Iceland’s highlands look best from a moving window. This Jeep photography tour is built for your camera, with an expert local guide and enough time at each stop to actually work a scene. Two highlights I’d put at the top: the rainbow-toned Landmannalaugar rhyolite mountains and the chance to frame Iceland’s glaciers in multiple settings across the day.

One thing to think about first: it’s a long 12-hour day, and lunch is not included. If you’re not ready for cold, wet conditions (and you forget snacks), the experience can feel more like endurance than photography.

Quick hits for your camera plan

• Super Jeep access across Iceland’s rough highland roads, so you’re not just looking from the edge of a viewpoint
• Landmannalaugar color geology plus a geothermal bathing pool right by steep black lava fields
• A route that changes scenes fast, from Hekla to valleys, lakes, glaciers, and Þórsmörk
• Stops timed for photography, with planned windows to explore and shoot at each location
• Small group size (max 10) helps your guide keep the focus on your best angles

Why a Jeep photo route makes sense in the Icelandic Highlands

I like tours that match the terrain instead of fighting it, and the “super jeep” format does exactly that. Iceland’s interior isn’t a smooth, easy corridor of roadside pull-offs. It’s a place of valleys, lava, and changing weather, and a vehicle designed for rough travel helps you reach the photo spots without turning the day into a hiking test.

This tour is also paced around your lens, not a quick bus-window checklist. You get time to stop, look, and shoot from different angles, which matters because highland scenery can look dramatic but still hard to “capture” unless you can linger.

Morning start: Hekla, Dómadalur Valley, and the lake stops

The day kicks off from Bus Stop Hella (in the parking lot in front of the glass building). From there, the route heads toward Hekla, sometimes called the Gateway to Hell, which gives your morning an instant wow-factor. Hekla isn’t just a name on a map. It’s part of the vibe of this whole trip: volcanic Iceland, seen up close, with a sense of scale you can feel even through a camera.

Next comes Dómadalur valley, followed by the lakes Frostastaðavatn and Ljótipollur. I like these middle-morning stops because they help you vary your photos. Early shots can be about dramatic forms, while the lakes give you surfaces and reflections you can use for calmer compositions. If you enjoy shooting textures, this section gives you plenty of material: rock, water, and the way light moves as you change elevation.

The potential drawback here is also simple: the drive takes time, and early stops may feel like you’re switching gears often. If you prefer slow travel with long, single-location sessions, you’ll want to stay mentally ready for a steady rhythm.

Landmannalaugar: rhyolite colors, black lava fields, and geothermal time

After several hours of highland driving, you reach Landmannalaugar, described as one of Iceland’s special off-the-track areas. This is the part of the trip most people remember because it’s the rare mix of geology that looks almost unreal. The colorful rhyolite mountains create natural gradients in your photos, and the nearby geothermal bathing pool offers a contrasting human-scale moment.

You’ll also be surrounded by steep black lava fields, which is great for photo contrast. Colors on one side, darker volcanic textures on the other. That combination makes it easier to create images that feel layered instead of flat.

A practical note: you’ll want warm layers and waterproof outerwear, because Landmannalaugar is outdoors in a highland environment. Even if you’re not planning to use the bathing pool, you’ll still be standing around taking pictures, and the temperature plus wind can change quickly.

The Laugavegur trail section and Reykjadalir geothermal valley

Once the Landmannalaugar stop wraps up, you jump back into the super jeep and head toward the Laugavegur trail. This is a big shift from the immediate color mountains toward a wider, trail-and-valley feel, which is exactly how you keep your photo set from repeating the same look.

From there, the route goes through Reykjadalir valley, where you’ll see geothermal activity. I like this transition because it gives you more than just scenery. Geothermal areas add shapes—steam, ground changes, and the sense of heat in a place that’s already visually intense.

This section also sets up the glacier moment. As you continue, you’ll see Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers emerge. That’s the kind of view you’ll want to plan for with patience, because wide glacier perspectives can look great on camera but take a bit of time to frame well as you move.

Glaciers to Emstrur hut: the ice-cap panorama payoff

As you get closer to Road 1, the scenery shifts again, with large ice caps coming into view. Eventually you arrive at Emstrur hut, and the ice sheets offer a panoramic outlook that makes a strong final “big picture” segment for your day.

Panoramas are tricky if you’ve been shooting only close-up textures earlier. Emstrur hut is helpful because it resets your photos with a different scale: huge ice forms, layered distance, and a wider sense of place. If you care about creating a coherent story set, this stop is a key chapter.

The only consideration I’d flag is again timing. You’re traveling through multiple regions in a single day, so your best images depend on keeping your energy steady. If you start the day with a lot of enthusiasm but run out of patience halfway through, that’s when people stop noticing the small framing opportunities.

Þórsmörk valley finale: Eyjafjallajökull and Markarfljótsgljúfur views

As the journey draws to an end, you’ll have the chance to take final photos of Eyjafjallajökull and Þórsmörk valley, seen from the west side of Markarfljótsgljúfur. This is a smart way to finish: Þórsmörk brings a different “feel” from the earlier geothermal and lake scenes, and Markarfljótsgljúfur gives you natural depth lines to work with.

I also appreciate the tour’s emphasis on finishing strong visually. Eyjafjallajökull appears earlier in the day too, so ending with it again from a new angle helps your set feel intentional instead of repetitive.

One practical reminder from the tour details: make sure you still have space on your memory cards. This route packs in a lot of subject matter, and it’s not a day you’ll want to stop mid-moment to manage storage.

Price and value: what $590 buys you here

At $590 per person for a 12-hour small-group tour, this isn’t a budget add-on. But the value is in what’s included: a local guide plus a super jeep route designed to reach multiple highland zones that would be difficult to access with simpler transport.

Here’s how I’d think about the cost in real terms:

• You’re paying for guided access across varied highland environments, not just scenic pull-offs.
• You get a small group (limited to 10 participants), which can matter when you’re moving between photo points and need your guide to manage the flow.
• The itinerary includes multiple distinct shooting backdrops: volcano views, valley and lake scenes, Landmannalaugar colors and geothermal pool area, trail views, glacier perspectives, and a Þórsmörk finale.

The main value trade-off is that lunch isn’t included. That doesn’t make the price unfair, but it does mean you should plan for your own food timing. The tour does suggest bringing some snacks, so you’ll likely want to treat snacks as part of your shooting strategy.

What to bring so you can enjoy the full day

This tour is outdoors and it’s in the highlands, so the basics matter. The tour recommends warm outdoor clothing, including a waterproofed jacket and pants, head-wear, and gloves. You’ll also want appropriate hiking boots/shoes and at least a little snack supply.

I’d also pay attention to how this affects your photography comfort. When your hands are cold or your feet are wet, you stop working your camera. You start rushing to get back in the vehicle. Dressing for conditions keeps you present for the stops that look amazing on paper.

And because the schedule includes several big visual moments—especially glaciers and the Landmannalaugar color zones—you’ll want to start the day with camera readiness and plenty of memory card space.

Who this tour is best for

This super jeep photography tour fits best if you:

• want a guided, time-managed way to photograph multiple highland areas in one long day
• enjoy variety: volcanic textures, geothermal terrain, lakes, and glacier panoramas
• like learning from a guide who can point out what’s worth photographing at each stop

It’s described as not suitable for children under 6, so plan for an adult-friendly pace. English and Icelandic are available through the live guide, which is useful if you want clear explanations without losing details.

Should you book the Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour?

If you’re the type of traveler who doesn’t just want to see Iceland’s highlands but also wants images that feel like you were really there, this is a strong match. The format—super jeep access, small group size, and time to shoot at multiple locations—is built for photographers and visual storytellers.

I’d especially recommend booking if Landmannalaugar and glacier views are on your Iceland priority list. The route gives you more than one shot at big scenery, and it ends with a memorable Þórsmörk valley angle.

Skip it only if you dislike long travel days, or if you need meals handled for you. With lunch not included, the day asks you to be self-sufficient with snacks and steady energy.

FAQ

How long is the Laugavegur Photography Jeep Tour?

The tour lasts 12 hours.

Where does the tour start, and where does it end?

It starts at Bus Stop Hella, in the parking lot in front of the glass building, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $590 per person.

What’s included in the tour?

A local guide is included.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

How big is the group?

The group is small, limited to 10 participants.

What languages are available for the live guide?

The guide is available in English and Icelandic.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It’s not suitable for children under 6.

What should I bring?

Bring warm outdoor clothing, waterproofed jacket and pants, head-wear, gloves, appropriate hiking boots/shoes, and some snacks.