Reykjavík: Landmannalaugar & Icelandic Highlands Super Jeep Tour

One day, five kinds of Iceland. I love how this super jeep packs Highlands highlights into a single outing, from rhyolite mountains to geothermal pools and volcanic scenery. Two things I really like: you get geothermal hot spring bathing included, and there is WiFi on board plus a driver who keeps the day moving smartly.

The route also includes short, scenic stops like Hjálparfoss and Sigöldufoss, so you see real geology, not just one big destination. One possible drawback is time: Landmannalaugar is only about 90 minutes, and the other stops are brief photo breaks, so come ready to enjoy quick hits rather than long wandering.

Why This Super Jeep Day Feels Efficient (and Fun)

This tour is built for people who want variety without planning a whole itinerary. The big value is the format: a small group, a super jeep that can handle rough Highlands roads, and a driver who knows where to stop.

At the same time, it still feels personal. With a maximum of 19 travelers, you are not stuck behind a giant bus crowd. That matters because the Highlands can be tight, bumpy, and weather-dependent. When the driver can manage timing and pacing for a smaller group, you spend less time waiting and more time outside.

Getting From Reykjavík to the Highlands, Without Guesswork

You start in Reykjavík, with pickup offered from selected locations. It is English-speaking, and you get a mobile ticket. Plan for a morning start, then a long day of driving and stops. The total time is about 11 hours, and that includes travel between destinations.

Two practical perks stand out for me: you do not have to navigate the Highlands roads yourself, and the vehicle includes WiFi on board, which helps when you are relying on your phone for directions, photos, and checking the plan.

Just know the operator does not do pickup from the city center hotels or private Airbnbs. If your lodging is in one of those areas, you will need to use the closest pickup point on their list. (This is one reason the tour works best if you can walk or arrange an easy hop to the pickup spot.)

Hjálparfoss and Sigöldufoss: Two Waterfalls, Two Very Different Colors

After leaving Reykjavík, the day starts with two short stops in South Iceland that quickly teach you something about how Iceland’s water changes the look of the rocks.

At Hjálparfoss (Help’s Falls), you get a small pond and a waterfall split in two, with basalt rock formations all around. The name connects to travelers who once crossed barren highlands, and the spot is described as a welcoming oasis. There is also a useful visual lesson: Hjálparfoss runs from a freshwater river (Fossá), which is typically crisp blue, then it meets a glacial river system (Þjórsá), which is greyish white and sediment-heavy.

Then you move to Sigöldufoss, where the big story is water diverted by the Sigalda Power Plant. The waterfall changed color from greyish, glacial runoff conditions to a striking turquoise because the glacial water is routed into hydroelectric turbines, leaving a smaller clear spring-fed flow. It is a quick stop, but it is memorable because you can actually see the result of infrastructure on natural color and flow.

Time here is brief at about 15 minutes each, so I treat these stops like quick museum visits: enjoy the photo angle, look at the basalt, and then move on.

Landmannalaugar: Rhyolite Colors, Obsidian, and a Hot Springs Dip

The main reason most people choose this tour is Landmannalaugar, often described as the people’s pools, set in the remote southern Highlands. This is where you get the big visual contrast: multicolored rhyolite mountains, lava fields, and geothermal activity.

You have about 90 minutes here, and you get a real choice. You can do a short hike, or you can soak in the natural hot springs. The tour includes the geothermal bathing, and the facility fees are covered, so you are not scrambling for tickets once you arrive.

What to expect when you arrive

Landmannalaugar is not just one view. The geology is what sells it: rhyolite tones, steam vents, crater lakes, and nearby lava and obsidian features. Even if you only do one short hike, you will likely end up with multiple viewpoints because the terrain makes it hard to see everything from one spot.

How to decide: hike or soak

If you want the most Iceland feeling in the least time, plan for both in a simple way. For example, do a quick walk to a viewpoint first, then prioritize soaking. The hot spring break is also a good energy reset, especially after hours of driving.

A realistic time check

Ninety minutes goes fast. If you are the type who likes long, slow trails, you might feel a little rushed. But if you love being outside and grabbing one or two good hikes, this timing is actually a good match for a super jeep day.

Ljótipollur Crater Lake: Quick Stop, Big Color Contrast

After Landmannalaugar, you make a short stop at Ljótipollur, an explosion crater and crater lake in the Highlands. The name translates to ugly puddle, but the colors are the opposite of dull.

You get about 15 minutes here, which is enough to take in the crater setting and the surrounding hills. The reason the colors pop is iron and sulfur deposits in the rocks and soil. The lake is described as roughly 150 meters deep, and even with a short stop, the contrast of red and green tones against the crater environment makes it an easy photo target.

This is not a long sit-and-stare location. Treat it as a color lesson in how Iceland’s minerals shape what you see.

Hekla Photo Stop: Seeing an Iceland Volcano Up Close

Later in the day, you stop near Volcano Hekla for a photo opportunity. Even if you are not a geology nerd, Hekla’s reputation lands fast because it is one of Iceland’s most explosive and unpredictable volcanoes.

The tour information emphasizes that Hekla has erupted between 20 and 30 times since settlement, and it is still active. It also points to a 40-kilometer rift and a particularly active segment called Heklugjá beneath the volcano. Hekla’s summit has several craters, with two described as most prone to eruptions.

One of the wildest facts shared with you is scale: some eruptions were so massive that ash altered the climate of the northern hemisphere for years, and about 10 percent of Iceland’s landmass has been shaped by lava flows from Hekla. Even with only 15 minutes here, you will feel the weight of that history just by looking at the ground and thinking about what kind of power built it.

This is a short stop, so your job is simple: bring your camera settings ready, pick a viewpoint quickly, and enjoy the atmosphere. Then the day moves on.

The Price, and Whether It Feels Like Value

This costs $276.95 per person for an 11-hour day. That might sound high at first, until you break down what is included and what the tour replaces.

You are paying for:

• A super jeep capable of reaching remote Highlands areas
• Pickup within the operator’s allowed list
• WiFi on board
• Landmannalaugar facility fees and geothermal bathing included

You are not paying for lunch or snacks. So if you do not plan to eat on your own, your budget could creep up fast.

For me, the value comes from the combo: Landmannalaugar plus geothermal time plus multiple Highlands stops in one shot. If you tried to assemble this by bus and private car, you would likely spend more time coordinating than actually seeing.

What I Think Is the Best Fit for This Tour

This tour is best if you:

• Want a one-day Highlands hit without planning complicated logistics
• Like short walks paired with a real break, like hot springs bathing
• Enjoy geology and waterfall visuals more than long hikes
• Prefer a small group pace (max 19)

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want lots of time at one site. Landmannalaugar is about 90 minutes, and the other stops are short
• Need a long lunch break. Lunch and snacks are not included, so you should plan for that
• Are depending on pickup from a central city hotel or a private Airbn b. Pickup is limited by traffic restrictions and only happens from specific list locations

A Note on Guide Style, Based on What People Highlight

What really drives satisfaction here is the driver-guides. The names that come up most often in praise include Isabella, along with Rebecka and Rebecca, and the common thread is a friendly, practical approach. People specifically credit guides for making the day fun while staying on top of pacing and safety, and for being flexible if you lean toward hiking more or soaking more.

If guide energy matters to you, this operator seems to deliver.

Should You Book This Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar Super Jeep Tour?

I think you should book it if your goal is variety, geology, and geothermal time, all without getting stuck planning. The best reason is simple: geothermal bathing is included, and the super jeep format lets you see Landmannalaugar plus several nearby geology stops in the same day.

Book it sooner rather than later if your dates are busy. This tour is commonly booked about 55 days in advance on average, so waiting can make it harder to find the slot you want.

Skip it, or at least reconsider, if you want a slow travel day with long hikes and long meals. This is a fast, scenic sampler, with one main event at Landmannalaugar and smaller stops for waterfall color, crater views, and a volcano photo moment.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 am. Pickup is expected at 9:00 am, and the guide may arrive up to 30 minutes after that.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is offered only from pickup locations listed by the operator. Due to traffic restrictions, pickup is not allowed from hotels in the city center or from private Airbnbs.

How long is the tour?

It is about 11 hours in total. The duration includes travel time between destinations.

What is included in the price?

WiFi on board, an expert super jeep driver, Landmannalaugar facility fees, and geothermal bathing are included.

What is not included?

Lunch and snacks are not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 19 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.