Tours in Northern Iceland
Most guided tours in Iceland depart from the city of Reykjavik, as that’s where most tourists stay. If you do make it up to northern Iceland, chances are good that you’ll have your own wheels and may prefer to do a self-guided tour of the area’s attractions. But for some of the wonders for northern Iceland, you’re better off with a guide. Here are some excellent tours to take from Akureyri or Husavik in northern Iceland.
Askja
Geotravel offers super jeep day tours (summer only) to the Askja caldera. The 11 hour tour costs 27,500 ISK per person, so it’s not cheap, but it will get you up close to the crater. From there you’ll hike about two kilometers and even take a dip in the eerily blue lake Viti.
Godafoss
Though it makes more financial sense to either visit Godafoss on your own or combine the visit with another tour, if you are determined to do a guided tour of just Godafoss, it is possible. Icelandic Outback offers a three hour tour to the waterfall from Akureyri for 7000 ISK per person.
Lake Myvatn
Visit Lake Myvatn with Iceland Outback – their day tour of Lake Myvatn departs from Akureryi and first visits Godafoss before continuing to Dimmuborgir lava field and the geothermal area of Hverir with its boiling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and sulphur pits. The eight hour tour ends with a visit to the Myvatn Nature Baths. Tours run all year and cost 19000 ISK per person.
Dettifoss
Europe’s most powerful waterfall is a sight to behold, but it’s very hard to get there on your own; a super jeep or hardy 4wd drive vehicle is a must. It’s easier, though very expensive, to go with an organized tour. Saga Travel offers an eight hour tour that departs from Lake Myvatn and goes to the waterfall, through the stunning Ásbyrgi canyon and then through Husavik on the return. The cost is 23000 ISK per person. Or you can combine a trip to Dettifoss with whale watching in Husavik for 39000 ISK.
Northern Lights
Depart from Akureyri on a Saga Travel Northern Lights tour from September to April and enjoy warm hot chocolate while you search for the Northern Lights under the stars. Sightings of the lights are never guaranteed and it’s just as easy to see them from your accommodation, but if you’d rather do a tour, this is an easy, affordable option.
Culinary tours
Saga Travel offers a full day culinary tour of northern Iceland, with stops at several local farms and food producers where guests will learn about Icelandic culinary traditions, and of course, sample some of the goods. In season, the group sails to the island of Hrísey to collect blue mussels that will be prepared for lunch. The tour lasts 6-8 hours and costs 23000 ISK per person.