REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Eyjafjallajokull and Thorsmork Experience
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This is the kind of Iceland trip where the tires do the talking, rolling from Reykjavik out toward Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk terrain. The value here is simple: you get private access, plus a guide who knows where the gravel is safe and where the water crossings get tricky. It’s not just sightseeing from a window.
I like the all-terrain Super Jeep approach because it turns famous places into personal moments. You also get free hotel pickup and drop-off, which means you lose less time to logistics and more time to the road. One thing to consider: there’s no lunch included, so you’ll want to plan for snacks and budget extra if you’re the type who needs a real meal break.
In This Review
- Quick hits from the road
- Private Super Jeep in Iceland: why this format works
- Getting to Seljalandsfoss: short stop, big payoff
- Stakkholtsgjá canyon time: the off-the-road moment
- Eyjafjallajökull glacier country: volcano logic, not just photos
- What the Super Jeep driving actually feels like
- Timing and day flow: 10 hours that don’t feel rushed
- Price and value: $1,917.22 per group up to 3
- Packing tips that matter for waterfalls, canyons, and glacier country
- Guide quality: what makes the difference day-to-day
- Weather reality: don’t plan your expectations on perfect visibility
- Who this tour fits best (and who should pick something else)
- Should you book Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk with this setup?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- Where do I meet the guide?
- How long is the experience?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Is this a private tour?
- What vehicle do you use?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I need a driver’s license?
- Are there admission fees for the stops?
- What should I wear and bring?
Quick hits from the road
- Private group up to 3 with an expert Super Jeep Driverguide for close, real-time coaching
- Off-road 38-inch plus modified Jeep capability for gravel, steep grades, and river crossings
- Seljalandsfoss stop includes the famous walk behind the waterfall trail (expect mist and slippery rocks)
- Stakkholtsgjá canyon time gives you a chance to see a big gorge system from the inside corridor
- Eyjafjallajökull glacier-area viewpoint time connects Iceland’s glacier system to volcano geography
- Most days run 10 hours starting at 8:30am, with flexibility when weather affects access
Private Super Jeep in Iceland: why this format works

A lot of Iceland day trips feel like a rush through parking lots. This one feels different because it’s built around one vehicle and one guide-driver for just your party (up to three people). That matters when the road is gravel, when weather changes quickly, and when you need someone making calls in real time.
You’re picked up from your hotel and brought back at the end. Starting around 8:30am, you’re not stuck waiting around Reykjavik for other groups to arrive. You’ll meet your guide in the reception area of the meeting point, then get set up for a long, active day out of the city.
The truck setup is also a key part of the value. You’re traveling in a Super Jeep with 38-inch modification or bigger. That’s not just marketing—this kind of vehicle is meant for the uneven, wet, and steep conditions where normal 4x4s can struggle.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
Getting to Seljalandsfoss: short stop, big payoff

The plan includes a stop at Seljalandsfoss, and yes, it’s worth it. The standout feature is the trail that circles the waterfall, letting you walk around behind the falls via the rocks and walkways in the cliff area.
What to expect:
- The trail can get you wet. Mist is constant, and the rocks can be slippery.
- The walk is only about 30 minutes, so you’ll want quick feet and light decisions: gear up, choose your path, and make the most of the time.
Why I like this stop on a day like this: it’s a quick emotional hit early on. You’re about to spend hours driving and walking in harsher terrain. Seljalandsfoss gives you that wow factor before you trade smooth roads for rugged ones.
The only drawback is practical. If you’re traveling in layers, still wear something you can handle getting damp. It’s not a museum stop where you can linger dry.
Stakkholtsgjá canyon time: the off-the-road moment

Next up is Stakkholtsgjá, a canyon that runs about 2 kilometers long and around 100 meters deep. The gorge is crossed by a number of small streams. At the entrance it feels bigger and more open, then it narrows as you go deeper.
This stop is interesting because it’s not the standard “run in, take a photo, run out” move. You get about an hour to experience the canyon’s scale and the way water shapes the rock channel.
Why it’s valuable:
- You’re not just looking at Iceland; you’re moving through a place where the terrain does the work.
- It’s a slower moment built into the driving day, which helps you actually notice details instead of counting miles.
What to consider: canyon time means you’ll want steady shoes and a little comfort on uneven ground. Even if the hike isn’t listed as long, the terrain tends to be rougher than you might expect.
Eyjafjallajökull glacier country: volcano logic, not just photos
You’ll get about an hour near Eyjafjallajökull, the glacier that covers over 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) and is described as the sixth largest in Iceland. It sits near Mrdalsjökull, and the area is also tied to volcano geography—Katla is mentioned as being hidden under glaciers here.
One more specific detail matters for your understanding: the well-known outlet-glacier from Eyjafjallajökull is Gigjökull. Meltwater from the glacier feeds rivers, including one that drains toward the South Coast and connects back to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall system.
So even if the views aren’t dramatic in the moment, you’re standing in a landscape shaped by how glaciers feed water networks—and how volcano systems sit beneath ice. It’s Iceland’s science turned into something you can walk next to.
What you might find is that conditions affect what you can do. Fog or low visibility can limit the type of glacier driving or access you get that day. The good news: the day is set up to still deliver driving and terrain encounters even if glacier time shifts.
What the Super Jeep driving actually feels like

This is one of those trips where “off-road” means real off-road. In practice, that usually includes:
- Gravel roads that demand attention
- Steep inclines and rough grade changes
- River crossings where your guide’s judgment matters
From the guide side, the most praised aspect is confidence and communication—people mention guides pointing out where it’s safe to drive and answering questions about Iceland along the way. You’re not left guessing. If you get time behind the wheel, it’s typically with your guide supervising the approach and route choice.
What I think you should expect:
- The drive is part of the show. The truck is the tool that gets you places most day tours can’t touch.
- You’ll come away with a better feel for what Iceland terrain does to vehicles—and for why guides insist on patience.
A possible drawback is simple: if you get carsick, you’ll want to plan for that. You’re in a modified vehicle and you’ll be bouncing around on rough ground. Bring your usual motion-sickness strategy.
Timing and day flow: 10 hours that don’t feel rushed
The duration is about 10 hours, and the structure stays logical. You start early, get a waterfall stop, move to a canyon, then shift toward the glacier area, before heading back.
That flow is practical for two reasons:
- You front-load the most famous stop while you still have energy.
- You keep the most variable parts (glacier access) later, when weather can determine what’s possible.
Also, you end back at the meeting point. So you’re not dealing with the stress of being dropped somewhere far from your hotel. Hotel pickup and drop-off makes it easier to go back and shower without turning the day into an all-day logistics puzzle.
Price and value: $1,917.22 per group up to 3

This price is quoted as $1,917.22 per group (up to three people). At face value, that’s expensive—no polite way to say it. But the question is whether it’s expensive for what you’re buying.
Here’s what you’re paying for:
- Private tour: just your party, not a crowd
- A properly modified Super Jeep rather than a basic minivan experience
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- An expert Driverguide who handles safety and routes on rugged ground
- A vehicle built for river crossings and steep terrain (not just for photos)
If you split it three ways, you’re not paying per person like the mass-market tours. You’re paying for a tailored vehicle-and-guide day. For a couple or small group that wants to go beyond “accessible by road,” it can feel like good value.
Budget note: lunch isn’t included. The tour includes snacks for the day, but if you need a proper meal, you’ll want to plan ahead (or be ready to buy food if there’s an opportunity). It’s one of the few real cost add-ons you control.
Packing tips that matter for waterfalls, canyons, and glacier country

This kind of day punishes sloppy packing. The tour info is clear on essentials: warm outdoor clothing and good shoes.
I’d add a simple rule: pack for wet and cold, not just cold. Seljalandsfoss can leave you damp, and canyon areas can feel colder with shade and wind.
Bring:
- A waterproof layer if you have one
- Closed-toe grip shoes (traction beats style here)
- Your camera (you’ll have stops worth photographing)
- Any day snacks you personally prefer, even though snacks are provided
It’s also worth noting: the tour allows service animals, and it says most travelers can participate. If you have mobility constraints, you’ll want to double-check comfort with uneven ground and walking sections at each stop.
Guide quality: what makes the difference day-to-day
The big recurring theme in the experience is the guide-driver quality—people mention friendly, professional guides with strong Iceland and driving know-how. Names that show up include Skooli, Ingo, Arnar, and Jói. You might not get the same guide, but the operational promise is the same: this is a driver-led experience where safety and routing matter.
In a place like this, good guiding is what turns scary moments into memorable ones. People also describe getting unstuck when a vehicle bottoms out, and handling it quickly as part of the adventure. That tells you the team is prepared for the real conditions of rough terrain.
Weather reality: don’t plan your expectations on perfect visibility
Iceland weather has a habit of changing its mind. Even when your route targets glacier areas, fog and visibility can change what’s possible. That’s not a failure; it’s Iceland being Iceland.
So treat the glacier stop as a chance to connect with Eyjafjallajökull country, not as a guarantee of one specific type of glacier moment. When weather limits access, the day still has plenty of driving and natural stops built in.
If your goal is a very specific glacier experience, you’ll want flexibility in your schedule and a willingness to accept that access can shift.
Who this tour fits best (and who should pick something else)
This day trip is a strong match if:
- You want a private small group experience, not a crowded bus route
- You’re excited about real off-road driving in a modified vehicle
- You like active sightseeing: short walks plus big terrain time
- You value a guide who can handle risk and answer questions as you go
You may want to choose something different if:
- You dislike rough, bumpy roads or have motion sickness concerns
- You need a long sit-down lunch included in the price
- You’re looking only for low-effort, minimal walking stops
Should you book Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk with this setup?
If your idea of Iceland includes driving through the places most visitors can’t reach comfortably, I think this is a smart booking. The mix of private access, a modified Super Jeep, and a route that includes Seljalandsfoss plus canyon time and the glacier region is exactly the kind of day that turns a trip into a story you keep telling.
Book it if you can handle wet conditions, uneven ground, and the reality that weather can adjust glacier access. Skip it if you want a relaxed, easy day with predictable sightseeing. For the right traveler—small group, adventurous spirit, and okay with driving being half the fun—this is a standout value in the Iceland “get dirty, see more” category.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at 8:30am.
Where do I meet the guide?
The meeting point is Klettháls 3, 110 Reykjavík, Iceland. You’ll meet your guide in the reception.
How long is the experience?
It runs about 10 hours.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates (up to three people).
What vehicle do you use?
You ride in a Super Jeep with 38-inch modification or bigger.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included, but the day includes snacks.
Do I need a driver’s license?
A driver’s license is required only for self-drive tours. The tour includes an expert driverguide.
Are there admission fees for the stops?
The listed stops include free admission for the time you visit.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear warm outdoor clothing and good shoes. Bring your camera, and you’ll want to be ready for wet conditions at Seljalandsfoss.
If you tell me your travel month and whether you prefer more walking or more driving, I can help you judge whether this exact day length and stop mix fits your style.






















