Combo Trip: Self Drive Super Jeep Tour to Landmannalaugar Hot Springs & Hekla Volcano. A Geological Adventure Full of Colors & Craters.
Trip difficulty 2 out of 5 possible. Rated: Easy
Experience the great Landmannalaugar interior destination driving a 4x4 super jeep as you explore Iceland’s unique interior paradise for geology enthusiasts and visiting hikers - and don’t forget to bring along your bathing suit and towel for a dip in one of Iceland’s natural geothermal spots.
We start off from Reykjavík and drive through the fertile farm lands of southern Iceland. Soon the snow-covered peak of Hekla, Iceland’s most famous active volcano, comes into view. Hekla was notorious in medieval Europe as it was believed to be the entrance to hell. Hekla has erupted approximately 20 times since the county was settled in the ninth century.
The variations in the lava and vegetation shaped by the forces of erosion create a spectacular setting for the volcano. We drive right up to the edge of the youngest lava field formed during the 2000 eruption. If weather permits, we drive up along the volcano’s ridge, which is 900 meters above sea level. From this height we can enjoy a splendid view of the surrounding region.
From the base of the volcano we drive over a truly rugged mountain track past lava fields and explosion craters.
We then head into Landmannalaugar traversing a few streams and rivers in our specially build super jeep. We will stop allowing time for exploring or a refreshing dip in the nearby hot springs stream. As we head out of the interior, we visit the explosion crater Ljótipollur. Then we advance down the picturesque Þjórsárdalur We’ll make a stop at the photogenic Hjálparfoss waterfall after making a pit stop at the highland hotel at Hrauneyjar for coffee and a break. The day in the Landmannalaugar area is a memorable experience and a geological treat.
PLEASE NOTE: Driving a modified 4x4 super jeep can be very demanding and dangerous, especially in icy and wet conditions. Therefore the guide has full authority to take over the driving should he evaluate it necessary.
Off-road driving means driving dirt roads and mountain passes. Due to extreme winter conditions these roads are often hard to drive or even impassable. In such cases the guide has full authority to alter the itinerary.
Drivers have to be over 25 years old and hold a valid drivers license. All our super jeeps are with manual transmission therefore you have to be comfortable with driving a stick shift.
Disclaimer:
All hiking and off-road trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.
Add 1.000 ISK to rent hiking shoes
Guaranteed departures:
Everyday from 10th of June to 15th of September for a minimum of 2 persons.
Pick-up from Reykjavík, self drive super jeep safari, packed lunch and a visit to Hekla, Landmannalaugar hot springs and Hjálparfoss waterfall.
Warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking shoes are recommended (note: hiking shoes, waterproof jacket and pants can be rented if you let us know in advance). Optional: Bathing in a natural warm pool at Landmannalaugar. Remember your bathing suit and a towel!
10-12 hours.
10 years.
2 persons.
Disclaimer:
All hiking and off-road trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.
How do I book and what information do you need from me?
There are three ways in which you can pay for the trips that you book with us.
1. You can pay through the internet, through our booking website. This is by far the easiest, safest and fastest way to reserve and pay for your adventure. If you choose this way then you will receive a voucher via e-mail which you will need to print and bring along on your trips. If you are going on a multi day trip then you will receive one voucher for all of the trips via e-mail and we will make you separate vouchers for each of your trips, which will be waiting your arrival in Iceland at our office at Laugavegur 11.
2. You can pay via phone, the phone number is +354 562 7000. If you choose to pay through phone then your vouchers will be waiting for you when you come to Iceland, either at our office at Laugavegur 11 or at your hotel.
3. Sometimes you can pay when you arrive to start your trip, but this is only possible in special circumstance.
Please Note: However you pay, you will always get a voucher:
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR VOUCHER ALONG FOR YOUR TRIP!
How much notice do I need for my booking?
We recommend that you book your trip with at least 2 days notice, but if you intend to visit Iceland in the summer season we recommend you book with as much notice as you can since our trips are very popular and they frequently sell out in high season.
What currency do you accept?
We only accept the Icelandic króna. Our website presents prices is ISK and in EURO, the EURO price is obtained by converting it with the currency exchange rate of the Icelandic Federal Bank. If you would like to calculate the price of our tours in some other currency you can do so here.
Do you do private departures?
Yes we arrange private trips and custom make super jeep tours all the time. Just contact our office and start the planning! You can email us here.
When is the U-Drive South Shore available?
All year round.
What is the difference between U-Drive Golden Summer and U-Drive Golden Winter?
The summer edition includes river rafting on Hvítá but the U-Drive Golden Winter includes lava caving.
Is is possible to book a U-Drive Golden with lava caving in summer?
Yes, as a private trip, please contact us to find out prices and availability.
What kind of jeeps do you use on self drive super jeep tours?
We use specially modified 4x4 self-drive vehicles which were especially designed for demanding terrain. They are Land Rover Defender or Land Rover Discovery and stand on huge 38" tires. They are equipped with a snorkel which draws air for the engine in from above the roof and enables us to drive across deep rivers with our getting water in the engine. Each car has a VHF radio which keeps all jeeps connected to the guide/guiding vehicle, so if you have question or the guide is giving instructions you will receive the crystal clear over the radio. Each car has GPS unit.
Each car also has a special off-road kit installed and its most important component is the air compressor. When we are driving in snow or sand we will take some of the air out of the tires this spreads the weight of the car more evenly and enables us to drive in terrain and conditions you would not believe possible. In some extreme cases we can let the air down to 2 psi (normal psi pressure is 20 psi). So the air compressor allows us to adjust the psi in our tires anywhere and and anytime, according to the conditions. The off road kit also includes a tow line, a hitch for the car and shovel.
Can there be several drivers on a self drive tour?
Yes, no problem you can have up to 5 different drivers in each car with out extra cost.
Will we get stuck on our super jeep tour?
Super jeep tours by definition can be demanding tours in demanding conditions. The jeeps are specially designed to get you where you are going but as in all tours that take place out in the wild Icelandic nature, nature has the last word. There is definitely a possibility that the jeeps will get stuck and that is simply a part of the program, part of the fun. Your guide has expert knowledge of the terrain and plenty of tricks up his sleeve to free the jeeps. On super jeep tours in summer but especially in winter you are almost guaranteed to run into some heavy terrain and difficult conditions so be prepared to grab a shovel and help out! It is like they say, when the going gets tough the tough get shoveling.. : )
What is the self risk amount on self drive super jeep tours?
Our self drive vehicles are rented to you and we then provide a guide to teach you how to drive a super jeep, guide you, tell you about Iceland and generally to help you out. How ever this is a rented car and rules and regulations are the same as for any rental car. If you damage your jeep during your trip the self risk amount is 2.500 Euro. Your guide can drive the car for you at anytime, but when you guide is driving he does so on your behalf and you are also responsible for damages that may incur while you guide drives your jeep for you. This only applies for SELF DRIVE SUPER JEEP TOURS. On driver guided tours Arctic Adventures or its partners (depending on the tour) is responsible for the super jeep.
What happens if I damage or crash the super jeep?
As stated above you will have to pay for any damage to the car up to the amount of 2.000 EUROs.
What happens if the car has a mechanical failure?
If you jeep breaks down then you are not liable for that damage unless the break down is directly caused by your driving (f.ex. if you drive to fast into a river and manage to get water in the engine).
Can I rent a self drive super jeep with out a guide, and travel around Iceland on my own?
Yes you can, please contact us for prices and conditions.
Where to your super jeep trips start?
On all standard trips we will pick you up in Reykjavík, if you are staying at one of the many hotels and guesthouses in downtown Reykjavík your pick up for your tour will be from the Cintamani Center which is our office. How ever if you are staying at one of the following hotels you will be picked up from there: Hotel Hilton Nordica, Hotel Cabin, Grand Hotel, Radisons SAS Saga, Hotel Loftleiðir and Parkinn Hotel. If you are unsure as to the location of your hotel and wether or not we will pick you up or you if you should meet us at our Center, then feel free to contact us and find out : )
Where is your Reykjavík Office located and when are you open?
Our office is at Laugavegur 11, the main shopping street in Reykjavík. There you can get all the information that you need, be it about the trips that you want to go to or just general information about Reykjavík. You can also book and pay for various day trips. We are open from 8:00 to 22:00 everyday ALL YEAR except the holidays
Check map below for location of our office:
View Arctic Adventures Headquarters in a larger map
Do I need a insurance before going on one of your trips?
We recommend that you have personal health insurance coverage when participating in adventure activities in Iceland, we actually recommend that when ever and where ever you travel you take out a good travel insurance..as world travelers our selves it has saved us money and aggravation many times..
What is the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is a name for the very popular sight seeing route that connects Reykjavík with Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs and Gullfoss Waterfall. We offer several Golden Circle trips that combine sightseeing with some of our adventure tours. Check out the Golden Grand Slam (which includes river rafting), the Golden Glacier Ride (which includes a snowmobile trip on Langjökull), the Treasure Island ( and the U-Drive Golden (which includes river rafting and a super jeep self drive trip).
Questions about the activities which are included on our super jeep trips.
How do Arctic Adventures, Arctic Rafting, the Glacier Guides, the Cintamani Center and Reykjavík Backpackers connect?
We are one family of companies that work together and share facilities (f.ex. we all have the same office in Reykjavík). We also share guides, vehicles and equipment in order to run an organized and professional operation. All of these companies are run by guides and adventures and owned by guides and adventurers.
How long have you been in business?
We have been in rafting on the Hvítá river since 1983 which makes us one of the longest running rafting operations in Europe. Since the late 1990s we have been adding more and more activities to our selection. So we are NOT a travel agency, we are an adventure operator, owned by guides and world travelers and run by guides and adventurers.
What is the minimum age for a participant on a your tours?
Each one of our tours have unique characteristics and different age limits, how ever you can generally assume that kids 10 years and older, with shoe size 35 EURO or larger can participate in our tours more easy going tours. On demanding tours we generally have a age limit of 18 years. On motorized activity tours participants that want to drive (f.ex. snowmobiles) you will need to be at least 17 years old and hold a valid driving license. Younger kids and those that would not like to drive can in most cases sit at the back of the quad or snowmobile. If you are going on a U-Drive Self Drive Super Jeep tour then all drivers have to be 25 years old.
Can I drink alcohol before or during your tours?
No absolutely not. The consumption of alcohol makes you more prone to hypothermia and makes you to unpredictable mistakes (as you probably know : ). It is therefore strictly prohibited, if we suspect that participants are intoxicated we will prohibit them from joining the tour.
What do I have to bring with me for my tour?
Each tour is different and you will need to bring different things. How ever there are certain things that you always have to bring with you. Remember this is ICEland and for you to have a pleasant experience here in the High North it is vital that you bring good outdoor clothing. No one should come to Iceland (it does no matter if you are coming in summer or winter) with out a good water and wind proof jacket and pants, good, sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes, a warm hat that breaks the wind, good warm gloves, good warm woolen or other thermal undergarments. Also if you are visiting Iceland in the winter time it is good to bring a down jacket and ski pants. In Iceland there is no such thing a bad weather, just bad equipment and not the right clothing.
When can I bring my camera along?
On all our trips that are NOT water based you can bring you camera along, and you should definitely bring one since Iceland is positively full of amazing, scenic views!
Here is short briefing on safety and insurance:
Ensuring the safety of all our participants is our first and foremost priority. However, due to the nature of outdoor and adventure activities, we are subject to the same environmental risks as in any wild natural environment. Should you wish to participate in one of our trips, we ask you to be prepared to sign a contract with us stipulating that you are fit to participate in such activities and assume all risks inherent in doing so.
If I am travelling solo, can I book a trip or is there always a minimum of 2 people?
There is a minimum of 2 people for most of our trips, we usually run the trips on the guaranteed departure dates. If you are interested in some trips and are traveling alone we can put you on waiting list and contact you if more people book the trip. Also in many cases, especially in summer time we already have a booking and you can join that group.