Hot springs and waterfalls, private super jeep tour

This private super jeep tour trades busy roads for Iceland’s uninhabited highlands, where three very different waterfalls lead to a warm geothermal pool at Laugafell. You get a full day outdoors, with hotel or port pickup and your own guide rather than a large coach group.

I like the excellent mix of scenery and bathing, and I like the flexibility that comes with a private vehicle for up to four people. Guide Kristjan is named in the tour information, and the experience has received a perfect rating from its two posted reviews. The main drawback is simple: the price is high, especially for one or two people, and the weather can cancel the day.

Key points at a glance

• Three waterfalls in one day: See Goðafoss, Aldeyjarfoss, and Hrafnabjargarfoss, each with a different setting and character.
• A real highland hot spring: Laugafell gives you a 50-minute soak surrounded by open Icelandic nature.
• Private for up to four: Your group rides together, with hotel, port, pickup, and drop-off service included.
• A long but worthwhile outing: Plan on roughly 9 to 10 hours, including the highland drive and short waterfall walks.
• Bring your own lunch: Food and drinks are not included, so pack a picnic for the road.
• Weather matters: The tour requires good conditions, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this Akureyri day trip feels different

Many northern Iceland excursions focus on sights reached by paved roads and short walks. This one aims farther out. After visiting Goðafoss, you leave the more familiar sightseeing circuit and head toward the central highlands in a super jeep.

That change matters. The point is not only to collect three waterfalls. You are also getting a long day in a quieter part of Iceland, followed by a soak in a geothermal pool. The experience combines movement and stillness: rushing water early in the day, then warm water and open views at Laugafell.

The private format helps here. Up to four people can share the vehicle, so you are not tied to a large group’s pace. You can focus on the stops, ask questions, and spend your attention on the scenery instead of managing a crowd.

The drive makes this a serious day out, not a quick half-day stop. You should be comfortable with a 9 to 10 hour excursion and ready for changing weather. I would choose it for a full day based in Akureyri, especially if you want something more active and less routine than a standard city-side tour.

Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods

Goðafoss is the first listed stop, with about 20 minutes to see it. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, giving the opening stop a memorable title and a strong sense of place.

The visit is short, but that can work well at the start of a long day. You get time to take in the falls, photograph the broad rush of water, and get your bearings before continuing. There is no admission charge listed for this stop.

Goðafoss is also a useful first contrast for the rest of the day. It is a well-known waterfall, while Aldeyjarfoss and Hrafnabjargarfoss offer a more remote feel. If you have already seen Goðafoss on another trip, the later stops and the Laugafell soak are the parts that give this outing its special value.

You should not expect a long hike here. The planned stop is only 20 minutes, so keep your visit focused and follow your guide’s timing. Waterproof outer layers and sturdy shoes still make sense, since Icelandic weather can change quickly even during a short walk.

Aldeyjarfoss and its basalt columns

The second stop is Aldeyjarfoss, also scheduled for about 20 minutes. Its main feature is the contrast between white water and dark basalt columns around the falls.

This is the stop for travelers who enjoy Iceland’s geology as much as its water. The columns give the waterfall a strong frame, and the rock formations make it look quite different from Goðafoss. You will want a camera here, but sturdy footwear matters more than fancy equipment.

The brief visit keeps the full day moving, yet it also means you should not count on a long period for hiking or lingering. This tour is built around several sights rather than one extended walk. If you prefer a slow morning at a single waterfall, the schedule may feel brisk. If you want several distinct scenes in one outing, the pacing makes sense.

No admission fee is listed for Aldeyjarfoss. The value comes from reaching a more remote waterfall as part of a private highland route, rather than paying separate entrance charges at each stop.

Hrafnabjargarfoss, the shortest waterfall stop

Hrafnabjargarfoss gets about 15 minutes, making it the shortest listed stop. It is described as a less familiar waterfall, and its place in the schedule gives you one more change of scenery before the hot spring.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not for a long walk or a relaxed picnic. I would treat this as a focused photo stop. Keep your warm layer close and your shoes on, since the weather may be colder in the highlands than it feels in Akureyri.

The three waterfall visits work best as a set. Goðafoss gives you the famous name, Aldeyjarfoss supplies the basalt columns, and Hrafnabjargarfoss adds a quieter stop. None of these visits is presented as a long hike, so the tour suits you if you want varied scenery without spending the whole day on foot.

The highland drive to Laugafell

After the waterfalls, the tour turns toward Laugafell through Iceland’s uninhabited highlands. This is the part that sets the trip apart from a standard waterfall outing.

The supplied information does not promise a particular road surface, vehicle model, or exact driving route, so you should focus on the broad point: this is a super jeep journey into a remote region. The vehicle and local guide are there to make that route possible, while pickup and drop-off remove the need to arrange your own transport.

The drive takes time. That is part of the experience, but it is also the main practical consideration. You will spend much of the 9 to 10 hour day in the vehicle between short sightseeing stops and the longer hot spring visit. Bring water, snacks, and something to occupy you during the road sections.

This is also where warm clothing earns its place. The instructions specifically call for good warm clothes because conditions in the region can be cold. A sunny departure from Akureyri does not guarantee a warm day at Laugafell.

A 50-minute soak at Laugafell

Laugafell is the heart of the tour for many people. The natural hot spring is set in the Icelandic highlands, and you get about 50 minutes to bathe in the geothermal pool.

That time is long enough to make the stop feel like a proper part of the day, not a rushed dip between photographs. After the waterfall visits and highland drive, warm water offers a welcome change of pace. You can sit, look around, and enjoy the unusual feeling of bathing far from town.

The geothermal pool service fee is included. You still need to bring a swimsuit and towel. Food and drinks are not included, and a picnic for the road is specifically recommended, so pack before pickup rather than hoping to buy something along the way.

The available information does not mention changing facilities, lockers, or showers. I would keep your swim items easy to reach and avoid assuming that extra amenities will be available. A dry bag or waterproof bag may also be useful, though no such equipment is supplied in the tour details.

The pool is natural and outdoors, so do not expect the same setup as a polished spa. That is the appeal, but it also means you should be ready for a simple, weather-dependent stop. Bring warm clothes for getting dressed again, even if the water is comfortable.

The return to Akureyri and Eyjafjörður views

On the way back, the tour includes a spectacular view over Eyjafjörður. This gives the return journey a final scenic feature rather than ending as a straight ride back to town.

The fjord view also brings the day full circle. You begin near Akureyri, travel into remote highland country, and return with a broad view over the water and surrounding area. Since no exact viewpoint or stop length is provided, think of this as a scenic part of the route rather than a guaranteed long walking stop.

By this stage, the private arrangement is especially useful. You can settle into your own group’s pace after a full day outside. The guide handles the driving, and hotel or port drop-off is included.

What the private format is worth

The cost is $1,179.95 per group of up to four people. That is a substantial price, but the right comparison is not the cost of four ordinary admission tickets. You are paying for a private vehicle, a driver-guide, pickup and drop-off, access to a remote route, and the hot spring service fee.

For four people, the cost works out to about $295 per person before any food or drinks. For two people, it is about $590 each, and for one person the value is much harder to defend. The tour makes the most financial sense for a family or group of friends who will fill all four seats.

The private setup also has practical value. You do not share the activity with other groups, and you are not buying a seat on a large coach with a fixed crowd. That can make the long day more comfortable and personal.

Still, the price does not include meals. Pack a picnic, snacks, and drinks. The day is long enough that relying on a quick stop in town would be a poor plan.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want a full-day nature outing from Akureyri and like the idea of pairing waterfalls with a hot spring. It is particularly well suited to a group of up to four, since the cost spreads more fairly.

It also fits you if you prefer a private experience and want a local guide handling the route. Guide Kristjan is named in the available information, and the tour description emphasizes a certified local guide. That local connection is useful on a remote route, where context and practical judgment add more than a printed map can.

You should think twice if you dislike long vehicle rides, want a guaranteed warm-weather day, or prefer a tightly scheduled series of easy roadside stops. The tour depends on good weather, and the highlands can be cold.

Most people can participate, according to the tour details, but you still need good hiking shoes and warm clothes. The stops are short, yet this is not a city stroll. You will be outdoors in a remote region and should prepare accordingly.

Practical preparation for a smoother day

Pack these items where you can reach them without unpacking the vehicle:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Warm clothing for the highlands
• Good hiking shoes
• Picnic lunch, snacks, and drinks
• A waterproof layer for changing conditions

The tour offers hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as port pickup and drop-off. That makes it useful for people staying in Akureyri and for cruise passengers with a suitable schedule. The stated meeting window lists departures between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM from July 1 through October 1, 2025, Monday through Sunday. Confirm the exact pickup time for your date when booking.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile. The tour is private, with only your group participating.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since the experience requires good weather, poor conditions may lead to another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Laugafell super jeep tour?

Book it if you have a group of four, want a full day beyond Akureyri, and see a remote hot spring as the main prize. The three waterfalls give the outing variety, while Laugafell provides the memorable pause that makes the long drive worthwhile.

Skip it if the price is too high for your group size or if you want a short, low-effort sightseeing trip. This is a long, weather-sensitive day with a lot of driving. For the right group, though, the combination of private transport, three waterfalls, an outdoor geothermal bath, and Eyjafjörður views offers a distinctive way to see northern Iceland.

FAQ

How long does the private super jeep tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to four people. Only your group participates.

Are hotel and port pickups included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off, along with port pickup and drop-off, are included.

Is the Laugafell geothermal pool included?

Yes. The geothermal pool service fee is included, and the planned bathing time is about 50 minutes.

What should I bring?

Bring good hiking shoes, a swimsuit, a towel, warm clothes, and a picnic with food and drinks. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.