Diamond Circle, Waterfalls and Amazing Landscapes from Akureyri

Dettifoss is the headline here: a broad wall of white water dropping 148 feet into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. But the real pleasure is the changing scenery along the way, from smoking mud pools and black lava to Lake Mývatn and the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon. You cover a lot of northern Iceland in one long day.

I like the small-group format, which can make a packed schedule feel more personal, and I like that hotel pickup, transport, and a driver-guide are included. The tradeoff is the pace: with many major stops between Akureyri and Húsavík, you will spend plenty of time on the road and only limited time at some sights.

Key points at a glance

• Dettifoss is the big payoff: See one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls from the Jökulsárgljúfur area.
• The scenery changes constantly: Lake Mývatn, lava fields, steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud, volcanic craters, canyon walls, and a fishing village all fit into one day.
• The day is physically manageable but active: The longest walk is about 40 minutes, and sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.
• The group may be intimate or moderately sized: The tour is promoted as a small-group experience, with a stated maximum of 16 people and some departures limited to 8.
• Bring your own food: Lunch and drinks are not included, so pack a lunch, water, and weatherproof layers.
• The schedule needs checking: The information gives both an 8 a.m. hotel departure and a 9 a.m. start at Hótel Kea, so confirm your exact pickup time before setting out.

Why this is a strong northern Iceland day trip

The Diamond Circle works well because it gathers several very different kinds of Icelandic scenery into one route. You are not spending the entire day looking at waterfalls, nor are you visiting only geothermal sites. One hour you may be beside a calm volcanic lake, and later you are looking into a crater or watching a huge river thunder through a canyon.

From Akureyri, this is an ambitious outing. The tour lasts about 10 hours, with pickup in the morning and a return around 7 p.m. That long day is the price of seeing Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi without arranging an overnight stay in the Mývatn or Húsavík area.

The strongest part of the experience is the variety. Godafoss gives you an easy and dramatic start, while Hverir and Krafla show the restless volcanic ground beneath northern Iceland. Dettifoss provides the raw force, and Ásbyrgi adds a quieter, more spacious finish before the return drive.

The guide also matters on a day like this. The route involves long stretches between stops, so a driver who can explain the area and keep the day moving adds real value. Yori received special praise for guiding a fast-paced outing, while Thor, his assistant, and Reynir were also named positively for their stories, information, and friendly approach.

Starting from Akureyri and getting set for the road

The published meeting point is Hótel Kea, at Hafnarstræti 87-89 in central Akureyri. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the timing needs attention. The tour description refers to pickup for an 8 a.m. departure, while the meeting-point details give a 9 a.m. start.

That is a meaningful difference, especially on a full-day trip. Check the confirmation you receive and ask the operator to clarify the exact pickup time if needed. You do not want to be standing outside in the cold at the wrong hour.

Transport is by 4×4 or a clean, comfortable bus, depending on the departure. The information describes a maximum of 16 people, while the main tour description presents the outing as limited to 8. In practice, group size may vary, so confirm if having a very small group is important to you.

You should arrive ready for changing weather. Bring warm clothing, waterproof outer layers, good hiking shoes, a water bottle, and a packed lunch. The walking is not described as strenuous, but conditions near waterfalls, lava fields, and geothermal ground can be wet or uneven.

Godafoss, the waterfall with an easy first stop

Godafoss is an excellent opening stop because it offers a major Icelandic sight without requiring a long walk at the start of the day. The falls spread across a broad section of the river, creating several channels of rushing water rather than one narrow plunge.

This is a good place to get your camera ready and settle into the rhythm of the excursion. You will have the chance to view the falls, take photographs, and listen to the guide explain the area before the longer drive toward Mývatn.

The stop also gives you an early taste of the tour’s main strength: powerful natural sights are paired with large open views. If the weather is clear, the changing light can make the water and surrounding rock look quite different from one moment to the next.

Do not expect a slow, unhurried visit at every stop. The schedule has a lot to cover, so use this first waterfall stop efficiently. If you want extended time at Godafoss, a private visit or a slower itinerary may suit you better.

Lake Mývatn and the volcanic ground around it

Lake Mývatn is one of the region’s defining sights. It is a volcanic lake surrounded by unusual formations, lava, and broad open views. The stop is listed as about 15 minutes, which is enough for a quick look and photographs but not enough for a detailed exploration of the whole area.

That short timing is important when judging the tour. The route takes you through the Mývatn region, but this is not a dedicated Lake Mývatn walking tour. You will see the area as part of a larger day, with the most substantial stops coming later at Hverir and Dettifoss.

The lake helps show why northern Iceland feels different from the more familiar routes around Reykjavík. The setting is less polished and more exposed, with volcanic features shaping the view in every direction. You may find the weather changes quickly here, so keep your jacket close even if the morning begins calmly.

Hverir, where the earth smokes and bubbles

Hverir, at Námafjall, is one of the most memorable parts of the outing. The ground is marked by steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and mineral-colored earth. The smell of sulfur can be strong, and that is part of the experience rather than a flaw.

Two separate stops are listed at Hverir, one lasting about 20 minutes and another about 10 minutes. That gives you time to walk across the geothermal area, examine the mud pits, and take in the strange setting around Mt. Námafjall.

You should stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. Geothermal ground is not a place for casual wandering. The hot water and unstable earth beneath the surface make this a location where sensible footwear and attention matter more than getting the perfect photograph.

Hverir is also where the tour feels most unlike an ordinary sightseeing route. The fumaroles and mud pools create a harsh, otherworldly view, but the visit is still quite brief. If geothermal areas are your main reason for coming to Iceland, you may want more time than this schedule allows.

Krafla and the blue water of Víti crater

The Krafla area adds another chapter to the region’s volcanic story. You will have views toward Krafla Volcano and stop at Víti, a crater containing a lake. The contrast between the crater walls and the water inside makes this a useful photography stop.

The listed visit to Víti lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough to take photographs and absorb the setting, but it is not an extended hike around the crater. The attraction here is the striking view rather than a long physical excursion.

The combination of Hverir and Víti gives you a clearer sense of how active forces shaped northern Iceland. You are seeing steam vents, lava fields, a crater, and a volcanic lake within the same part of the day. For many people, this sequence will be more memorable than simply ticking off another waterfall.

Keep your expectations practical. Wind and cloud can change the view quickly, and the stop may feel short if you want to linger. Still, the volcanic scenery is one of the tour’s best reasons to choose this route rather than a simpler waterfall outing.

Dettifoss, the forceful center of the day

Dettifoss is the major event. The waterfall is about 148 feet high and 328 feet wide, with a huge volume of water surging through the canyon. It is known as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and the scale becomes clearer once you are standing near the viewpoint.

The scheduled visit is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, giving you far more time than at Lake Mývatn or Víti. That is sensible. Dettifoss deserves time for more than one quick photograph, and the walk to the viewing area can take a little of your visit.

Expect spray, wind, and rough ground. Waterproof clothing is useful even if rain is not falling, since the waterfall itself can send mist across the viewing area. Good shoes will help on the walk, especially if the surface is wet.

The waterfall is powerful rather than delicate. If you prefer quiet, graceful cascades, Godafoss may appeal more. If you want to feel the sheer force of Iceland’s rivers, Dettifoss is the stop that justifies the long drive from Akureyri.

Ásbyrgi and the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon

After Dettifoss, the route continues toward Ásbyrgi Canyon in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. The canyon is famous for its horseshoe shape, and the broad walls give the area a different mood from the exposed geothermal sites.

The route also includes views toward Vesturdalur and the Whispering Cliffs of Hljóðaklettar. These names point to a wider canyon area marked by unusual rock formations and river-cut scenery. Even from the vehicle, the scale of the region helps explain why this part of northern Iceland feels remote.

The information does not give a separate walking time for every viewpoint here, so you should expect the guide to balance short stops with drive time. That may disappoint you if Ásbyrgi is your top priority, but it allows the tour to include a much wider section of the Diamond Circle in one day.

This is one of the places where the small-group setup can help. A smaller party may make it easier to stop briefly for an extra view when timing and road conditions allow. One past outing included extra stops because only four people were aboard, though you should not assume every departure will have the same flexibility.

Húsavík, a final stop before Akureyri

The return journey includes Húsavík, a fishing village on the coast. The stop is listed at about 40 minutes, giving you time to see the village and stretch your legs after the long inland route.

Húsavík is a useful change of pace. After waterfalls, volcanic craters, mud pools, and canyon walls, a settled coastal community gives the day a more human finish. The tour information also connects the area with geothermal hot springs, but the planned stop itself is described as a visit to the fishing village.

Do not confuse this stop with a separate whale-watching trip or hot-spring visit. Those activities are not included in the experience described here. You are making a short sightseeing stop before the return to Akureyri.

The drop-off is expected back at the starting point at around 7 p.m. After such a long day, you will probably be ready for dinner and a warm room.

Is the $390 price good value?

At about $390.08 per person, this is not a cheap day tour. It becomes easier to justify when you count the distance covered, hotel pickup and return transport, a driver-guide, and access to sights that are difficult to combine without your own vehicle.

The value depends on how you plan to see northern Iceland. If you already have a rental car and several nights around Mývatn, you can visit these areas at your own pace and spend longer at selected stops. You would also control your meal breaks and could return to places in better weather.

If you are based in Akureyri and do not want to drive Iceland’s long northern roads, the price buys convenience and a full day of transport. You avoid route planning, parking decisions, and the challenge of navigating unfamiliar roads in poor weather. The guide also adds local context during the driving portions.

The tour is better value if you care about seeing many headline sights in one day. It is weaker value if your priority is slow photography, long walks, or time at only one or two locations. The pace is deliberately full, and that is both its strength and its main limitation.

Who should book this Diamond Circle tour?

I would consider this tour if you have one free day in Akureyri and want a broad introduction to the region. It suits you best if you enjoy changing scenery, can manage moderate walking, and are comfortable with a long day in a vehicle.

It also works well for people who prefer a guide rather than a self-drive plan. The positive comments about Yori, Thor, and Reynir point to the importance of the human side of the outing. A good guide can turn long drives into useful context instead of dead time.

Families may find the route appealing, but note that the child rate applies only when a child shares with two paying adults. Anyone with limited mobility should ask for more detail before booking, since the tour involves outdoor walking and uneven ground even though the longest stated walking time is about 40 minutes.

Pack food rather than counting on a restaurant stop. Lunch and drinks are not included. A lunch box, water, waterproof clothing, and hiking shoes will make the day more comfortable.

The tour has a 5 out of 5 rating from 21 reviews, with all recommending it. That is a small sample, but the praise is consistent around the guide quality, the number of sights, clean comfortable transport, and the sense that the day is worth the effort. The one clear caution is the fast pace.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum scenery in one northern Iceland day and value transport, a guide, and a structured route more than free time. Dettifoss, Hverir, Víti, and Ásbyrgi make a strong combination, and the varied scenery keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

Skip it if you want to linger at Lake Mývatn, spend a whole morning at Hverir, or explore Ásbyrgi at walking speed. Before paying, confirm the pickup time and expected group size, since the supplied details give both 8 and 9 a.m. starts and mention group limits of 8 and 16. With that clarified, this is a demanding but rewarding way to see the Diamond Circle from Akureyri.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Hótel Kea by Keahotels at Hafnarstræti 87-89 in Akureyri. Hotel pickup is also offered.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting-point information lists a 9 a.m. start, while the tour description refers to an 8 a.m. departure for hotel pickup. Check your booking confirmation and confirm the exact pickup time with Star Travel Iceland.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours. The planned return to Akureyri is around 7 p.m.

What sights are included?

Stops and views include Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss Waterfall, Hverir at Námafjall, Víti crater, Krafla Volcano, Ásbyrgi Canyon, Vesturdalur, Hljóðaklettar, and Húsavík.

Is lunch included?

No. Food, drinks, and lunch are not included. Bringing a packed lunch and a water bottle is recommended.

How much walking is involved?

The longest stated walking time is about 40 minutes. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, along with good hiking shoes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.