From Reykjavík: Landmannalaugar Super Jeep Day Tour

Landmannalaugar is the kind of place that makes the long ride into Iceland’s Highlands worthwhile: rhyolite mountains shift through striking colours, steam rises from geothermal ground, and old lava gives the trails a rugged feel. This 11-hour trip gets you there in a Super Jeep, with waterfalls and a crater lake along the way.

I like two things especially: the journey itself is part of the day, with mountain roads and river crossings, and Landmannalaugar gives you a choice between a guided hike and a hot-spring soak. Guides have included Svan and Izabella, with both guiding and driving forming an important part of the experience.

The trade-off is time and comfort. You spend a good part of the 11 hours on the road, and one passenger found the Jeep’s suspension less comfortable than expected. Bring sturdy waterproof shoes and warm layers, and be ready for a full day out.

What makes this Highlands day worthwhile

• A Super Jeep route into the Highlands: Mountain roads and river crossings take you beyond the ordinary Reykjavík day trip.
• Two waterfalls before the main stop: Hjálparfoss and 10-metre Sigöldufoss break up the journey south.
• Your choice at Landmannalaugar: Join a guided hike or spend time bathing in a geothermal pool.
• Ljótipollur’s colourful crater: Red, green and blue tones make this a memorable stop for photos and a closer look.
• Hekla on the horizon: You may catch sight of one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, though cloud can hide its summit.
• A long day with the essentials provided: Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, WiFi and geothermal bathing are included; food and drinks are not.

The ride is part of the Highland experience

This is not a quick transfer to a trailhead. The Super Jeep is the means of reaching remote Highland terrain, and the trip includes mountain roads and river crossings that make the drive an attraction in its own right. You get broad views from the road and a sense of how rugged the interior can be.

That capability has a comfort trade-off. A passenger praised the driver and scenery but felt the vehicle’s suspension could be better. Expect a working 4×4 ride rather than a smooth coach journey, and consider how you feel about a long day in a vehicle on uneven roads.

The tour lasts about 11 hours, with pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík. That is a substantial commitment, but it also makes the Highlands reachable without arranging your own vehicle or driving unfamiliar mountain routes. You get a guide who handles the driving and explains the stops, leaving you free to watch the terrain change.

Guides named by past participants include Svan and Izabella. Their roles matter here: the driver needs to manage the route, while the guide helps make sense of the places you see and leads the hike if you choose it. The language listed for the tour is English.

Hjálparfoss and Sigöldufoss make good first stops

The day begins with Hjálparfoss, whose name means Help’s Falls. The falls sit in a quiet setting and were once appreciated by people travelling through the Highlands. It is a gentle opening to a day that later becomes more remote, with time to take in the water and the surrounding scenery.

Next comes Sigöldufoss, a 10-metre waterfall on the Tungnaá river. It offers a different scale and character from Hjálparfoss, and gives you another chance to stretch your legs before the highland drive. These stops are scenic rather than lengthy excursions, so treat them as pauses along a larger journey, not as full waterfall hikes.

The route then heads towards Landmannalaugar over mountain roads and across rivers. Weather and conditions shape what you see: the trip can feel bright and open one moment, then cloudy or exposed the next. Warm clothing and a windbreaker are sensible even if Reykjavík starts out mild.

Landmannalaugar: choose boots or a bathing suit

The main stop gives you the day’s biggest decision. You can go on a hike with your guide or bathe in a natural geothermal pool. The bathing option is included, and you should bring swimwear and a towel. The hike is the better fit if you want to spend your time moving through the area; the pool suits you if soaking in warm water amid Highland surroundings sounds like the more memorable reward.

A named route mentioned for this area is Laugahringur. It has been described as a striking walk with expansive views, but it is not a flat stroll: the route involves lava stones and rocks, with uphill and downhill sections. A person who was not used to mountain walking found it manageable, but stressed the need for good hiking boots. That is useful advice for anyone choosing the trail.

The choice also affects how active your day feels. If you hike, you will need shoes with grip and enough time and energy for uneven ground. If you bathe, you will still want warm clothes for before and after your swim, plus a towel. You cannot assume the weather will be kind, so pack for wind and changing conditions either way.

The tour description presents hiking and bathing as alternatives, even though geothermal bathing is listed among the inclusions. If one matters more to you than the other, check the available plan before booking so you know what your time at Landmannalaugar will allow.

Ljótipollur and the chance to see Hekla

Ljótipollur is an explosion crater lake with vivid red, green and blue hues. Its name can be misleading: the point of the stop is its striking colour and the contrast between water and crater walls, not a conventional lake visit. Bring a camera, but give yourself a moment to look beyond the frame. The surrounding Highland colours are part of what makes the stop special.

The tour also offers a glimpse of Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. A clear view is not guaranteed. Cloud covered the summit for one traveller, who still found the volcano’s scale impressive. Treat Hekla as a possible sight rather than a promised close-up, and you will be less disappointed if weather hides the peak.

Together, the crater and volcano stops add variety to the day. Landmannalaugar gives you colourful mountains and geothermal activity; Ljótipollur brings a concentrated burst of colour; Hekla adds a dramatic point of reference on the horizon. The route works best if you enjoy changing scenery more than lingering for hours in one place.

What $272 buys, and what it does not

At $272 per person, this is a premium day trip. The price makes more sense if you want to reach the Highlands without renting a vehicle suited to the route or planning the logistics yourself. You get the Super Jeep, an expert driver, an English-speaking guide, Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, WiFi on board, and the opportunity to hike or bathe.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your priority is simply a quick visit to a waterfall, this is a lot of time and money for a few stops. If you want a guided Highland outing that combines the drive, waterfalls, Landmannalaugar and Ljótipollur, the package brings several distinct experiences into one long day.

Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own provisions. WiFi is available on board, but it does not replace the practical value of snacks and water during an 11-hour outing. You will also want warm clothing, a windbreaker, swimwear, a towel, a camera and waterproof shoes.

Practical details before you reserve

Pickup is included in Reykjavík. The listed pickup times for locations outside Reykjavík are 8:55 a.m. in Hveragerði, 9:30 a.m. in Selfoss and 9:50 a.m. at Hotel Hella. Hotel Hella is pickup only, with no drop-off there. You are responsible for updating your pickup location at least 48 hours before the tour, and the guide may take up to 30 minutes to arrive depending on traffic and your location.

Be ready at your chosen pickup point on time. Because the day is long and the route reaches remote terrain, arriving prepared matters. Wear warm layers and a windbreaker, and pack waterproof footwear. If you plan to bathe, pack swimwear and a towel; if you plan to hike, use proper hiking boots rather than smooth-soled shoes.

Children under six are not suited to this activity. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see the Highlands but do not want to handle the drive yourself, and if a full day of changing scenery sounds appealing. It is especially well suited to people who want a choice between an active trail and a geothermal soak, with waterfalls and a crater lake woven into the route.

Think twice if you dislike long vehicle days, find rough roads uncomfortable, or want a tightly scheduled hike with guaranteed clear views. The Jeep’s suspension may not suit everyone, and Hekla can disappear behind cloud. For a first look at Iceland’s interior, though, this trip packs a wide range of Highland scenery into one guided outing.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 11 hours, including travel from Reykjavík and the stops along the route.

What can I do at Landmannalaugar?

You can either take a hike with your guide or bathe in a geothermal pool. Bring hiking boots for the trail, or swimwear and a towel for the pool.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need for the day.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring warm clothing, a windbreaker, waterproof shoes and a camera. Add swimwear and a towel if you plan to bathe.

Is pickup available outside Reykjavík?

Pickup times are listed for Hveragerði at 8:55 a.m., Selfoss at 9:30 a.m. and Hotel Hella at 9:50 a.m. Hotel Hella is pickup only, with no drop-off there.

Can children under six join?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under six.