Eyjafjallajokull and Thorsmork Experience

Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk are not places you reach by simply following the South Coast highway. This private 10-hour tour takes you into rougher country in a modified Super Jeep, with an expert driver-guide at the wheel. I like the combination of famous waterfall and highland terrain, and I like that the small group is just your own party. One important consideration: the route depends on conditions, and the $1,917.22 group price is a substantial outlay.

The best reason to choose this trip is the access. Narrow gravel tracks, steep ground and river crossings call for a capable vehicle and a guide who knows where it is safe to go. The main trade-off is that the advertised stops are only part of a long day, with much of the experience spent getting between them. Pack snacks, warm layers and sturdy shoes, and make sure you understand whether driving the truck yourself is part of your specific booking.

The essentials at a glance

• A private outing for up to three: You travel only with your own party and guide, rather than joining a larger bus group.
• A modified Super Jeep: The included vehicle has a 38-inch modification or larger, built for rougher roads and river crossings.
• Three contrasting stops: See Seljalandsfoss, walk into Stakkholtsgjá and visit the Eyjafjallajökull area.
• A full day out: The tour lasts about 10 hours and starts at 8:30 am.
• Bring your own food: Lunch is not included. Snacks are recommended, along with warm outdoor clothing, good shoes and a camera.
• Check the driving arrangement: The tour includes a driver-guide, but some Arctic Trucks experiences have offered time behind the wheel. Confirm that option for this exact tour before booking.

A private Super Jeep day from Reykjavík

This is a South Iceland outing with an emphasis on getting beyond the standard roadside stops. The Super Jeep is not just a comfortable transfer between sights. Its large tires and modifications are meant to handle the rougher terrain that makes the Þórsmörk area difficult to reach in an ordinary car.

The tour is private for your group of up to three people. That means you can ask questions, spend time with your guide and avoid adapting your day to a coachload of strangers. It does not mean the whole day is spent out of the vehicle: the route covers a broad area, and the drive is part of the point.

The included guide is also the driver. Previous Arctic Trucks outings have had guides such as Skooli, Ingo, Arnar and Jói, though you should not expect a particular guide on your date. The useful thing is the role: someone familiar with the vehicle and route can make decisions about rough ground and river crossings that would be hard to judge on your own.

There is a wrinkle for anyone hoping to drive. Some Arctic Trucks customers have taken the wheel for part of an outing, but the package details here promise an expert driver-guide, not self-driving time. Ask the operator directly whether you can drive, what conditions apply and whether it changes the price. Do not assume the driving option is included just because other Arctic Trucks trips have offered it.

Seljalandsfoss, with a wet walk behind the falls

The first named stop is Seljalandsfoss, where the distinctive feature is a path that can take you behind the waterfall. In summer, you can circle the large hollow in the cliff using rocky sections and walkways. From behind the falling water, the view back out is quite different from the usual front-on look.

Allow for spray. The path can be wet and slippery, so shoes with a solid grip are a better choice than smooth-soled footwear. A waterproof layer is sensible too, especially if you want to walk behind the cascade rather than admire it from a dry distance.

The scheduled stop is 30 minutes. That is enough for a look and a walk if conditions allow, but not a leisurely visit if the path is busy or you move slowly over slick ground. The waterfall is a memorable start, but it is also the most familiar, easy-to-reach sight on a day whose main draw is the more rugged country ahead.

Stakkholtsgjá, a narrow canyon walk

Stakkholtsgjá is about two kilometres long and roughly 100 metres deep. It begins broad, then narrows as you go farther in, with small streams crossing the canyon floor. The scale changes as you walk: high walls make the route feel enclosed, while water and rock keep the ground irregular.

The planned stop is one hour. You will want shoes that can cope with uneven ground and streams, and you should be prepared to turn back when the time is up rather than walk the canyon’s full length. The supplied details do not promise a particular walking distance, so treat this as a chance to explore a section, not a guaranteed two-kilometre hike.

This is one of the stops that makes the tour feel different from a simple waterfall-and-viewpoint circuit. The canyon sits within the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve, and reaching it is part of the appeal. Still, walking in a gorge takes more care than stepping out for a quick photo. Watch your footing, take your time around water, and follow your guide’s advice.

Eyjafjallajökull and the highland route

Eyjafjallajökull is best known outside Iceland for its volcanic eruption, but the area is also a major glacier setting. The glacier covers more than 100 square kilometres and is Iceland’s sixth largest. Nearby Mýrdalsjökull is larger and covers Katla, another well-known volcano.

One outlet glacier, Gígjökull, feeds meltwater into rivers in the region. The water system connects these highland features to places on the South Coast, including Seljalandsfoss. It is a useful reminder that the waterfall and the glacier country are not isolated sights: water moves through the same larger environment.

The scheduled stop is one hour. The description does not promise glacier walking, a particular viewpoint or access onto the ice, so book this as a visit to the Eyjafjallajökull area rather than a glacier hike. The actual route can change with conditions. In one outing, fog and warm weather made glacier driving unsuitable, and the route shifted to other terrain. That flexibility can preserve a good day, but it also means you should not expect a fixed sequence of sights regardless of weather.

What the driving adds

The Super Jeep is central to the experience. Arctic Trucks vehicles described in past outings include modified Toyota Land Cruisers and Hilux models. Their large tires and off-road modifications are designed to handle ground that a standard car cannot manage safely.

The route may include narrow gravel roads, steep inclines and river crossings. Those details matter: this is not merely a drive with a dramatic vehicle for show. A guide has to judge the crossing and terrain, and you should be ready for a bumpy ride. The exact route and conditions vary, so no one can promise a particular number of crossings or that every planned area will be reachable.

Past Arctic Trucks outings have also included black sand beach driving, canyon walks and waterfalls. Those are examples of how a day can unfold, not guaranteed stops on this tour. The named itinerary here is Seljalandsfoss, Stakkholtsgjá and Eyjafjallajökull. Ask the operator what route is expected for your date, especially if there is a specific place you most want to see.

The vehicle can be a highlight in its own right. One past outing included a passenger getting stuck after the truck bottomed out, followed by a guide-led recovery. That is a reminder that capable equipment does not make every patch of ground foolproof. It also shows why this is better suited to people comfortable with a bit of uncertainty than to anyone expecting a smooth, predictable sightseeing loop.

Is $1,917.22 fair value?

The price is $1,917.22 per group of up to three, not per person. Split among three, that is about $639 per person; for two, about $959 each; and for a solo booking, the full group price. The cost is high, but you are paying for a private 10-hour outing, hotel pickup and drop-off, a modified vehicle and an expert driver-guide.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your priority is reaching rough highland terrain without having to navigate a Super Jeep yourself, a private guided trip offers practical help as well as transport. You can ask your guide about the places you pass and leave the route choices to someone familiar with the vehicle and conditions.

If you mainly want Seljalandsfoss, you can visit that waterfall without committing to a costly full-day tour. The price makes more sense if you value Þórsmörk, the canyon and the off-road journey as much as the named stops. For a larger party of three, the per-person cost is easier to justify than for one or two.

Lunch is not included. Bring snacks for the day, and plan your food rather than assuming you will have a meal provided. You will also want warm outdoor clothing, good shoes and your camera. These are simple preparations, but they matter on a long day with time outdoors and changing route conditions.

Timing, pickup and practical preparation

The start time is 8:30 am. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity ends back at its meeting point. The listed start location is Klettháls 3, 110 Reykjavík, so confirm your pickup details and timing with the operator after booking rather than assuming the street address is your hotel pickup point.

Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is private, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting location is near public transportation, though the included pickup makes public transport less central for most people joining the tour.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made later than that are not refunded, and changes inside the 24-hour window are not accepted. Those times are based on local time.

For clothes, think warm and practical rather than stylish and delicate. Seljalandsfoss can leave you wet, and the canyon has streams and uneven ground. Bring shoes with grip, an outer layer suitable for time outside, snacks and a camera. If you are considering self-driving, bring your driver’s licence, but confirm first that driving is part of your booked package.

Who should book this tour?

This suits a small party that wants a private day with a guide and is keen on rugged terrain, not just quick photo stops. It is especially appealing if the idea of a capable 4×4 handling gravel, steep sections and river crossings is part of the fun. The guide can help you understand the route and vehicle, while you stay focused on the scenery.

It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed glacier visit, a fixed route or a low-cost way to see the South Coast. Weather and ground conditions can redirect the day, and the package does not include lunch. If you are set on driving, verify that detail before you pay.

I would book it if Þórsmörk and the off-road journey are the main reason you are going, and if the group price works for your party. I would choose a simpler South Coast excursion if your must-see list begins and ends with Seljalandsfoss. The difference is not just the vehicle: it is whether you want a full day of guided access into rough country, with the uncertainty that comes with it.

FAQ

How long is the Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. It starts at 8:30 am.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $1,917.22 per group of up to three people.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your party participates, with a guide-driver.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The listed meeting point is Klettháls 3 in Reykjavík, so confirm your specific pickup details with the operator.

What stops are included?

The named stops are Seljalandsfoss, Stakkholtsgjá and the Eyjafjallajökull area.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Bring snacks for the day.

What should I bring?

Warm outdoor clothing, good shoes, snacks and a camera are recommended. Bring a driver’s licence if you have arranged a self-drive option.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.