Diamond Circle, Waterfalls and Amazing Landscapes from Akureyri

The biggest draw here is the sheer range of northern Iceland in one long day: a waterfall sacred to Icelandic history, volcanic craters, bubbling mud, a lake edged by lava, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon. You cover a lot of ground, but the route keeps changing before the scenery has time to go stale.

I like the small-group format, which can make a long day feel more personal, and I like that hotel pickup, a 4×4, and a driver-guide are included. Guides named Yori, Thor, Reynir, and others have earned especially warm praise for clear explanations, good stories, and extra photo stops when time allowed.

The tradeoff is pace. This is a full 10-hour outing with several short visits and plenty of driving, not a slow nature walk. The published details also give two different group limits, eight and 16 people, and two different start times, 8am and 9am, so confirm those points before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Dettifoss is the day’s thunderous centerpiece, with a 45-meter drop and a 100-meter width.
• Hverir feels almost otherworldly, with fumaroles, boiling mud, and views toward Námafjall.
• The 4×4 and hotel pickup save hassle, especially on a long route from Akureyri.
• A fast-moving schedule covers major sights, including Mývatn, Krafla, Víti, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík.
• Bring your own lunch, since food and drinks are not included.
• Warm, waterproof clothing and hiking shoes matter, even when the forecast looks friendly.

Why this northern Iceland route works so well

The Diamond Circle is northern Iceland’s answer to the better-known Golden Circle. Instead of concentrating on a few sights near Reykjavík, this route strings together powerful waterfalls, volcanic features, open country, and a fishing village around the Mývatn region.

From Akureyri, you spend much of the day outside the city. That matters because northern Iceland rewards distance. The scenery shifts from green valleys to dark lava, steaming earth, wide river gorges, and stark volcanic ridges. You are not visiting one headline attraction and heading back. You are watching the country change as the road unfolds.

The tour costs $390.08 per person. That is not a cheap day trip, but the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip transport, and a driver-guide. You also avoid arranging a rental car, paying for fuel, navigating unfamiliar roads, and planning a route that includes several far-flung stops. For a solo visitor or anyone who does not want to drive, the cost can make practical sense.

The value depends on your touring style. If you want long walks, quiet time at each site, or control over every stop, a self-drive day may suit you better. If you want to see the region’s main sights in one organized day, the included transport and guiding are useful.

Godafoss brings the first big reward

Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, is a strong opening stop. Its broad curtain of water drops over a curving horseshoe of rock, making it easy to appreciate from several viewpoints. The waterfall is also tied to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, which gives the stop more meaning than a quick photo break.

This early visit helps you understand the scale of the day. You are only beginning, yet the scenery already feels dramatic. Keep your jacket handy and use the stop to settle into the rhythm of the tour.

The exact timing can vary because the supplied details give both an 8am departure and a 9am start. Pickup is listed from Hótel Kea in Akureyri, with the overall day ending back at the meeting point around 7pm. Confirm the pickup time with Star Travel Iceland so you are not waiting on the wrong schedule.

Lake Mývatn shows Iceland’s volcanic side

Lake Mývatn is one of the route’s defining sights. The lake sits in a volcanic area, and the surrounding scenery has a strange, sculpted quality. You may see lava formations, low volcanic ridges, and water broken by small islands and pseudocraters.

The listed visit is only 15 minutes, while the broader description says you have ample time to take in the area. That difference is important. Do not assume you will have a long independent walk around the lake unless the guide confirms it. On a packed route like this, Mývatn may be more about several brief views than one extended stop.

Still, the short pause can be worthwhile. Mývatn provides the visual link between the waterfalls and the geothermal sites that follow. It also gives you a chance to take photographs without the intense steam and mud of Hverir.

Hverir is the most unusual short walk

At Námafjall Hverir, the ground looks and behaves unlike ordinary earth. Steam rises from fumaroles, mud pools bubble, and mineral colors spread across the bare surface. The smell can be strong, so prepare for an unmistakable sulfur odor. This is a place to look, listen, and keep to marked paths.

The stop is split into two brief periods, listed as 20 minutes and 10 minutes. That adds up to enough time for a sharp look, but not a leisurely hike. You will want waterproof shoes with good grip because the area can feel rough underfoot, and weather can change quickly.

Hverir is also where the guide’s explanations can add real value. The route is not simply scenic. It shows Iceland’s active geology in plain view, with heat moving beneath the surface. Views toward Mt. Námafjall and Krafla Volcano help place the steaming ground within the wider volcanic area.

Krafla and Víti add a crater to the day

The stop at Víti gives you a classic volcanic image: a crater with a lake inside. The name means hell, but the sight is more striking than sinister. The colored water and dark crater walls make a strong contrast, especially when the light shifts across the rim.

You are not promised a long crater hike. The listed stop lasts about 20 minutes, so expect a viewpoint and photo opportunity rather than a full circuit. That is a fair compromise on a route already carrying many stops.

Krafla adds context to the visit. You can look across a region shaped by volcanic forces, then move on before the day becomes too repetitive. This sequence works well because each stop shows a different part of the same story: lava, steam, crater rock, and a lake formed in volcanic ground.

Dettifoss supplies the day’s greatest force

Dettifoss is the main event for many people. It drops 45 meters and stretches about 100 meters across, with a volume and roar that make the statistics feel real. You do not need much imagination here. The water pounds through the gorge with force that can be felt as much as heard.

The planned visit lasts about 90 minutes, giving you more time than at Hverir or Víti. That matters. You can walk to the viewpoint, take photographs, watch the river surge through the canyon, and let the scale register before returning to the vehicle.

Good shoes are essential. The tour notes the longest walking time as 40 minutes, and the ground near major Icelandic sights can be uneven. Bring a waterproof layer even if rain is not expected. Spray and wind can make a waterfall stop colder than the temperature suggests.

Lunch is at your own expense, and food is not included. Pack a lunch if possible. Doing so saves time and protects you from finding yourself hungry during a tight schedule. Water and snacks are also sensible, since the day is long and the next food stop is not guaranteed.

Ásbyrgi Canyon changes the mood

After Dettifoss, the route continues into Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and the Ásbyrgi area. The horseshoe-shaped canyon is broad and enclosed, a marked change from the exposed power of Dettifoss. The route also includes views toward Vesturdalur and the Whispering Cliffs of Hljóðaklettar.

This portion gives the day breathing room. Instead of focusing on steam or falling water, you look across a huge cut in the earth and consider the forces that shaped it. The name Whispering Cliffs refers to Hljóðaklettar, where unusual basalt formations help create the area’s distinctive character.

The tour does not promise a long hike through the canyon. Expect scenic viewpoints and short walks that fit into a demanding schedule. If Ásbyrgi is your main reason for booking, ask how much time will be spent there. If you want a broad sample of northern Iceland, the stop is a valuable part of the route.

Húsavík closes the loop toward Akureyri

Húsavík is a fishing village and the final named stop before returning to Akureyri. The listed visit lasts about 40 minutes, which is enough for a look around, photographs, and a change of pace after the waterfalls and volcanic sites.

The tour description also refers to Húsavík as known for geothermal hot springs, but no bathing visit is included. Do not book this expecting a spa stop. The practical appeal is the village itself and the chance to see a coastal settlement after a day spent among inland volcanic features.

By this point, you may be tired. That is normal. Húsavík works as a final pause before the drive back, though some people may prefer more time at Dettifoss or Ásbyrgi instead. The route’s strength is variety, and variety requires compromises.

The vehicle and group size shape the experience

Transport is by 4×4, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. That removes the need to find the meeting point independently, although the published start point is Hótel Kea, Hafnarstræti 87-89, in Akureyri. The vehicle also suits a day that includes remote-feeling natural sights and long stretches between stops.

The group-size information needs clarification. The main description says the tour is limited to eight people, while the additional details give a maximum of 16. Those are very different experiences. Eight people usually means easier conversation with the guide and a better chance of an extra photo stop. Sixteen people can still work well, but boarding and unloading take longer.

Past guide names connected with this outing include Yori, Thor, and Reynir. The strongest praise centers on guides who tell stories, explain what you are seeing, and keep the day moving. Two guides may be present on some departures, but that is not guaranteed. Treat the names as useful examples, not a promise of who will lead your trip.

What to pack for a 10-hour day

I would keep your packing simple but serious:

• Warm layers that you can add or remove
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Water bottle
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Phone or camera with enough battery for a full day

The walking is described as moderate, with the longest walking period around 40 minutes. You do not need to be a serious hiker, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven outdoor ground and standing in wind or rain.

The northern Iceland weather can make a short stop feel demanding. A sunny morning does not remove the need for waterproof clothing. The best advice from the experience is simple: dress for the waterfall spray, steam, wind, and changing conditions, not just the temperature at pickup.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to you if you have one full day from Akureyri and want to see the Diamond Circle without driving. It is especially useful for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who value a guide’s commentary and a fixed plan.

It also suits photographers who want many different settings in one day. Godafoss, Mývatn, Hverir, Víti, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík each offer a different subject. The changing light can produce memorable moments, including rainbows when conditions line up.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long drives, or a quick pace. You should also think twice if your priority is a long hike at one site. The route favors breadth over lingering, and lunch is your responsibility.

The cancellation terms are reasonable: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. A minimum number of participants is required, and if the company cancels for that reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Diamond Circle from Akureyri?

Book it if you want a packed but efficient day of northern Iceland’s major sights, with transport and guiding handled for you. The strongest reasons are the range of scenery, the substantial Dettifoss stop, the unusual Hverir visit, and the chance to travel in a smaller vehicle rather than a large coach.

Before paying $390.08, confirm three practical points: the exact start time, the actual group limit, and how much time is planned at Mývatn and Ásbyrgi. If those details suit you, this is a strong choice for seeing a lot of the region in one day. Bring lunch, wear proper shoes, and accept that the schedule moves fast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from Hótel Kea by Keahotels at Hafnarstræti 87-89 in Akureyri. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The details list both an 8am departure and a 9am start time. Confirm the exact pickup time with Star Travel Iceland before the day of the tour.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours and is expected to return to Akureyri around 7pm.

Is lunch included?

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

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing, waterproof layers, and good hiking shoes. A water bottle is also recommended.

How much walking is involved?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.