Private North Iceland Waterfalls & Laufás Heritage Tour

by Your Friend in Reykjavik · North Iceland

4.90· 1,779 Google reviews of the operator
  • Eco-certified

from €1,475 per vehicle

Next departure: Sat 1 May

Book Sat 1 May · €1,475 the vehicleOther dates
Private North Iceland Waterfalls & Laufás Heritage Tour — Your Friend in Reykjavik
Historic Laufás turf houses with grass roofs and wooden facades
View of Akureyri with mountains in the background
Traveler sitting in front of a large waterfall
Large waterfall cascading into a rocky riverbed
Close-up view of turf-covered roofs and traditional architecture at Laufás
Close-up of water plunging over a cliff
Large waterfall flowing into a serene pool
Waterfall surrounded by lush green Icelandic landscape

1 / 9

  • Duration

    5 hours and 30 minutes

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Akureyri

  • Pickup

    Hotel pickup included

  • Guide

    Guided in English

  • Departs

    09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 …

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24 hours before

About this experience

Experience the dramatic landscapes and living history of North Iceland on this immersive private waterfall and heritage tour from Akureyri. Designed for travelers who want more than just quick photo stops, this journey blends powerful natural sights with meaningful cultural insight, all at a relaxed pace in the comfort of a private vehicle.

Your adventure begins with a scenic drive through the countryside surrounding Akureyri, where wide valleys, volcanic terrain, and glacial rivers set the tone for the day. The first stop is the iconic Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. Known as the “Waterfall of the Gods,” Goðafoss is not only visually striking but deeply rooted in Icelandic history, marking the country’s conversion to Christianity over a thousand years ago. Walk along the riverbanks, admire the sweeping crescent shape of the falls, and capture photos from multiple viewpoints.

From there, the tour continues inland toward the remote Bárðardalur Valley, where the landscape becomes more rugged and untouched. Here you’ll visit Aldeyjarfoss, a truly unique waterfall framed by perfectly formed basalt columns. The contrast between the geometric lava formations and the rushing glacial water makes this one of North Iceland’s most photogenic natural wonders. Your guide will share insights into the region’s volcanic geology and how these dramatic formations came to be.

Venturing further off the beaten path, you’ll discover Hrafnabjargafoss, a lesser-known but equally captivating waterfall. Surrounded by lava fields and raw highland scenery, this stop offers a sense of solitude and connection with Iceland’s wild interior. It’s a place where you can slow down, listen to the river, and truly appreciate the scale and quiet beauty of the landscape.

On the return journey toward Akureyri, the focus shifts from nature to history with a visit to the Laufás Turf Houses. This beautifully preserved heritage site offers a rare glimpse into how Icelanders lived in the 19th century, adapting to a harsh climate using natural materials and ingenious design. Wander through turf-roofed homes and the charming church while learning about rural life, traditions, and daily survival in historical Iceland.

Throughout the tour, your private local guide provides stories, context, and flexibility—allowing time for photos, short walks, and questions. This experience is ideal for travelers who want to combine North Iceland’s most striking waterfalls with authentic cultural heritage, all without rushing or crowds.

Description from the operator, Your Friend in Reykjavik. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Pickup
  2. Goðafoss (The Waterfall of the Gods)
  3. Aldeyjarfoss
  4. Hrafnabjargarfoss
  5. Laufás Turf Houses
  6. Return

Included

  • Private transportation in a comfortable vehicle
  • Pickup & drop-off from Akureyri hotel or cruise port
  • English-speaking guide
  • Entrance fee to Laufás Turf Houses

Not included

  • Tips (welcome but optional)
  • Food and drinks

Good to know

  • Warm layers and waterproof jacket
  • Sturdy walking shoes
  • Camera or smartphone for photos
  • Water bottle and light snacks
  • Tour operates spring–autumn and is weather dependent
  • Moderate walking on uneven terrain; sturdy shoes recommended
  • Optional café stop available

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is a forecast the operator judges unsafe. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Your Friend in Reykjavik decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
  2. 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
  3. 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Who this is not for

  • Priced per vehicle, so it is poor value for one or two people and good value for four or more sharing.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Your Friend in Reykjavik is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Your Friend in Reykjavik

Read all 1,779 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.9/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Sanket Das

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    Your Friend in Reykjavik is the best tour company in Reykjavik . I took Walk with a Viking Tour , Snaefellsnes Peninsula day tour and 6 days around Iceland Adventure tour . I spent 8 Nights in Iceland . I stayed 2 nights at Hotel Reykjavik Grand , 1 night at Hotel Geirland , 1 night at Hotel Hofn , 1 night at Wilderness Center , 1 night at Akureyri Berjaya Iceland Hotels , 1 night at Hotel Laugarbakki , 1 night at Hotel Keflavik . It was an amazing tour . My experience in Iceland was magical and heavenly . I also visited Blue Lagoon and it was a nice experience. I enjoyed my every second in Iceland . Iceland is one of the most beautiful country on our planet . I would keep visiting Iceland in the future . Thank you for making my Iceland journey special and memorable .

  • Wendy Uhlig

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    We had a great time on our Iceland Folklore tour. Our guide was Einar. He was a fantastic storyteller!! Hidden people/elves, trolls and ghost stories - and a lot of Icelandic history. Thank you Einar!!

  • Nanci Ritter

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    Petra was an incredible guide. We asked her to show us as much as she could before taking our crazy family of 10 to the airport for our flights to three different cities ! First stop was the beautiful church in downtown Reykjavik that had just opened with an organ recital. Next stop a lovely spot and observation sight overlooking the city by the Pearl. Cold and wet she found us a lovely coffee shop with the best pastries for a welcome mid morning rest next to the sea. Back in the van we drove for a bit before having the opportunity to explore a geothermal field on our way to the airport. A perfect day and ending to our time in Iceland. Petra shared alot of history and information from the perspective of a local which we all appreciated and enjoyed!

  • Vincent Damas

    ★★★★★ · 4 months ago

    Nice walking trip in Reykjavik city centre with our local guide Hrafn, very friendly and knowledgeable. A good introduction to Iceland on the very first day of our 2 weeks road-trip around the island 👍

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Akureyri, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in North Iceland →

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Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.

from

€1,475 per vehicle

Book Sat 1 May · €1,475 the vehicle