The Askja & Holuhraun Lava Field Super Jeep Tour

A visit to the Askja Caldera in the Icelandic highlands is a once in a lifetime experience. The landscape of the highlands is unique and probably unlike anything you have seen before. During the tour, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you have been shot into space and landed on another planet! This tour offers you the chance to visit this amazing area with a professional local guide. You will not only explore the Askja Caldera but you will also see stunning mountains, forge rivers and visit other hard-to-access regions of the highlands.

This tour departs early morning from the Lake Mývatn area.

Once you meet with your guide and group, you will start the drive into the Icelandic highlands. As you drive up to the Askja caldera, you will stop at some beautiful and unique places. One of the highlights is Herðubreiðalindir. This oasis in the barren highlands is not only stunningly beautiful but also rich with history. Here, outlaws would seek refuge in olden times, the most famous being Fjalla-Eyvindur. As you visit this oasis and enjoy views of the Queen of Icelandic mountains, Herðubreið, your guide will tell you more about Fjalla-Eyvindur and how he survived here.

Other stops along the route include Drekagil or Dragons gully. The gully is named for the dragon many can make out in its geological formation. After a picnic at Drekagil, you’ll continue up to the Askja caldera. This 50 km2 caldera is located in the Dyngjufjöll mountains, which emerged in eruptions under an Ice Age glacier cap. The caldera formed mainly during the ice age in a significant ash eruption. This eruption caused the magma chamber’s roof at the central volcano’s heart to subside.

The caldera contains several volcanoes, including the Víti crater. Víti is an explosive volcanic crater with accumulated water, creating a milky blue crater lake. You will then hike about 2.5 km from the caldera parking lot up to the caldera itself. The hike is classified as easy to moderate, depending on the snow levels when you visit. If you stay in early summer, you should expect more snow. Once up at the caldera, you can enjoy the fantastic views over the caldera and Lake Askja. One of the most stunning sights here is the Víti crater. If conditions allow, you might be able to bathe in the milky blue water of this volcanic crater! You should always bring a swimsuit and a towel, but your guide will decide if it is safe given the conditions at each time.

After visiting the Askja caldera, you will return to your vehicle and continue your journey. Before returning to Lake Mývatn, you will see the Holuhraun lava field.  This lava field is Iceland’s youngest, and you will explore this rough, moon-like landscape before driving back to Lake Mývatn.

This tour can also be arranged as a private tour. Contact us at info@iat.is for pricing and availability for private tours.