Landmannalaugar & SecretGems | Private Tour | PRO Photos included

The best part of this private tour is that it takes you into Iceland’s Highlands, far beyond the usual Golden Circle circuit. You’ll follow rough F Roads to waterfalls, volcanic craters, turquoise lakes, and Landmannalaugar’s hot springs, with a guide handling the route and the driving.

I like two things right away: the private format, which lets your group adjust stop times, and the included photography. Miro, Robert, and Michal are all associated with Icelandic Roamers, and the company’s guides also shoot photographs and video. You can enjoy the scenery instead of spending every minute behind a camera.

The main drawback is the long day. You’ll spend about 11 hours on the road, including roughly 2 hours going into the Highlands and 3.5 hours returning to Reykjavik. The roads are rough, the weather can change plans, and food and drinks are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Landmannalaugar is the main event: You get about 2.5 hours for trails, colorful mountains, and a geothermal hot spring.
• The route includes five major stops: Hjálparfoss, Háifoss, Sigöldufoss, Bláhylur, and Landmannalaugar.
• A private 4×4 matters here: The journey uses rugged F Roads that ordinary rental cars are not suited for.
• Photography is part of the package: Your guide takes photographs during the day and provides them afterward.
• The group limit is five people: The $2,407.02 rate is per group, not per person.
• Weather controls the day: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this Highland route is worth your day

Iceland’s interior feels like a different country from Reykjavik. The coast and major waterfall routes are easier to reach, but the Highlands bring rough tracks, empty valleys, volcanic colors, and broad views with fewer signs of settlement.

This tour gives you a practical way into that country. You do not need to rent a specialized 4×4, study F Road conditions, or worry about route finding. Your guide drives, watches conditions, and adjusts the pace to suit your group.

That matters because this is not a quick photo stop near a paved road. The first drive takes about two hours, and the return takes about three and a half hours, with breaks planned along the way. You need to be comfortable with a full day in a vehicle, including bumpy sections.

The private setup changes the mood. A group of two can keep the day calm. A family of five can make stops work around different interests. Hikers can spend more time at Landmannalaugar, while photographers can ask for extra time at a waterfall or crater viewpoint, subject to the total tour length.

Leaving Reykjavik for the F Roads

Pickup begins at about 8:30 a.m. from your hotel or another agreed location in Reykjavik. You travel in a capable 4×4 with a driver-guide rather than joining a large coach group.

The road into the Highlands is part of the experience. Expect changing surfaces and a rougher ride than you would get on Iceland’s main paved routes. This is precisely why a guided trip makes sense. The company’s guides have experience with off-road Highland routes, and previous outings with Icelandic Roamers have included river crossings and difficult tracks.

I would not choose this day if you want a smooth, relaxed drive with frequent cafés. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need for the day. The supplied details do not specify a meal stop, and the remote route offers less convenience than the city or coast.

The guides also bring a human touch to a long drive. Miro is described as friendly and an excellent photographer, while Michal has helped families with photography, drone tips, music, and a relaxed pace. Robert is praised for safe driving, route planning, and adjusting the day around the weather forecast. Your confirmed guide may vary, so it is sensible to check who will lead your departure.

Hjálparfoss, a graceful first stop

Your first named stop is Hjálparfoss, about 30 minutes from the start of the sightseeing portion. This two-stepped waterfall drops through unusual basalt formations, giving you more than a simple wall of falling water.

The setting works well as an opening stop because it introduces two features that define the day: flowing water and volcanic rock. The waterfall is free to visit, and the short stop gives you time for photographs without using too much of the day’s hiking time.

I like the contrast here. The water is delicate and divided, while the basalt around it looks hard and geometric. This is a good place to let your guide help with composition if you want more than a quick snapshot.

Do not expect a long walk or a full hiking session at Hjálparfoss. The planned visit is about 30 minutes. The real reward is the combination of waterfall and rock, not a large menu of activities.

Háifoss and Granni from one viewpoint

Next comes Háifoss, one of Iceland’s major waterfalls and the third largest in the country according to the supplied tour information. You’ll spend about 30 minutes at a viewing spot where Háifoss and nearby Granni can be seen together.

That paired view is the reason to pay attention here. Instead of framing one waterfall in isolation, you can capture two cascades in the same scene, dropping into a dramatic Highland setting.

Háifoss is also a good example of why this tour is aimed at scenery lovers. There is no admission charge and no elaborate attraction infrastructure. You are going for the view, the open space, and the chance to photograph a powerful natural feature from above.

The stop is short, so you will need to make decisions quickly. If you want careful tripod work or many different compositions, tell your guide early. The private format gives you more flexibility, but the tour still has to reach Landmannalaugar and return to Reykjavik within the planned day.

Sigöldufoss in the Valley of Tears

The next waterfall is Sigöldufoss, reached in the area often called the Valley of Tears. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and adds another style of water scenery to the route.

By this point, you will have seen a two-stepped fall and a paired waterfall viewpoint. Sigöldufoss helps keep the route varied, especially for anyone who enjoys comparing the shape, color, and setting of different cascades.

The name Valley of Tears gives the place a touch of Icelandic drama, but the practical appeal is visual. You get another chance to see water cutting through the Highland terrain before the route turns toward volcanic craters and Landmannalaugar.

Three waterfall stops can sound repetitive on paper. In practice, the surrounding rock and viewpoint make each one different. Still, if your group is less interested in photography, you may prefer to shorten one waterfall stop and give more time to the geothermal area. Time at each stop is flexible, though the full tour length remains fixed.

Bláhylur, Ljótipollur, and the blue crater country

The route then reaches one of its most striking areas, with about 50 minutes assigned to Bláhylur and the nearby volcanic craters. Bláhylur is known for intensely blue water, while Ljótipollur is another crater filled with blue water.

This is where the colors of the Highlands become especially useful for photographs. Blue water, dark volcanic ground, and colored hills create strong contrasts without needing a busy attraction or staged viewpoint.

You will also pass two volcanic craters on the way toward the mountains. The tour description links Bláhylur and Ljótipollur with the area’s unusual geology, so this is a good point to ask your guide about Iceland’s volcanic forces and post-volcanic terrain.

The stop is longer than the earlier waterfall visits, but 50 minutes still passes quickly if you want to walk, photograph, and take in several viewpoints. The terrain and road conditions may affect exactly where you stop, so keep your expectations flexible.

This section may appeal most to photographers and people who like stark, unusual scenery. If you prefer green valleys and conventional mountain views, the volcanic colors can feel severe. That is also what makes the Highlands memorable.

Landmannalaugar, the day’s real prize

Landmannalaugar receives about 2.5 hours, the longest stop of the tour. That is the right priority. The area is known for rainbow-colored mountains, hiking trails, and geothermal water where you can soak before the long ride back.

You should think of this stop as a compact Highland visit rather than a full trekking day. Two and a half hours can give you time for a walk, photographs, and a soak, but it will not support a long trail itinerary. If hiking is your top goal, ask in advance how the guide normally divides the time.

The mountains here are the visual heart of the route. Their color comes from the area’s volcanic geology, and the effect is very different from the black sand, glaciers, or coastal cliffs found elsewhere in Iceland.

The hot spring adds a welcome change of pace. After hours of driving and short viewpoints, you can slow down and recharge before heading back. The supplied information does not specify what changing facilities, towels, or swimwear arrangements are available, so ask the provider what to bring before departure.

I especially like that Landmannalaugar is not treated as a quick roadside photo. You get enough time to do something with the place. You can hike, sit in the geothermal area, or simply look across the colored hills.

The tradeoff is that the return journey begins after this stop. If you choose a longer walk, you may have less time to relax in the hot spring. Agree on a plan with your guide so you do not spend the final hour rushing.

The return to Reykjavik

The ride back takes about 3.5 hours, with breaks planned along the way. From the vehicle, you’ll see post-volcanic ground set against the colored Highland hills, a fitting final view after the day’s waterfalls and craters.

This is the part of the day that demands realistic expectations. You may be tired by now, and the rough roads can feel more noticeable after a hike. A private vehicle helps because you can talk with your guide, adjust the music, and take breaks suited to your group rather than following a large coach schedule.

The long return also explains why this tour costs more than a standard sightseeing day. You are paying for a specialized vehicle, a private driver-guide, a remote route, pickup and drop-off, and the time needed to reach places that ordinary rental cars should not attempt.

What the photography adds

Photography is not a minor extra here. The driver-guides work as photographers, and the package includes photographs from the tour. Miro is also described as using a drone on some longer trips, while Michal has helped with camera work and drone tips. You should confirm exactly what equipment and number of finished images are included for your specific departure.

The value is simple: you can put your phone away at times. Your guide can point out a strong viewpoint, help with a family photograph, or capture the scale of the mountains while you enjoy the place.

This is especially useful for families, couples, and anyone making a special trip. One father and son used a private Icelandic Roamers outing as a bonding experience, with the guide encouraging the teenager to try new foods, hike, and enjoy unusual settings. That kind of attention is easier in a private group than on a fixed coach route.

Still, do not book this only for a promised photo package. The main product is the Highland journey. The photographs are a valuable bonus, but image style, delivery method, and editing details are not fully specified here.

Price, group size, and practical value

The cost is $2,407.02 per group of up to five people. At the full five-person limit, that works out to about $481 per person. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, but the private format remains useful if you care about personal pacing and photography.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A driver-guide
• Photographs from the tour
• A private experience for your group

Food and drinks are not included. The tour is offered in English, starts at 8:30 a.m., and lasts about 11 hours.

I see the strongest value for a group of four or five, especially if you would otherwise need to rent a suitable 4×4 and pay for several separate activities. The price is harder to justify for a couple on a tight budget, but it may still make sense if Landmannalaugar is a top priority and you want a guide rather than a self-drive challenge.

The tour is commonly reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 199 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last part of a summer Iceland trip, especially if your dates are fixed.

Who should book this Highland day

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A private day rather than a large group excursion
• Access to Iceland’s interior without driving an F Road yourself
• Waterfalls, crater lakes, colored mountains, and geothermal water in one route
• Professional photographs along with your own pictures
• A guide who can adjust the pace and respond to weather
• A special day for a family, couple, or small group of friends

I would look elsewhere if you want a gentle day with little time in the vehicle. The route is remote, the roads are rough, and the return to Reykjavik is long. It is also not the best choice if your main goal is a serious multi-hour hike at Landmannalaugar, since the stop is limited to about 2.5 hours.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is offered in English. Since good weather is required, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book Landmannalaugar with Icelandic Roamers?

Book it if you want the Highlands without taking on the driving yourself. The route packs five major sights into one demanding day, and the private vehicle lets you shape the stops around your group.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the access to rugged Highland roads, the long Landmannalaugar stop, and the included photography. The main caution is the price and the amount of driving. Bring food and drinks, prepare for rough roads, and accept that weather can change the plan.

For a small group that values scenery, quiet roads, flexible pacing, and lasting photographs, this is a strong way to reach Iceland’s interior. For a budget-conscious couple or a dedicated hiker, compare the cost and limited hiking time before committing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Reykjavik, and the listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 11 hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to five people.

Which places are included?

The route includes Hjálparfoss, Háifoss, Sigöldufoss, Bláhylur, Ljótipollur, and Landmannalaugar.

Is the hot spring at Landmannalaugar included?

Time is provided at Landmannalaugar, where you can use the geothermal hot springs. The details do not specify towels, changing facilities, or swimwear arrangements.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.