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  you will need 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 8am so it is  important to arrive on time or you may miss the tour. This is to ensure  that we have ample time in the cave before the larger company’s groups  start arriving.

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.

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. If you are lucky and it’s a  clear day, you may also see the sun rising with its first light hitting  the walls of the cave, a truly magical experience.

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.

As you are enjoying the ice cave, your guide will teach you about its  formation and composition. A total of an hour will be spent inside the  cave. Normally, these caves will have multiple chambers that you will be  able to explore as you go deeper into the cave, however, this can vary  from year to year. After everyone is happy with their photos and  experience, we will exit the cave and make our way back to the glacier  parking lot.

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.

✓ 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 – Rentals are available under extras.

✓ Waterproof Pants – Rentals are available under extras.

✓ Hiking Boots – Water resistant is preferred. Rentals are available under extras.