Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour

Bring your widest lens and warmest layers. This 12-hour Super Jeep trip takes you deep into Iceland’s Highlands, where red, yellow, green, and black volcanic scenery gives you far more than a quick roadside photo stop. I like the chance to spend real time composing pictures, and I like having a local guide explain the less obvious details of the area.

The route also packs in remarkable variety: Hekla volcano, geothermal valleys, colorful Landmannalaugar, glacier views, and Þórsmörk seen from the west. The main drawback is the long day and the $590 price, which only makes sense if photography and access to the Highlands are central to your Iceland plans.

Key points at a glance

• Landmannalaugar is the visual centerpiece: Rhyolite mountains, black lava, and a geothermal bathing pool create some of Iceland’s strongest color contrasts.
• The Super Jeep reaches remote Highland scenery: The route goes beyond the usual southern-coast stops toward Dómadalur, Frostastaðavatn, Ljótipollur, and Emstrur.
• The day is built around photography: You visit several locations rather than racing through one main attraction.
• Hekla sets the tone: The trip begins near one of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes, sometimes called the Gateway to Hell.
• Glacier views arrive late in the route: Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull appear from different angles as the journey continues.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 10 people gives the guide a better chance to offer practical help and keep stops manageable.

Why this Highland tour is different

Many Iceland excursions focus on a short list of famous sights. This one is more ambitious. It uses a Super Jeep to connect several Highland areas in one long outing, with the camera guiding the pace.

That matters because the Highlands are not a single postcard view. The colors and textures change quickly. You begin near volcanic Hekla, pass through open valleys and lakes, reach Landmannalaugar’s painted rhyolite hills, then continue toward glacier country and the Þórsmörk area.

I like that the tour is designed for people who want time to look. A standard sightseeing trip may pause long enough for a few phone pictures. Here, the purpose is to find different angles, notice color, and use the changing light. The guide is also part of the value. The experience has earned a perfect 5 out of 5 rating from four published ratings, with especially strong praise for the guide’s friendly manner, clear explanations, local passion, and ability to make the day feel personal.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. This is a full day in a vehicle, not a relaxed stroll between nearby attractions. You may spend a lot of time riding over rough Highland routes, waiting for the right viewpoint, and moving between stops. If you prefer a short tour with one major sight, this will feel too long. If you want access, variety, and photography time, the length is part of the appeal.

Starting near Hekla, Iceland’s volcanic gateway

You meet at the Bus Stop Hella, in the parking lot in front of the glass building. The tour then heads toward Hekla, the volcano often known by the dramatic nickname Gateway to Hell.

Even if Hekla is not erupting, its presence gives the opening part of the trip a strong sense of place. This is volcanic Iceland in a very direct form. Your guide can provide local context as you move toward the Highlands, and the open surroundings give you an early chance to practice shooting in changing conditions.

For photography, Hekla is useful as a first subject because it helps you settle into the day. You can test your camera settings before the more colorful stops arrive. Pack spare batteries and make sure your memory card has room. A 12-hour photo day can fill storage faster than you expect, especially when you are taking several versions of the same view.

Dómadalur, Frostastaðavatn, and Ljótipollur

From Hekla, the route continues through Dómadalur valley toward Frostastaðavatn and Ljótipollur. These stops bring a different kind of scenery from Landmannalaugar.

The valley gives you broad views and changing volcanic forms. Frostastaðavatn adds water to the composition, while Ljótipollur offers another striking Highland lake setting. The names may be easier to remember than the exact camera settings, so take time to check the light and not just point toward the biggest feature.

I appreciate this part of the route because it builds variety into the day. You are not relying on one famous viewpoint to carry the entire outing. The lakes and valley can also give your photographs breathing room, with open space, dark volcanic ground, and water creating simpler compositions.

The tradeoff is that the appeal depends on weather and light. Iceland’s conditions can change quickly, and the same place may look soft and muted one moment, then dramatic the next. Waterproof clothing is not optional here. You need a waterproof jacket and pants, warm outdoor clothing, headwear, gloves, and proper hiking boots or shoes.

Landmannalaugar’s colors and black lava

Only a few minutes farther on, you reach Landmannalaugar, the most famous stop on this route. The area is known for its colorful rhyolite mountains, which can show shades of red, yellow, orange, green, and muted brown depending on the weather and light.

The colors become even more striking beside the steep black lava fields. That contrast is exactly what makes Landmannalaugar so useful for photography. Instead of one uniform view, you get layers of volcanic textures and mountain shapes.

There is also a geothermal bathing pool bordered by the lava. The tour information does not promise swimming time, so you should treat it primarily as part of the scenery unless your guide confirms otherwise. You may want to pause here for wide views, then look closer at the rock patterns and slopes.

This is likely the stop where you will spend the most time working with your camera. Use the opportunity to take both broad scenic frames and tighter images of the rhyolite colors. A polarizing filter may help with glare on water, but the most important tools are patience, weather protection, and enough battery power.

Landmannalaugar is also where the tour’s local guidance can matter most. A guide who knows the area can point out details you might miss while concentrating on the biggest mountain. The guide’s role is not only to drive. It is to explain the area’s lesser-known features and help you find worthwhile photo positions.

A substantial stop before returning to the Jeep

After a substantial stop in Landmannalaugar, you return to the Super Jeep and continue along the route. The vehicle is a major part of the experience because the Highlands are not served like ordinary day-trip roads.

You should understand the practical side of this. A Super Jeep gives the tour access to remote areas, but it does not turn rough terrain into a smooth ride. Expect a long day in a specialized vehicle, with time spent traveling between photo locations. Wear clothing that lets you move easily, and bring snacks because lunch is not included.

The group limit of 10 people is helpful here. A smaller party is easier to gather, and it gives the guide more room to answer questions or explain a location. It also reduces the feeling of being moved through a large sightseeing crowd. Still, the exact amount of personal photography time will depend on the group, weather, and the day’s route.

Reykjadalir and the geothermal interior

The journey then runs down Reykjadalir valley, an area with geothermal features. This section adds steam, unusual ground forms, and another change in mood after the colorful mountains around Landmannalaugar.

Geothermal areas can be rewarding for photographers because they offer smaller subjects as well as broad views. Look for contrasts between warm-toned earth, dark volcanic surfaces, and open valley views. You may find that this is a good place to switch from wide scenic images to closer details.

The route also opens views toward Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. Seeing two major ice caps emerge from the Highland setting gives you a strong sense of Iceland’s geography. The glaciers are not simply isolated white shapes. They appear as part of a larger setting of valleys, volcanic ground, and changing elevations.

The weather can decide how much of the glaciers you see. Clouds may soften or partly cover them, so keep your camera ready instead of waiting for a perfect moment. Iceland often rewards quick reactions.

Emstrur and the first great glacier panorama

As you get closer to Road 1, the scenery changes again. Big ice caps come into view as you arrive at Emstrur hut, where the glacier panorama becomes one of the day’s key subjects.

This part of the route is valuable because it shows how quickly the Highlands can shift from colorful volcanic mountains to broad ice-covered horizons. The photographs here should feel different from those at Landmannalaugar. Use the open views to show scale, then try tighter compositions that place the ice against darker ground.

The mention of Emstrur also signals that this is not a simple southern-coast outing. You are reaching areas connected with Iceland’s famous long-distance hiking country, while traveling by vehicle rather than setting out on the full trail. That makes the tour a useful choice if you want a taste of the Laugavegur region but do not have time for a multi-day trek.

You should not book it expecting a hiking tour. The focus is photography from selected locations, with walks and outdoor stops as part of the day. Appropriate footwear matters because the information specifically calls for hiking boots or suitable shoes.

Final views toward Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk

Near the end, the route offers final views of Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk valley from the west side of Markarfljótsgljúfur. This gives the day a strong closing sequence.

Eyjafjallajökull is one of Iceland’s best-known volcanoes and ice caps, while Þórsmörk is associated with striking valleys and mountain scenery. Seen from this western side, the view provides another angle rather than simply repeating an earlier glacier stop.

I like this ending because it keeps the route visually varied until the final stretch. You may already have a full memory card by then, so save room for these last pictures. It is an easy mistake to spend all your storage at Landmannalaugar and then discover that the closing panorama deserves its own set of images.

The tour returns to the meeting point in Hella. Since the activity lasts 12 hours, plan the rest of your day around it. This is not a useful add-on if you have a tight evening appointment, another scheduled tour, or a long drive immediately afterward.

What the $590 price really buys you

At $590 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise struggle to reach the Icelandic Highlands, want a small group, and care about photography rather than simply checking off major sights.

You are paying for a full 12-hour route, a Super Jeep, access to remote Highland areas, and a local English or Icelandic-speaking guide. Lunch is not included, so you need to bring snacks and arrange your own food for the day.

The value is strongest for photographers who would use the time well. If you carry a proper camera, enjoy changing compositions, and want guidance about local places, the tour offers more than transportation. If you mainly want a quick look at Landmannalaugar, the cost may feel high.

A perfect rating across four published ratings is encouraging, and the strongest praise focuses on the guide. The guide is described as exceptionally friendly, clear, passionate about Iceland, and able to make the experience feel personal. That matters on a long day, since a good guide can shape the entire mood of the trip.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this tour to you if:

• You want to photograph Iceland beyond the standard southern-coast route.
• You are comfortable spending 12 hours on a full-day outing.
• You value a small group, with no more than 10 participants.
• You want a guide to explain local details and help you understand what you are seeing.
• You can handle changing weather and outdoor conditions.
• You consider Landmannalaugar, glaciers, and Highland access worth a premium price.

I would hesitate if you are traveling with a child under 6, since the tour is not suitable for children that young. I would also look elsewhere if you dislike long vehicle rides, need lunch provided, or want a relaxed schedule with plenty of unplanned free time.

Book warm waterproof layers, sturdy footwear, headwear, and gloves. Bring snacks, spare camera batteries, and extra memory cards. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while your Iceland plans settle.

Should you book the Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour?

Book it if the Icelandic Highlands are a priority and you want to photograph several very different settings in one day. The route gives you Hekla, Dómadalur, two Highland lakes, Landmannalaugar, Reykjadalir, glacier views, Emstrur, and Þórsmörk from the west, all with a local guide and a small group.

Skip it if you are looking for a budget excursion or a short sightseeing trip. At $590, this is a specialist outing. For the right person, though, the combination of Super Jeep access, changing scenery, and generous photography time can make the price worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour start?

The tour starts at the Bus Stop Hella, in the parking lot in front of the glass building.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Hella.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 12 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Icelandic.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring snacks.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 6 years old.