From Reykjavik: Day Tour to Landmannalaugar in a Super Jeep

Landmannalaugar is Iceland at its most otherworldly: rainbow-colored rhyolite mountains, black lava fields, blue crater lakes, and a warm river pool tucked into the highlands. A super jeep gets you there by rough mountain roads that ordinary rental cars cannot use, then gives you time to hike and bathe.

I like the mix of active time and scenic stops, especially the chance to choose between an easy walk through Laugahraun and tougher routes toward Bláhnúkur. I also like that the guide handles the driving, river crossings, and highland roads while you watch for Hekla, waterfalls, and the Valley of Tears. The drawback is the price, $359 per person, and the fact that Landmannalaugar is partly self-guided once you arrive.

Key points

• Three hours at Landmannalaugar: Choose a 4.5-kilometer lava-field walk, a steeper mountain hike, a hot-spring soak, or a mix of all three.
• A full highland circuit: The route includes Hekla, Hnausapollur, Ljótipollur, Sigöldugljúfur, Sigöldufoss, and Hjálparfoss.
• A real super-jeep setting: Expect about two hours of travel each way, including rough roads and highland driving.
• Guides who shape the day: Guides such as Ole, also referred to as Oli, explain the country and may adjust stops when weather changes.
• Pack for changeable conditions: Bring warm clothes, swimwear, a towel, comfortable walking clothes, and a camera.
• Best for active sightseers: The tour suits people who can walk on uneven ground and do not need mobility assistance.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth the long ride

Landmannalaugar sits in Iceland’s southern highlands, far beyond the easy coastal sightseeing route. The trip takes time, but the scenery changes steadily from open southern farmland to volcanic country where color comes from rock rather than flowers.

The rhyolite mountains are the star. Their reds, yellows, greens, and muted blues come from minerals in the volcanic rock, and the colors shift as clouds move across the slopes. Black lava from the Laugahraun field adds a sharp contrast.

This is not a quick roadside attraction. You spend much of the day reaching the area, then about three hours on site. That makes the tour a good match if you want one major highland outing rather than several short stops around Reykjavik.

The super jeep ride from Reykjavik

Pickup is offered in Reykjavik, Kópavogur, Selfoss, Hella, and Hveragerði. If you are staying in Reykjavik, hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you should be ready at least five minutes before the scheduled time.

The vehicle is built for Iceland’s rougher roads, but it is worth setting expectations carefully. One person described the vehicle as an elongated Ford Excursion rather than the more dramatic custom super jeep pictured in many people’s imagination. The important point is less the badge and more the ability to handle the route into the highlands.

The ride takes about two hours each way. Parts of the route are bumpy, and the road can make the journey feel like an adventure before you reach the hiking area. If you want a smooth coach ride, this is not the right outing. If you enjoy rough roads, river crossings, and changing views, the drive is part of the appeal.

Your English-speaking driver-guide does the work on roads that demand attention. Guides such as Ole, also called Oli in tour feedback, have been praised for explaining Iceland and for adding extra sights when poor weather affects the planned route. Still, the exact amount of commentary and the length of some stops can vary with wind, rain, and road conditions.

Hekla and the first volcanic views

The route heads toward Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. The stop is near the base, giving you a chance to see the scale of this broad volcanic area before the road turns farther into the highlands.

Hekla has a powerful reputation in Iceland, but this stop is not a volcano climb. Think of it as a scenic and geographic introduction to the region. Your guide can help connect the views to Iceland’s volcanic setting, while the open surroundings make a good early photo stop.

The weather matters here. Low cloud can hide the upper slopes, and strong wind can shorten the time outside. A good jacket is not optional, even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave.

Three hours to make Landmannalaugar your own

The main stop lasts roughly three hours, though the itinerary also describes about two hours of free time. In practical terms, plan for a substantial independent visit with time for walking and the geothermal pool. Your guide will explain the choices, but you should arrive with a rough plan.

The easiest popular option is the 4.5-kilometer route through Laugahraun. It takes about two hours and gives you a close look at the lava field and the colorful mountains. This is a sensible choice if you want to walk without turning the day into a hard hike.

For a bigger challenge, you can head toward Brennisteinsalda, the colorful mountain often called the Rainbow Mountain. Bláhnúkur and Suðurnámur offer more demanding routes, with steeper and sometimes slippery ground.

One useful point is that you are largely responsible for choosing and managing your walk once you arrive. If you already know you want the Bláhnúkur route, learn the options before the tour and use your time well. The route toward Bláhnúkur can take about three hours in wet and windy conditions, including photographs, and signs at junctions may not always feel obvious.

Do not treat this as a guided group hike unless your guide specifically says otherwise. The tour provides transport and orientation, but you may be told to return to the vehicle at a set time and then set off independently. That arrangement gives you freedom, but it also rewards basic preparation.

The natural hot pool, with simple facilities

After walking, you can soak in Landmannalaugar’s naturally heated pool. Warm water flowing through the area creates a memorable place to rest tired legs, and the setting feels much more elemental than a modern spa.

Bring a towel and swimwear. There are no changing rooms around the pool, so changing requires privacy and common sense. A paid restroom is about 100 yards away, and the facility fee at Landmannalaugar is covered by the tour, but that does not mean every nearby service is free.

The pool is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip, especially if you combine a hike with a short soak. Keep an eye on the clock, though. Three hours sounds generous until you walk, change, bathe, take photos, and return to the vehicle.

Hnausapollur and Ljótipollur: crater lakes in volcanic country

The return route includes Hnausapollur and Ljótipollur, two volcanic craters with blue water inside. These stops are mainly for photographs and short guided explanations, not long walks.

Hnausapollur is a broad crater lake with stark volcanic sides. Ljótipollur, despite a name that translates roughly as Ugly Puddle, is visually striking, with red-toned crater walls and water that can appear intensely blue under the right sky.

These stops help you read Iceland’s geology. You are not simply looking at a lake. You are seeing water gathered inside old volcanic scars, surrounded by open country shaped by eruptions and erosion.

The downside is time. Stops are listed at about 30 minutes, and windy weather may shorten them. Have your camera ready, listen for the guide’s directions, and avoid expecting a long trail at each crater.

Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears

Sigöldugljúfur is one of the most distinctive stops on the route. The canyon is known as the Valley of Tears because of the many streams and waterfalls running through its rocky walls.

This is a place where a short stop can still feel worthwhile. Water cuts through dark volcanic ground, while green patches and small cascades soften the harsh setting. The contrast between dry rock and moving water makes it one of the better photography locations of the day.

Your guide leads the stop and gives you time for pictures. It is not a strenuous hike, but the ground may be uneven. Wear shoes that can handle wet or rough surfaces rather than casual city footwear.

Sigöldufoss and Hjálparfoss add two different waterfalls

Sigöldufoss is another waterfall on the return route, with the highland setting giving it a more remote feel than the falls close to Reykjavik. The stop keeps the day from becoming only about mountains and craters.

Hjálparfoss provides a different finish. The waterfall sits where rivers meet, and the surrounding rock gives it a strong volcanic frame. It is a compact, rewarding stop after the longer highland drive.

Both waterfall visits are listed as photo stops with guided time of about 30 minutes. That is enough to see the falls and take pictures, but not enough for a long wander. If waterfalls are your main priority, keep this timing in mind. The tour offers variety rather than extended time at any single fall.

What the $359 price really buys you

At $359 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The price is easier to justify if you value access to the highlands, hotel pickup, a professional driver-guide, and a smaller vehicle designed for rough roads.

You are also paying for a route that combines many sights in one day. Hekla, Landmannalaugar, two crater lakes, a canyon, and two waterfalls would be difficult to arrange independently without a suitable vehicle, highland driving experience, and careful attention to road conditions.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want transport to Landmannalaugar and are comfortable arranging a cheaper bus option. Some people find the price difference between a bus outing and a jeep tour significant, and the jeep does not guarantee more time at each stop. The extra cost buys a different style of travel, not necessarily a longer hike or a private guide.

The experience also appears to function more like a shared day tour than a private custom trip. You need to respect the group schedule, especially at Landmannalaugar. If one person returns late, the whole vehicle can lose time.

Weather, clothing, and physical demands

Iceland’s highlands can change quickly. Rain, wind, low cloud, and slippery paths may affect the route, the views, and the length of stops. The tour may be rescheduled or refunded if conditions are unsuitable.

Wear warm layers and comfortable clothes you can walk in. Bring swimwear and a towel for the pool, plus sturdy footwear for uneven volcanic ground. A camera is worth packing, but protect it from rain and spray.

No previous hiking experience is required, and the tour is open to beginners. Still, the more demanding routes can be steep or slippery. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the rough vehicle ride may be uncomfortable if you need an especially smooth or accessible journey.

Children under 12 can join free of charge, and car seats are available on request. Confirm the seat need when booking rather than waiting until pickup.

Lunch and timing on a ten-hour day

Lunch is not included. Bring food and water, since the day lasts about ten hours and the main stop is in a remote highland setting. The information provided does not specify a meal stop, so you should not count on buying lunch during the route.

The schedule includes roughly two hours of driving to Landmannalaugar, about three hours at the site, several 30-minute scenic stops, and two hours back. Exact timings may shift with road and weather conditions.

That makes this a full day, not a relaxed half-day outing. Pick it if you want to see a large slice of southern Iceland in one go. Skip it if you prefer slow meals, long visits, or plenty of unplanned time.

Who should book this Landmannalaugar tour?

I would choose this tour if you want the highlands without renting a specialized vehicle, and if you like a full day built around scenery, short walks, and one worthwhile soak. It is especially good for people who want both famous sights and less familiar stops such as Sigöldugljúfur.

You should also be comfortable making your own hiking choice at Landmannalaugar. Prepare the route before you arrive if you have a specific goal, such as Bláhnúkur or Brennisteinsalda.

I would think twice if your priority is a private guide, a long guided hike, or the lowest possible price. The super jeep adds access and a more adventurous ride, but the day remains shared, weather-sensitive, and physically demanding.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if Landmannalaugar is high on your Iceland list and you want the convenience of transport, a driver-guide, and a broad collection of volcanic sights in one day. The geothermal pool, colorful rhyolite mountains, and Valley of Tears make the trip more than a simple drive to a hiking trail.

Skip it if $359 feels too steep for a day with substantial driving, or if you want full control over your pace. For the right person, the price pays for access to a remote part of Iceland and removes the worry of handling highland roads yourself. Just bring lunch, prepare for rough travel, and use your three hours at Landmannalaugar carefully.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar super jeep tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours. The drive to Landmannalaugar takes about two hours, and the return drive takes about two hours, with hiking time and scenic stops in between.

What is the price of the tour?

The listed price is $359 per person.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available in Reykjavik, Kópavogur, Selfoss, Hella, and Hveragerði. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodation in Reykjavik.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring food for the full-day outing.

How much time do I get at Landmannalaugar?

You have about three hours at Landmannalaugar, although the itinerary also describes the free-time portion as about two hours. Your guide will provide the schedule for the day.

Can I hike at Landmannalaugar?

Yes. You can choose among several hiking options, including the roughly 4.5-kilometer Laugahraun route and more demanding routes toward Brennisteinsalda, Bláhnúkur, and Suðurnámur.

Can I swim in a geothermal pool?

Yes. The tour includes time for a soak in a naturally heated geothermal pool at Landmannalaugar.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable walking clothes, swimwear, a towel, and a camera.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 12 can join free of charge. Children’s car seats are available on request.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour is weather-dependent. If conditions are unsuitable, you can be offered another date or a full refund.