Vatnajökull National Park

Glacier exploration

Experience the breathtaking wonder of a natural ice cave with a guided tour of Vatnajökull Glacier. Begin your adventure at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where you’ll meet your certified glacier guide. From there, embark on a scenic 20-30 minute Super Jeep drive through Iceland’s dramatic landscape en route to the ice cave. Step into a mesmerizing world of shimmering blue ice, where every glacial formation tells a story carved by time. Your expert guide will ensure your safety, equipping you with all the necessary glacier gear for a secure and comfortable exploration. Once inside, marvel at the cave’s ethereal beauty—glowing shades of blue reflecting the purity of the ice. Capture this otherworldly spectacle with stunning photos as you spend approximately 40 minutes immersing yourself in this rare natural wonder. After an unforgettable experience, retrace your steps and return to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, carrying with you the awe-inspiring memories of Vatnajökull’s hidden gem.

Follow the south coast of Iceland to the glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón, on a full-day tour from Reykjavik. Visit the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and learn about the incredible landscapes from your guide. Stay connected with free WIFI aboard the climate-controlled bus. Depart from Reykjavik in an air-conditioned bus and pass charming villages as well as Skaftafell National Park on your way to the Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss waterfalls. Look out for Iceland’s biggest volcano, Öræfajökull glacier. After arriving at the lagoon, enjoy some time to view this stunning area. Take a walk along the shore and admire the icebergs. During the summer season, amphibian boat tours on the lagoon are available at an extra cost (payable onsite). Jökulsárlón started to form in the early nineteen twenties and is getting bigger every year. See blocks of ice that have broken off Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull, as they sail slowly towards the ocean. The tour returns to Reykjavik in the evening.

Explore breathtaking ice formations and glacier mills on this guided tour in Skaftafell. Marvel at a naturally-formed, blue ice cave and learn how glaciers are formed. A professional hiking guide will take you to the base of Falljökull, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull ice cap, and lead you up to the cave. On a clear day, be sure to look out for Hvannadalshnúkur in the distance.

THE TOUR Your journey starts by meeting your guide and boarding one of Iceland’s largest custom-made super jeeps! We’ll depart from Glacier Lagoon and drive approximately 40 minutes toward Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacial tongue extending from Vatnajökull. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights about the formation of ice caves, glaciers, volcanoes, and local culture. The caves we visit are 100% natural, constantly forming and changing with the seasons and weather conditions. As such, the cave we explore will depend on the conditions on the day of your tour. We may find ourselves at the edge of the glacier, or we might need to hike a short distance (500-700m) on the glacier to reach the cave. The walking distance on the tour therefore varies between 1-4 km so all participants should be in good health and comfortable with walking. Before entering the cave, your guide will provide a safety briefing and equip you with helmets and crampons/micro spikes if needed. Each tour is unique due to the ever-changing nature of the glaciers and caves. You’ll witness a variety of stunning ice formations and colors, from brilliant blue to emerald green and even striking black ice. Our guests often tell us that the diverse ice formations and colors are the most unforgettable part of their experience. WHICH ICE CAVE DO WE VISIT? We always aim to take you to the most beautiful and awe-inspiring ice caves available during the season. Since the caves constantly evolve, old ones disappear, and new ones form, each tour is a unique adventure. Rest assured, we will guide you to the best ice cave accessible at the time of your visit. If you’re looking for an extended experience, we also offer a 5-6 hour tour (Ice Cave & Glacier Exploration tour) that combines an ice cave visit with a glacier walk.

Explore the dramatic landscapes of the south of Iceland on a full-day sightseeing tour by bus. Go to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon outlet of the largest glacier in Europe, leaning about its history and formation from your local guide. Following a pickup from your hotel in Reykjavik, transfer to the southern coast and the dramatic Glacier Lagoon. Enjoy plenty of time to see the floating icebergs and enjoy the stunning scenery. During the season, make sure to reserve your ticket to the boat cruise on the Jökulsárlón and experience the unique Glacier Lagoon spectacle up close. When you prebook, your place is guaranteed. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is Iceland’s largest and deepest glacier lagoon. It branches from Breidamerkurjokull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. Return to Reykjavik, stopping at the gorgeous waterfall Seljalandsfoss. You will visit the Diamond beach with black sand, and there will be an additional stop in Iceland's southernmost village at Vík for dinner.

Embark on a guided tour from Reykjavik to the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Witness the mighty Hvannadalshnjúkur mountain and black sand desert that sprawls between Skaftafell National Park and the lagoon.  Stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the cascades to reach the other side. Continue to the majestic Skógafoss waterfall and admire the impressive 60-meter drop. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and stroll along the shores of the lake. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the area as 1,000- to 1,500-year-old ice breaks away from the Vatnajökull glacier and floats silently on the water. Recognize locations from some of the many movies that have been filmed in the area, such as Batman Begins and Tomb Raider. Stop at the spectacular Diamond Beach and admire the strand of black sand speckled with clumps of ice, giving an appearance of shimmering diamonds. In the warmer months, enjoy an added boat ride around the lagoon and witness the floating icebergs up-close.

Seize the opportunity to experience one of the stunning blue ice caves within Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Getting There – An Adventure in Itself Your tour begins at the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Southeast Iceland. Meet your professional glacier guide and climb on board a 4x4 to begin the rugged journey towards the glacier, navigating rugged terrain that few vehicles can handle. As we travel, you’ll witness breathtaking scenery shaped by glaciers over millennia. Our expert guides lead this expedition, ensuring not only your safety but also providing informative insights throughout the journey. This tour is rated as easy, as our modified 4x4s allow participants to get very close to the glacier without exerting much effort. From there we hike 5-20 minutes up to the Ice Cave on uneven ground. As the glacier is always changing, the most beautiful and safest Ice Cave will be chosen depending on the conditions of each day. Inside the Ice Cave Embrace the magic of Iceland’s ever-changing glaciers! Each winter unveils new natural wonders, and we’re excited to share this year’s adventure with you. The Ice Cave range between 30-70m. Find unique ice formations and mesmerizing light effects in the cave. With plenty of time for exploration, photos, and learning about glacial history from your guide, this will be an experience you’ll never forget. Explore the most stunning, naturally shaped, blue Ice Cave with us on this 2-3 hour tour! Past Season’s Highlights In previous years we have featured sites like the Blue Diamond Ice Cave, Sapphire Ice Cave, and Crystal Ice Caves as well as the Sparkle Ice Cave, just to name a few. While specific caves change annually due to natural processes, the awe-inspiring beauty remains constant. Please note that while each group’s experience is unique, you will likely encounter other groups during your time in the cave. Due to our flexibility to always offer you the best cave available the tour is expected to last between 2-3 hours, depending on the conditions. Remember, the dynamic nature of ice caves means they transform throughout winter, ensuring a unique experience with each visit. For recent photos and updates, follow @localguide on Instagram.

Meet at the Café by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, about 40 minutes east of Skaftafell, for the start of a unique winter activity and look at an extraordinary natural phenomenon. Go inside some of the ice caves that form after water runs beneath the Vatnajökull Glacier during the summer. Every fall, local guides hunt for new ice caves, as their location can change each year. The structure and condition can also vary from year to year, but rest assured your guide will decide which is the best cave to visit, depending on the safety and weather conditions. Drive for approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the ice cave chosen by your guide, and then walk for 5 to 15 minutes to the mouth of the cave. Upon arrival, enjoy between 1 and 1.5 hours to look inside at the miraculous blue ice of the cave, and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

On the Ice Exploration tour, you will spend approximately 2 hours (4-6 km) hiking on Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull. During the tour, your guide will share their knowledge of how the glaciers form, how they are in constant change and how these changes affect the surrounding area. You will see numerous different natural attractions, from beautiful mountains to ashy ice and if you are lucky, some blue ice. On some days, we will prioritize walking further to cover a larger area of the glacier, while on other days, we will prioritize entering small moulins or crevasses. What we do on the tour depends on the conditions of the day as well as the group itself, but we promise to show you the best attractions available at each time and to make your day an unforgettable one. The tour is rated medium in terms of difficulty because you are required to walk 4-6 km on different types of terrain and in various types of weather conditions. To participate in this tour, you must be in good general health and able to walk 4-6 km. Most of our guests have never been on a glacier before so no previous glacier experience is needed. We provide everyone with crampons, helmets, and a safety harness. The guide will introduce you to the safety equipment and ensure you are ready before the adventure begins. We recommend that you dress according to the weather on the day of departure; the glacier is usually no colder than the meeting point at the Glacier Lagoon. Please wear comfortable, warm, yet breathable clothing and comfortable shoes. We recommend wearing hiking boots that cover your ankles, but in the summer most sturdy shoes will do. The meeting time is the time you see on your ticket; either 08:30, 12:00 or 13:45 – the tour will depart approximately 30 min after that, when everyone is geared up and ready. Tour structure: • We meet at our super jeeps near the WC and café at the Glacier Lagoon. • Gear-up takes approximately 30 minutes. • A 40-minute drive to the glacier is followed by a 15-minute walk. • You'll explore the glacier for about 2 hours. • The return involves walking back to the jeep and driving back to the Glacier Lagoon. Important information: When you book the glacier walk you should be in good health and able to walk 4-6 km in different types of weather. We operate in any type of weather (rain, wind, cold) so please dress appropriately. If you don't think walking 4-6 km on a glacier is something for you, please request a refund at least 24 hours before the tour. It is not possible to receive a refund if you cancel on the same day of the tour, or if you cancel mid-tour. Please read the description carefully, it is your responsibility to know your capacity and limits.

Discover what it feels like to walk on impacted ice on an amazing hike across the outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Get breathtaking views of the ice-covered peaks of Skaftafell National Park in the epic wilderness of Iceland. Meet your guide at the meeting point to pick up your crampons, ice axes, harnesses, and helmets. Then, drive by bus to the start of your hike and put on your crampons and steel frames tied to your hiking boots for the amazing adventure ahead. Spend around 60 to 90 minutes on the ice to see crevasses and deep cracks on the surface. Learn about the vertical shafts known as moulins, formed when melting water finds its way into the fissures and cracks. Look into small ice tunnels and capture the beautiful blue heart of the ice in the winter. Learn the history of the glacier from your English-speaking guide.