Highlights
- Crystal Ice Cave
- Professional Photographer on the tour
- Super Jeep ride
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier
- Vatnajökull Glacier
- Glacier Hike
- Vatnajokull National Park
- 2 Personalized Photos Included
Season
Winter: October – April
Meeting Point
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Parking Lot
Duration
3 hours
Starting Time
12.00 pm
Group
1-10 people
Price
ISK 35,000 per person
$250 / €230 / £200
About Tour - Crystal Ice Cave Photography Tour
Accompanied by your personal photographer and glacier guide, you’ll venture onto one of Iceland’s most scenic outlet glaciers. As you become one with the captivating blue ice surroundings, your guide, equipped with professional camera gear, will artistically capture your tour’s most cherished moments. The highlight of our journey is the exquisite Sapphire Ice Cave—an azure marvel born during the glacier’s summer melt. Enriching your hike, your guide will delve into the storied past of Vatnajokull Glacier, unraveling the intricate workings of ice in nature. Following our tour’s conclusion, your guide will meticulously edit the photos and deliver them to your inbox within 7-14 days. These snapshots will serve as the quintessential keepsake, etching your Icelandic adventure into lasting memory.
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.
Included
- Professional & Certified Glacier Guide
- Photography instructor
- Visit to the Crystal Ice Cave
- Glacier Equipment: Headlamp, Helmet, Harness, Crampons, and an Ice Axe
- Glacier Hike on Vatnajokull.
- Super Jeep Ride up to the glacier.
- All Safety Equipment.
- Pick up from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
What to bring
- Water Bottle – You will have many spots to fill it up with glacier water.
- Winter clothing
- Gloves
- Hat
- Wind & Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Warm layers for freezing conditions
- Hiking boots with good ankle support
Recommended accessories for photographers:
- Tripod
- Extra camera batteries
- Remote shutter release – this will help to prevent camera shake
Good to know
- Ice caves are a constantly evolving marvel of nature. Every year, existing ones melt away, making room for new formations. The images you come across on our website or social media at any given moment may not perfectly reflect your actual tour experience. This dynamic nature ensures each encounter is exclusive and memorable.
- Photo packages may sometimes take more or less than 14 days to edit. This is just our average turnaround time.
- The tour entails approximately 1-1.5 hours of hiking in total. The terrain is relatively flat yet adorned with rocks, making it a moderately easy endeavor for individuals with average fitness levels.
- The meeting point is at the parking lot next to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Itinerary
Meeting Your Guide
Your guide will be waiting for you at the Glacier Lagoon parking lot within Vatnajokull National Park. Be aware that this meeting point is a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik, so consider staying at a closer accommodation.
Arriving 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled tour time is recommended. This will allow you to use the restrooms, as there won’t be facilities at the glacier. Look for your guide across from the restrooms in the bus parking area. You’ll spot our 4×4 vehicle. Departure is precisely at 8am, so timeliness is crucial to ensure you don’t miss the tour. This schedule ensures ample cave time before larger groups from other companies arrive.
4×4 Jeep Adventure to Vatnajokull Glacier
Starting at the Glacier Lagoon parking lot, you’ll step onto one of our rugged 4×4 vehicles, beginning your expedition towards the glacier. After roughly 10 minutes on the road, you’ll veer onto an F-Road, embarking on an adventurous route leading to the glacier. Covering a distance of about 20-30 minutes from road to glacier parking lot, you’ll experience a bumpy yet exhilarating ride. While journeying, your guide will weave the fascinating history of the vicinity, enveloping you in a captivating narrative as you traverse a historic glacier plain with breathtaking vistas.
Hike to the Ice Cave
Upon reaching the glacier parking lot, your guide will initiate the distribution of necessary equipment for the tour. This comprehensive gear package comprises crampons, an ice axe, a harness, a helmet with a headlamp, and hiking boots if you’ve chosen to rent them. Once everyone is properly outfitted, you’ll embark on a 30-minute hike to the glacier’s edge. This hike is comfortably manageable for most, featuring a gentle stroll over predominantly flat terrain, with a touch of rockiness. Rest assured, we tailor our pace to match our guests, allowing you to relish the leisurely journey as your guide leads the way.
Arriving at The Crystal Ice Cave
As you arrive at the glacier’s edge, a grand cavern will unveil itself before you, with a flowing river coursing beneath—an awe-inspiring sight. You have now reached our renowned Crystal Ice Cave, also known as the Sapphire Ice Cave. Each year, this cave undergoes transformations in its form, location, and size, owing to the natural ebb and flow of melting and reformation during the summer months. Consequently, your experience within is guaranteed to be utterly unique, as it never remains the same from one day to the next.
Before stepping into the cave’s enchanting interior, your guide will assist you in donning crampons, if necessary. Not all caves mandate their use, as several lie beneath ice upon rocky surfaces. This dynamic can differ from year to year. Once equipped with your crampons, your guide will provide comprehensive safety instructions tailored to cave exploration. It is crucial to comprehend and adhere to these guidelines, along with asking any questions you may have, before venturing into the cave.
Exploring The Crystal Ice Cave
Stepping into the ice cave is an ethereal and otherworldly journey, captivating most with its unparalleled charm. Your eyes will gradually attune to the cave’s crystal blue walls, unveiling its concealed beauty. As your guide leads you further into the icy depths, they’ll skillfully use their camera to capture you from the most captivating locations and angles. With a wealth of experience exploring and photographing these caves countless times, they possess the keen expertise to ensure stunning photos, allowing you to immerse yourself in the cave’s wonder with total relaxation.
While you enjoy the ice cave’s splendor, your guide will enlighten you about its formation and composition. You can anticipate spending around 45 minutes to an hour within the cave. Typically, these caves boast multiple chambers that you can explore as you venture deeper; however, this configuration can vary from year to year. Once everyone is content with their photos and overall experience, we’ll conclude our time in the cave and make our way back to the glacier parking lot.
Returning to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Concluding the journey, you’ll trek back to the glacier parking lot, followed by a scenic 30-minute drive returning to the Glacier Lagoon. Here, you’ll bid farewell to your guide, carrying with you cherished memories of an extraordinary day spent within the embrace of Vatnajokull National Park.
Meeting Point
Gallery
