Glacier Ice Cave Experience, Golden Circle

4.3 (28 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, 39 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

28 total ratings, 26 with reviews
4.3
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.3
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.8
Transport
4.1
Amy
Amy K.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 14, 2026

This was definitely a highlight of the trip- we all loved it- the guide was so informative and the scenery was absolutely amazing- would definitely recommend

Adam
Adam K.
Hartford, CT, USA | Reviewed on Apr 19, 2026
Our guide Kamil was very knowledgeable about the glacier, the caves and the surrounding areas. We spent an amazing afternoon with a small group of people traversing the lava fields in an offroad van, hiking up the glacier, and exploring the ice cave. Read more

Our guide Kamil was very knowledgeable about the glacier, the caves and the surrounding areas. We spent an amazing afternoon with a small group of people traversing the lava fields in an offroad van, hiking up the glacier, and exploring the ice cave.

Tips for future travelers

It is not much colder in the ice cave/on the glacier than it is outside. No need to over-dress, especially since there is a bit of a hike up to the cave which gets you warmed up.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was very personable and shared a lot of information about Iceland and geology in general.
Transport
The offroading experience across the lava fields could have been it's own adventure! Very fun!
P
Pamela M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 11, 2026
The weather was very rainy and our van got stuck in the snow/slush 3 times on the way to the glacier. Other vehicles had to tow us out. The driver worked very hard and ended up shoveling tires out several times, but didn't provide us with much in the way of updates on what was going on. This turned the trip out to the ice cave into 2 1/2 hours. There was no bathroom available and the entire trip took 5 hours. By the time we got back to the parking area, it was 9pm and all of the restaurants... Read more

The weather was very rainy and our van got stuck in the snow/slush 3 times on the way to the glacier. Other vehicles had to tow us out. The driver worked very hard and ended up shoveling tires out several times, but didn't provide us with much in the way of updates on what was going on. This turned the trip out to the ice cave into 2 1/2 hours. There was no bathroom available and the entire trip took 5 hours. By the time we got back to the parking area, it was 9pm and all of the restaurants were closed and we still had an hour drive to our hotel. Thankfully, the lovely people at Kronen (the grocery store), allowed us to dash in and quickly buy something right as they were closing. The ice cave was also very small. The guide said that it was usually longer, but the recent snow had closed part of it off. I honestly don't think it was worth it under the conditions, but the hike on the glacier and being inside the ice cave was cool and a unique experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
N
Natalie S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2026
Truck got stuck multiple times. They didn’t let us stay long in the cave. Wish it would have been cancelled and refunded for the time and experience Read more

Truck got stuck multiple times. They didn’t let us stay long in the cave. Wish it would have been cancelled and refunded for the time and experience

Tips for future travelers

Melting season is not the best time to go

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Corttney
Corttney S.
Spain | Reviewed on Mar 27, 2026
My husband and daughter participated in the Glacier Ice Cave Experience and loved it. This was a highlight for them. They loved their Guide, the hike, the glacier, everything. Read more

My husband and daughter participated in the Glacier Ice Cave Experience and loved it. This was a highlight for them. They loved their Guide, the hike, the glacier, everything.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Paul
Paul H.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Nov 04, 2025

The Glacier Ice Cave Experience was very memorable. The guide took us to a few special spots, including filming locations for Game of Thrones, adding an interesting and unique layer to an already incredible excursion. It was well done and a must-see when in Iceland.

Michael
Michael V.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2025
This is a great experience, however the climb to the cave can be strenuous and difficult according to conditions. If you have any difficulty with balance or heights you might skip this outing. Guides are great Read more

This is a great experience, however the climb to the cave can be strenuous and difficult according to conditions. If you have any difficulty with balance or heights you might skip this outing. Guides are great

Tips for future travelers

It should never noted that you may be traveling on icy paths wearing crampons. The cave can be beautiful depending on the conditions >

Quality of Experience
Terrific guides who work with you
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They are more than willing to help those who need help
Transport
The super jeep was bit worn and the quality of the ride is very much based on the weather and conditions
Diane
Diane L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 01, 2025
We had the best tour guide, Alex, he truly made this a once in a life time experience! Alex was knowledgeable, courteous and entertaining to all of the people on the small group tour. Read more

We had the best tour guide, Alex, he truly made this a once in a life time experience! Alex was knowledgeable, courteous and entertaining to all of the people on the small group tour.

Tips for future travelers

Make sure you use your KimKim guides location guide as this company has multiple locations…

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ford van was a little tired, but cool…
S
susan t.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2025
This event was cancelled due to high winds Read more

This event was cancelled due to high winds

Quality of Experience
Not sure . We couldn’t go
J
Julie G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 24, 2025
The guide said the most dangerous part of the trip would be getting in and out of the jeep, but it was so bouncy that one time we bounced several inches off the seats and
my husband hit his head on the light fixture above him. It caused him to have a headache for several hours.
Most of the tour was spent being staged along the route and the cave was impressive but smaller than I expected.
Read more

The guide said the most dangerous part of the trip would be getting in and out of the jeep, but it was so bouncy that one time we bounced several inches off the seats and
my husband hit his head on the light fixture above him. It caused him to have a headache for several hours.
Most of the tour was spent being staged along the route and the cave was impressive but smaller than I expected.

Tips for future travelers

It should be made clear what a bouncy, uncomfortable ride it is to and from the site.

Quality of Experience
The vehicle was a second rate bus.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very personable. My husband's 'injury' was an afterthought to the guide, though, probably because he didn't know what to do about it. He did say he would slow down on the way back. The ride back was only a little better.
Transport
See above.

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