Lake Mývatn & Dettifoss day tour from Akureyri: 4x4 Jeep

Waterfalls, geothermal mud and lava fields in one morning and afternoon

A full-day 4x4 Jeep tour from Akureyri into North Iceland's Lake Mývatn region, visiting Goðafoss waterfall, Europe's most powerful waterfall at Dettifoss, hot mud pits at Hverir, and the lava formations of Dimmuborgir. Hotel pickup and drop-off included. An English-speaking guide leads the route through five main stops over eight to nine hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Godafoss35m
2. Dettifoss1h 30m
3. Hverir20m
4. Dimmuborgir30m

Explore Lake Mývatn and Waterfalls

• Start at Hotel KEA
• Visit Goðafoss waterfall
• See Dettifoss and nearby waterfalls
• Explore hot mud pits at Hverarönd
• Discover lava formations in Dimmuborgir

The experience

You start from your Akureyri hotel and head north in a 4x4 Jeep built for Iceland's rough terrain. The first stop is Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, where meltwater drops in a wide arc into a canyon. From there the route pushes deeper into the highlands toward Dettifoss, a glacier canyon holding three waterfalls. Dettifoss itself is Europe's most powerful, and the spray reaches you even from a distance. The guide navigates the gravel roads and stops where the landscape shifts.

The day also covers the geothermal area at Hverir in Námaskarð, where hot mud pits bubble and steam rises from the ground, and Dimmuborgir, a sprawl of dark lava formations shaped like a fortress. The pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar round out the geology. Each stop is included. The route is set, so you move through all five attractions in sequence rather than choosing which ones to see.

The tour runs eight to nine hours total, which means a full day but not an overnight. You'll be on gravel roads and walking short distances at each stop, so wear layers and bring water. The Jeep seats a group, so you're sharing the vehicle and the guide with other travelers. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Akureyri are included. The guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Akureyri.
• English-speaking guide.
• access to Goðafoss waterfall, Dettifoss and the glacier canyon with Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss, hot mud pits at Hverir, pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar, and lava formations at Dimmuborgir.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (under 16)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Star Travel Iceland

Is this one for you?Book this if you have one day and want to see five major sites (two waterfalls, geothermal areas, lava formations, pseudo craters) in a guided shared tour rather than navigating and driving yourself.

Traveler reviews

4.82★★★★★★★★★★

50 verified traveler reviews

5 ★45

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 16).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Dettifoss like when you arrive?

Dettifoss is Europe's most powerful waterfall, dropping into a glacier canyon with two other falls nearby, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss. The sheer volume of water creates spray that reaches the viewing area, and the canyon itself is the main draw rather than a single narrow drop.

How much walking is involved in the tour?

The tour includes short walks at each stop to reach the viewpoints and attractions, but nothing strenuous or prolonged. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, so the pace is manageable for most travelers.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Akureyri?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Akureyri are included, so the driver collects you in the morning and returns you at the end of the day.

What are the hot springs at Hverir actually like?

Hverir is a geothermal area in Námaskarð where hot mud pits bubble and steam vents rise from the ground. It's an active geothermal zone where you can see the earth's heat at work, though you stay on marked paths rather than entering the pits themselves.

Is this tour private or shared with other travelers?

It's a shared tour, so you travel in a 4x4 Jeep with other guests and one English-speaking guide. The group size varies by departure, but the vehicle and guide are shared.