Private Tour of Valley of Tears and Highlands adventure

The Highlands keep their secrets. This 10-hour private trip from Reykjavík reaches Háifoss, Gjáin, Sigöldufoss, the Valley of Tears, and the stark country around Volcano Hekla, places that sit well beyond the usual south-coast circuit. I like the small, personal format and the way the route favors quiet viewpoints over crowded headline stops. I also like that your guide handles the rough highland roads, so you can focus on the scenery rather than the driving.

The main drawback is the price: at $1,922.34 per person, this is a major splurge. Weather and road conditions can also change the plan, and a few people found it hard to hear the guide from the back of the vehicle. Still, if you want a serious day in Iceland’s interior and have a group willing to share the cost, this tour offers access that is difficult to arrange on your own.

Why this Highlands day is different

• Háifoss gives you a huge waterfall view into Þjórsárdalur, reached by a rough gravel road and a short walk.
• Gjáin feels like a small oasis at the edge of the Highlands, with little falls, old farm ruins, and a Game of Thrones connection.
• The Valley of Tears is the visual prize, a canyon lined with small waterfalls and often green-blue water.
• Hrauneyjar provides a needed lunch break, with a small but useful selection of food available for purchase.
• The route reaches remote country near Hekla, with a possible drive toward Rauðaskál crater when conditions allow.
• Thor is a major part of the appeal, bringing humor, local stories, and practical care to the day.

Leaving Reykjavík for Iceland’s rough interior

Your scheduled start is 8:30 a.m. from BSÍ Parking in central Reykjavík. Pickup is also offered at assigned Reykjavík bus stops, the BSÍ bus terminal, and locations in Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. That range is useful if your accommodation is outside the central pickup pattern, but you should confirm the exact meeting point before the morning begins.

The tour lasts about 10 hours, so this is a full day rather than a quick add-on. You will spend plenty of time in the vehicle as the route moves from settled areas toward gravel roads and open highland country. I see that travel time as part of the experience, but you should be comfortable with a long day and changing road conditions.

This is sold as a private activity, meaning only your party participates. That matters here. A private vehicle can make short stops feel less rushed, and your guide can adjust the pace to your group. Several people especially valued the small, personal feel, with one party saying the day felt like being shown favorite places by a friend.

Thor receives repeated praise for his humor, stories, and care with timing. Otto the Viking is also mentioned as a considerate guide who adapted the route when high winds closed a road. Guides may vary, but the strongest pattern is clear: the person behind the wheel is central to the experience, not just a driver delivering you to a series of viewpoints.

Gjáin, an oasis beside the Highlands

The first major stop is Gjáin, a green pocket at the roots of Iceland’s interior. The area has small waterfalls, unusual rock formations, and the remains of an old farm. It was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, though the real reason to visit is the contrast between the quiet oasis and the bare country around it.

You walk about 500 meters each way to the old farm and into the oasis. That is not a long distance, but the ground is outdoors and can be uneven, so sturdy outdoor shoes are a smart choice. This is not a stop where you simply step off the vehicle, take one photograph, and return. You get a short walk through a compact natural area, with water and old human traces sharing the same space.

The one-hour visit gives you time to look around without racing. I would use it for detail: small cascades, stream channels, stone, and the way the farm site sits against the wider hills. The walk is free, and there is no admission charge.

Háifoss and the Þjórsárdalur view

Háifoss is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls, and the viewpoint looks down into Þjórsárdalur. The approach uses rocky gravel roads, which explains why this excursion is better suited to a proper highland vehicle and an experienced driver than to a standard rental car.

Once you reach the parking area, you walk toward the viewpoint. The stated visit is about 30 minutes, enough for photographs and a good look into the valley, but not an extended hike. I like this arrangement because the reward comes quickly after the rough drive. You do not need to spend the entire day walking to reach one of the major sights.

This is also where weather matters. Wind can make a high viewpoint feel exposed, and visibility affects the scale of the scene. One party described very strong wind but praised the driver for keeping the group safe. That is a useful reminder: the route is ambitious, but a safe guide will not treat the schedule as more important than conditions.

Lunch at Hrauneyjar after the waterfalls

After Gjáin and Háifoss, the tour pauses for about 40 minutes at the Hrauneyjar Highland Center. Lunch is not included in the price, so you need to buy your meal there or bring your own food. Alcoholic drinks and snacks are also excluded.

The available food selection is described as small but good. Do not expect a long restaurant menu or a leisurely city lunch. Think of Hrauneyjar as a practical stop that breaks up a demanding day and gives you time to eat, use facilities, and warm up if the weather has turned unpleasant.

I would bring a snack even though food is available. The tour covers remote ground, and the schedule leaves little room for an extra café stop. Since lunch is your responsibility, checking dietary needs ahead of time is sensible, though no special menu details are provided.

Sigöldufoss, a blue pause at the Highlands entrance

Sigöldufoss is smaller than Háifoss, but its water is often strikingly blue. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so this is a brief look rather than a long walk. Its position at the entrance to the Highlands makes it a neat transition point, with the route moving farther into a more empty and severe setting.

You may find that the color changes with weather, light, and water conditions. That is part of Iceland’s appeal, but it also means you should not expect a perfectly identical scene to every photograph you have seen. Even so, the short stop adds variety to the day. The route is not simply a parade of giant waterfalls. It includes smaller falls, canyons, old farm remains, and volcanic country.

The Valley of Tears, the day’s signature stop

Sigoldugljufur, known as the Valley of Tears, is the stop that gives the trip its name and likely its strongest visual payoff. It is a canyon marked by a series of small waterfalls, with water that is often green-blue. The viewpoint is from above, and the visit lasts about 35 minutes.

This is a place for looking carefully rather than rushing from one attraction to another. The falls are spread through the canyon, creating a layered view that feels very different from a single tall cascade. The setting is also less familiar than Iceland’s most promoted sights, which helps explain why this stop is so appealing to people seeking quieter scenery and better photo opportunities.

The walk and viewing area are not described in detail, so you should be ready for outdoor ground and changing conditions. The guide’s role is important here. Access to remote areas depends on road conditions, and the exact experience can change with wind, rain, visibility, or closures.

Hekla and the limits of the itinerary

The final scheduled area is around Volcano Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanic zones. The tour describes this part as a look at desolate country around the volcano, with a possible drive toward the Rauðaskál crater when conditions are good and the road is safe.

The listed time at Hekla is only about 10 minutes, so keep your expectations in check. This is not a summit hike or a long volcanic trek. It is a brief encounter with a stark volcanic setting, added to the route after a day of waterfalls and river valleys.

That short stop may be extended or changed by conditions. High winds have already caused route changes on some departures, with guides finding alternative viewpoints when roads closed. I consider that a strength, not a failure. In the Highlands, flexibility is part of responsible touring.

What the driving and walking are really like

You should book this for the scenery, not for a relaxed coach ride. The route includes rocky gravel roads and tracks through remote terrain. The advantage is obvious: you reach places that a normal car, camper van, or large bus may not be able to reach. The tradeoff is a longer, bumpier day.

Walking is generally limited. Gjáin has the clearest stated walk, 500 meters each way, and the waterfall viewpoints involve short walks from parking areas. The tour suits most people, but outdoor shoes are recommended for Gjáin, and you should be ready for wind, rough ground, and rapidly changing weather.

A small practical issue is hearing the guide. One person found the commentary difficult to follow from the back, even when a speaker was used. If your group has several people, sit where you can hear clearly, and ask the guide to repeat anything important. Thor’s stories and explanations are part of the value, so missing them would be a shame.

Is $1,922.34 per person good value?

The cost is high by any normal day-tour measure. At $1,922.34 per person, the price makes the most sense for a private group that can share the vehicle cost, or for people who place a high value on remote access and a flexible guide.

You are paying for more than six stops. You are paying for a full 10-hour day, parking fees, pickup options, a driver who knows rough highland roads, and access to places that are not easy to connect independently. The private format also removes the usual large-bus routine and gives your party more control over time at each stop.

The price does not include lunch, snacks, or alcohol, so set aside extra money for food. If your priority is inexpensive sightseeing, this is not the right choice. If you have already seen the Golden Circle and famous south-coast stops, and you want a more unusual day with fewer people around, the value becomes easier to defend.

The tour is booked on average 104 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Iceland dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should choose this adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want Iceland’s interior more than another familiar waterfall stop. It suits photographers, repeat visitors, couples or families who want a private day, and anyone who does not have a four-wheel-drive vehicle but still wants to see highland country.

It is also a strong pick for people who enjoy a guide’s personality. Thor is repeatedly praised for humor, local culture, stories, and personal attention. The best days on this route seem to come when the guide and group enjoy conversation as much as the views.

I would hesitate if you dislike gravel-road driving, need a predictable schedule, or want a low-cost excursion. I would also think twice if your group is not comfortable outdoors in strong wind. The tour is built around nature first, and nature gets the final word.

Should you book the Valley of Tears tour?

Book it if you want a rare look at Iceland’s Highlands and are willing to pay for private access, skilled driving, and a long day. The Valley of Tears, Háifoss, and Gjáin give the route real variety, while Hekla adds a stark volcanic finish.

Skip it if your budget is tight or if Iceland’s major sights are enough for you. For the right group, though, this is the kind of day that can become the story you tell after the trip: rough roads, empty viewpoints, blue water, sudden wind, and a guide such as Thor showing you corners of Iceland that are hard to find alone.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The scheduled starting point is BSÍ Parking at 43Q7+9M7, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is pickup available?

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

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can purchase food at the Hrauneyjar Highland Center or bring your own.

Are snacks and alcoholic drinks included?

No. Snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included.

What should I wear for Gjáin?

Outdoor shoes are recommended for exploring Gjáin. The tour also involves outdoor stops and gravel roads.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. Road conditions can also lead to route changes or an alternative stop.