Glacier Ice Cave Experience, Golden Circle

4.0 (4 reviews)
Take an adventurous Super Jeep ride to the Katla ice caves, then don a helmet and headlight to enter the underground wonders.

Overview

This exhilarating ice cave adventure is perfect for travelers looking to experience Iceland's glacial wonders in a short amount of time. It starts in Vík when you meet your expert guide and step into a Super Jeep for a rugged, off-road ride toward the glaciers of South Iceland. Upon arrival, gear up with helmets, headlamps, and crampons, and embark on a short hike to the mouth of a natural ice cave. You'll spend about an hour exploring the cave's interior, marveling at the vibrant colors and intricate ice formations while learning about their creation from your guide.

Highlights

  • Take an adventurous, off-road Super Jeep ride to a secret glacier area near Vík
  • Set off on a short hike through dramatic glacial landscapes
  • Venture deep into the region's ever-changing natural ice caves with an expert guide
  • Learn how the caves get their brilliant blue color and unique shapes

Know before you go

Duration
3h
Recommended for
6 years old & up
Group
Small group, 12 people or less

What you'll do

Your ice cave adventure begins at a meeting point in Vík, where you'll greet your guide and the rest of your small group and set off in a specially designed Super Jeep, heading toward one of the country's most impressive glaciers. The exhilarating 30-60 minute trip is no standard drive—you'll traverse rocky and steep terrain, so it's a bumpy but exciting ride as you pass stunning natural landscapes and follow rugged off-road routes.

Upon arrival at the glacier, you'll be equipped with all necessary safety gear, including a helmet, headlamp, and crampons. After a safety briefing and a run-through of what to expect from the exploration, follow your guide on a short but scenic hike to the Katla ice caves. The route varies daily due to the glacier's dynamic nature, but your guide will make sure you follow the most direct and accessible route along maintained paths and wooden bridges.

As you enter the first cave, keep your camera handy to capture the remarkable colors and shapes of the frozen labyrinth, and listen as your guide explains the science behind the formation of these natural wonders. You'll have around an hour to explore the interiors or one or two ice caves, all under the guidance of your expert guide. At the end of the experience, a short return hike takes you back to the Super Jeep for the return journey to Vík.

Start times

  • Daily
    10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:45 pm, 3:00 pm

What's included

  • Expert local guide
  • Transportation in a Super Jeep
  • 45-60 minutes in the glacier Ice Cave area
  • All necessary safety gear (helmet, headlamp, and crampons)

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Traveler reviews

4 total ratings, 4 with reviews
4.0
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.5
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.8
Transport
4.5
Jenna
Jenna F.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025
This was incredible!!! The entire thing from the drive to the glacier, the hike up the glacier and exploring the ice cave was an experience. We loved this excursion so much. Read more

This was incredible!!! The entire thing from the drive to the glacier, the hike up the glacier and exploring the ice cave was an experience. We loved this excursion so much.

Tips for future travelers

There is a bit of hiking involved in this excursion, but the guide goes at a good pace to keep the group together and you are given crampons for your boots.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mark was fantastic! He was funny, knowledgeable and made this experience awesome.
Transport
M
Meghan F.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Jul 09, 2025
A very nice experience. Great guide (Magnus). Our only complaint was the group had some elderly people who needed a lot of assistance and slowed the process down significantly. Poor Magnus had to basically carry one woman out! Read more

A very nice experience. Great guide (Magnus). Our only complaint was the group had some elderly people who needed a lot of assistance and slowed the process down significantly. Poor Magnus had to basically carry one woman out!

Tips for future travelers

Wear sturdy shoes

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Y
Yvonne G.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025
Cave tour was 3 minutes... To expensive, to far to drive. Wasn't impressed Read more

Cave tour was 3 minutes... To expensive, to far to drive. Wasn't impressed

Tips for future travelers

Don't

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Old truck..... not in good condition
M
michael c.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025
What a fun excursion. Our guide Peter was knowledgeable and so nice. We all loved this experience Read more

What a fun excursion. Our guide Peter was knowledgeable and so nice. We all loved this experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Like what you see?

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