Early Bird Glacier Tour in the Sapphire Ice Cave at the Vatnajökull National Park

About the Activity

What to Expect

Get ready to experience the ultimate morning adventure in this glacier tour in the Sapphire Ice Cave at the Vatnajökull National Park!

First, we will depart in our 4x4 vehicle from the Glacier Lagoon car park towards the glacier. Once we arrive, our guide will provide you with the necessary gear for the excursion, including crampons, ice axe, harness, and a helmet with a headlamp; there is also an option to rent mountain boots for an additional cost. Once everyone is equipped, you will receive safety instructions to prepare yourself for this great adventure and embark on a 30-minute hike to the edge of the glacier.

As you enter the Sapphire Ice Cave, our guide will use professional photography equipment to capture the most special moments during the route. Throughout the excursion, you will explore the multiple chambers formed in the Sapphire Ice Cave during the summer, each one unique every year. During the tour, you will also learn about the history of Vatnajökull glacier, its composition, and understand how ice functions in nature. Our route concludes with a hike back to the glacier car park and a 30-minute drive back to our starting point.

This route is ideal for those seeking to experience Iceland's nature in a truly unique way, offering breathtaking ice formations and an adventure you'll never forget.

Highlights

- Discover the vibrant blue Sapphire Ice Cave within Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull

- Enjoy a thrilling hike with expert guidance, including professional photography to capture memorable moments

- Learn about the glacier’s history and formation while navigating its breathtaking ice chambers

How to Get There

• Meeting place: We meet at the Glacier Lagoon car park in Vatnajokull National Park

• Meeting time: 15 minutes before departure

• Car parks nearby: within a 1 minute walk (paid and free)

Itinerary

• Departure from the Glacier Lagoon

• Sapphire Ice Cave

• Return to Glacier Lagoon

Requirements

• Only suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness

• Not suitable for people with serious medical conditions

• Minimum age: 6 years

Included Services

• Hiking equipment (helmet, crampons, and harness)

• Professional photos (they will be sent by e-mail approximately 7 to 14 days after the activity)

• Certified guide

• Round-trip transportation from the meeting point to the cave

Additional Services

• You can rent equipment such as rain jackets, waterproof trousers, or hiking boots for an additional cost

Bring Along

• ID document

• Cash or card

• Bottle of water

• Booking confirmation

• Appropriate clothing with warm layers for freezing or wet conditions

• Warm hat and gloves

• Waterproof jacket and pants

• Hiking boots (preferably waterproof)

Good to know

• Minimum age required is 6 years

• Not accessible to wheelchairs and strollers

• You are allowed to bring your own drinks and snacks

• Not suitable for pregnant women

• For this activity, adults must provide their own kids car seat if travelling with kids under 135 cm tall

• Our tour times are approximate. Please allow an extra hour at the end of your tour as delays may occur due to varying daytime conditions

• Please note that it is a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik to our meeting point. We recommend staying in an accommodation closer to this location