ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½

Spend a whole day exploring lesser-known areas of South Iceland with a knowledgeable local guide. From hidden canyons spilling with waterfalls to the barren surroundings of an active volcano, your journey can include stops tailored to your particular interests, ending with time hiking or relaxing among Landmannalaugar’s renowned painted hills.

As you’ll travel by Superjeep, you can access some of Iceland’s more rugged areas that are difficult for regular vehicles to reach. Throughout the day, your private guide will answer any questions you have about the places you visit and Iceland’s history, geology and culture.

Departing from your hotel in Reykjavík at around 9am, you’ll travel in style from the comfort of a Superjeep, a spacious 4x4 raised on robust, oversized wheels. Venturing east, your guide will discuss your preferences and tailor the day’s stops to your interests. Because you have the freedom and flexibility of a private tour, the day isn’t set in stone and stops can vary. You can also choose how long you’d like to spend at each place.

You might stop to see Hjálparfoss, two waterfalls running side-by-side into a crystal-clear pool, or Háifoss, two larger waterfalls that drop 128 m (420 ft) into a canyon streaked with volcanic rock. If you have an interest in history, you could visit Þjóðveldisbærinn, a replica Viking farm based on the ruins of a real farm discovered nearby (you can view this from the outside or pay 1,000 kr to enter the turf-roofed buildings). One of the most beautiful stops is Gjáin, a lush canyon where fresh glacial streams trickle over rocks, fed by gushing waterfalls. You might also take a bumpy but exhilarating drive over the black-rock lava fields created by Hekla, an active volcano.

Your ultimate destination, Landmannalaugar, is around two and a half hours from Reykjavík. Here, you can choose to embark on an hour and a half hike that takes you through the dark, twisted rocks of lava fields and past steaming volcanic hills streaked green, orange, red and purple. While parts of the route are a little steep and can be loose underfoot, the hike rewards you with excellent views and an understanding of the area’s geology. Afterwards, enjoy a soak in a naturally heated stream, whose steaming shallow waters soothe aching muscles.

Your journey back to Reykjavík might include further stops, such as a beautiful crater lake whose blue waters contrast with pinkish-red rock, ironically named the ‘Ugly Puddle’. You’ll return to your hotel in the evening, with the exact time depending on the length and number of stops you make during the day.

You’ll have time to enjoy lunch, at one of several picnic areas in the area. You can either bring your own food along with you, or a picnic lunch can be included for an additional cost — please speak to your specialist for more information.