Glacier Walk & Glacier Kayak

No booking fee
Best Price Guarantee
Free Cancellation
Secure Payments
Fully licensed local tour operators

Information

Duration

May - Sep

Difficulty

Easy

Group Size

Small

Available

May - Sep

Minimum age

12 years

Pick up / Self Drive

Self Drive

Languages

English

Location

Sólheimajokull

Start date

Every day

Duration

May - Sep

Difficulty

Easy

Group Size

Small

Available

May - Sep

Minimum age

12 years

Pick up / Self Drive

Self Drive

Languages

English

Start Date

Every day

Location

Sólheimajokull

(0)
0.0/5

Highlights of the tour

Season

Summer

Meeting Point

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Duration

7,5 hours

Starting Time

9:30 am

Group

Small: 1 – 18 people

Price

ISK 32,499 per person

$230 / €215 / £184

About Tour

Experience the ultimate Icelandic adventure by combining two exhilarating activities: kayaking on the Sólheimajökull glacier lagoon and a glacier hike across the stunning ice cap. This tour offers an exceptional opportunity to explore one of Iceland’s most impressive glaciers from both water and land, giving you the best of both worlds in one thrilling day. Suitable for all skill levels, this combo tour is led by experienced guides who ensure a safe, fun, and educational experience.

Why Choose the Glacier Lagoon Kayaking and Glacier Hiking Tour?

  • Two Epic Activities in One Tour: Get the most out of your time in Iceland by combining kayaking and glacier hiking in a single adventure. Enjoy the unique perspectives of paddling through the lagoon and trekking across the glacier’s icy expanse.
  • Breathtaking Scenery: Sólheimajökull is a part of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, surrounded by towering mountains, icy crevasses, and icebergs floating in the glacier lagoon. The landscape’s stark contrasts, with bright blue ice and dark volcanic ash, make for dramatic and unforgettable views.
  • Suitable for All Skill Levels: This tour is designed for beginners and experienced adventurers alike, with expert guides who provide all the necessary equipment, safety briefings, and instructions.
  • Learn About Glaciers and Icelandic Geology: During both activities, your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating insights about the glacier’s formation, its ongoing changes due to climate, and the history of volcanic activity in the region.

Included

  • Expert Guidance: Professional glacier and kayaking guides who are trained to prioritize safety and provide an educational experience.
  • All Necessary Equipment: Including drysuits, sit-on-top kayaks, paddles, ice axes, crampons, harnesses, and helmets for each activity.
  • Safety Briefings and Tutorials: To ensure you feel comfortable with the equipment and techniques for kayaking and glacier hiking.

What to bring

  • Warm, Layered Clothing: Dress in thermal layers under the drysuit for kayaking and bring a waterproof jacket for the glacier hike.
  • Waterproof Gloves and Hat: Keep your hands and head warm during the activities.
  • Sturdy Hiking Boots: Suitable for attaching crampons during the glacier hike. Boots should provide good ankle support.
  • Snacks and Water: Stay hydrated and energized throughout the tour.
  • Camera or Smartphone: Capture the incredible scenery and memories. Make sure it’s protected against the cold and moisture.

Itinerary

  1. Meeting Point and Preparation
  • The tour begins at the Sólheimajökull Base, located next to the Sólheimajökull parking lot. After meeting your guide, you’ll receive the necessary gear for kayaking, including a drysuit, paddle, and sit-on-top kayak.
  • A short tutorial will be provided to teach you the basics of kayaking and ensure you feel comfortable and confident before setting off on the lagoon.

2. Kayaking on Sólheimajökull Glacier Lagoon

  • Embark on an hour-long kayaking tour, paddling through the calm, iceberg-filled waters of the glacier lagoon. The sit-on-top kayaks are stable and easy to maneuver, making them suitable for beginners.
  • Marvel at the icebergs and stunning formations that float in the lagoon, with views of the glacier that can only be experienced from the water. Your guide will share information about the glacier’s history and geology as you navigate around these frozen giants.
  • Take in the scenery from a unique perspective, with the glacier towering above you and the surrounding landscape providing a dramatic backdrop.

3. Break and Preparation for Glacier Hike

  • After returning to the base camp, enjoy a 30-minute break to rest, hydrate, and prepare for the next activity. You’ll then receive essential glacier hiking gear, including an ice axe, crampons, and harness.
  • Your guide will conduct a short safety briefing and demonstrate how to properly use the equipment, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the hike.

4. Guided Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull

  • Set off on a guided glacier hike, where you’ll explore the otherworldly icy landscape of Sólheimajökull. The glacier’s surface is an ever-changing terrain of blue and white ice, deep crevasses, and ice sculptures that have been shaped by centuries of natural forces.
  • As you trek across the glacier, dark streaks of volcanic ash from past eruptions create striking contrasts with the pure ice. This ash originates from nearby volcanoes, such as Katla, which lies beneath the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap.
  • Learn about the glacier’s history and ongoing transformation due to climate change and volcanic activity. Your guide will also explain the science behind the formation of crevasses, moulins, and other glacial features.

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

No prior experience is required for either the kayaking or the glacier hike. Your guides will provide tutorials and support to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Safety is our top priority. If weather conditions are not suitable for the activities, we may need to reschedule or offer an alternative tour.

The tour is suitable for children aged 12 and above who are in good physical condition.

Interesting locations in the area

Meeting point

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers
The meeting point for this tour is at Sólheimajökull Base by Sólheimajökull glacier.  

We kindly ask you to be at the meeting point on time.  We recommend arriving at least 20 min before the scheduled departure time. Late arrivals unfortunately will miss out on their reservation and it will result in the cancellation of your booking and a full forfeiture of your booking fee.

Driving time to Sólheimajökull glacier lagoon from Reykjavík is around 2 hours and 15 minutes in good road conditions.

 

Before we head to the glacier for the tour we need to get everyone fitted with the equipment, crampons and harnesses. The crampons need to be adjusted to each persons shoe size so it is important that people arrive 20 minutes before so everyone is ready at the departure time.

We always recommend to book as soon as you are ready especially if you have a strict travel schedule or a large group. This is a small group tour so it gets fully booked pretty quickly. It is easy to change or cancel 24 hours before departure by emailing us. Tours can also be purchased the day of as long as there are spaces available.

This tour is operated in small groups of 2-8 people. If you are traveling with a larger group, you can send us an email and we will see what we can do so that you can all travel together. 

We encourage bringing hiking boots for glacier tours. They have to be hard on the sole and tight around the ankle. It is also possible to rent hiking boots when booking the tour. 

Wear warm clothes. Pick clothing according to weather that day. We advise that you dress in layers. We will provide you with a drysuit for the kayaking tour. 

Check out our Summer Packing List for more details. 

 
 

Unfortunately it is not possible to go on a glacier lagoon kayaking tour during the winter time, this tour is only operated from May – September. It is however possible to go on a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull all year. 

If the tour gets cancelled, for example due to weather, we will let you know as soon as possible and you can choose between rescheduling the tour or receiving a full refund. 

Do you have a question?

We would love to hear from you

Reviews

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

From ISK 29,999

Please enable javascript in your browser to book

Similar Tours

3 Reviews
5/5

Duration

2-3 hours

Available

Oct - Apr

Level

Easy

Group size

Small

Travel Style

Self Drive

Starts from

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

0 Reviews
0.0/5

Duration

3 hours

Available

Oct - Apr

Level

Easy

Group size

Small

Travel Style

Pick up

Starts from

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

4 Reviews
5/5

Duration

4 Days

Available

May - Sept

Level

Easy

Group size

Small

Travel Style

Pick up

Starts from

Reykjavik

1 Reviews
5/5

Duration

11 hours

Available

May - Oct

Level

Easy

Group size

Small

Travel Style

Pick up

Starts from

Reykjavik

0 Reviews
0.0/5

Duration

4 Days

Available

Jun - Sep

Level

Easy

Group size

Small

Travel Style

Pick up

Starts from

Reykjavik

1 Reviews
5/5

Duration

10,5 hours

Available

All year

Level

Easy

Group size

Medium

Travel Style

Pick up

Starts from

Reykjavik

1 Reviews
5/5

Duration

3,5 hours

Available

Oct - Apr

Level

Easy

Group size

Small

Travel Style

Self Drive

Starts from

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

4 Reviews
5/5

Duration

5 hours

Available

All year

Level

Moderate

Group size

Small

Travel Style

Self Drive

Starts from

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Most Popular things to do in Iceland

Explore Iceland by Region