Diamond Circle, Waterfalls and Amazing Landscapes from Akureyri

The biggest payoff here is variety. In one long day, you move from the graceful Godafoss waterfall to steaming mud pots, a volcanic crater, Europe’s most powerful waterfall and the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon. North Iceland changes character every hour, which is why this route packs so much into a single outing.

I especially like the hotel pickup and 4×4 transport, since you can leave the driving to someone else on a long, rugged day. I also like the small-group design, although the advertised group size needs checking: one description says up to eight people, while the additional information allows as many as 16. The pace is brisk, and the tour is not the best fit if you want long, quiet walks at every stop.

Key points at a glance

• Godafoss comes early, giving you a dramatic waterfall before the day’s longer drive.
• Lake Mývatn and Hverir show two sides of volcanism, from broad blue water to smoking ground and bubbling mud.
• Dettifoss is the day’s great wallop, with a 45-meter drop and a 100-meter width.
• Ásbyrgi and Hljóðaklettar add quieter scenery after the power of Dettifoss.
• The 10-hour schedule is full, with the return to Akureyri planned for around 7pm.
• Pack lunch and waterproof clothing, since food is not included and conditions can shift quickly.

Why this Diamond Circle day works

If you have only one full day to see North Iceland from Akureyri, this tour gives you a strong sweep of the region. You are not confined to one waterfall or one geothermal site. Instead, you get a sequence of major sights that show how fire, ice and water shaped this part of Iceland.

The route is also practical. Pickup and drop-off are included, so you do not need to arrange a rental car or manage a long day on unfamiliar roads. A driver-guide handles the transport and provides commentary along the way. Guides who have led this experience include Yori, Thor and Reynir, with one past outing also using two guides.

At $390.08 per person, this is not a cheap day out. Still, the price covers roughly 10 hours, hotel transport and a route that would require a great deal of driving if you arranged it yourself. You should think of it as a time-saving splurge. The value improves if you want to see Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi without renting a car, or if your Iceland trip gives you only a short stay in Akureyri.

The tradeoff is time. You get many stops, but not unlimited time at each one. One of the strongest descriptions of the day called it fast-paced, which is useful guidance rather than a warning. If you want to see as much as possible, the pace makes sense. If you prefer slow photography, long hikes or sitting beside a waterfall, you may find the schedule tight.

Starting from Akureyri around 8 or 9am

The supplied details give two start times: an 8am departure in the tour description and 9am at the meeting point. Pickup is offered from Akureyri hotels, and Hótel Kea at Hafnarstræti 87-89 is listed as the meeting point. Confirm your exact pickup time when you book, since this one-hour difference matters on a day with a planned evening return.

The tour ends back at the starting point at about 7pm. That makes for a long day, but it also means you can spend your sightseeing hours on the Diamond Circle rather than on planning, navigation and parking.

The vehicle is described as a 4×4. That is a sensible choice for a route that reaches remote sights and broad volcanic terrain. You should still expect plenty of road time between stops. Bring water, and pack lunch or snacks because food and drinks are not included.

Godafoss, a graceful first waterfall

Godafoss is an excellent opening stop. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the falls spread across a broad rocky channel rather than dropping in one narrow plunge. The shape gives you a chance to take in the whole scene quickly, which suits the early part of this packed day.

You will likely have time for photos and a short walk. The tour information lists the longest walking period at 40 minutes, so this is not a strenuous hiking day. Still, the ground around Icelandic waterfalls can be wet or uneven. Good hiking shoes are worth bringing even if you do not consider yourself a hiker.

Godafoss also sets the pattern for the day: get out, see something striking, hear some context from your guide, and return to the vehicle. That rhythm is efficient, but it leaves little room for wandering beyond the planned viewpoints.

Lake Mývatn and the volcanic north

Lake Mývatn is one of the main visual rewards of the route. This volcanic lake sits in a region shaped by eruptions, lava and geothermal activity. The setting feels very different from Godafoss, with wider views and unusual volcanic forms around the water.

The published stop lists only 15 minutes at Lake Mývatn, while the main tour description says you will have ample time to take in the scenery. Because those details do not match, ask how much time is planned on your date. A short photo stop gives you a useful introduction, but it will not allow for a full circuit of the lake or extended walking.

That is an important distinction when you book. This is a sightseeing drive with selected stops, not a Lake Mývatn walking tour. You will see the area and its major features, but you should not expect to explore every shore or geological site.

Hverir, where the ground smokes

At Námafjall Hverir, the day turns from scenic to strange. The geothermal ground is marked by smoking fumaroles and bubbling mud pools. The colors and textures can look almost unreal, but the smell and heat remind you that this is active ground, not a decorated park.

The stop is split into short sections in the schedule, with about 20 minutes around the mud pits and another 10 minutes for views. That is enough to see the main formations and take photographs. You should stay on marked paths and follow your guide’s instructions. Geothermal areas are not places for casual wandering.

Mt. Námafjall and Krafla Volcano add scale to the scene. You get a clear sense that the region’s unusual appearance comes from living geology, not just old lava. This is one of the most memorable stops for anyone who likes volcanoes, unusual terrain or stark photography.

Be ready for changing weather and strong ground odors. Waterproof clothing helps if rain moves through, and warm layers matter even in summer. The open setting offers little shelter.

Víti crater, a compact volcanic stop

The visit to Víti crater is brief, around 20 minutes. The crater holds a lake, creating a simple but powerful sight: a bowl of volcanic earth with water gathered inside it.

This stop works best as part of the larger volcanic story. Hverir shows heat escaping from the ground, while Víti shows the shape left by a volcanic explosion. You do not need a long hike to understand the setting, but you do need shoes with a firm grip if the surface is wet.

Do not count on a major walk here. The attraction is the view into the crater and the chance to photograph the contrasting colors. On a day with poor visibility, the experience could be less striking, which is one reason the tour’s weatherproof advice is practical.

Dettifoss, the day’s loudest moment

Dettifoss is the centerpiece of the tour. It drops 45 meters and stretches about 100 meters across, and it is widely described as the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The word powerful is not just a label here. The force of the water, the scale of the gorge and the constant spray create a much heavier experience than the more elegant Godafoss.

The planned stop is about 90 minutes, giving you more time than at most of the earlier sights. That matters. You can approach the viewing area, take photographs, watch the river push through the gorge and absorb the sound without being rushed through in a few minutes.

The walk may be the most demanding part of the day, although the longest walking period is listed as 40 minutes. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring waterproof outer layers. Spray and rain can make the ground slippery, and the weather may feel colder beside the falls.

Lunch is at your own expense, so this is a good place to have food packed and ready. Do not assume you will find a meal included in the tour price. A packed lunch also lets you use the break efficiently rather than spending precious sightseeing time searching for food.

Ásbyrgi and the Whispering Cliffs

After Dettifoss, the route continues into Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and the vast Ásbyrgi Canyon. Its horseshoe shape gives the area a different mood from the open volcanic sites earlier in the day. Here, the scenery feels enclosed and monumental, with steep sides framing the valley.

The tour also includes views toward Vesturdalur and the Whispering Cliffs of Hljóðaklettar. These formations add detail to the canyon section, with unusual rock shapes and a more layered setting than the open plain around Hverir.

This part of the day may appeal most to you if you enjoy broad views and geological forms rather than a single famous attraction. The schedule does not promise a long hike through Ásbyrgi, so expect viewpoints and a guided overview rather than a full walking exploration of the national park.

The order of the day is sensible. Dettifoss supplies the drama, then Ásbyrgi gives you room to look outward and let the day slow slightly. Even so, the drive back to Akureyri remains long.

Húsavík adds a village finish

Húsavík is the final listed stop, with about 40 minutes in the fishing village. After waterfalls, craters and geothermal ground, this gives you a human-scale ending to the day.

The supplied description also refers to Húsavík as known for geothermal hot springs, but the stop details focus on the village itself. You should treat it as a short visit for views and a look around, not as a separate bathing experience. No hot spring admission or bathing activity is included.

Forty minutes is enough to stretch your legs and get a feel for the harbor setting. It is not enough for an extended town visit. The stop is best understood as a pleasant change of pace before the final drive back to Akureyri.

What the pace and group size mean

A full Diamond Circle circuit from Akureyri covers a lot of ground. The small-group format can make the day feel more personal than a large coach outing, and a smaller vehicle is helpful when getting in and out at several stops.

The group-size information is inconsistent. The main description says the tour is limited to eight people, while the additional details list a maximum of 16. Ask Star Travel Iceland to confirm the expected size before you pay if a very small group is important to you.

Past outings have had as few as four people, and that changes the feel of the day. A smaller group can make departures quicker and may allow the guide to add an extra photo stop when time and conditions allow. Do not treat extra stops as guaranteed, though. The published route already fills most of the day.

The guide can make a real difference on a fast route. Yori, Thor and Reynir are among the guides associated with this experience, and the strongest praise centers on clear explanations, good stories and a friendly manner. You may not receive a particular guide, but the driver-guide role is important here because you spend substantial time on the road.

What to pack for this North Iceland day

Keep your gear simple but practical:

• Warm layers, even if the forecast looks mild
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Water bottle
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Phone or camera with enough battery for a full day

The tour calls for moderate physical fitness. You will walk at waterfalls, around geothermal ground and near the crater, but this is not presented as a serious hiking expedition. The main challenge is the length of the day, the weather and the repeated stops on uneven ground.

Conditions can change quickly around open waterfalls and geothermal areas. Rainbows, sunshine and flying puffins have all been part of past outings, but you should plan for weather rather than count on a perfect day.

Who should book it?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Akureyri, do not want to drive, and want the widest possible sample of North Iceland in one day. It is especially useful for a first visit, a short itinerary or anyone who values a guide’s commentary and the ease of hotel pickup.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed schedule, a long lunch or extended walks at Lake Mývatn and Ásbyrgi. The price is also significant, so compare it with the cost of renting a car if you are comfortable driving and have more than one day in the region.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund. Confirm the start time, pickup details and maximum group size before booking, since those are the few practical points that appear less consistent in the supplied information.

Should you book the Diamond Circle tour?

Book it if you want a big day of major sights with no driving duties. Godafoss, Hverir, Víti and Dettifoss give you powerful variety, while Ásbyrgi and Húsavík keep the route from feeling like a string of identical stops.

Skip it if you need a slow, flexible day or if you dislike long hours in a vehicle. At $390.08, the tour earns its price through coverage, transport and guiding rather than luxury. For the right schedule, it is a strong way to see the far-reaching sights around Akureyri in one demanding but rewarding day.

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 begin?

The tour description gives an 8am departure, while the meeting-point details list 9am. Confirm your exact pickup time when booking.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours and is expected to finish back in Akureyri around 7pm.

Is lunch included?

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

How much walking is involved?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. The longest stated walking period is 40 minutes.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.