The Summer Ice Cave Captured
Explore our crystal ice cave in the summer season. Let us capture you doing it.SEASON
MEETING POINT
DURATION
STARTING TIME
GROUP
PRICE
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Our newest glacier tour has you exploring our famous crystal ice cave for the very first time during a summer season. While this cave is normally not accessible during the summertime, our glacier operation has built a safe access point into it for the rest of 2023. Your personal photographer and glacier guide will lead you into this cave where you will witness for the formation of these caves during the summertime first hand. As you immerse yourself in the blue ice, your guide will use his own camera equipment to take professional photos of you to capture the most special moments of your tour. Throughout the hike, you will learn about the history of Vatnajokull Glacier and how the ice works in nature. After the tour ends, your guide will professionally edit your photos and email them to you between 7-14 days. These photos will be the perfect souvenir and memory of your adventure in Iceland!
Optional: Pickup/Drop-off out of Reykjavik is available for an additional 130,000 ISK per group and would automatically make it a private tour. Pickup time would be 7 am from your accommodation and the duration of the tour would change to approx. 15 hours. This option will be visible once you click ‘continue’ at the checkout.
ITINERARY
Meeting with your Guide
You will meet your guide at the Glacier Lagoon parking lot in Vatnajokull National Park. The official address for this location is: í Hornafirði, Jökulsárlón, Glacier Lagoon, 781 Höfn or you can simply type in ‘Ice Pic Journeys’ in Google Maps and we will come up. It is important to be aware that this is a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik so it is always recommended to stay at an accommodation closer to this meeting point.
It is best to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour so you can use the restrooms since there will be none at the glacier. Your guide will be right across from the restrooms in the bus parking lot. You can look for the ‘Ice Pic Journeys’ logo on our 4×4 vehicle amongst the other companies. Departure will be precisely at the scheduled time so it is important to arrive on time or you may miss the tour.
Drive in 4×4 to Vatnajokull Glacier
From the Glacier Lagoon parking lot, you will hop aboard one of our 4×4 vehicles and head towards the glacier. About 10 minutes into your journey, you will turn off onto an F-Road and make the bumpy journey toward the glacier. From the road to the glacier parking lot, this will take roughly 20-30 minutes to reach. As you drive, your guide will teach you the history of the surrounding area as you enjoy a scenic ride through an ancient glacier plain.

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Hike to the Ice Cave
Once you arrive at the glacier parking lot, your guide will begin handing out your gear for the tour. This includes crampons, an ice axe, a harness, a helmet with a headlamp, and hiking boots if you rented them. Once everyone has their gear, you will take a 30-minute hike to the edge of the glacier. The hike is relatively easy for most and will have you walking on flat, yet slightly rocky ground the entire way. We will always go at the pace of our guests so you can take your time and enjoy the walk as your guide leads the way.

Arriving at the Crystal Ice Cave
Upon arriving at the edge of the glacier, you will be greeted with a massive cavern in front of you with a river running underneath it. You have finally reached our Crystal Ice Cave! Also regarded as the Sapphire Ice Cave, this cave varies each year in its shape, location, and size. This is because the cave is always melting away and reforming naturally during the summertime. That is why you will always get a unique experience when going into it because it will never be the same as it was on that day.
Before entering the cave, your guide will help you put on your crampons if necessary. Not all caves require wearing these since many lie underneath the ice on rocky ground. Still, this will vary from year to year. After your crampons are on, your guide will go over safety instructions when exploring the cave. It’s important to understand and follow these rules and to ask any questions that you may have before entering.

Exploring the Crystal Ice Cave
Entering the ice cave will be an unreal and otherworldly experience for most people. Your eyes will slowly adjust to the crystal blue walls of the cave and showcase its hidden beauty. As your guide leads you deeper into the ice cave, they will take their camera and photograph you in the best locations and angles. Having explored and photographed these caves hundreds of times, they will have the best insight at getting you amazing photos while you relax and enjoy the cave without worry.



Return to the Glacier Lagoon
You will finish the tour with a hike back to the glacier parking lot and a 30-minute drive back to the Glacier Lagoon where you will say goodbye to your guide and have memories of an amazing day inside of Vatnajokull National Park.
MEET US HERE

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Certified Glacier Guide
and Professional Photographer

Glacier Equipment
helmet, harness, crampons, and ice climbing axes

Private Group
(10 persons max)

5 Shot Photo Package
Included (Per Person)

Portrait and Landscape

Photos will share with Google Dirve
WHAT TO BRING

Water Bottle (Recommended)
You will have many spots to fill it up with glacier water.

Proper Seasonal Clothing
Warm layers for freezing or wet conditions. Warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof Jacket & Pants
Rentals are available under extras.

Hiking Boots
Water resistant is preferred. Rentals are available under extras.
Optional Extras
Select Extras at Checkout
Rentals:

Red or Yellow Rain Jacket
Great for photos
3,000 ISK

Rain Pants
2,000 ISK
Optional Extras
Add-ons:

5 Additional Photos
For those wanting a bigger package
5,000 ISK
GOOD TO KNOW
– Ice caves are a dynamic ever-changing natural phenomenon. Each year, old ice caves melt and new ice caves appear. Photos that you see of the cave at any given time on our website or any social media will not necessarily mean that is what you will necessarily experience on your tour. This makes each experience unique and special for our guests.
– This tour involves roughly 3 hours of hiking and climbing. We always adjust to our guest’s skill levels in regard to ice climbing, but we recommend this tour more to those that are at least moderately fit.
– Photo packages may sometimes take more or less than 14 days to edit. This is just our average turnaround time.
– Our Cancellation Policy can be found here.
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