Lake Myvatn, Hot-Springs & Godafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri

This tour stopped at four places: the Dimmuborgir lava spires, the Gjaldskylda hot springs, Myvatn, and Godagoss waterfall. Tour transportation was by bus and included a lunch that consisted of a sandwich and bottle of water. Pick up spot was a short walk from the cruise ship. Tour cost much less than the excursions available from the cruise ship.

Kyrstyn and Imre were amazing! Would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Akureyri. Kyrstyn was entertaining, engaging, patient, and informative! Imre took us safely through the tunnel while Kyrstyn explained how meeting points work for priority lane as it allows one lane for two way traffic. It was a beautiful scenic ride. The ride was comfortable with option for air vents at individual seats with large viewing windows and WiFi connection! First stop, Godafoss Waterfall. It’s an Iceland’s version of Niagara Falls in Canada. If lucky, the water mist from splash hits the sun just right for a rainbow. Options include taking the steps down towards the base of the waterfall, or hike out to the top overlooking from top of the waterfall. There’s also a bridge near the street to overlook the falls from away. I loved the base of the waterfall but becareful of rocky and uneven ground with some midges flying around. Second stop is Lake Mývatn. There’s many overlooks proving beautiful walking paths to the lake and few horses. Gestastofa Visitor Center sells nets if the midgets bothers you. Recommend at least stopping in to look through the panoramic windows or walk through to see the lake directly. Enjoy outdoor hike in nature and allot ample time to travel back on the bus. Third stop is the Dimmuborgir Nature Reserve. Lava flowed through ancient Lake Mývatn 2300 years ago with interesting lava formations. Kyrstyn shares stories of trolls and santas as well as pointing out deep trench where the 2 tectonic plate plates meet. Keep the netted hat for a bug free experience. The restroom at this stop requires about $3 USD payment per person. Snack/lunch provided was a sandwich and bottles water overlooking landscape across Mývatn hot springs for body of water that look just like the Blue Lagoon. Imre came around to everyone to collect our trash from us before heading back on the bus. Final stop at the amazing geothermal area with bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and volcanic craters sitting directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This place looks like another planet! Be ready for the strong sulfur stench and some midges flying around. The pictures do not do justice to the actual experience and we were blessed to have a beautiful sunny day in mid August. Kyrstyn was such a treat with a familiar American voice. She shared her personal story of how she became Icelander and love it so much there. She is a bubbly and friendly face in an unfamiliar place that made us fall in love with Iceland too! Next time we have to try the Mývatn Nature Bath or the Earth Lagoon Mývatn she suggested near by as a few on our bus were dropped off there for more relaxing experience instead of the outdoor walks in Dimmuborgir Nature Reserve and geothermal area. A few tips: meeting point at bus depot is a short walk from pier. Icelanders are friendly people if you have the tour operator or bus company name. Bus depot has a public restroom that is clean. Pad time to allow stress free day and don’t be late. There are 4 stops, being late one cuts time away from tour for many others on the bus. Plan time to allow walking back to the bus if you are traveling at a slower pace to take photos, or don’t go as far out on your own. Set a timer or alarm on your phone to make it easier. That time should be 10-15 min before the actual return time if you are about a mile away from bus. Midges are everywhere and even in the sun. While they don’t bite, slightly fast paced walking or a netted hat at Mývatn Lake can make the hike less irritating.

this is a good experience tanya was our tour guide and tolek was the driver the bus was clean the tour kept in schedule it is a bit fast paced so some places felt a bit rushed lunch was provided but was a sandwich unfortunately there is not a great place to eat fortunately for us the day was dry and sunny so we could sit in the grass and eat it is also much cheaper than the cruise offering

Would have loved more geology/science/history content included. Stunning scenery!! The hot springs (not for swimming!) smell awful, would probably recommend not serving sandwich lunch at that particular stop. Our bus driver was elite, tour guide seemed more into music than the background of landscape. It wasn’t a bad tour, made it to all the stops promised, stopped at the waterfall at the end so it was less crowded, but felt I missed out on context. Probably wouldn’t book this one again, but it may be tour guide dependent.

Well worth the non-cruise excursion price. Very good Guide (Kiersten)and driver. She was very informative and the sites were beautiful!

Tricia was a wonderful guide and gave us great tidbits on Iceland overall. Highly recommend this tour if you are in this part of Iceland.

Please make sure you have Kiersten as your guide! Thoroughly knowledgeable from top to bottom. Knew everything about anything. We were extremely lucky this day. Picture perfect postcard day. Not a cloud in the sky, so that helped. The waterfall was beautiful, the boiling pots were amazing. The Icelandic landscape makes you feel like you’re on another planet. Downfall of course because it was a summer day, there were bus fulls, and two cruise ships in town, so all the sights were riddled with tourists, But Kiersten was truly amazing! You can tell she loves her job, took time to talk to us individually, answer any questions we threw at her. So great tour guide + great weather = great experience!

Godafoss is a beautiful waterfall (wish we'd had more time here). The Lava formations were striking, and it was fun to learn about the Yule Lads and sit in their cave. The lake and old craters were interesting, and going to the mud pots was cool to see. *Make sure to have the mosquito head net when going to see the lake / craters. And, run across the street for the ice cream.

This was well worth the money. You see a lot in a short amount of time. Bus is very comfortable. One suggestion though is bring your own snacks and water.

Our guide was amazing! Very knowledgeable and informative. Would highly recommend! He went above and beyond.