Into the Glacier – Winter Ice Caves on Vatnajökull | Self Drive

• Natural ice cave
• Short glacier hike
• Vatnajokull National Park
• Skaftafell Nature Reserve
• Certified Glacier Guide

Natural Ice Caves are only found during the wintertime when the glacial rivers retract and the water freezes. New caves are formed in different locations each year. This tour is highly dependent on conditions (including temperature, safety and accessibility). Ice-caves must be treated with the utmost respect in regards to the ceiling being supportive along with other factors. Being inside an Ice Cave provides visitors with unparalleled photographic opportunities while capturing the blue light passing through the glacier ice.

This tour departs from the Glacier Guides booking house in Skaftafell. It’s a perfect tour for those looking for a shorter but stunning guided glacier walk with a visit to an Ice cave on the way, a fantastic all-around experience. The Falljökull glacier tongue is unique in that it offers everything glaciers are best known for without the need to travel great distances. The cave is selected based on conditions, hiking route, and safety each time. This tour is suitable for the  family and people with a basic fitness level.

Our buses leave from Skaftafell several times a day for the scenic 15-minute drive to Falljökull glacier. We embark on a short glacier walk and visit a natural ice cave. This cave is selected based on conditions and safety. We spend about 15-20 minutes inside the mesmerizing ice tunnel, allowing us time to take pictures and admire this natural wonder. You can get a more exclusive ice cave experience since Glacier Guides is the only operator going to this cave.

Included

• Guided glacier hiking
• Certified Glacier Guide
• All necessary safety equipment for the glacier

Excluded

• Meals

Meeting point:  Glacier Guides booking house in Skaftafell, located next to the Vatnajokull/Skaftafell Visitor Center (Details from Google Maps: Skaftafell, 785 Öræfi, Iceland +354 562 7000). Please check in 30 min prior to the tour departure.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours (1-1,5 hours on ice). We spend about 15-20 minutes in the ice cave.

Rated: Easy

Minimum requirements: 10 years (must fit EUR size 35 to fit hiking crampons)

Remember to bring:Warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket & pants, sturdy hiking boots, head-wear and gloves.Note that you can rent hiking boots, waterproof jacket and waterproof pants in the booking process.

Provided glacier gear: All necessary glacier gear will be provided by us. This includes crampons, helmet, ice axe and harness.

Crampons are metal spikes that we attach to the soles of your hiking shoes, these enable you to walk on the glacier ice without slipping. Crampons will be used during glacier hiking, please make sure you have good hiking shoes. We recommend hiking shoes that are thick, sturdy and waterproof.

Please refer to below photos as reference: