About this experience
A hidden permafrost Ice-Cave, inside the largest lava cave in North Iceland
Very limited guests number due to protection of the cave.
Explore an underground world of Ice and darkness.
Highlights
- Explore a hidden underground world of Ice and darkness
- Limited access to this unique permafrost Ice-cave
- Super jeep cave trip into the wilderness of Mývatn area with local guides.
- Visit the largest lava cave Cave of north iceland
What's included
- Entrance to Lofthellir Cave
- Equpment for the cave:
- Boots, Helmet & headlamp
How to use
- Show Mobile Ticket
- At Redemption Counter
What to expect
Lofthellir Ice Cave is a cave like no other.
What makes Lofthellir so Different from any other Cave ?:
- Lofthellir is permafrost Ice-cave inside a lava tube it is a phenomenon that is rarely found on earth.
- Inside the cave the floor is made from 2000-3000year old ice, with Ice formations big and small young and some might be as old as 500years old.
- The cave stay's frozen due to a delicate air flow balance and that is the reason that there is only one group allowed per day into the cave.
- Lofthellir is also the biggest lava tube cave in North Iceland.
- Lofthellir is closed for public access and the Geo Travel team along with the landowners are responsible for protecting the cave with the help of visitors.
The tour:
The cave is located about 30km from Lake Mývatn, deep within in the lava fields of Búrfellshraun. To access the cave we must use modified Super jeeps,
The tour starts with a very scenic super jeep drive, passing Mt. Hverfjall and into the Lava fields, The drive usually takes around 45-50min, depending on weather and conditions we also often make stops along the way to admire the view.
Where the road ends, there is an 800m walk to the cave.
Once at the cave, every guests get's a pair of studded rubber boot, with spikes designed not to damage the ice inside. Each guest also gets a helmet with a headlamp.
Exploring Lofthellir cave, it is the goal of the tour that each group experiences the exhitment of exploration, and therefore there are no pre-set lights within the cave. This also makes every tour unique.
Time spent inside the cave is limited to about 1-1.5hours due to the fact that we don't want our breathing to affect the delicate balance of temperature.
Exploring the cave is not hard, however there will be some crawling on ice involved, come bending down, and perhaps sitting on wet ice.
It is therefore important to note that this is not a tour for those with mobility issues and waterproof/ resistant pants are recommended.
Our goal as a team is to provide a unique, educational experience and also protect cave Lofthellir for future generations. Therefore a portion of each ticket is spent to support research and protection of the cave in teamwork with the land owners.
Terms & conditions
Entering the cave everyone must crawl a short distance ( 1m) to get trough the entrance. Our experience is that if your are not claustrophobic in an elevator you will be okay. However if you do get claustrophobic his is perhaps not your tour.