Enjoy an adventurous super jeep ride, and explore a stunning crystal ice cave in Europe's largest glacier - Vatnajökull
Tour Operator: Arctic Adventures
Trip difficulty: 2/5, easy.
Tour Highlights:
Experience an ice cave on the south side of Vatnajökull Glacier, conveniently starting from the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Each autumn, meltwater and winter forces carve new ice caves inside the glacier. These caves change every season – their size, shape and colour can vary from deep blue to more white or grey tones depending on the weather and snow cover, making each visit unique. Our expert team constantly evaluates conditions to choose the best cave for the day.
From Jökulsárlón, board a specially modified Super Jeep for a scenic, off-road ride (~30 minutes) to the glacier’s edge. From there, take a short walk of around 15 minutes each way over uneven ground to reach the cave. Your certified glacier guide provides a safety briefing and all necessary glacier gear (helmet, crampons if needed) and leads you safely inside the cave.
Inside, you’ll have time to look around, take photos and learn how the caves form and change from year to year. Because this is a natural wonder and a popular area, you should expect to share the cave with other small groups – this is not a private experience – but your guide will do their best to give you space for photos and to enjoy the atmosphere.
Disclaimer: All day trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.
If you want to learn more about Iceland Ice Cave tour, click here.
Certified, English-speaking guide
Super Jeep ride from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to the ice cave
All necessary safety gear (helmet, glacier crampons, headlamp)
Guided visit to an ice cave on Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of the mighty Vatnajökull
Group size limited to 14 guests per guide
Transportation to/from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (e.g. from Reykjavík)
Warm, waterproof outwear, gloves
Sturdy hiking boots (no sneakers, heels)
Camera
Your adventure begins at the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs drift out to sea. Take time to enjoy the view or visit nearby Diamond Beach before departure. The meeting point is on the east side of the main Jökulsárlón parking lot, where you’ll see Super Jeeps and tour vans. Look for the Arctic Adventures sign - your guide will meet you there and lead you to the Super Jeep (marked either Glacier Mice or Arctic Adventures). Tours leave promptly, so please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Jökulsárlón is a busy area with several parking lots on both sides of the road; allow extra time to park and walk to the meeting point. There are no washrooms at the ice cave, so please use the facilities at Jökulsárlón before we depart.
From the lagoon, climb aboard our specially modified Super Jeep for a scenic ~30 minute drive towards an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Once we leave the main road, the track becomes off-road and bumpy, adding to the sense of adventure while offering beautiful views of mountains and the surrounding winter landscape. This tour takes you beyond the regular roads, right to the edge of the glacier where the ice cave awaits. Your highly skilled driver-guide will expertly navigate the track so you can buckle up and enjoy the adventure! After the Super Jeep ride, you will be fitted with a helmet and crampons, hear a safety briefing, then be ready to explore.
We arrive at Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull. Here your guide gives a safety briefing and provides all necessary glacier gear before we walk to the cave. The walk is usually 15 minutes each way over uneven, icy ground, but you'll be equipped with crampons to help. The walk is suitable for most people with a normal level of fitness and sturdy hiking shoes. Next, step into an ice cave and see how powerful forces of meltwater and frost shape the glacier from the inside. The colours can range from deep, electric blue to more white or grey tones depending on the light, snowfall and the cave that nature has created this season.