The Askja Lunar Tour has for 40 years been the most popular guided day tour from Lake Mývatn. The tour, which takes 11-12 hours, takes our passengers on 4x4 buses through Iceland's largest wilderness. You will see various geological sites and more..
Tour Operator: Mývatn Tours ehf
The Askja tour is one of Iceland’s top 10 must-see experiences, and for good reason. We’ve been running this tour since 1980, and it continues to amaze travelers with its raw beauty and unique geological features.
We take you to Askja in our specially equipped 4x4 highland bus, designed for comfort and safety. You'll ride high with plenty of legroom and space for your belongings. Our experienced drivers and knowledgeable guides ensure you can relax, enjoy the journey, and learn about the incredible landscape as we travel through it.
This full-day tour starts and ends in Arnarnes, where the meeting place is, in the Lake Mývatn area.
The drive to Askja takes about 3–4 hours, taking us deep into the Icelandic highlands. Along the way, we pass through the Herðubreiðarlindir Nature Reserve, a protected area known for its natural beauty and lush oases in the desert-like highlands.
We’ll make several stops to explore the scenery and take in the unique lava fields, glacial rivers, natural springs, freshwater streams, and majestic mountains. There are no cafés or restaurants along the route, so please bring your own food and drinks. We’ll take breaks where you can sit down and enjoy your meal — either inside a mountain hut or outside in the peaceful landscape.
Once we arrive at Askja, around 12:00–1:00 PM, you'll have about 2 to 2.5 hours of free time. It’s an easy 35-minute walk from the parking area to Lake Askja and the famous Víti crater.
If weather and conditions allow, you can bathe in the warm crater lake of Víti, located 1,100 meters above sea level — a truly unique experience!
After a short visit to Drekagil canyon, about 8 km from Askja, we head straight back to Reykjahlíð.
Guided tour in 4x4 bus.
1) Warm clothes and good shoes, since the weather in the highlands is unpredictable and can change suddenly.
2) Food for the day. There are no supermarkets or restaurants on the way.
3) Towels so you can take a bath in the crater Víti if the conditions are good.
The weather in Iceland can change fast so it is best to have more clothes then less because you can leave it in the bus while you hike to the Askja lake.
In beginning of summer in the highlands there can still be snow. You may have to walk in snow from the parking place to the lake Askja.
One way is 2,4 km long but flat with small hill in the beginning. It takes around 35 minutes to walk in good condition. It can be challenging in the snow.
Join us on an unforgettable journey to Askja, located in the heart of the Icelandic highlands. The drive takes approximately 3 to 4 hours each way.
Our tour departs from the village of Reykjahlíð in the Lake Mývatn area at 8:00 AM, and we return around 7:00–8:00 PM.
Please arrive no later than 7:40 AM.
On the way to Askja, we’ll make several stops to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and unique geological features — including lava fields, glacial rivers, clear freshwater streams, hot springs, and majestic mountains. These stops also give you time to stretch your legs, relax in nature, and have a bite to eat. (Note: There are no cafés or restaurants along the route, so please bring your own food and drinks.)
We arrive at the Askja parking area around 12:00–1:00 PM, where you’ll have about 2 to 2.5 hours of free time to explore. From there, it’s an easy 35-minute walk to Lake Askja and the Víti crater. Conditions permitting, you may even enjoy a swim in the warm geothermal water of Víti.
Before heading back, we make a brief stop in Drekagil, a rugged and beautiful canyon about 8 km from Askja. Then we drive straight back to Reykjahlíð.