About this experience
Feel the ice under your feet on a guided tour of the Vatnajökull glacier from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Discover the largest glacier in Iceland as you encounter crevasses and unforgettable scenery.
Highlights
- Explore the imposing Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe
- Learn about the ever-changing landscape of glaciers from your guide
- Stay safe at all times being equipped with crampons and a helmet
- Gaze at the breathtaking ice formations of Vatnajökull with Ice Explorers
- Channel your inner Ice Explorer as you journey through icy terrain
What's included
- Equipment such as crampons, helmet and a harness
How to use
- Show Mobile Ticket
- At Redemption Counter
What to expect
On the Ice Exploration tour, with Ice Explorers, you will spend approximately 2 hours (4-6 km) hiking on Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull. If we are fully booked, try emailing us at ice@explorers.is, and we can usually release more seats!
During your tour with Ice Explorers, 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.
Ice Explorers provides everyone with crampons, helmets, and a safety harness. Your guide will introduce you to the safety equipment and ensure you are ready before the adventure begins. Dress according to the weather on the day of departure; the glacier is usually no colder than the meeting point at the Glacier Lagoon. Wear comfortable, warm, yet breathable clothing and hiking boots. Wear hiking boots that cover your ankles and offer good ankle support. The meeting time is the one you see on your ticket: 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 Ice Explorers custom-made 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). Everyone must dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day of their tour. 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.
Things to note
- Travel insurance
- Outdoor clothing
- Thermal clothing
- Warm clothing
- Hiking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
Terms & conditions
• There is a minimum age of 10 years old (We have crampons that are designed to fit shoe sizes EU 35–48: approximately 22.5–31 cm. Children must have feet within this size range in order to participate in the tour.)
• The tour will be in English
•Wear comfortable, warm, yet breathable clothing and hiking boots. Wear stiff hiking boots that cover your ankles and offer good ankle support. Soft, foam, low shoes or sneakers are not allowed.
• Important: We offer boot and rain jacket rentals at the meeting point. If you are not properly dressed, you may be required to rent gear from us or, in extreme cases, be denied participation for safety reasons. Our cancellation policy will apply in such cases.
• If you arrive early you can experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the glacier lagoon and see 1,000-year-old icebergs drifting in the ocean