Premium 4×4 Diamond Circle Tour

The big draw here is how much of northeast Iceland you cover in one long day. You move from Godafoss and Lake Myvatn’s steaming ground to basalt formations, glacial rivers, Asbyrgi canyon, and Husavik’s harbor. It is a full, fast-moving sampler of Iceland’s volcanic and glacial north.

I like the small maximum group of 11, which gives the guide room to answer questions and adjust the pace. I also like the mix of famous sights and unusual stops, especially Hverir’s bubbling mud pools and Hljóðaklettar’s basalt columns. The catch is simple: eight to 10 hours is a long day, and optional bath fees are not included.

Key points

• Godafoss begins the day with a classic Icelandic waterfall and a short photo stop.
• Lake Myvatn packs several different sights together, from steaming fumaroles to lava formations and optional bathing.
• The Diamond Circle reaches Asbyrgi and Hljóðaklettar, places many shorter north Iceland tours skip.
• A small group of up to 11 makes this more personal than a large coach excursion.
• GeoSea and Myvatn Nature Baths cost extra, so budget for admission if soaking is part of your plan.
• Guide Armann is noted for broad local knowledge and patience, useful on a long day with varied stops.

One long day through northeast Iceland

This tour leaves Akureyri at 8:00 a.m. and heads east toward the Diamond Circle. The route is ambitious. You are not spending half a day at one attraction. Instead, you get a chain of short walks, viewpoints, geological stops, and two optional geothermal bathing choices.

That pace suits you if you want to see a lot without renting a car. It is less suitable if you prefer slow mornings, long hikes, or extended time at every waterfall. Most stops last 15 to 30 minutes, while the Lake Myvatn section takes about three hours and the bath options add another hour.

The 4×4 vehicle and small group are useful here. The tour can carry no more than 11 people, and pickup and drop-off are included. If your hotel is not on the pickup list, contact Imagine Iceland Travel before booking so the meeting point is clear.

One guide named Armann has been praised for explaining geology, history, and other local subjects, while also being patient when members of the group ran late. That matters on a day with this many moving parts. A good guide can turn a string of scenic stops into a connected story rather than a race from one parking area to the next.

Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Godafoss is the first major stop, on the road from Akureyri to Lake Myvatn. You have about 15 minutes here, with no admission charge.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the site gives you an early taste of the region’s scale and power. The short visit is enough for photos and a quick look, but not enough for a leisurely walk around every viewpoint. Keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s directions, since the schedule remains tight from here onward.

I like having Godafoss at the start rather than saving every major sight for the end. It breaks up the drive early and gives you a memorable first stop. Still, if waterfalls are your main reason for coming to Iceland, this tour gives Godafoss only a brief window.

Lake Myvatn brings volcanoes close

Lake Myvatn is the heart of the day. The wider area includes several sights, and the tour allows about three hours for them. This is where the route shifts from a standard waterfall outing to a close look at Iceland’s volcanic character.

At Námaskarð, you see Hverir’s bubbling mud pools and natural steam vents. The ground here is active, colorful, and unmistakably geothermal. Steam rises from fumaroles, while mud pots bubble under the surface. The smell can be strong, so you may want to take a breath before walking closer.

Dimmuborgir adds a different kind of volcanic scenery. Instead of steaming ground, you see lava formations shaped into unusual walls and towers. This is a good contrast with Hverir, and it helps explain how many different forms volcanic activity can take in one region.

The Lake Myvatn portion also includes a choice between bathing and another cave stop. If you use the Myvatn Nature Baths, the entrance fee is not included. If you skip the baths, the guide can take you to Grotcaja cave and rift instead, while the rest of the group uses the bathing time.

That split option is a thoughtful touch. You do not have to pay for a bath you do not want, and you are not left with nothing to do. The tradeoff is that a mixed group may divide the guide’s attention for part of the visit.

Myvatn Nature Baths, with an extra cost

The Myvatn Nature Baths give you about an hour to soak and use the cafe. The admission charge is separate, and the price is not specified in the tour details, so check the current rate before you commit.

A geothermal bath can be a welcome pause after several outdoor stops. You get warmth, a place to sit, and time to slow down before the route continues. If you are counting every expense, though, this is an optional luxury rather than part of the tour price.

The bath visit is also worth judging against your priorities. If you have already planned a geothermal spa elsewhere in Iceland, Grotcaja cave and rift may offer more variety. If soaking in warm water with a view is high on your list, the extra fee may be worthwhile.

The itinerary lists Námaskarð both within the wider Lake Myvatn visit and as a separate 20-minute stop. Treat these as part of the same volcanic region rather than expecting two entirely different attractions. The exact order can depend on the day.

From glacial rivers to Selfoss

The tour then reaches Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, shaped by enormous floods from the Vatnajökull glacier. You get about 30 minutes at the canyon and river area.

This section gives the day a new scale. At Myvatn, the focus is heat and volcanic activity. Here, water and ice have carved the land. You are seeing the force of glacial meltwater rather than steam vents and lava.

Selfoss Waterfall follows, with about 20 minutes. The brief stop lets you see the falls without turning the day into a long hike. The route also includes Vatnajökull National Park for about 15 minutes. The park covers Europe’s largest glacial ice cap and the surrounding areas, so this is more of a scenic and geographic introduction than a full national park visit.

Be realistic about the timing. Thirty minutes at a canyon and 20 minutes at a waterfall can feel short if you want to wander. The strength of this tour is the range of places you reach, not extended time at one location.

Hljóðaklettar and the shapes of basalt

Hljóðaklettar is one of the more distinctive stops, lasting about 30 minutes. The area is known for striking hexagonal basalt formations.

These shapes are a reminder that Iceland’s geology is not only about fire and steam. Cooling lava can form regular columns and geometric patterns, giving the rocks an almost built quality. You do not need a long visit to appreciate the shapes, but the guide’s explanation can make the stop more meaningful.

This is also one of the places where a small group helps. With no more than 11 people, you can usually hear the guide without the echo and delay of a large coach group. The exact walking conditions are not described, so wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for a short outdoor stop rather than a formal paved attraction.

Tjornes Peninsula and Asbyrgi Canyon

The Tjornes Peninsula brings the route to the Arctic coast. You have about 20 minutes to look over Öxafjörður. In summer, puffins nest in the area, and the peninsula is also noted for geological features dating back to the end of the Ice Age.

Puffin sightings are seasonal, not guaranteed. If birds are a major goal, ask the guide about conditions on the day. The peninsula is still worthwhile for its coastal setting and geological story, even when puffins are not present.

Asbyrgi is one of the day’s strongest stops. This horseshoe-shaped canyon has walls rising about 100 meters and sits near the Arctic coast. You get about 25 minutes, enough to take in the shape and scale from the designated viewing area, though not enough for a serious hike into the canyon.

Asbyrgi rewards you with a setting that feels very different from Godafoss or Myvatn. The walls give the place a contained, dramatic form, while the earlier waterfalls and volcanic fields feel more open. If you want long walking time here, a dedicated North Iceland tour would suit you better.

GeoSea or a walk through Husavik

GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths is the final optional bathing choice. The visit lasts about an hour, and admission costs ISK 6,990 per person. The pool overlooks Skjálfandi Bay, giving you a chance to relax with a coastal view.

The fee is important when judging the total cost. At $378.71 per person, the tour is already a premium purchase, and adding GeoSea makes the day more expensive. You can skip the bath and take a walk through Husavik harbor instead, where you can find a restaurant or cafe.

That choice makes the final hour flexible. Bathers get quiet time in warm water, while non-bathers get a little town time. Food and drinks are not included, so the harbor option may be useful if you want to buy a meal or coffee, though the schedule may limit how long you can sit.

Husavik is famous for whale watching and its small-boat harbor. This tour does not include a whale-watching cruise, so do not book it expecting an encounter with whales. You are visiting the harbor town itself, which gives you a pleasant closing view of the coast after a day spent inland and around the national park.

Is $378.71 a fair price?

The price is $378.71 per person, which places this firmly in the premium category. You are paying for guided transport, pickup and drop-off, a small group capped at 11, and access to a very broad route in one day.

The value is strongest if you do not want to drive. The itinerary covers places spread across northeast Iceland, including areas that would be hard to combine efficiently without a car and a full day of planning. You also get a guide who can explain the geology and adjust the route when practical.

The value is weaker if you plan to rent a car and already feel comfortable navigating the region. In that case, you might prefer paying for fuel and choosing your own timing. The tour also does not include food, drinks, Myvatn Nature Baths admission, or GeoSea admission.

I would treat the baths as optional add-ons rather than hidden costs. Decide before the morning begins if you want one of them, and check the current Myvatn admission price. GeoSea has a stated fee of ISK 6,990 per person.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I recommend this day to you if you want maximum scenery with minimum driving work. It is particularly useful for a short stay in Akureyri, when you want to see Godafoss, Myvatn, Asbyrgi, and Husavik but do not have time to build your own route.

It also suits you if geology interests you. Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Hljóðaklettar, the glacial canyon, and the national park each show a different side of northeast Iceland.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long vehicle days, or short stops. The tour runs for roughly eight to 10 hours, and the schedule is packed. People who need a slower pace may find the constant transitions tiring.

The tour is designed so most people can participate, but the details do not promise a completely step-free route or describe every walking surface. Ask the provider about your specific mobility needs before booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Premium 4×4 Diamond Circle Tour?

Book it if you want a broad, well-packed day from Akureyri and value a small group with a guide. The mix of Godafoss, Myvatn, geothermal ground, lava formations, glacial country, Asbyrgi, and Husavik gives you an unusually wide look at the north.

I would book this over a large coach outing if Armann is available, especially if you care about explanations and a more personal feel. Just set your expectations correctly: this is a highlights tour, not a slow exploration. Budget separately for any bath, bring food money, and accept that some stops will be short.

FAQ

Where does the Premium 4×4 Diamond Circle Tour start?

The tour starts from Akureyri at 8:00 a.m. Pickup is offered. If your hotel is not listed, contact Imagine Iceland Travel for pickup details.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight to 10 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 11 participants.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Guided transport, pickup, and drop-off are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Are the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entrance to the Myvatn Nature Baths is not included. You may also visit Grotcaja cave and rift instead of using the baths.

How much does GeoSea cost?

GeoSea is an optional add-on and costs ISK 6,990 per person. You can choose to walk through Husavik harbor instead.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.