One long day of waterfalls and hot springs. A private drive from Reykjavik at 8:30am takes you deep into Iceland’s interior, pairing a tight waterfall loop with a geothermal finish, and wrapping it up with PRO photos included.

I love how the stops are built around short, clear photo windows, so you can enjoy the views without rushing. I also love the Landmannalaugar hot-spring soak, because it turns a long day of cold air and wind into real comfort.

The only real catch is the 11-hour day with food and drinks not included, which means you’ll want to plan ahead so hunger doesn’t slow your mood.

Key things to know about Landmannalaugar & SecretGems

• A full highlands day, not a quick loop: about 11 hours total, with breaks on the way back
• Multiple waterfall stops with flexible timing: roughly 30–50 minutes each, but the pace adjusts to what you want to do
• Bláhylur’s turquoise canyon is the visual twist: turquoise water, stark volcanic surroundings, and nearby craters with blue pools
• Landmannalaugar is both hike and hot springs: 2.5 hours for trail time plus geothermal soaking
• PRO photos are included: you get tour photographs, so you do less guessing and more enjoying

The 8:30am Reykjavik pickup and a private group of up to 5

This is one of those Iceland days that only works well when someone else handles the driving. You start early from Reykjavik (meeting at 8:30am) and your group stays together the whole time. It’s private, so you are not squeezed into other people’s plans.

The group size matters. Up to 5 people keeps the day feeling like a real experience instead of a herd schedule. You also get hotel pickup and drop-off, which is a big deal in Reykjavik—getting to and from the countryside is often the part that eats half your energy on DIY days.

Duration is listed as about 11 hours, and the time at each stop is flexible. That sounds minor, but it’s actually useful. If the light is right at a waterfall, you can linger. If the wind is brutal at a viewpoint, you can move on faster without feeling like you are falling behind some fixed clock.

Waterfall circuit: Hjálparfoss, Haifoss, and Sigöldufoss

The day kicks off with a highland-style drive. Even before the waterfalls, you get that sense of Iceland changing under your wheels—post-volcanic terrain, stark color shifts, and bumpy roads that make you pay attention.

Hjálparfoss: basalt steps and your first big wow

Your first stop is Hjálparfoss, about 30 minutes with free admission. What makes it special is the combination of waterfalls and geology: a two-stepped cascade surrounded by impressive basalt formations nearby. It’s the kind of scene where the waterfall is the headline, but the rock structure helps you photograph it with depth.

One practical note: short stops are great, but you still want to arrive ready. If you have a camera, spend 10 seconds choosing where you will stand, then shoot, then watch. You’ll remember more than you think.

Haifoss: the third-largest waterfall and a two-waterfall frame

Next is Haifoss (another 30 minutes, free admission). It’s billed as Iceland’s third-largest waterfall, and from the viewing spot you can also spot Granni Waterfall. The fun part is the idea of capturing both waterfalls in a single frame. That’s a real “photographer’s move,” and it’s exactly why private pacing helps—if you want to try one more composition after the first one, you can.

Drawback to keep in mind: viewpoints are outdoors and conditions can shift fast. You may get the best shots by going for a quick bracket, then stepping back to enjoy the sound and mist for a minute.

Sigöldufoss: canyon energy in the Valley of Tears

Then you move to Sigöldufoss, located in the canyon known as the Valley of Tears. Again, about 30 minutes and free admission. This stop is less about a single perfect view and more about feeling the canyon’s mood. Waterfalls in canyons tend to look different depending on angle and weather, so if you keep walking a little and don’t fixate on one spot too early, you’ll usually get better variety.

Bláhylur: a secret gorge with turquoise water and crater lakes

If the waterfall section is the warm-up, Bláhylur is the day’s visual curveball. This is where the scenery color turns up. You get about 50 minutes here, and it’s all about the contrast: a turquoise gorge scene set against rugged volcanic walls.

Bláhylur is described as the Highlands secret gorge, famous for the striking turquoise water and the landscapes on both sides of the canyon. You also pass by volcanic craters—Bláhylur and nearby Ljótipollur—both filled with gorgeous blue water.

Why this stop works even if you are not a dedicated photographer: turquoise water in Iceland feels rare. It makes the photos pop, sure, but it also changes how you perceive the whole day. Suddenly you are not just collecting waterfalls; you are seeing how Iceland’s volcanic system creates color, texture, and mood.

What to watch out for: weather. This kind of viewpoint depends on visibility and wind. If clouds move in, your best move is to take one clean set of photos early, then switch to enjoying it with your eyes while you still have a clear moment.

Landmannalaugar: rainbow mountains plus geothermal hot springs

Now comes the main event. Landmannalaugar is where the day stops being a checklist and starts feeling like a place.

You get about 2 hours 30 minutes here, with free admission. The big draw is twofold: hike-worthy trails surrounded by rainbow-colored mountains, and a geothermal oasis of hot springs where you can recharge.

This is the part I think you will appreciate most when you plan your body. If you rush the hike and skip the soak, you lose the reset that makes Landmannalaugar special. On the other hand, if you soak first and forget to walk at least a short loop, you’ll regret not using the time you have.

The hot springs are the built-in relief. After the waterfall circuit and outdoor viewpoints, geothermal warmth feels like cheating—in a good way. It’s the kind of stop that turns “I saw Iceland” into “I actually felt Iceland.”

One other benefit: Landmannalaugar has enough variety that even if weather shifts, you can usually still get value. You can keep your walking light, focus on a few scenic segments, then spend time resting.

How the PRO photos change the feel of your day

This tour includes photographs from the tour, and the “PRO photos included” angle is more than marketing. It changes how you experience the route.

In a DIY day, you tend to get stuck in a loop: stop, frame, shoot, scramble to reset settings, then realize you missed the moment while you were busy working. Here, you can spend more energy just being present—then you still walk away with pictures.

Also, Icelandic Roamers is known for guides who are not only driving and explaining, but helping capture images. Names like Miro, Michal, and Robert show up in customer stories as guides who handle both the adventure side and the photography side. That matters because it’s not only about having a camera; it’s about timing and angles when conditions are changeable.

Practical advice: bring clothing you can move in, because photo moments often happen while you are walking between viewpoints. And if you use a phone, consider how you’ll stabilize it quickly when you reach windy spots.

Practical pacing: what to pack for 11 hours in the Highlands

Since food and drinks are not included, you should treat this like an outdoor day with real fuel needs. Pack snacks you actually like. Bring water. It keeps you from making rushed decisions at stops just because you’re hungry.

Clothing is the other big one. Highlands weather can change. Even when skies look fine at pickup, you can still feel wind and cold at viewpoints and along stops that are outdoors. Dress in layers. Good footwear matters too; you will likely move around viewpoints and trail areas depending on how you choose to spend your Landmannalaugar time.

Timing is flexible at each stop, but the total day still runs about 11 hours. That means you should decide your priorities before you leave. If your goal is photography, you might want to spend more time at Bláhylur and Landmannalaugar. If your goal is soaking and hiking balance, put your effort into Landmannalaugar and keep the earlier waterfall stops enjoyable rather than exhaustive.

Price and value: $2,407 for up to 5 people

At $2,407.02 per group (up to 5), this is not a cheap day. But it is also not just “a car rental plus stops.”

You are paying for:

• private, door-to-door hotel pickup and drop-off
• a guide/driver handling logistics across a long day
• access to multiple major interiors highlights in one shot
• PRO photo coverage included
• multiple free admission stops listed on the schedule

Here’s the value math you should do: if you fill the group, your per-person cost drops a lot. Even if you don’t fill it perfectly, the price can still be easier to swallow than doing highlands driving yourself, especially when you factor in the stress of planning, route timing, and the time you save by not spending hours on transfers.

If you are traveling solo and want the cheapest option, DIY will usually win. If you want a guided, photo-supported day where you can relax and stay present, this is where the value starts to make sense.

Who should book this tour, and who might skip it

Book it if you want one strong day in the Icelandic Highlands with variety: waterfalls, a turquoise gorge and crater-lake scenery, then a payoff at Landmannalaugar with both walking time and hot springs.

This also fits families and mixed-experience groups because the stops are structured and the time at each stop is flexible. That flexibility is helpful when someone in your party wants more time at a viewpoint while someone else wants to move on.

Skip it if you dislike long driving days or if you’re hoping for a short, easy sightseeing loop. This is a full-day commitment. Also, if you don’t want to plan snacks and layers, the lack of included food and drinks could annoy you.

Should you book Landmannalaugar & SecretGems?

If you are aiming for a one-day Highlands hit with real payoff, I think this is a smart booking. You get a compact run through Hjálparfoss, Haifoss, Sigöldufoss, then the color shift at Bláhylur and finally the full experience at Landmannalaugar with hot springs.

The decision comes down to two things:

1) Do you want guidance and photo support so you can stay in the moment instead of juggling logistics?

2) Are you okay with an 11-hour day and bringing your own food and drinks?

If you answered yes to both, book it. If you want something lighter or you’d rather DIY everything, you can build a cheaper route—but you’ll likely pay in time, stress, and fewer “got it all” moments.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The meeting time is 8:30am.

How long is the Landmannalaugar & SecretGems private tour?

The duration is listed as 11 hours (approx.).

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included.

How big is the group?

It’s a private tour with only your group participating, up to 5 people.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Are the PRO photos included?

Yes. The tour includes photographs from the tour, described as PRO photos included.

Are there admission fees at the stops?

Admission tickets are listed as free for the stop locations on the schedule.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.