Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour

Landmannalaugar is the star here, but this is far more than a quick visit to one famous valley. Over 12 hours, you’ll move from Hekla volcano through black lava, colored rhyolite mountains, geothermal ground, glacier views, and the Þórsmörk valley, all from the comfort of a Super Jeep.

I like the generous time for photography and the small group, limited to 10 people. I also like the route’s variety: Ljótipollur, Landmannalaugar, Emstrur, and Markarfljótsgljúfur each offer a different subject. The main drawback is the long day, and the $590 price is a serious commitment, especially since lunch is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Landmannalaugar’s colors are the visual highlight: Rhyolite mountains, black lava, and geothermal features create unusual photo subjects.
• The route reaches Iceland’s highlands by Super Jeep: This makes remote stops possible without joining a multi-day trek.
• The day is built for photographers: You visit several locations rather than racing to one viewpoint.
• Glacier views arrive late in the route: Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull, and the ice sheets near Emstrur add a dramatic finish.
• The group stays small: With no more than 10 participants, you have a better chance of asking questions and finding room for camera gear.
• Bring your own food and proper clothing: Lunch is not included, and the weather in the highlands can turn cold, wet, and windy.

Why this Super Jeep route is special

Many Iceland day trips stick close to the main roads. This one heads into the southern highlands, where the scenery changes quickly and the roads become part of the adventure. Your guide handles the route while you concentrate on light, color, and composition.

The tour begins in Hella, a practical meeting point for the southern region. You’ll meet in the parking lot in front of the glass building at Bus Stop Hella, then return to the same place at the end of the day.

The vehicle matters here. A Super Jeep is not just a comfortable way to sit between stops. It allows the group to reach areas that ordinary cars cannot handle, including rough highland routes. The experience still involves a lot of sitting between photo locations, so think of it as a scenic photography expedition rather than a full-day hike.

I’d choose this outing if you want a broad sample of the highlands in one day. You’ll see far more than you could on a short stop at Landmannalaugar alone, though you won’t have the time or independence of a multi-day trek.

Hekla and the road into Dómadalur

The first major point of interest is Hekla, one of Iceland’s best-known volcanoes. It is sometimes called the Gateway to Hell, a nickname that gives the opening part of the journey an appropriately stark mood.

The area around Hekla sets the tone for the day. You’re heading away from the settled lowlands and toward a harsher region shaped by volcanic activity. Depending on the weather and visibility, the volcano may become a strong subject in its own right, or simply a memorable marker as you continue inland.

From Hekla, the route follows Dómadalur valley toward Frostastaðavatn and Ljótipollur. This is a useful early stretch for photographers because it introduces changes in color and texture before you reach Landmannalaugar.

The name Ljótipollur translates roughly as ugly pool, but the lake is anything but dull. Its setting gives you a chance to photograph water against volcanic ground and highland slopes. The value of this stop is its contrast. You are not looking at another generic mountain view. The dark volcanic setting and open water make the scene easier to frame.

Your guide can also help explain the local features and the less obvious details of the area. That personal context is important on a photography tour. It helps you understand why a place looks the way it does, rather than simply collecting a series of attractive pictures.

Landmannalaugar’s rhyolite mountains and black lava

Landmannalaugar is the main event, and it earns the attention. The region is known for its colorful rhyolite mountains, a volcanic rock that can produce shades of yellow, orange, pink, red, and green. Those colors are set against steep black lava fields, creating the kind of unusual contrast that makes Iceland so popular with photographers.

You’ll have time to explore the area through your camera rather than making one hurried stop for a snapshot. That distinction matters. The best image may not come from the obvious view. It might be a close detail in the rock, a line of lava leading toward the mountains, or a subtle shift in color across a slope.

The geothermal bathing pool is another distinctive feature. It is bordered by black lava fields and steep mountains, so it adds a human-scale point of interest to an otherwise huge setting. The information provided for this tour does not say that bathing is included, so bring your camera gear and clothing with photography in mind rather than assuming you’ll have a swim.

Landmannalaugar can also be the busiest-feeling part of the route simply because it is so well known. The small group helps, but this is still a famous destination. The quieter stops later in the day may appeal more if you prefer solitude over iconic scenery.

A long photo stop, with lunch on your own

The itinerary allows for a substantial stop in Landmannalaugar before you return to the Jeep. That is good news for anyone carrying a proper camera, several lenses, or a tripod. You are not being asked to sprint from the vehicle, take one picture, and move on.

Lunch is not included, so you need to bring food. Pack enough for a full 12-hour outing, along with snacks and water. The provided information specifically recommends snacks, but it does not list a supplied meal, café stop, or catering service.

This is one of the practical differences between this tour and a standard sightseeing excursion. You are responsible for your own fuel during a long day. A simple packed lunch will make the schedule easier and keep you from relying on an uncertain stop in a remote area.

The highland weather also deserves respect. Warm outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a hat, gloves, and suitable hiking shoes or boots are required advice, not decorative packing suggestions. Even if the morning begins calmly in Hella, conditions can feel very different farther inland.

Reykjadalir and the famous Laugavegur route

After Landmannalaugar, the Jeep continues toward the Laugavegur trail and down Reykjadalir valley. Laugavegur is one of Iceland’s best-known hiking routes, and seeing part of its highland setting by vehicle gives you a taste of the scenery without committing to the full trek.

Reykjadalir adds geothermal character to the route. You’ll pass through an area where heat from below the surface has shaped the ground, giving you more varied subjects after the strong colors of Landmannalaugar.

This portion of the day is valuable because it keeps the scenery from becoming repetitive. Iceland’s highlands are not one endless field of brown and black rock. You’ll see volcanic forms, geothermal features, open valleys, water, and distant ice.

As the route continues, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull come into view. These glaciers provide a major change in scale. Close-up volcanic details work well for composition, but distant ice caps give your photographs a much wider sense of place.

The views are weather dependent. Clouds, rain, or mist can hide the glaciers, and the tour cannot control that. You are paying for access to the region and the guide’s route knowledge, not a guarantee of clear skies. That is worth remembering when you assess the price.

Emstrur and the late-day glacier views

Near Road 1, the scenery changes again as large ice caps come into view around Emstrur hut. This part of the route offers a broad panorama, with the glaciers acting as the visual anchor.

Emstrur is particularly useful for anyone who wants a sense of the highlands as a connected area rather than a collection of isolated stops. The route has moved from volcanoes and colored mountains to valleys, geothermal ground, and finally ice. That progression gives your photo collection a clear visual range.

You’ll want to keep some space on your memory cards for this stretch. The tour description specifically points to the ice sheets as an ideal panorama, and the late appearance of Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull can provide some of the day’s largest views.

A panoramic scene can be harder to photograph well than a colorful mountain close-up. Use the time to consider foreground detail, not just the distant ice. Black volcanic ground, a valley line, or the road itself can help give scale to the glaciers.

The precise conditions will shape the experience. Clear weather may open the full view, while cloud can turn the glaciers into partial, moody forms. Both can work photographically, but they produce very different results.

The final views of Þórsmörk and Eyjafjallajökull

The journey ends with views of Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk valley from the west side of Markarfljótsgljúfur. This is a strong closing section because it brings together several themes from the day: ice, volcanic terrain, dramatic valleys, and the broad southern highlands.

Þórsmörk is especially appealing as a final subject because the valley gives the eye somewhere to travel. Instead of a single mountain or lake, you may find a layered scene with ridges, cliffs, and distant ice. The view from the west side of Markarfljótsgljúfur also gives you a perspective that is different from the better-known lowland viewpoints.

By this point, the 12-hour schedule will feel substantial. You should expect to be tired, especially if you spend each stop walking around with camera equipment. Still, the route’s variety means the day is not simply long for the sake of being long. It links several major highland areas in one outing.

You then return to the meeting point at Bus Stop Hella. There is no separate finish point, which makes planning your next move simpler.

How much value do you get for $590?

At $590 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The price needs to be judged against what it provides: 12 hours, a local guide, transport by Super Jeep, a small group of no more than 10 people, and access to several highland areas in one day.

The strongest value comes from the route and vehicle. Reaching Hekla, Dómadalur, Ljótipollur, Landmannalaugar, Reykjadalir, Emstrur, and the west side of Markarfljótsgljúfur independently would require careful planning, a suitable vehicle, and confidence with Iceland’s highland roads. The tour bundles that access with local guidance.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick look at Landmannalaugar or if you do not take photographs seriously. A shorter sightseeing trip may suit you better, and a self-drive option could cost less if you already have the right vehicle and are comfortable navigating the highlands.

Lunch is not included, so add the cost and effort of bringing your own meal. The tour also does not list camera equipment, meals, or other extras as included. You are paying mainly for the transport, route, time, and guide.

The four available ratings are all five out of five, with particular praise for the guide’s friendliness, clear explanations, local knowledge, and passion for the area. That matches what you should want from this kind of trip. A guide who can explain the setting and adjust the stops to the conditions adds real value, especially when the scenery is unfamiliar.

Who will enjoy this day most?

This tour is a strong match for photographers who want variety without carrying camping equipment or hiking the full Laugavegur trail. You’ll have access to famous highland scenery while returning to Hella the same day.

It also suits visitors who prefer a small group. Ten people is still enough for a social outing, but it is far more manageable than a large coach. You should have a better chance to ask the guide about the area and take pictures without feeling lost in a crowd.

The tour is not suitable for children under six. It may also be tiring for anyone who dislikes long vehicle days or changing weather. The information does not provide a detailed walking plan, so you should not book it expecting a structured, strenuous hike.

You do not need to be a professional photographer. The route works for anyone who enjoys taking time with a camera or phone. Still, the price makes more sense if photography is one of your main reasons for visiting Iceland’s south.

The guides speak English and Icelandic. If you want local stories and explanations rather than a simple transfer between viewpoints, that language support is useful.

What to pack for the highlands

Pack for the weather you might meet, not just the weather in Hella when you set out. Bring warm outdoor layers, a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, headwear, gloves, and proper hiking shoes or boots.

You should also bring snacks and lunch, since lunch is not provided. Keep food easy to reach during the day, as the route is long and the next convenient meal may not be close.

For photography, bring spare batteries and enough memory-card space if you have them. The route offers many distinct subjects, from close volcanic textures to wide glacier views. The tour does not state that charging facilities or photography equipment are supplied, so plan to be self-sufficient.

A small group does not mean you can spread gear across the whole vehicle. Pack carefully and keep your essential camera items together.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

The tour lasts 12 hours, but the available starting time depends on the date you select. Check availability before making other plans for the day.

You meet at Bus Stop Hella, in the parking lot in front of the glass building. The activity ends back at this same meeting point.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also gives you some flexibility, since you can book the place without paying immediately.

The group is limited to 10 participants. That is a useful detail for photographers, but remember that the group size does not remove the need for patience. Weather, road conditions, and the number of photo stops can affect the pace.

Should you book the Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour?

Book it if you want a full day of southern highland scenery, care about photography, and value a local guide and Super Jeep access more than a low price. The route gives you an unusually broad set of subjects, from Hekla and Ljótipollur to Landmannalaugar, glaciers, Emstrur, and Þórsmörk.

Skip it if your main goal is simply to visit Landmannalaugar cheaply, or if 12 hours in a vehicle sounds exhausting. You’ll also need to accept that clouds may cover the biggest views and that lunch is your responsibility.

For the right person, this is a focused way to see Iceland’s volcanic interior without a multi-day trek. Bring serious weather gear, pack your food, leave plenty of room on your memory cards, and treat the $590 cost as payment for access to a difficult-to-reach part of Iceland with an experienced local guide.

FAQ

Where does the Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Bus Stop Hella.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 12 hours. Starting times depend on availability for your chosen date.

What places can I photograph on the tour?

The route includes Hekla volcano, Dómadalur valley, Frostastaðavatn, Ljótipollur, Landmannalaugar, Reykjadalir valley, Emstrur hut, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, Þórsmörk valley, and the west side of Markarfljótsgljúfur.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring your own lunch and snacks.

What should I wear?

Bring warm outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket and trousers, headwear, gloves, and appropriate hiking shoes or boots.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is a small-group activity limited to 10 participants.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Icelandic.