Hot springs and waterfalls, private super jeep tour

The best part of this private super jeep tour is the change of scene: you begin at famous Goðafoss, then leave the main sightseeing route for rougher roads, remote waterfalls, and a natural hot pool in Iceland’s highlands. After the soak, you return toward Akureyri with wide views over Eyjafjörður.

I like the private format for up to four people, since you are not tied to a large group’s pace. I also like the range of stops: three very different waterfalls plus a geothermal bath make this a full day rather than a quick photo outing. The main drawback is the price, especially for one or two people, and the weather-dependent route requires good clothing and some flexibility.

Key points to know before booking

• Three waterfalls in one day: See Goðafoss, Aldeyjarfoss, and Hrafnabjargarfoss, with short stops at each.
• A highland hot spring: Laugafell offers a 50-minute soak in a geothermal pool surrounded by open Icelandic nature.
• Private for up to four: Your own group travels with a driver-guide, rather than joining a large coach.
• Pickup is included: Hotel and port pickup and drop-off are provided in the Akureyri area.
• Bring your own lunch: Food and drinks are not included, so pack a picnic and water.
• Plan for changing weather: Hiking shoes, a swimsuit, towel, and warm clothing are essential.

A full day beyond Akureyri

This is not a short waterfall transfer with a quick dip added on. The tour lasts about nine to ten hours and heads from Akureyri toward the Icelandic highlands, where roads become more remote and the day feels less tied to the usual sightseeing circuit.

You travel in a super jeep with a certified local guide. That matters here because the route includes highland driving, not just paved roads between easy roadside stops. Your guide, Kristjan, was specifically praised for being friendly and well informed, and that personal approach is a useful part of a private trip.

The tour is designed for a maximum of four people. For a family or a small group of friends, that changes the value equation. You can share the $1,179.95 group price among four people, which works out to about $295 per person before any food or drinks. For two people, the same fixed group price becomes a much more expensive day, so the tour makes the most financial sense when you can fill all four places.

Pickup and drop-off are included from a hotel or port. That is particularly handy if you are staying in Akureyri or visiting by cruise ship and do not want to arrange separate transport to a meeting point.

Goðafoss begins the waterfall route

The first stop is Goðafoss, often called the Waterfall of the Gods. You get about 20 minutes here, with admission included at no extra cost.

Goðafoss is the most famous waterfall on this route, so it gives the day a strong opening. The water spreads across a broad drop rather than falling as one narrow ribbon. You have enough time for photos and a quick look, but not enough for a long walk or a slow exploration of every viewpoint.

That short stop is worth keeping in mind. If Goðafoss is one of your main reasons for booking, you may want to visit it separately at another time as well. On this tour, it is one piece of a much bigger day, not the main event.

The advantage is variety. You see a well-known Icelandic sight first, then continue toward less familiar places. The route does not spend the whole day at a single attraction, which suits you if you would rather keep moving and see several kinds of scenery.

Aldeyjarfoss brings the basalt columns

Next comes Aldeyjarfoss, another stop of about 20 minutes. Its appeal is the setting: water drops beside distinctive basalt columns, giving the waterfall a more structured and almost architectural look than Goðafoss.

The basalt is a key reason to pay attention here. Iceland’s volcanic rock often creates the most memorable details around its waterfalls, and Aldeyjarfoss shows that clearly. Look beyond the falling water and notice the repeated dark columns around the gorge.

You should expect a short visit rather than a long hike. The supplied tour details call for good hiking shoes, which is sensible for the waterfall stops and the natural setting around the hot spring. Exact trail conditions are not provided, so sturdy footwear is a better choice than casual trainers.

Aldeyjarfoss is also where the tour begins to feel more remote. The scenery is less about checking off a famous name and more about seeing how water and volcanic rock work together. If you like natural features with a strong visual character, this is likely to be one of the day’s highlights.

Hrafnabjargarfoss keeps the route personal

The third waterfall is Hrafnabjargarfoss, with about 15 minutes set aside. It is described as a lesser-known stop, and that shorter visit fits its role in the day.

Do not expect a large visitor complex or a long list of facilities. The appeal is the waterfall itself and the feeling of reaching a quieter place. Your guide’s local knowledge is useful here, since the value of a less familiar stop often comes from understanding what you are looking at and why it belongs on the route.

Fifteen minutes goes quickly. You will want to be ready when you arrive, with your camera or phone accessible and your outdoor layers already on. The stop is best treated as a focused pause rather than a chance to wander far.

Together, the three waterfalls create a good progression. Goðafoss gives you a major Iceland sight, Aldeyjarfoss adds volcanic columns, and Hrafnabjargarfoss offers a more secluded feel. None of the waterfall stops is especially long, but the route gives you three distinct settings in one day.

Laugafell is the day’s main reward

After the waterfalls, the tour continues through the uninhabited Icelandic highlands toward Laugafell. This is the point of the trip where the pace slows.

You have about 50 minutes at the geothermal pool. The pool is a natural hot spring surrounded by open countryside, rather than a modern spa with a full menu of services. That is exactly why the stop works: you exchange polished facilities for a simple outdoor soak in a remote setting.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. The service fee for the geothermal pool is included, so you do not need to budget a separate admission charge. You will still need to manage your own changing needs, and the tour information does not promise changing rooms or other facilities, so pack carefully and keep your belongings organized.

The 50-minute stop gives you time to enjoy the water without turning the entire day into a bathing trip. If you want a long, leisurely spa session, this is not that kind of experience. If you like the idea of warming up after a highland drive and sitting outdoors with very little around you, it is a strong fit.

Weather matters here. Warm clothing is required because the region can be cold, even when a hot pool sounds inviting. A swimsuit alone is not enough for the approach, time outside the water, or the ride back. Pack layers that you can put on quickly.

The return to Akureyri brings a final view

On the way back, the route includes a broad view over Eyjafjörður. This gives the day a fitting finish, shifting your attention from waterfalls and highland roads to the long fjord near Akureyri.

The tour information does not give a precise viewing time or duration for this part, so think of it as a scenic addition rather than a separately scheduled attraction. Weather will shape what you can see. On a clear day, the viewpoint can help you understand Akureyri’s setting after a day spent far inland.

This final stretch also makes the private format useful. You are not simply being dropped back after the hot spring. You have a guide who can put the route together, from the waterfalls to the highlands and then back toward the fjord.

What the private price really buys you

The $1,179.95 price is per group of up to four, not per person. That is the first detail to check before you get attached to the idea.

For four people, the cost is roughly $295 per person. At that level, you are paying for a full-day private vehicle, a driver-guide, pickup and drop-off, the highland route, and the included geothermal pool service. Food and drinks are extra, but bringing a picnic keeps that part simple.

For three people, the cost is about $393 per person. For two, it is about $590 per person. That is a major difference, so solo visitors and couples should compare the price with shared excursions before booking.

The private setup has real value if your group wants control over the day. You avoid joining strangers, and the tour is limited to your own party. It can also be a better choice for families with young adult children, as the available feedback came from a family of four who chose this private trip instead of a cruise-sponsored excursion and enjoyed the full day with Kristjan.

Still, privacy does not make the route shorter or the weather more reliable. You are committing to nine or ten hours, several short waterfall stops, and a highland drive. The price makes most sense when you care about the remote setting and can fill the vehicle.

What to pack for the highlands

The packing list is practical and should be taken seriously:

• Good hiking shoes
• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Warm clothing
• Picnic food
• Drinks

The tour does not include food or drinks, so do not assume you can buy lunch along the route. A packed meal is especially useful on a day with several stops and a long drive.

Warm layers matter even more than they might on a standard Akureyri sightseeing trip. You will spend time outdoors at waterfalls and around a natural pool, and the highland weather can be cold. Keep your towel and swimsuit easy to reach rather than buried under luggage.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but the tour still involves outdoor stops and good walking shoes. If you have mobility concerns, ask the provider before booking because the details do not describe trail surfaces, step-free access, or changing facilities.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The stated operating period is July 1 through October 1, 2025, with opening hours shown as Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pickup is offered, but confirm your exact pickup time when you book.

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but you should still avoid scheduling this as your only possible activity if your trip is very short.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

The weather rule is not a minor footnote. A highland route can be more exposed to conditions than a short city tour, so keep your plans flexible and check the forecast before setting out.

Who should book this Akureyri tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a full day outdoors and your group values privacy over the lowest possible price. It suits four-person families, couples traveling with friends, and cruise passengers who want a private alternative to a large ship excursion.

It is also a good match if you want more than the standard waterfall circuit. Goðafoss is familiar, but Aldeyjarfoss, Hrafnabjargarfoss, and Laugafell add a remote highland character that you will not get from a quick stop near town.

I would think twice if you dislike long drives, short visits, cold weather, or changing plans. The hot spring is natural, not a polished spa, and the waterfalls are visited on a tight schedule. You also need to bring your own food.

Should you book it?

Book it if you can bring three other people, want a private day from Akureyri, and see the highland hot spring as the main prize. The combination of basalt-framed waterfalls, a geothermal pool, local guiding, and an Eyjafjörður view gives the route a strong sense of place.

Skip it if your main goal is a cheap waterfall tour or a long spa session. For the right small group, though, this is a substantial Iceland day with a useful mix of famous sights, remote roads, and time in warm geothermal water.

FAQ

Where does this tour take place?

The tour begins in Akureyri and travels to Goðafoss, Aldeyjarfoss, Hrafnabjargarfoss, and Laugafell in the Icelandic highlands before returning toward Akureyri.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine to ten hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is port pickup available?

Yes. Port pickup and drop-off are included.

Is admission to the Laugafell geothermal pool included?

Yes. The service fee for the geothermal pool is included.

Are food and drinks provided?

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

What should I bring?

Bring good hiking shoes, a swimsuit, a towel, warm clothes, and food and drinks for the day.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, 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.