Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour

The draw here is the changing scenery: you go from Hekla’s volcanic country and Landmannalaugar’s colorful rhyolite hills to views of glaciers and Þórsmörk. A Super Jeep makes this long route into the Highlands possible, while the day is built around stopping to take photographs rather than simply driving through.

I like the small group, capped at 10, and the chance to hear a local guide explain the area’s lesser-known details. I also like that the route offers several very different settings in one day. The trade-off is the length: 12 hours in a vehicle, with no lunch included, so bring food and dress for cold, wet weather.

The essential details

• Landmannalaugar brings the color: Rhyolite mountains, dark lava fields and a geothermal bathing pool make this a central stop for photographs.
• The route covers varied terrain: Expect Hekla, Dómadalur, lakes, Reykjadalir valley, glaciers and views toward Þórsmörk.
• This is a full-day outing: The tour lasts 12 hours and begins and ends at the Bus Stop Hella meeting point.
• The group stays small: No more than 10 participants travel with the local guide.
• Pack your own food and weather gear: Lunch is not included. Warm layers, waterproof outerwear, gloves, a hat and sturdy footwear are advised.

A full day in the Highlands

This is not a quick scenic stop on the way to somewhere else. You spend most of the day moving through Iceland’s southern Highlands, with the Super Jeep carrying you between places that are far apart and varied in appearance. The point is to give you time at selected locations to look, walk around where appropriate and make photographs.

A 12-hour tour suits people who want a broad sense of the region without arranging their own vehicle and route. It also asks something of you: the day is long, weather can change, and the scenery is best enjoyed with warm clothing and patience. If you prefer short outings or need a relaxed pace with few hours on the road, this may not be the right fit.

The tour starts in Hella, at the bus stop parking lot in front of the glass building. It ends back there, so plan your day around returning to the same point. Starting times vary, and you need to check availability for the date you want.

Hekla and the approach through Dómadalur

The journey heads toward Hekla, a volcano sometimes called the Gateway to Hell. That nickname gives the first stretch a dramatic frame, but the real value is seeing how the route moves into the Highlands and away from the settled south coast.

From Hekla, the drive continues through Dómadalur valley toward Frostastaðavatn and Ljótipollur. These lakes add a different subject to your photographs after the volcanic scenery. As the day unfolds, the variety matters: you are not spending 12 hours looking at one type of terrain from the jeep window.

The details of conditions and visibility can affect what you see at each stop. Icelandic weather is changeable, so keep your camera and spare batteries protected, and wear layers you can adjust. The tour information does not specify camera equipment or walking distances, so bring the setup you can comfortably carry and ask the operator about any gear-specific questions before booking.

Landmannalaugar, the photographic centerpiece

Landmannalaugar is the most distinctive stop on the route. Its rhyolite mountains are known for their varied colors, set against steep black lava fields. The contrast gives you plenty to study through a lens, especially if you enjoy photographing patterns, texture and shifts in color rather than only wide panoramas.

There is also a geothermal bathing pool in the area. Its presence adds another layer to the setting, but the tour details do not say that bathing is included or that there is time to swim. Treat it as part of the scenery unless the operator confirms otherwise, and do not assume you should pack for a bath in place of practical outdoor clothing.

The tour allows a substantial stop here, which is useful for a photography-focused day. You can take time to frame a shot rather than rush from the vehicle, though the exact amount of time at each location is not stated. If Landmannalaugar is your main reason for booking, this route gives it a place in a wider day of Highland scenery rather than making it the only destination.

Reykjadalir, glaciers and the Laugavegur route

After Landmannalaugar, the tour heads toward the famous Laugavegur trail and drives down Reykjadalir valley, an area with geothermal features. The route then opens to views of Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. These large ice caps make for a striking change after the colorful mountains and dark lava.

The drive continues toward Road 1, where the scenery changes again as ice caps come into view near Emstrur hut. That sequence is one of the day’s strengths: you get a sense of how quickly Iceland’s highland terrain can shift from geothermal ground to open views of ice. The trip is designed to give you different photographic subjects, not just one famous viewpoint.

The route’s name includes Laugavegur, but this is a Jeep photography tour, not a description of a multi-day hike. If you are hoping to walk a section of the trail, ask the operator what time is available on foot. The information provided focuses on driving between locations and stopping to photograph.

The final views toward Þórsmörk

As the tour draws toward its end, the route offers final views of Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk valley from the west side of Markarfljótsgljúfur. The day’s last photographs may be especially satisfying if the earlier stops have filled your memory card, so bring extra storage if you have it.

This ending also shows why the route is more than a Landmannalaugar outing. You see several parts of the southern Highlands, with volcanoes, valleys, geothermal areas, lakes and ice in the same long day. The downside is that the drive itself takes time. If you want to linger for hours at one location or work slowly with a tripod, you may prefer a shorter, more focused outing.

What the guide adds

A local guide is included, and the tour is offered in English and Icelandic. The guide’s role matters on a route like this: the scenery is the main event, but local explanations can help you understand what you are looking at and notice details you might otherwise pass by.

The guide has been praised for being friendly, clear and enthusiastic about sharing knowledge of the area and homeland. That kind of commentary can make the long drive feel more connected to the place, rather than just a transfer between photo stops. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect a particular person when booking.

With a maximum of 10 participants, the group is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach tour. It does not guarantee that every stop will be private or that you will have unlimited time, but it does keep the group size manageable for a day built around looking and taking pictures.

Is $590 per person good value?

At $590 per person, this is a substantial purchase. The value depends on what you want from the day: you are paying for a 12-hour guided trip through remote Highland areas in a Super Jeep, a small group and a route that connects several distinct regions. If you would otherwise need to arrange transport and navigate this route yourself, having a local guide and vehicle may be a meaningful part of the value.

It is less compelling if you are mainly looking for a short visit to Landmannalaugar, or if you do not care much about photography and scenic stops. The tour’s appeal lies in the variety and the time spent exploring through your camera. Lunch is not included, so factor in food and snacks when considering the day’s cost.

The tour offers reserve-now, pay-later booking and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms can help if your plans are not settled, but check the exact availability and conditions for your chosen date before committing.

What to bring for a long day outside

The Highlands call for practical clothing, not just a camera-ready outfit. Bring warm outdoor layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, a hat, gloves and suitable hiking boots or shoes. The tour also advises bringing snacks, and since lunch is excluded, pack enough food for a 12-hour outing.

Photography adds a few sensible considerations. Carry the camera gear you can manage in changing outdoor conditions, and consider bringing spare memory cards so you are not forced to ration shots late in the day. These are practical suggestions, not equipment supplied by the tour; no camera or specialist photography gear is listed as included.

Children under 6 are not suited to this activity. For older children, the available information does not give a minimum age beyond that restriction, so check with the operator if you are planning to bring a child.

Who should book this tour?

I would consider this tour if photography is a central part of your Iceland trip and you want a local guide to lead you through a wide range of Highland scenery. It is especially suited to people who enjoy taking their time at viewpoints, can manage a long day and are happy to bring their own lunch and outdoor gear.

It may not suit you if you want a short excursion, prefer to choose your own pace at every stop, or are uncomfortable spending much of the day travelling between locations. The group limit of 10 helps keep the outing intimate, but it remains a shared tour with a fixed route.

Book it if you want one long, varied day of Highland photography and value having the transport and local guide arranged. If you want a slower visit focused only on Landmannalaugar, or need more detail about walking time and stop lengths, ask the operator before you reserve.

FAQ

How long is the Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour?

The tour lasts 12 hours. Check availability for starting times on your chosen date.

How much does the tour cost?

The stated price is $590 per person.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Bus Stop Hella, in the parking lot in front of the glass building.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point in Hella.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide is available in English and Icelandic.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so bring food and snacks for the day.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring warm outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear, gloves, suitable hiking boots or shoes, and some snacks.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 6 are not suited to this activity.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.