Hot springs and waterfalls, private super jeep tour

The road to Laugafell is the real prize. This private super jeep tour takes you from Akureyri to three very different waterfalls, then into Iceland’s uninhabited highlands for a soak in a natural geothermal pool. I like the privacy for a family or small group, and I like that the day includes both famous Goðafoss and lesser-known waterfalls that require a more adventurous route.

The main consideration is the long day, roughly nine to ten hours, with no food or drinks included. You need warm clothes, sturdy hiking shoes, a swimsuit, and a towel. The tour costs $1,179.95 per group of up to four, so it makes much better financial sense when four people share the cost than when only one or two people book.

Key points to know before booking

• Three waterfalls come before the hot spring: Goðafoss, Aldeyjarfoss, and Hrafnabjargarfoss give you a varied day of Icelandic scenery.
• Laugafell is the day’s unusual reward: You bathe in a geothermal pool surrounded by the open Icelandic highlands.
• A private vehicle keeps the day flexible: Only your group participates, with hotel or port pickup and drop-off included.
• The route goes far beyond Akureyri: This is not a quick sightseeing loop. Expect a full day and changing conditions.
• The guide matters here: Kristjan is named as the guide in the supplied feedback, and his friendly, well-informed approach was praised.
• Bring your own picnic: Food and drinks are not included, and you will want something for the road.

Why this Akureyri tour feels different

Akureyri is a fine base for exploring northern Iceland, but many easy excursions stay close to the main roads. This trip goes farther. It combines well-known Goðafoss with two waterfalls reached as part of a highland journey, then adds a bath in a geothermal pool at Laugafell.

I like that mix. You are not spending the entire day looking at waterfalls from one roadside stop. You get short walks, changing views, a rugged vehicle, and time in warm water after the colder outdoor portion. The day has a clear rhythm: famous sight, remote waterfall, another remote waterfall, then a hot spring.

The private format is especially useful for a group of four. You do not share the vehicle with strangers, and the guide can focus on your party. That matters on a long day. A nine-hour outing feels different when you can travel with your own family or friends, rather than adjusting to a large group’s schedule.

The tour is operated by Arctic Fox Travel and includes a certified local guide. The guide is not just driving from point to point. On a route through remote country, local judgment is important, particularly when weather changes. Kristjan receives specific praise for being friendly and well informed, which is exactly the sort of presence that can make a long private tour feel relaxed rather than tiring.

Goðafoss starts the day with easy drama

Your first stop is Goðafoss, known as the Waterfall of the Gods. You have about 20 minutes here, and there is no separate admission charge.

This is the most accessible waterfall on the route and a good opening stop. Goðafoss has the broad, recognizable Icelandic waterfall shape that makes an immediate impression. You can get your bearings quickly, take photographs, and begin the day without a demanding walk.

The short stop also tells you something about the tour’s pace. You are visiting several places in one day, so this is not designed as a slow, half-day stay at one waterfall. If you want a long time at Goðafoss, you may find 20 minutes brief. If you prefer variety, the schedule works well.

I would use this first stop to settle into the day and ask the guide about the route ahead. The contrast between Goðafoss and the later waterfalls is part of the appeal. Goðafoss is the familiar northern Iceland sight, while Aldeyjarfoss and Hrafnabjargarfoss feel more remote.

Aldeyjarfoss brings the basalt columns

The second stop is Aldeyjarfoss, with about 20 minutes to look around. It is included without an extra admission charge.

Aldeyjarfoss is known for its striking basalt columns around the falls. Those dark, geometric rock formations give the waterfall a more sculpted appearance than Goðafoss. The water and the stone create a strong contrast, making this a particularly good stop for photographs.

I like that the tour does not treat the waterfall as just another name on a checklist. Aldeyjarfoss has a distinct character, and the geology gives you something to notice beyond the falling water. Your guide can help put the rock formations into context, though the supplied details do not promise a set commentary or a specific amount of explanation at each stop.

Again, 20 minutes is enough for a focused visit, but not for a long hike or an unhurried picnic. Wear good shoes because the tour specifically advises hiking footwear. Icelandic ground can be uneven, and warm clothing remains useful even when the weather looks pleasant in Akureyri.

Hrafnabjargarfoss rewards the curious

Hrafnabjargarfoss is the third waterfall, with approximately 15 minutes allocated for the stop. It is described as a lesser-known sight, and that gives the visit a different feel from Goðafoss.

The shorter stop means you should arrive ready to step out, take in the view, and walk only as far as conditions comfortably allow. This is not the place to plan a long independent outing. Instead, it works as part of the day’s wider pattern: several carefully chosen views before the route turns toward Laugafell.

I appreciate the inclusion of Hrafnabjargarfoss because it keeps the tour from being built only around Iceland’s most famous names. The value of a private highland excursion is partly the access to places that are less familiar. You get a fuller sense of the region rather than a single headline attraction.

You should also keep your expectations practical. The tour description gives the stop 15 minutes, but it does not provide details about a long trail, facilities, or shelter. Bring suitable clothing and follow the guide’s directions. In northern Iceland, the weather can make a short outdoor stop feel much longer.

Laugafell turns sightseeing into a real experience

After the waterfalls, you head through the uninhabited Icelandic highlands toward Laugafell. This is the part that makes the tour more than a standard waterfall outing.

At Laugafell, you have about 50 minutes to bathe in a geothermal pool surrounded by nature. The service fee for the pool is included, so you do not need to budget a separate admission charge. Your swimsuit and towel are essential, not optional extras.

I like the timing here. Fifty minutes gives you enough time to change and enjoy the water without turning the entire day into a spa visit. The pool is a natural contrast to the cold air and remote surroundings. You are not simply looking at Icelandic scenery. You are sitting in it.

The phrase surrounded by nature is important. This is a geothermal pool in the Icelandic highlands, not a polished resort facility described with a long list of amenities. The supplied information does not promise changing-room details, food service, or luxury comforts. Pack simply and expect a nature-based stop.

For many people, Laugafell will be the most memorable part of the day. The waterfalls provide the visual highlights, but the hot spring gives you a physical experience of the region. After several outdoor stops, warm water is a welcome reward.

The super jeep is part of the appeal

A regular sightseeing vehicle would not communicate the same sense of distance. The tour uses a super jeep to travel toward the highlands, where the road experience becomes part of the adventure.

The available details do not specify the exact vehicle model, road conditions, or how much time is spent driving on rough tracks. I would not book this expecting a smooth, short transfer between attractions. The route is designed around reaching the highlands, and the nine to ten-hour duration reflects that.

The vehicle also gives your group privacy. You can talk with the guide, keep your own pace within the planned schedule, and avoid the social compromises of a shared excursion. That makes the format appealing for families, couples, or friends who want a full day together.

Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels and ports. This is useful if you are staying in Akureyri or arriving by cruise ship. Instead of arranging separate transport to a meeting point, you can begin and end the day with the tour provider.

The final views over Eyjafjörður

On the return to Akureyri, the tour includes a spectacular view over Eyjafjörður. The fjord is the visual link between the town and the highlands, so this final viewpoint gives the day a satisfying change of scale.

The waterfall stops are close-up experiences. You watch water move over rock, notice basalt columns, and spend time beside individual falls. The view over Eyjafjörður opens things up, giving you a broad look back toward the area around Akureyri.

The details do not state how long you stop at the viewpoint, so I would treat it as a scenic part of the return route rather than a separate extended visit. Still, it is a useful ending. After the remote highlands, you gradually reconnect with the fjord and the town.

Is $1,179.95 a fair price?

The listed price is $1,179.95 per group of up to four people. That sounds high until you divide it among a full group: four people would pay about $295 each before considering any separate food costs. For two people, the per-person cost is much steeper.

What are you paying for? You get a private tour, a certified local guide, hotel or port pickup and drop-off, the super jeep route, and the geothermal pool service fee. The price also covers the convenience of having one operator organize a long, remote day.

I see the strongest value for four people who want a private outing instead of a cruise-sponsored shore excursion or a large shared tour. The private format and remote route are the main reasons to choose it. If you are traveling alone or as a pair and care mostly about keeping costs down, the price may be difficult to justify.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan a picnic for the road, as the tour specifically advises. That is a small but important detail on a full-day trip. You should also budget time and energy for the long outing rather than treating it as a casual morning activity.

What to pack for the highlands

The packing list is simple, but each item matters:

• Good hiking shoes for uneven outdoor ground
• A swimsuit and towel for Laugafell
• Warm clothes, since the highland weather can be cold
• A picnic and drinks, because they are not included

You should dress for conditions outside Akureyri, not just the forecast in town. A warm layer can make the waterfall stops much more comfortable, especially when you are standing still near moving water.

A phone or camera is useful, but do not let photographs take over the short stops. Goðafoss and Aldeyjarfoss each receive about 20 minutes, while Hrafnabjargarfoss receives about 15. I would take a few quick images, listen to the guide, and enjoy the setting before returning to the vehicle.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend this experience to a group of up to four that wants a private, full-day outing from Akureyri. It suits people who enjoy dramatic scenery but also want something active and unusual, particularly the geothermal bath in the highlands.

It is also a strong choice for cruise passengers because port pickup and drop-off are included. You should still confirm that the planned timing fits your ship’s schedule, since the day lasts roughly nine to ten hours.

Families with older children or young adults may find the mix appealing. One specific account describes a family of four with young adult children choosing this private trip instead of a cruise-sponsored excursion, and the experience was praised as worth the money. The same account singled out Kristjan’s friendly manner and strong local knowledge.

I would think twice if you dislike long drives, short waterfall stops, or changing weather. The tour is not designed for someone who wants to spend hours at one attraction. It is also not a luxury wellness day. Laugafell is a natural geothermal pool in a remote setting, and the tour does not list resort-style facilities.

The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you have mobility concerns, ask Arctic Fox Travel for current route and access details before booking.

Booking, weather, and timing advice

The experience generally needs to be booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 192 days. That is a useful warning if your Akureyri visit is fixed, especially during a busy travel period.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the route goes into the highlands, this policy is practical rather than surprising. Leave some flexibility in your wider Iceland schedule if you can.

Should you book the Laugafell super jeep tour?

Book it if you want a private day that combines three waterfalls, a remote geothermal bath, and highland scenery in one outing. The strongest case is a group of four, where the price becomes more reasonable and the privacy adds real value.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost way to see Goðafoss, if you prefer a short excursion, or if a long drive and cold outdoor stops sound tiring. For the right group, though, this is a rewarding northern Iceland day: varied, personal, and far more distinctive than a simple waterfall transfer.

FAQ

How long does the private super jeep tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine to ten hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $1,179.95 per group of up to four people.

Are hotel and port pickups included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as port pickup and drop-off, are included.

Which waterfalls are visited?

The tour visits Goðafoss, Aldeyjarfoss, and Hrafnabjargarfoss.

Is the Laugafell geothermal pool included?

Yes. The geothermal pool service fee is included. You should bring your own swimsuit and towel.

Are food and drinks provided?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring a picnic for the road.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.