3 Day Akureyri & Mývatn (from Reykjavík) – PRIVATE TOUR

Northern Iceland rewards the curious. This private three-day trip links Langjökull Glacier, Goðafoss, Mývatn, and Tröllaskagi in one long sweep from Reykjavík, giving you far more than a quick taste of the north. I like the mix of major sights and small villages, and I like that the trip includes both an ice tunnel and a geothermal bath. The main drawback is the price: at $3,470.04 per person, this is a serious splurge, especially since lunch and dinner are extra.

You also need to accept long driving days and a schedule shaped by weather. Still, private transport, accommodation, glacier admission, and entry to Mývatn Nature Baths are included. The owner, Helga, is described as flexible and willing to add activities to suit a group, which may matter if you want something more personal than a standard coach trip.

The northern Iceland highlights at a glance

• Langjökull ice tunnel: Walk inside Iceland’s second-largest glacier, with admission included.
• Goðafoss and Mývatn: See the Waterfall of the Gods, pseudocraters, lava formations, geothermal ground, and Krafla volcano.
• Private format: Only your group takes part, with pickup transportation and a 9:00 am start.
• Akureyri base: Spend time in Iceland’s northern capital, including a short city tour and dinner on your own.
• Tröllaskagi by the Arctic Ocean: Return through fishing villages and open coastal scenery on the northern tip of the peninsula.
• A flexible operator: Helga of Travelling Iceland is noted for adjusting programs around a group’s interests.

Why this route works from Reykjavík

Driving from Reykjavík to northern Iceland on your own takes planning, weather awareness, and plenty of time. This tour handles the route by private transport and turns the journey into a string of worthwhile stops rather than a simple transfer to Akureyri.

The route is also well chosen geographically. Day one heads west and north through Borgarnes, Langjökull, Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, and the area around Grábrók before reaching Akureyri. Day two focuses on Mývatn and nearby volcanic sights. Day three returns through Tröllaskagi and its fishing villages.

That structure gives you variety. You are not spending three days looking at one type of scenery. Glacial ice, waterfalls, lava formations, steaming ground, a volcanic area, a spa, a northern city, and open ocean all make an appearance.

The private setup changes the feel of the trip. You will not be part of a large shared group, and only your own party participates. That is useful if you value quiet time, want to ask questions during the drive, or hope to adjust the pace. It also explains part of the high cost.

Day one: Langjökull, two waterfalls, and the road north

The first day begins at 9:00 am with pickup. The route heads toward Borgarnes and then to Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier.

The main activity here is an ice tunnel journey. The listed stop lasts about one hour, and admission is included. This is a strong opening because it offers something different from simply viewing a glacier from the roadside. You go inside the ice rather than only photographing its surface.

The glacier visit does require sensible expectations. The provided details do not specify the exact tunnel walking conditions, so you should be ready for a cold, physical outing. Wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear. The weather policy also matters on this kind of trip, since poor conditions can lead to a changed date or a full refund.

After Langjökull, the route stops at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is known for water flowing through lava formations, while Barnafoss offers a more forceful waterfall scene nearby. Seeing both together gives you a useful contrast in the way Iceland’s water moves through volcanic ground.

The drive continues north, passing Grábrók on the way to Akureyri. Grábrók is mentioned as a route stop or passing point rather than a full scheduled visit, so do not assume you will have a long hike there. This is one reason to ask the operator about the exact timing before departure if Grábrók is important to you.

Day one is doing several jobs at once: it includes a major paid activity, two waterfalls, and the long transfer to Akureyri. It is efficient, but it is not a lazy day. If you prefer short drives and long walks at every stop, this schedule may feel packed.

Day two: Goðafoss opens the Mývatn day

The second day heads toward the Mývatn area, beginning with Goðafoss, known as the Waterfall of the Gods. This is one of the most meaningful scenic stops on the route because it combines an impressive waterfall with an important Icelandic name and story.

The stop helps break up the drive from Akureyri. You get a major view early in the day, then continue into the volcanic sights around Lake Mývatn. The listed sightseeing portion is about five hours, so the schedule is focused rather than sprawling.

At Skútustaðagígar, you see pseudocraters formed by volcanic activity. These are not ordinary volcanic craters, and their rounded shapes make the area feel unlike a standard waterfall or mountain stop. The word Mývatn refers to the lake area, but the tour’s appeal is broader than the water itself. Much of the interest comes from the unusual ground around it.

Next comes Dimmuborgir, a striking geological area of lava formations. The itinerary includes a walk through the site, so you should expect to get out and explore rather than only view it from the vehicle. The formations give this part of the day a more intimate scale. You move among rock shapes instead of looking at one distant panorama.

The practical point is footwear. Dimmuborgir is a walking stop, and Iceland’s ground can be uneven or wet. The supplied information does not give the walk’s distance or difficulty, so ask for current details if anyone in your group has mobility concerns.

Námaskarð and Krafla: Iceland under the surface

The route then continues to Námaskarð, a geothermal area known for its striking colors. The ground here is shaped by heat and volcanic activity, making it one of the tour’s clearest reminders that Iceland is still geologically active.

This is a place where you should follow the guide’s instructions closely. The exact walking arrangements are not given, but geothermal areas are not casual picnic spots. Stay on the permitted paths and keep children close.

Nearby Krafla volcano adds more volcanic context to the day. The tour does not provide a separate duration for Krafla, so the stop may be handled as part of the wider Mývatn and Námaskarð visit. If Krafla is a priority, confirm how much time is planned there before booking.

I like the order of these stops. You first see water at Goðafoss, then pseudocraters and lava at Mývatn and Dimmuborgir, followed by the heat and color of Námaskarð. The day tells a clear geological story without needing a museum lecture at every turn.

Ending day two at Jarðböðin

The final major stop is Jarðböðin við Mývatn, also called Mývatn Nature Baths. Entry is included, which is important because the bath is not an incidental photo stop. It is the planned way to wind down after the outdoor sightseeing.

A hot nature bath is especially useful after a day that includes walking through Dimmuborgir and moving between several exposed volcanic areas. You can slow the pace, soak, and enjoy a quieter finish before returning to Akureyri.

The schedule says you arrive back in Akureyri in the afternoon. A short city tour follows, then dinner is on your own. This gives you some independence, but you need to budget for that meal. Dinner is not included, and the tour does not name a restaurant or provide a fixed dining plan.

Akureyri is a practical overnight base for this route. You get a glimpse of the city rather than racing through it on the way to somewhere else. Still, the city tour is described as short, so you should not book this expecting a full day of museums, shopping, and independent exploring.

Day three: Tröllaskagi and the Arctic-facing coast

The third day takes a different tone. Instead of more volcanic features, you drive across the Tröllaskagi Peninsula on the way back to Reykjavík.

The route includes small fishing villages and a stop in Hofsós, where you can buy lunch or coffee. Since lunch is not included, this is an important practical pause. Bring a payment method suitable for purchases during the trip, and remember that meal availability can be limited in small communities.

The most memorable part of this day is likely the northern tip of Tröllaskagi. The scenery opens toward the ocean and faces the Arctic. That sense of exposure is quite different from the sheltered geothermal areas around Mývatn. You get a broad coastal setting, small settlements, and a look at a quieter side of northern Iceland.

The listed stop time for Tröllaskagi is about one hour, but the full day includes the drive back to Reykjavík and village visits. The one-hour figure should not be read as the total length of day three. It appears to describe the main sightseeing stop, not the entire return journey.

This day suits you if you enjoy seeing how people live in smaller places, not only ticking off famous natural sights. It may be less appealing if your only goal is to return to Reykjavík as quickly as possible.

What the private format is worth

A private tour is most valuable when you use its flexibility. With only your group taking part, you can discuss interests with the operator and possibly shape parts of the program. Helga, the owner of Travelling Iceland, is described as accommodating and willing to add activities based on a group’s preferences.

That flexibility is not a guarantee that every request will fit the weather or timing. The listed route already covers a lot in three days, so added stops could make the schedule even longer. Ask for a written outline of any custom additions before you agree to them.

Pickup transportation is included, and the start time is 9:00 am. Accommodation is also included, along with Langjökull admission and Mývatn Nature Baths admission. Lunch and dinner are not included, so the price covers the core tour services rather than every expense from morning to night.

At $3,470.04 per person, value depends heavily on group size and priorities. For a small party that wants private transport, a tailored program, accommodation, and two included admissions, the price may be reasonable as a premium Iceland experience. For a larger family or group watching costs, it is difficult to call this economical.

The single published rating is five out of five, but it comes from only one review. That is too small a sample to prove consistent performance. The useful detail is the praise for Helga’s flexibility and made-to-measure planning, not the rating alone.

Who should book this northern route?

I would point this tour toward you if you want northern Iceland without handling the long drives yourself. It is a good fit for couples, families, or private groups who value control over their schedule and prefer a local operator who may adapt the plan.

It also suits people who want variety. You will see ice, waterfalls, lava, geothermal ground, a volcano area, a hot bath, a northern town, fishing villages, and the Arctic-facing sea within three days.

I would hesitate if you are on a tight budget, dislike long drives, or need a very detailed fixed schedule. You should also think twice if you want every meal included or prefer large-group sightseeing with a lower per-person cost.

Before paying, ask about the exact accommodation, vehicle, estimated driving times, the Langjökull walking conditions, and how much time is planned at Krafla and Grábrók. Those details are not provided, and they can affect your comfort and expectations.

Should you book the Akureyri and Mývatn private tour?

Book it if privacy, route variety, and flexible planning matter more to you than price. The strongest parts are the unusual combination of Langjökull’s ice tunnel, Mývatn’s volcanic sights, Jarðböðin, and the open coast of Tröllaskagi.

Skip it if $3,470.04 per person feels hard to justify or if you want a slower trip with more time in each place. For the right private group, this is a bold and well-shaped introduction to northern Iceland. Just confirm the day-by-day timing and included arrangements before you commit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Reykjavík with pickup transportation offered. The listed start time is 9:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the price?

Accommodation, pickup transportation, admission to Langjökull Glacier, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths are included.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included, but they can be bought during the trip. Dinner on day two is on your own in Akureyri.

Which places are visited?

The route includes Langjökull Glacier, Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, Krafla, Mývatn Nature Baths, Akureyri, Tröllaskagi, and Hofsós.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.