plan ahead. Strong wind can also affect how long you want to remain at exposed viewpoints.

Hrauneyjar: a practical pause in the middle of the day

After the first waterfalls, the tour stops for about 40 minutes at the Hrauneyjar Highland Center. Lunch is not included, so bring money to buy food there, or carry your own lunch and snacks. The available selection is described as small but good, which suits the stop’s main purpose: refuel, use the facilities, and take a break from the road.

This pause is more important than it may sound. A long Highlands day needs a proper rest, especially after walking at Gjáin and Háifoss. You are not expected to eat outdoors in the wind or wait until the end of the tour for a meal.

Alcoholic drinks and snacks are also excluded. I would bring water and a few extra snacks even if you plan to buy lunch. The tour details do not promise a large menu, so people with strict dietary needs should confirm their options before booking.

Sigöldufoss: small falls, striking color

Sigöldufoss is smaller than Háifoss, but its water is often intensely blue. It sits at the entrance to the Icelandic Highlands and makes a useful contrast with the taller waterfall earlier in the day. You explore for about 15 minutes before moving on.

This is a quick stop, so think of it as a sharp burst of color rather than a long walk. The water color can vary with conditions, and Icelandic weather can change the mood of any site within minutes. Still, the short visit adds variety to the route and gives you another chance to see water in a different setting.

The stop also signals that the day is moving farther into the Highlands. From here, the road and scenery feel more remote, and the tour’s focus shifts from individual waterfalls to the larger canyon system at Sigöldugljúfur.

Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears

For many people, Sigöldugljúfur is the main reason to book this trip. Known as the Valley of Tears, the canyon contains a series of small waterfalls, with water that can appear green-blue. You view the canyon from above and spend about 35 minutes taking in the falls and the unusual color.

The name may sound grand, but the appeal is subtle. This is not one huge plunge like Háifoss. It is a spread of small cascades working through a canyon, best appreciated from a higher viewpoint where you can see the pattern of water and rock together.

The location is also less straightforward to reach than Iceland’s most famous roadside sights. You are paying partly for access, route knowledge, and the time saved by not trying to find your own way along rough tracks. The stop is especially strong for photography, but bring layers and protect your camera from wind or sudden rain.

The scheduled 35 minutes should give you a useful look without turning the day into a long hike. The details do not promise a lengthy walk into the canyon, so you should expect an elevated viewpoint rather than a full canyon trek. That keeps the tour moving and makes it possible to fit the other stops into one day.

The Hekla area: volcanic country and changing plans

The final planned stop is the desolate area around Volcano Hekla. The visit is listed at about 10 minutes, with the possibility of driving toward the Rauðaskál crater when conditions are good and it is safe to do so. This is a short stop, but it adds geological context to a day otherwise dominated by waterfalls.

Hekla has a powerful presence even when you are viewing it from a distance. Here, the point is not a long climb or a close approach. You are looking across open volcanic country and seeing the stark setting that makes the southern Highlands feel so different from Reykjavik and the coast.

Weather is especially important on this part of the route. The tour provider can change the plan when roads or conditions become unsafe. One outing replaced a scheduled stop after high winds closed the road, and the guide found another attractive place instead. That flexibility is a strength, but it also means you should not treat every listed stop as guaranteed in every season or weather pattern.

Roads, weather, and comfort on a 10-hour day

This is an adventure tour, not a polished sightseeing loop. The gravel roads are part of the experience, but they can be rough, slow, and tiring. The short walks are manageable for most people according to the tour information, yet Gjáin and the waterfall viewpoints still call for outdoor shoes and sensible clothing.

Wind is the main practical concern. It can make exposed viewpoints uncomfortable and can close roads altogether. The provider requires good weather and offers a different date or full refund if poor conditions force cancellation. If the guide changes the route during the day, that is a safety decision, not a failure to deliver the tour.

Wear layers, bring waterproof outerwear, and keep your camera secure. The details do not give a specific vehicle model or maximum group size, so I would ask the operator about those points if space, ride comfort, or luggage matters to you.

The pickup system is useful, particularly if you are not staying near the central bus terminal. Pickup is offered at assigned bus stops in Reykjavik, BSÍ, and locations including Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. Confirm the exact pickup point and instructions before departure.

Is $1,922.34 per person good value?

At $1,922.34 per person, this is not a budget day out. The price can make sense for a private group that wants remote access, a dedicated guide, and the freedom to avoid driving Highlands tracks alone. It is harder to justify if your main goal is simply to see a few waterfalls at the lowest possible cost.

The value comes from four things: transport into difficult country, local route experience, small-group attention, and the chance to see sites that standard bus routes often skip. A rental car without suitable four-wheel drive will not give you the same access, and a self-drive attempt on unfamiliar gravel roads can add stress.

You still need to pay for lunch and snacks, and the price does not guarantee perfect weather or every listed stop. I would book it for a special Iceland trip, a family group splitting the cost, or anyone who places unusual scenery and personal guiding above a bargain price.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, so watch the local cutoff carefully. The minimum number of participants requirement also means the provider can offer another date, another experience, or a refund if the tour cannot run.

Who should book this Highlands adventure?

You should consider it if you want:

• Remote Iceland rather than the busiest south-coast stops.
• Waterfalls in several forms, from the tall Háifoss to the small cascades of Sigöldugljúfur.
• A guide who adds stories, jokes, and local facts during long drives.
• A private outing where your group sets the tone.
• A route that can change sensibly when wind or road conditions demand it.
• Short walks rather than a demanding full-day hike.

You may prefer another tour if you need paved access, a fixed schedule, included meals, or a low price. You should also think twice if rough roads, exposed viewpoints, or changing plans would make the day stressful.

The tour suits repeat visitors especially well. If you have already seen the Golden Circle and the standard southern waterfalls, the Highlands offer a very different side of Iceland. First-time visitors can enjoy it too, but only if they are happy to trade famous, easy stops for quieter and less predictable country.

Final verdict: book it for access, not convenience

I would book this tour when the goal is to see a side of Iceland that is difficult to reach independently. Gjáin, Háifoss, Sigöldufoss, the Valley of Tears, and the Hekla area create a varied day, and the private format gives the route a personal feel.

The price is the clear warning. You are paying for a specialized Highlands day, not a simple transfer with a few roadside photographs. If that sounds worthwhile, book early, since the experience is often reserved well ahead of departure. Bring outdoor shoes, layers, water, and lunch money, then accept that wind may rewrite the plan. For the right budget and attitude, this is one of the stronger choices for seeing Iceland’s quieter interior.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. at BSÍ Parking in Reykjavik and ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is also offered at assigned Reykjavik bus stops, BSÍ, Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is described as a private activity, so only your group participates. Some tour information also describes the format as small group.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The tour stops for about 40 minutes at the Hrauneyjar Highland Center, where you can purchase food. Snacks, alcoholic drinks, and lunch are separate costs.

What should I wear for Gjáin and the waterfall stops?

Outdoor shoes are recommended for exploring Gjáin. Because the tour reaches exposed Highland areas, practical outdoor clothing and layers are advisable.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the provider cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Roads and stops can also change during the day when wind or other conditions make the planned route unsafe.