Private Hiking Tour: Vikings and Waterfalls Tour in Reykjavik

There is something about Iceland’s waterfalls that feels personal. This private day mixes Viking storytelling with stops at three less-visited falls, plus Wi-Fi on the drive.

I really like the structure here: you move in a small, private group, and you get enough time at each stop to enjoy the walk, not just pose and rush. On top of that, the route uses backroads and a Super Jeep, so the scenery feels less like a highway photo op and more like you’re actually getting out into the country.

One thing to plan for: there is no guaranteed sit-down lunch stop, so you should bring a packed lunch. Also, the day runs best with good weather, since this is a weather-dependent outdoor tour.

Key Highlights You Should Care About

• Three waterfalls with real variety from basalt-column Hjalparfoss to canyon drop Háifoss
• Stöng and Thjorsardalur Valley storytelling built around how Vikings lived in the area
• Backroads and a Super Jeep for a more rugged, off-main-road feel
• Onboard Wi-Fi so you can stay online without roaming headaches
• Private pickup from Reykjavik or Nesjavellir so you are not waiting on other groups
• Optional Viking-themed dinner at Ingólfsskáli, with the food experience flexible for your timing

A Private Day Out of Reykjavik That Feels Like Your Own Itinerary

This tour is priced per group, not per person. It is built for up to four, with pickup offered from your chosen Reykjavik address, or from the Nesjavellir hotel. That setup matters, because it turns a long day of driving into something smoother. You are not doing the awkward shuffle where everyone files out of a big bus at different times, then waits for the slowest step.

The tour runs about 7 to 9 hours, and that includes driving time between stops and back to your pickup point. So you should treat it like a full working day, not a quick excursion. The upside is that the plan stays active, and you are not spending most of the day just sitting.

The vehicle includes air-conditioning, and you also get Wi-Fi on board. In Iceland, that little practical perk is underrated. When you are out for hours, it keeps you from burning time and money on data plans, and it helps you stay oriented if you are checking maps between stops.

Getting Started at Hjalparfoss: A Calm Opening with Basalt-Column Drama

The first stop is Hjalparfoss, a double waterfall that drops into a small pond and sits among basaltic columns. The setting is small and focused, which is exactly what I want at the start of a long day. You get a strong visual, and you can settle your eyes into Iceland’s textures right away.

You will have about 40 minutes here, and admission is free. That time window is useful because waterfall viewing is not only about the initial look. Sometimes you need a minute for the best angle, a minute to watch the water change as light shifts, and a minute to figure out where you can stand without feeling rushed.

Potential consideration: this stop is early, after around two hours of driving. If you are someone who gets restless in the car, bring what you need to stay comfortable for the ride, because the morning start is part of the experience.

Stöng via Backroads and a Super Jeep: Viking Archaeology You Can See

Next you go to Thjodveldisbaerinn Stöng (often just called Stöng). This is where the day turns historical in a concrete way. You will visit the remains of a Viking longhouse, discovered and excavated in 1939.

You get about 30 minutes at this stop, and admission is free. That is plenty of time to take in the site, ask questions, and connect the details to what you have already learned about the Vikings in the broader Thjorsardalur area.

Here is the practical magic: the drive to this point is about 20 minutes, and then you start traveling on backroads in a Super Jeep. The operator clearly wants you to feel the ruggedness of the route, not just see it from a roadside viewpoint. That matters because it changes your pacing. You are not only traveling between sights, you are also experiencing how the region feels to move through.

Gjáin: The Unexpected Oasis Moment in Black Sand and Lava

After Stöng, you head for Gjáin, and the contrast is the whole point. The area is described as a place that feels like an oasis amid dark, rugged surroundings, with lava rocks and black sand. Then, in the middle of that rough terrain, you find lush vegetation and water streams.

You get about 45 minutes here, with admission free. I love stops like this because you are not just ticking off another waterfall. You are looking at Iceland in terms of patterns: where water shows up, how it shapes the ground, and how vegetation can appear where you least expect it.

A subtle benefit for photographers and non-photographers alike: when a place has strong contrast like black sand plus green growth plus running water, you end up with better natural compositions. In other words, you do not need to fight the scenery to make it look interesting.

Háifoss and the Canyon Feel: Tall Waterfall Energy Without the Crowds

Then comes Háifoss, one of the taller waterfalls in Iceland. The name matters too: Háifoss means High Waterfall, which is a simple reminder that Iceland does not always use poetic names. It just calls things what they are.

You will have about 40 minutes here, and admission is free. The tour also notes that Háifoss falls into a canyon, which is why the effect can feel more dramatic than a waterfall that drops straight down into open space.

There is also a nearby neighbor, Granni, and the tour frames it as just as beautiful. That pairing is useful for you because it gives you a second look without needing to change plans. If the light or weather shifts between your first and second viewing points, you can still get value from the area.

Practical note: you should expect some standing and walking in uneven conditions around waterfall terrain. If you are used to easy sightseeing only, this is not a stroll through a flat garden. You will be moving, and you will want decent balance and caution.

Thjorsardalur Valley and the Stöng Recreation: Learning That Sticks

After Háifoss, the tour goes to Thjorsardalur Valley, where you visit a museum or exhibition described as a recreation of what Stöng used to look like. You get about 30 minutes here, and admission to the exhibition is included.

This is a smart stop for two reasons. First, it helps you turn the archaeology you saw into a fuller picture of daily life. Second, it gives you context based on how historians and archaeologists interpret the site. Even if you do not normally care about archaeology, the recreation angle usually makes the information easier to remember than reading captions alone.

There is also a Viking angle here, described as learning the true story of the Vikings in the Thjorsardalur Valley. I take that to mean you are getting a guided explanation that is meant to correct misconceptions, not only deliver dates and names. If you enjoy stories with real grounding, this is the portion that tends to land best.

Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant: Optional, and Worth Considering

At the end of the day, you have the option to eat dinner at Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant, depending on availability. This is an additional 1 hour 30 minutes stop, and the dinner is not included in the tour price.

The key point is that the operator describes the restaurant as serving fine cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, and with strong Viking-themed decor. So even if you are not planning to do the dinner, you can treat this as a menu check-in. You will see the setting, and you can decide if the timing works for you.

Also, remember that lunch is not built into the plan. The tour specifically notes there is no place to have a sit-down lunch, so a packed lunch is your best move. If you plan to do dinner too, your day becomes: packed lunch earlier, then a longer finish in the restaurant if you choose it.

Price and Value: When Private Makes Sense for a Small Group

At $1,420 per group (up to 4), this is not a budget tour. But it can be good value, depending on how you travel.

Split between four people, the math puts it around $355 per person for a full day that includes:

• private transportation,
• parking fees,
• onboard Wi-Fi,
• the exhibition entrance,
• and guided time at multiple sites.

If you are traveling as two, it is higher per person than the headline feels at first. But the private format is still meaningful, especially because pickup is from your address or Nesjavellir, and you are not coordinating with strangers.

One other practical value lever: your day is designed around a route with backroads and a Super Jeep. That kind of access often costs extra in Iceland, because it is not only about driving, it is about the vehicle and the ability to take you into rugged areas efficiently.

So I would treat the price as a tradeoff: you pay more, but you get fewer hassles, more control, and a day that feels purposeful from start to finish.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This tour fits best if you want:

• a private experience,
• a Viking-themed educational day paired with active waterfall stops,
• and a route that uses backroads rather than only main roads.

You will probably enjoy it if you are the kind of person who likes asking questions and spending time at each stop instead of doing a photo sprint. The tour description and the praise for the guide’s knowledge point to a day where the explanations matter.

You might want to look elsewhere if you:

• need a guaranteed sit-down lunch stop,
• prefer very easy walking only,
• or you know you struggle in long driving days.

Also, since the tour is described as requiring good weather, build in flexibility. If Iceland decides to be Iceland that day, the operator may reschedule or refund, depending on conditions.

The Guide Factor: When You Get Someone Like Kevin, the Day Clicks

In one of the experiences tied to this tour, the group had a guide named Kevin, and the feedback highlights two things: strong knowledge of the area and the extra angle of being a professional photographer.

Even if you are not a photographer, that skill set tends to translate into better pacing. A guide who thinks in frames often knows where people can stand comfortably, where the light tends to work, and how to move without wasting time. It also helps if you like getting photos that look like Iceland, not just generic waterfall shots.

Should You Book This Private Viking and Waterfalls Tour?

I think this is a great booking choice if you are traveling with up to three other people and you want a structured day that combines waterfalls and Viking site learning without the big-tour chaos. The private pickup options, onboard Wi-Fi, and included exhibition ticket make the day easier to manage, and the mix of Hjalparfoss, Gjáin, and Háifoss gives you variety, not repetition.

Book it if you value time at each stop, you want backroad driving in a Super Jeep, and you do not mind bringing a packed lunch. Skip it if you want a fully guaranteed lunch and a low-driving, easy pace.

If you are looking for a day that feels like you got off the standard track and still came back with stories that stick, this one is worth your attention.

FAQ

How many people are in the group?

This is a private tour, with your group only. The price is listed per group for up to 4 people.

How long does the tour take?

The duration is about 7 to 9 hours, and it includes driving time between locations and to/from your departure point.

What is included in the tour price?

Included items are private transportation, onboard Wi-Fi, an air-conditioned vehicle, parking fees, and entrance to the exhibition.

Are pickup and drop-off included?

Pickup is offered from your choice of address in Reykjavik, or from your Nesjavellir hotel. Because it is private, the tour begins after the pickup.

Is lunch or dinner included?

Lunch is not included, and there is no place to have a sit-down lunch. You should take a packed lunch. Dinner at Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant is optional and not included in the tour price.

What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the start time.