Reykjavík: Landmannalaugar & Icelandic Highlands Super Jeep Tour

Landmannalaugar is the star here: a rough-edged Highland wonderland of red and green rhyolite mountains, black lava, steaming ground, and hot water. A super jeep gets you far beyond Reykjavík in one long day, with river crossings and mountain roads adding a bit of theater to the ride.

I like the mix of sights, especially the turquoise water at Sigöldufoss and the chance to choose between a short hike and a soak at Landmannalaugar. I also like the small-group format, which makes it easier to adjust time at the main stop. The catch is the long day, with about 11 hours on the road, and one recent experience found the guide too quiet on local history.

Key points to know before you book

• Landmannalaugar gives you a real choice: Spend your 90 minutes hiking among lava and rhyolite hills, or take a relaxing dip in the natural hot spring.
• The super jeep is part of the experience: It handles rough Highland roads and river crossings that ordinary sightseeing vehicles cannot use.
• You see several sides of Iceland in one day: Waterfalls, a crater lake, obsidian formations, lava fields, Hekla, and geothermal ground all fit into the route.
• The group is capped at 19 people: That is more personal than a large coach, though the exact feel depends on the vehicle and the day’s group.
• Lunch is not included: Bring food and snacks, since the tour provides transportation, WiFi, guide service, facility fees, and geothermal bathing.
• Pickup needs careful checking: Central Reykjavík hotels and private Airbnbs are not served, and the stated pickup information gives both an 8:00 start time and a 9:00 pickup instruction.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth the long ride

I would choose this tour for one main reason: Landmannalaugar is not simply another waterfall stop on the Iceland circuit. It is a place where the ground changes color and texture every few minutes. Rhyolite hills show shades of red, green, and other mineral tones, while black lava fields and pale geothermal features create a sharp contrast.

The area’s name means People’s Pools, a fitting title for a place where the natural hot spring is part of the visit. You do not have to hike to enjoy it. The itinerary gives you around 90 minutes for either a short walk or a bath, so you can match the stop to your energy level and clothing.

This is also one of the more practical ways to reach the southern Highlands from Reykjavík without renting a specialized vehicle. The tour lasts about 11 hours, but that time includes the long approach and return drive. You are trading a full day for access to a remote area that is not suited to a casual city excursion.

The small-group limit of 19 people helps. It is not a private trip, but it is a better setting for questions and timing changes than a full-size coach. One departure adjusted the schedule because the group wanted more time at Landmannalaugar, which is exactly the kind of flexibility that matters at the main attraction.

The super jeep ride into Iceland’s Highlands

The vehicle is not just a means of getting from one photo stop to another. Highland roads are rough, and the route includes mountain tracks and river crossings. The super jeep gives the journey a sense of purpose, while the expert driver handles the conditions.

You should expect a substantial amount of driving. The listed stop times add up to only a few hours, with the rest spent traveling between Reykjavík, the southern edge of the Highlands, Landmannalaugar, and the return route. WiFi is available on board, which is useful during the quieter stretches.

The tour is offered in English, and the guide’s role can shape the day. Isabella was praised for being fun, flexible, and informative. Rebecca and Rebecka were also singled out for good humor, help, and strong knowledge of the route. At least one departure had less commentary than expected, so if detailed interpretation is important to you, ask questions as you go.

Pickup is offered, but read the location rules closely. Central city hotels and private Airbnb addresses are excluded because of traffic restrictions. You need to choose a listed pickup point, and the instructions ask you to be ready at 9:00 am while also giving an 8:00 am start time. Confirm the exact meeting time and location before the morning of your trip.

Hjálparfoss, a small waterfall with a useful story

The first scenic stop is Hjálparfoss in Þjórsárdalur Valley, near the edge of the Highlands. You get about 15 minutes here, enough for a quick look and photographs rather than a long walk.

The waterfall splits into two streams before reaching a calm pool. Basalt formations frame the water, giving the scene a tidy, sculpted look. The river Fossá is fed by fresh water, so it has a clear blue tone that differs sharply from the gray, sediment-heavy water of nearby glacial rivers.

The name means Help’s Falls. In earlier times, this green pocket offered welcome relief to people crossing the barren Highlands. That small piece of context makes the stop more than a quick waterfall photograph.

The short visit is the main limitation. You will not have time for a long exploration, but that is reasonable on a route already packed with major sights. Think of Hjálparfoss as a graceful opening act before the road becomes wilder.

Sigöldufoss and the turquoise water

The next 15-minute stop is Sigöldufoss, a roughly 10-meter waterfall on the Tungnaá River. Its color is the striking part. The water now looks turquoise because the river below the Sigalda Power Plant carries clear spring water rather than the full load of glacial sediment it once carried.

That change came after the power plant diverted glacial water toward its hydroelectric turbines. Before that, the waterfall had more force but a muddier gray appearance. Today, the reduced flow creates a cleaner, brighter scene.

This is a good example of why an Iceland stop can be visually beautiful and historically complicated at the same time. You get a lovely waterfall, but you also see how hydroelectric development changed the river. The short stop lets you take in the view without turning the visit into a technical tour.

Landmannalaugar’s lava, hot water, and color

Landmannalaugar receives the largest block of time, about 90 minutes, and rightly so. Here you can walk across or near lava fields, look for obsidian formations, and study the unusual rhyolite mountains. Steam vents and hot ground add another layer to the setting.

The hiking option is best for you if you want to see the area on foot and get closer to its varied rock and soil colors. The available description calls it a short hike, not a full trek, so do not book this day expecting a long trail excursion.

The bathing option is better if you want a slower break after the Highland drive. Geothermal bathing is included, along with the Landmannalaugar facility fee. Bring what you need for the bath, and remember that the tour does not include lunch or snacks.

The 90-minute window requires a little discipline. You have enough time to enjoy one main activity, but not enough to wander without a plan and then fit in a proper soak. Decide before you arrive. If the guide gives you a clear meeting time, follow it closely.

This is also the part of the day where a good guide makes a real difference. Isabella was praised for combining information with humor and for accommodating the group. Rebecka was described as helpful and good-humored, with strong knowledge of the area. Those qualities matter here because the stop offers several possible ways to spend your time.

Ljótipollur, the crater lake with an unfair name

After Landmannalaugar, the route visits Ljótipollur, an explosion crater containing a lake. The name translates roughly as ugly puddle, but the description does not fit the view. The lake sits among red and green hills, with iron and sulfur deposits helping produce the unusual colors.

You get about 15 minutes, so this is mainly a viewpoint and photo stop. The contrast is what you will remember: a blue-green body of water set against red volcanic ground. It feels very different from the clear waterfall at Hjálparfoss and the black lava around Landmannalaugar.

The crater reaches a depth of about 150 meters, a fact that gives the peaceful-looking lake a little more drama. You are not visiting for a long walk around the rim. Instead, use the time to look closely at the crater’s shape and the mineral colors in the surrounding slopes.

A photo stop beneath Hekla

The final major sight is Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active and unpredictable volcanoes. The tour stops nearby for about 15 minutes, giving you time to photograph the mountain and hear about its eruptions.

Hekla has erupted roughly 20 to 30 times since Iceland was settled. Its most active section lies along a 40-kilometer rift, and the volcano’s eruptions have produced enough ash to affect the climate of the Northern Hemisphere for years.

The scale is impressive. Lava from Hekla has shaped about 10 percent of Iceland’s land area. You will not climb the volcano on this tour, and the stop is short, but the view gives useful context to everything you have seen during the day. The colored hills, lava, and crater lake are not random scenery. They are results of the same volcanic forces.

What the $276.95 price buys you

At $276.95 per person, this is not a budget outing. I would judge the price against the access it provides rather than against a standard city sightseeing tour. The fee covers a super jeep, an expert driver, pickup and drop-off service, WiFi, Landmannalaugar facility fees, and geothermal bathing.

The key value is transport into difficult Highland terrain. Renting a normal car would not offer the same access, and driving unfamiliar mountain roads can add stress. Here, you can look out the window while the driver handles the route.

The tour also bundles several remote sights into one day. A separate visit to Landmannalaugar would require more planning, and the route includes Hjálparfoss, Sigöldufoss, Ljótipollur, and a Hekla viewpoint along the way.

Still, you need to budget for lunch and snacks. The day is long, and no meal is included. The group size can reach 19, so do not expect the quiet intimacy of a private vehicle. The price makes the most sense for a short Reykjavík stay when you want one efficient day in the Highlands.

Who should book this Highland day

I would recommend it to you if:

• You have limited time in Iceland but want more than the standard Reykjavík-area sights.
• You like volcanic geology, unusual rock colors, waterfalls, and open mountain scenery.
• You want the option of a short hike or a natural hot spring rather than a fixed activity.
• You prefer a small group to a large coach.
• You are comfortable with a full day that includes many hours of driving.
• You would rather let an experienced driver handle rough Highland roads.

I would think twice if you want a long, serious hike. The Landmannalaugar visit lasts about 90 minutes, and the walking option is described as short. I would also look elsewhere if you need a highly structured lecture at every stop, since the amount of guide commentary may vary.

The tour suits a first visit especially well because it shows several types of Icelandic scenery in one outing. It also works for a cruise stop or a brief Reykjavík stay. One departure even involved office staff helping a late-arriving cruise passenger find the correct terminal pickup area, though you should still allow plenty of time and confirm your meeting point.

Timing, weather, and small practical details

The tour is offered in English and confirms your booking at the time of purchase. Most people can participate, but the total day includes travel time, so plan for a long outing rather than six hours of sightseeing.

Weather matters in the Highlands. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Bring food, snacks, and whatever you need for the hot spring. Since the itinerary gives only short periods at several stops, keep your camera and basic belongings easy to reach. Above all, confirm the pickup point, since not every Reykjavík accommodation is served directly.

Should you book the Landmannalaugar super jeep tour?

Book it if you want a packed, high-value day built around access to the southern Highlands. The strongest parts are the colorful geology at Landmannalaugar, the choice of bathing or hiking, the capable super jeep, and the range of stops leading to Hekla.

Skip it if you dislike long drives or want a full-day hike. At $276.95, the tour earns its price through transport, route planning, and access rather than through long stays at each waterfall or viewpoint.

For most visitors with only a short time in Reykjavík, I would make this a serious option. Pack lunch, confirm the pickup time, and choose your Landmannalaugar activity before you arrive. That leaves you free to enjoy the rough roads, hot water, volcanic colors, and wide-open Highland scenery.

FAQ

How long does the Landmannalaugar super jeep tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 11 hours, including travel time between Reykjavík and the Highland stops.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 am. The pickup instructions ask you to be ready at your chosen location at 9:00 am and allow up to 30 minutes for the guide to arrive, so confirm the exact pickup time when booking.

Is pickup available in Reykjavík?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are offered from specified locations. Central city hotels and private Airbnbs are not served directly because of traffic restrictions.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, snacks, and other food are not included, so bring your own supplies for the long day.

Can I bathe in a natural hot spring?

Yes. Geothermal bathing is included, and at Landmannalaugar you can choose between a short hike and a dip in the natural hot spring.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 19 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.