Enjoy an amazing journey by minibus through this area of extreme contrasts with great birdlife and flora, geothermal activity, geology, and many places that feature in the Icelandic Sagas.
The Lake Myvatn area is considered by many to be the most dramatic and also the most beautiful place in Iceland.
During the tour, we take a break for refreshments at a local restaurant or café.
After hotel pick-up in Akureyri, we begin our day by stopping at Godafoss Falls on our way to Lake Myvatn. This magnificent waterfall plays an important role in Icelandic history, particularly in connection with the introduction of Christianity.
According to the Sagas, chieftain Thorgeir of Ljosavatn threw his pagan idols into the falls when Iceland converted to Christianity in the year 1000, hence the name Godafoss, meaning "waterfall of the idols".
After Godafoss we will start our amazing journey through areas of extreme contrasts, birdlife, flora, geothermal activity, geology, and saga. The area of Lake Myvatn is considered by many to be the most beautiful and at the same time the most catastrophic place in Iceland.
We will see the pseudocraters of Skutustadir. These "craters" were formed during volcanic eruptions when lava flowed over wetlands, eventually resulting in steam eruptions and forming these medium-sized craters.
We'll also walk in an interesting labyrinth of lava formations called Dimmuborgir. Meaning "Gloomy Castles", their dramatic structures are one of Iceland's most popular natural tourist attractions, reminding travelers of an ancient collapsed citadel. It's a world of fairy tales indeed.
The hot springs of Namaskard cover a rather large area. The pigments and minerals found in the ground make us think of a painter's palette. The whole place is filled with lots of bubbling mud pots, and steam coming out of the ground. The stench of sulfur is just amazing, adding to the feeling of being in an otherworldly realm.
Towards the end of the tour, there is an option of visiting the beautiful Myvatn Nature Baths for a relaxing geothermal bath in the silica waters of the so-called Blue Lagoon of the North. The entrance fee is not included in the tour price.
The characteristics of this water are unique in many ways. It contains a large number of minerals, is alkaline, and well suited for bathing. Due to its chemical composition, undesired bacteria do not thrive in the lagoon making chloride or any other disinfectant redundant.
After a relaxing bath, we head back to Akureyri where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
