ice cave discovery
ice cave discovery
Our more adventurous ice cave tour for those looking for an ice cave tour in combination with a glacier hike to visit different features on the glacier
34.900 ISK
| 285 $
244 € |
ICE CAVE
DISCOVERY
Picture yourself atop a vast, gorgeous glacier. The profound silence envelops you, broken only by the occasional distant crack of calving ice.
There’s a reason this small group glacier adventure with max 8 persons per guide is our guides’ favourite winter trip!
This Season’s Unique Experience
- You’ll start by visiting the same blue ice cave as on our ice cave tour
- You’ll hike up Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, reaching ever more scenic glacier overview.
- You’ll immerse yourself in the raw beauty of Iceland’s glacial wilderness, away from the main crowds in your small group
Past Season’s Highlights
Ice caves are natural wonders that change every season. Therefore, ice caves we’ve visited in previous seasons, such as the Blue Diamond, Sapphire ice cave and Crystal ice cave, no longer exist or are inaccessible.
At the beginning of each season our guides go out and scout the best glacier locations, so we can share our glacial wonderland with you – without compromising your safety.
What to Expect
Getting There – An Adventure in Itself
Embark on an adventure that takes you deep into Iceland’s glacial heart, where our custom 4×4 vehicles conquer challenging landscapes sculpted by ice over countless ages.
The Hike and the Ice Cave
A brief 20 minute walk from the 4×4 vehicle brings you to the edge of the glacier. Inside the ice cave, you’ll have time to capture stunning photos that will leave your friends at home in a jealous awe.
Glacier Exploration
Beyond the ice cave, your experienced guide leads you further onto the glacier. This extended hike offers opportunities for exploration, photography, and a chance to pause for a snack. Prepare for some steeper sections, rewarded with even more breathtaking views.
Please note: While the glacier is vast, we cannot guarantee solitude, particularly in the ice cave area where you may encounter other groups.
be prepared for your
adventure
Please wear warm and waterproof outdoor clothing, a hat, and gloves. We recommend thicker, woolen socks, avoiding cotton clothing, and bringing layers.
Hiking boots can be rented on location for 1500 ISK. To make sure you’re fully prepared for the glacier, our guides will take a quick look at your footwear during the crampon fitting. If your shoes aren’t safe or compatible, they might recommend renting proper hiking boots on location for a small additional cost.
We suggest to bring with a small backpack for an extra layer, a water bottle and lunch. The tour starts and ends in Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and some food options may be available there, but we suggest preparing in advance snacks and proper, packed lunch (e.g. a sandwich).
Meeting time is at least 15 min prior the departure time.
This tour is a subject to 72h cancellation policy with a full refund*
*Local Guide and its guides reserve the right to refuse service to anyone they deem unfit to participate in the activities they have enrolled in. Local Guide reserves the right to change the tour itinerary and chosen route with safety in mind due to environmental factors and other factors outside human control. Furthermore, we don’t repay the fee if the client is late, or doesn’t show up even if the weather is very bad, in case we can offer the trip. So we recommend staying in a hotel or guesthouse east of Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park, and west of the town of Höfn.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED
WHAT IS INCLUDED
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
FAQ
We are located at the bus parking lot, look out for our black 4×4 cars marked with Local Guide. Meeting time is at least 15 min minutes before the departure time, we would would actually advise in to be even earlier, as the parking area in Jökulsárlón tends to get busy.
The main difference between our two public tours is the time duration and the additional glacier hike available on our longer tour only. The Ice Cave Discovery is a 5-7 hour tour of which we are spending around 2 hours hiking on the glacier. During the longer trip we are able to see some interesting glacier features that are further off the beaten path.
We make sure to be accurately presenting the ice caves we are visiting during each season on our instagram @localguide. The colours of the ice caves can change a lot with a different light and weather conditions so please keep this in mind when visiting the cave and when looking at the pictures share on social media.
Blue Ice Discovery is an approximately four-hour experience combining glacier walking with one or more accessible blue-ice formations. Ice Cave Discovery lasts approximately 5–7 hours and allows our guides to consider longer routes and more remote areas.
Neither tour follows a permanently fixed itinerary. The best choice depends on how much time you have and how challenging you would like the experience to be.
We cannot guarantee entry into a particular cave or any named location. Natural ice features constantly change, and access depends on the latest weather and glacier assessment.
The additional time gives the guide greater flexibility when choosing a route, but safety always determines which areas can be visited by our expert team. The tour may include a cave, tunnel, canyon, blue-ice wall or a combination of suitable features.
The tour is scheduled during selected periods when daylight, glacier access and seasonal conditions may support a longer experience. Availability can therefore be more limited than for our shorter winter tours.
The operating calendar shows the dates currently available, but all departures remain subject to weather and glacier conditions.
This is the most demanding of our three public winter experiences. Participants should have good general fitness and be prepared for several hours outdoors, longer walking distances and uneven glacier terrain.
The route may involve snow, ice, gravel, gentle climbs and changing surfaces. You do not need technical glacier experience, but you should be comfortable with an active full-day adventure.
No previous glacier experience is required. Our certified glacier guide will provide a safety briefing, fit the necessary equipment and explain how to move on the terrain.
However, being a beginner does not mean the tour is physically easy. Participants need the fitness, balance and endurance required for a 5–7-hour outdoor winter activity.
Wear warm base and insulating layers beneath waterproof and windproof outer clothing. Bring gloves, a warm hat, sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and a small backpack with food, water and any personal medication required during the day.
All necessary glacier safety equipment is provided. Hiking boots can be rented on location for an extra fee of 1500 ISK
Food and drinks are not included, so each participant should bring enough food, snacks and water for an active day lasting up to seven hours.
There may not be a sheltered indoor lunch stop. Choose food that is easy to carry and eat outdoors 🙂
No, our tours do not include a parking fee to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Please make sure to purchase a parking slot on site or through the app.
Ice Cave Discovery operates with a maximum of eight participants per guide. The smaller group allows for more efficient movement and closer guide support on a longer glacier route.
Private full-day tours may also be available for travellers looking for greater flexibility or an experience adapted to their group.
