REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Borgarfjordur – private tour
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Geothermal power and Viking stories, in one day. This private Borgarfjörður tour from Reykjavik strings together Iceland’s human past and raw natural forces, with an easy rhythm: pickup, onboard Wi‑Fi, and a guide who can tailor the pace. I like that it hits real sites—Borgarnes, Reykholt, Deildartunguhver, and Hraunfossar—without turning the day into a frantic checklist.
Two big wins: you get round-trip transfers from your hotel area, and you stay connected on the road thanks to Wi‑Fi on board. A private setup also means your group only, not a shared cattle-car feel.
What makes this route work is the mix. You start in Borgarnes, a town with deep roots and a film tie-in to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Then you shift to Reykholt, where Snorri Sturluson lived and wrote during the medieval period, and the geothermal pool there is one of the few preserved pieces from that era. The standout is how your guide ties together Viking-era life and Iceland’s geothermal energy instead of treating them like separate museum topics.
One consideration: lunch isn’t included, and some optional stops (like the Reykholt museum or the nearby Krauma spa) can add fees on the day. Also, this tour is weather-dependent—if conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a refund.
In This Review
- Key moments that make this day worth it
- Reykjavik to Borgarnes: a film town with 9th-century roots
- Reykholt and Snorralaug: where sagas meet steam
- Deildartunguhver and the Krauma area: Europe’s most powerful hot spring
- Hraunfossar lava waterfalls: cold water making a loud point
- What makes it genuinely private: Villi’s flexibility and the comfort factor
- Price and value: how $209 fits a 7-hour private day
- Lunch, ice caves, and those extra fees you’ll want to plan for
- Who should book this private Borgarfjörður tour
- Should you book Puffin Travel’s Borgarfjörður private tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start, and how long is it?
- Is pickup from Reykjavik included?
- Is lunch included?
- Are entrance fees included for optional places like the Reykholt museum or the Krauma spa?
- Does the tour include Wi‑Fi and bottled water?
- Can I add an ice cave visit at Langjökull, and what if weather is bad?
Key moments that make this day worth it
- Borgarnes film-location stop: a 9th-century town connected to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Reykholt and Snorralaug: Snorri Sturluson’s saga-world, plus a geothermal pool that’s preserved from the medieval era
- Deildartunguhver’s power: Europe’s most powerful hot spring, with 180 liters per second of 100°C water
- Hraunfossar lava waterfalls: clear cold springs seeping through lava and running into the Hvítá (White River)
- Private guidance with real flexibility: on-the-road adjustments that keep the day comfortable and on track
- Optional Langjökull ice cave: add-on if you want a colder, more dramatic finish
Reykjavik to Borgarnes: a film town with 9th-century roots
The tour begins at 9:30 am and is built around a calm, full-day drive from Reykjavik into the Borgarfjörður region. You’ll typically feel the difference right away: you’re not herded into a packed group van. It’s a private ride, with pickup offered and time managed by your guide.
The first stop is Borgarnes, a town founded in the 9th century. That date matters more than it sounds. It places the town’s story deep in the early settlement era, when people were building life around coastlines, fishing, and the geothermal oddities that shaped daily living in Iceland. Add the film tie-in, and Borgarnes becomes more than a dot on the map: it’s one of the filming locations for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Even if you only know the movie casually, the connection gives your guide an easy way to talk about how Iceland’s real spaces show up in popular culture.
You’ll have about 40 minutes here. That’s enough time to walk around at a comfortable pace, soak up the setting, and get oriented for the rest of the day. If you’re the type who likes quick photo stops, this first leg is nicely paced. If you prefer longer breaks, you’ll want to bring layers and be ready to move when your guide says it’s time—because the day stays compact.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Reykjavik
Reykholt and Snorralaug: where sagas meet steam
After Borgarnes, you head to Reykholt, one of Iceland’s key historical sites. This is where the tour leans into story, not just scenery. Reykholt is tied to Snorri Sturluson, who lived there roughly between 1206 and 1241. Snorri isn’t just a name on a plaque—your guide connects him to the saga tradition and to how these writings helped preserve culture and knowledge about settlement life and Viking-era ways of living.
A special highlight at Reykholt is Snorralaug, an ancient geothermal pool named after Snorri. The tour frames it as one of the few things that survived from Iceland’s medieval period. That’s a big deal. When you stand near a geothermal pool like this, you’re seeing a physical feature that bridges the centuries. It makes the medieval talk feel less like a lecture and more like standing beside the same kind of geothermal water people would have known long ago.
You’ll get around 20 minutes at Reykholt. That’s short, so it helps to decide what you care about most in advance. The museum is optional, and its entrance fee isn’t included, so don’t assume you’re seeing everything for free. If you love written history, you’ll probably want the museum. If you mainly want the outdoor sites and context your guide can explain on the spot, you might skip it and still feel satisfied.
The main drawback here is also the main reason the tour flows smoothly: time is tight. If you’re the type who likes to linger in one place for an hour, you’ll need to accept that Reykholt is designed as a focused stop, not a long wandering day.
Deildartunguhver and the Krauma area: Europe’s most powerful hot spring
Next up is Deildartunguhver, one of Iceland’s geothermal power points. This stop is less about quaint views and more about scale. Deildartunguhver is described as Europe’s most powerful hot spring, producing about 180 liters per second of water at 100°C. Let that sink in. It’s not just hot water—this is water moving at a rate that supports central heating in nearby towns.
What I like about this stop is that your guide can explain the link between nature and everyday life. Geothermal energy isn’t an abstract concept here. It’s a working system, and Deildartunguhver is part of the reason Iceland can use heat in practical ways.
You’ll have about 20 minutes in the area. That’s enough time to see and understand the hot spring setting, then get your bearings for the next stop. Nearby is Krauma, a spa complex, and the tour includes time to walk in the area, but spa entrance isn’t included. If you want hot pools and a slower pace, plan for extra cost and more time on the day. If you’re trying to keep the tour simple and stay on schedule, you can enjoy the geothermal atmosphere without booking the spa.
Hraunfossar lava waterfalls: cold water making a loud point
Then the day changes texture with Hraunfossar, the lava waterfalls. This is one of those Iceland spots where the details matter: the waterfalls form where clear, cold springs seep through lava and then spill out as waterfalls and rapids into the Hvítá (White River).
You’ll have about 30 minutes here, which is just right for a viewing walk. You don’t feel rushed, but you also don’t waste daylight. Hraunfossar is visually dramatic, yet the tour’s explanation adds meaning. It’s not just water falling—it’s underground water traveling through a lava system and then reappearing at the surface. Your guide helps you read that process, so the place feels scientific as well as scenic.
The best practical move at Hraunfossar is to come prepared for changing conditions. Even when it’s bright, Iceland weather can switch quickly. Keep your layers handy and stay aware of slippery footing near the water. If you’re traveling in a wet season or during windy spells, your guide’s advice about where to stand for the best views can save you from getting blasted by spray.
What makes it genuinely private: Villi’s flexibility and the comfort factor
The tour’s value isn’t only the route. It’s the way it’s managed. With a private format, your guide can adjust how long you spend at a place like Borgarnes versus Reykholt, based on what your group wants that day. In real terms, that means fewer moments where you stare at a phone while someone else negotiates the timeline.
One detail that came through clearly from the experience reviews is how guide Villi works. People praised him for being able to run a day without a rigid agenda—then still ending up with a solid plan for everyone’s time. Another plus: he was attentive enough to help with dinner timing and plans, so you’re not scrambling once the tour ends.
Comfort counts too. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, which helps if you’re riding for hours in changing weather. And on at least one memorable ride, the vehicle was a large Land Rover setup that felt comfortable for a long day. Even if the exact vehicle style varies by day, the key is that you’re not stuck in something cramped.
Wi‑Fi and bottled water also sound small until you need them. You’ll have onboard Wi‑Fi for the trip, which helps with navigation, sharing photos, or just keeping your group relaxed while you drive. Bottled water means you don’t have to hunt for it on the go.
Price and value: how $209 fits a 7-hour private day
At $209 for a private tour lasting around 7 hours, the price can feel either high or fair depending on who you’re traveling with. Here’s how I think about it.
You’re paying for:
- Pickup and round-trip transfers from Reykjavik
- A private guide rather than a shared bus approach
- An air-conditioned vehicle plus onboard Wi‑Fi and bottled water
- Several major stops in the Borgarfjörður area where entrance is listed as free for the tour stops
Lunch isn’t included, so you’ll still need to budget for a meal on your own. Also, optional items can cost extra: the Reykholt museum entrance isn’t included, and the nearby Krauma spa entrance isn’t included. On top of that, the optional Langjökull ice cave add-on costs extra.
So is it good value? For most visitors, yes—especially if you’re traveling as a couple, family, or small group where private transport can replace the price of multiple separate tickets and the hassle of timing. The “free admission” notes for the main stops also help keep your day from quietly turning expensive. The main cost risk is if you add more optional paid activities.
The bigger value play is the guide. A good private guide turns a list of places into a story you can actually follow. If you want context—why Snorri mattered, what the hot spring rate means, how lava and water create Hraunfossar—this format makes that easier.
Lunch, ice caves, and those extra fees you’ll want to plan for
Let’s talk planning, since this tour has a few optional add-ons and a clear place where you need to do your own part: lunch.
- Lunch isn’t included. If you have dietary needs, plan ahead. Pick something you can eat calmly without rushing back to the vehicle.
- Reykholt museum is optional, and its entrance fee isn’t included.
- Krauma spa is near Deildartunguhver. The tour includes walking in the area, but spa entrance isn’t included.
- You may add an ice cave visit at Langjökull for an additional cost.
The ice cave option is worth flagging because it changes the feel of the day. It also increases your dependence on conditions. The tour data says the experience requires good weather, and poor weather can trigger a different date or a refund. If you’re planning a trip with multiple Iceland stops, keep that flexibility in mind.
My practical advice: if you’re unsure about the ice cave, treat it as a “yes if conditions allow” choice, not a guaranteed final act. If you really want the ice cave, ask your guide about what conditions typically look like for that day’s schedule and whether they can help shape the pacing around it.
Who should book this private Borgarfjörður tour
This is a strong match if you:
- Prefer private guiding and a comfortable pace
- Want a mix of human history (Reykholt and Snorri) and geothermal nature (Deildartunguhver and Hraunfossar)
- Like the idea of quick, meaningful stops rather than one long hike
- Want onboard Wi‑Fi and a guided route that reduces decision fatigue
It may be less ideal if you:
- Want a long, unstructured day with lots of free time
- Hate the idea of optional entrances adding small extra costs
- Need guaranteed lunch included (because it isn’t)
Should you book Puffin Travel’s Borgarfjörður private tour?
If you’re trying to get the most learning and the least stress out of a one-day drive from Reykjavik, I think this tour is a smart pick. The stop quality is strong: Borgarnes gives you grounded history plus a film connection, Reykholt ties the saga tradition to a real surviving geothermal pool, Deildartunguhver explains geothermal power in plain numbers, and Hraunfossar shows you how lava and water create waterfalls.
Book it if you value a guide who can handle flexibility and still keep you on track. Based on the way Villi is described—organized, adaptable, and thoughtful about the full day—this is the kind of private tour that feels like it was planned for people, not seats.
Skip it only if you want lunch and every entrance fee already fully bundled, or if you’re traveling during a period where you expect poor weather and you hate schedule changes. Otherwise, this is a good-value private day that teaches you how Iceland works, not just how Iceland looks.
FAQ
What time does the tour start, and how long is it?
The tour starts at 9:30 am and runs for about 7 hours.
Is pickup from Reykjavik included?
Yes. Round-trip transfers from your Reykjavik hotel are offered.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch isn’t included.
Are entrance fees included for optional places like the Reykholt museum or the Krauma spa?
The Reykholt museum is optional and its entrance fee isn’t included. Krauma spa entrance isn’t included either, even though the tour walks in the area.
Does the tour include Wi‑Fi and bottled water?
Yes. You’ll have Wi‑Fi on board and bottled water.
Can I add an ice cave visit at Langjökull, and what if weather is bad?
You can add an ice cave at Langjökull for an additional cost. The experience requires good weather; if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
