Eyjafjallajokull
Super Jeep Day Tour from Reykjavik
The Golden Circle is the most popular day tour in Iceland for first time visitors. It includes the tectonic plate boundaries and the old parliament site at Thingvellir, Gullfoss waterfall and the geysers. This day tour is however different from the bus excursions because on this Super-Jeep tour we go into the highlands to Iceland’s second largest glacier where you have the option of going snowmobiling on the ice cap.
Traveling east out of Reykjavik along the south coast we get to the base of Eyjafjallajokull, the famous volcano that stopped all the air traffic in 2010. We start by driving to the north side of the volcano, towards Thorsmork, crossing several unbridged rivers, which is a lot of action and fun, to reach Gigjokull glacier tongue where melted ice flowed down from the eruption. This is as close as one can get to the volcano and offers a fantastic view of the ice fall which crumbles down from the top crater. Nowhere is it more evident that the glaciers are shrinking and changes in the landscape since the eruption are very dramatic.
Our next stop is Seljalandsfoss, a free falling waterfall, where we take a short path that leads behind the waterfall and you can feel the spray and drizzle on your face. From Seljalandsfoss we drive to the south side of Eyjafjallajokull, to another waterfall, Skogafoss. If lucky with the weather we get an excellent view of the summit of the glacier and volcano and we see the farmlands that were most affected by the eruption. From Skogafoss waterfall we can access the black sand beach.
If time, we might take a slightly different route back to Reykjavik as we always try to make the most of the day for our customers.
For your safety, Nature Explorer reserves the right to change tours according to weather and snow conditions.
Eyjafjallajokull Volcano
– north side
– south side
Seljalandsfoss
Skogafoss
Black Sand Beach
Thorsmork Valley
Q: What is the difference between this tour and the Thorsmork tour?
A: This tour covers a larger area, both sides of the volcano, so a bit more driving and shorter stops while the Thorsmork tour does not go to the south side but instead goes further into the Thorsmork valley where we have more time for short hikes or walks.
The tours are similar though so we don’t recommend booking both.
Q: Where do we have lunch?
A: Normally we stop at Hvolsvollur town and pick up sandwiches, snacks and drinks so that you are free to eat when ever hunger hits. Lunch is not included though – we would not dare to presume what you like for lunch.
“An Ideal Way to Explore”
My husband and I did the “Golden Circle and Glacier Super jeep” tour by Nature Explorer. We enjoyed the flexibility of being able to take pictures for as long as we wanted at our favourite destinations and getting the personalized attention throughout the tour. Our guide, Finn, was a brilliant man with prodigious knowledge of Iceland. We enjoyed learning about Icelandic history and culture while visiting stunning natural wonders. Gulfoss was magnificent and awe-inspiring.
I highly recommend snowmobiling on the Langgiuokull glacier as an optional part of this tour. It was a thrill to hit a little speed in the snowmobile and the view from atop the glacier was one of the best of our entire trip. Pictures can’t replicate it due to the difference between what the eye sees and what the camera can capture. The vast volcano and glacier skyline with seemingly endless snow were a sight to behold.
Another highlight to this tour were the geysers of Haukadalur. It’s very touristy but for good reason. As the boiling of pressurized water results in a powerful upward stream of water and steam, it’s hard not to appreciate this natural spectacle. Our guide, Finn, is also a professional photographer so he helped us set up some of our best pictures.
Needless to say, I highly recommend this tour.
– Reviewed on Tripadvisor by Treveller T, Toronto Canada
“This is the BEST tour in Iceland!”
I cannot stress how much we enjoyed our time with Nature Explorers while we were in Reykjavik. We set up two tours with the company; one to the Blue Lagoon and one to tour the Golden Circle with an added glacier tour. Both guides were informative and fun, and both locations are not to be missed! the Golden Circle was especially memorable as we toured with Hawk, the owner of the company. His wealth of knowledge of the area and general fun facts about Iceland kept us entertained throughout the 9 hour tour. The sites were fabulous, especially the glacier. He was able to take us ONTO the glacier in his converted vehicle…a special and unique treat that ALL must do. I can’t recommend choosing Nature Explorer enough – so much better than a bus tour and so fun and memorable.
– Reviewed on Tripadvisor by Sierra Higgins, California USA
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Tour details
Available: Every day.
Duration: 8 – 10 hours.
Departures: 9 am or at your request.
Free hotel pick up in Reykjavik.
Not included: Lunch and refreshments.
ISK 269900 per Super-Jeep
ISK 369900 per XL Super-Truck
Photos from the
Golden Circle + Glacier
