Experience the wonder of Iceland’s natural beauty on a Katla Ice Cave tour. Explore the mesmerizing blue ice caves formed by the Katla volcano and witness the stunning glaciers and landscapes of the region.
Highlights
- South Coast
- Skógafoss waterfall
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Eyjafjallajokull Glacier
- Small-Group Experience
- Super Jeep ride through the highlands
About Tour
A full-fledged tour of not just the majestic Katla Cave with Dragon Glass ice, this trip will be a walk through the glimmering powerful forces of nature. The cave is located in the depths of the ever-active and robust volcano Katla which is covered by Kötlujökull glacier which originates from the parent glacier Mýrdalsjökull. Your tour will be filled with soul-stirring adventure on the glacier, in the super jeeps, and the mysterious dragon glass ice caves along with some more beautiful sights that will fall along the way.
About the Sights and the Destination
The stops that you will make on this tour include Skógafoss waterfall, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and finally, the Katla ice cave. Here is a little more information about these beautiful places.
- Katla Ice Cave: This beautiful ice cave is popular for the unique black ice that it holds. While the ice is normal, it appears to be black because only a little light enters the cave. Whatever light gets through shines on the ice and creates a beautiful black and blue color combination that shines through. While the cave is located in the Katla Volcano, the massive mass of ice in the cave seeps from the mountain-volcano-glacier that covers the volcano. The cave is every bit beautiful as it sounds and the name “Dragon Glass Ice Cave” has been completely justified by the appearance of the cave. It is also possible to visit this ice cave on a self driving trip along the south coast.
- Skógafoss Waterfall: A powerful cascading waterfall, Skógafoss waterfall is located among a beautiful green-brown landscape that paints an honest, wonderful picture of the land that is known for its natural sights. The waterfall is located in Skógar and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Popular 60-meter high waterfall, Seljalandsfoss waterfall is famous for the hidden cave that goes behind the waterfall. You can walk behind the waterfall to the cave that offers the view from a unique angle. Originating from the Seljalands river, the waterfall is completely made with glacial water that seeps from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano glacier.
Itinerary
- Pick up in Reykjavik
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Skógafoss waterfall
- Meet your Glacier Guide in Vík
- 40 min Super Jeep Ride
- 10-15 min walk to the ice cave
- 60 min ice cave exploration
- 10-15 min walk to the super jeep
- 40 min Super Jeep ride back to vík
- Transfer back to Reykjavik
Your trip will begin in a minibus jeep at Reykjavik which will be your mode of transport for the whole tour. Before you reach your destination, you will make some stops at the Skógafoss waterfall and Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You are free to breeze around and explore the surroundings, listen to some interesting folklores of the area, hike up Skógafoss waterfall to the see the troll’s face or walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You will get plenty of time to become one with the surroundings, walk up the stairs of Skógafoss waterfall, the staircase that leads to heaven on earth.
When you are done cruising around the waterfalls, the tour will head to the ice cave.
Katla ice cave is one of the rarest, one of the most difficult ice caves to access in Iceland. This tour is the perfect combination of thrill and serenity with the adventurous super jeep rides, mystical ice caves, and tranquil waterfall. Just make sure that you are well equipped to capture all the views on your camera.
Katla ice cave is one of the rarest, one of the most difficult ice caves to access in Iceland. This tour is the perfect combination of thrill and serenity with the adventurous super jeep rides, mystical ice caves, and tranquil waterfall. Just make sure that you are well equipped to capture all the views on your camera.
Included
- Pick-up & Drop-off from Reykjavik
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Super Jeep Ride
- Visit to Katla Ice Cave
- Crampons for walking on glacier.
- All safety equipment.
- Sightseeing tour along the South Coast of Iceland.
What to bring
- Warm & waterproof outdoor clothing
- Good hiking shoes are recommended
- Waterbottle
- Gloves & Headwear
- Camera (optional)
Good to know
- It is also possible to join the Katla Ice Cave tour with a meeting point in Vík. You can check it out here.
- Due to limited daylight periods, we cannot stop at Skógafoss in wintertime (from the 16th of November until the 31st of January). Only from the 1st of February until the 15th of November do we stop at both of the waterfalls on this tour.
- Lunch is not included in the tour. We recommend that you bring our own lunch, snacks and a bottle of water. We will also make stops during the tour, where you can buy snacks and drinks.
- You will arrive back in Reykjavik around 8 pm.
- There’s a 40-minute jeep ride to the glacier, then a 10-15 minute hike before reaching the Ice Cave.
- You will spend approximately 1 hour in the ice cave.
- We recommend using the restroom at the meeting point in Vík before the tour starts.
Highlights
- South Coast
- Skógafoss waterfall
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Eyjafjallajokull Glacier
- Small-Group Experience
- Super Jeep ride through the highlands
Gallery
Map of the Katla Ice Cave tour
Interesting locations in the area
FAQ
For tours that state that they pick up from Reykjavík, we ask all our customers to send their pick up location at least 24 hours prior to the departure of their tour. We cannot be responsible if you do not provide your pick up location, we won’t be responsible if you miss your tour.
Due to regulations of Reykjavik City, tour companies are allowed to stop at certain designated bus stop locations in the city centre to pick up passengers. It is stated on your voucher whether we will pick you up directly from your accommodation or from the bus stop.
Find the closest designated pick up location using the map below:
You will receive a full refund if the tour gets cancelled due to weather.
There will be short stops where you can purchase snacks, drinks and fill up your water bottle. We recommend that you bring your lunch with you on the tour.
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks on the tour.
The caves are in a constant change so they might look different from what you see in the picture. Air temperature, sunshine, precipitation, geothermal activity, and many other factors cause significant changes in the formation of the ice caves and this process is exclusively controlled by Mother Nature.
We will visit the best available naturally formed ice cave during this tour and the cave we visit is chosen based on conditions and safety each time.
We recommend bringing your own backpack on this tour. It’s great to carry a small lunch and some extra clothing.
Yes, and you definitely should! The setting on the tour is full of amazing, scenic views.
This is, of course, a personal choice, we have often had pregnant women on our trips. We recommend you take a close look at our trip description and difficulty rating, they will hopefully give you a better idea. It is also good to contact your physician, pregnant women’s health can be quite different. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions or concerns.
Crampons are metal spikes that we attach to the soles of your hiking shoes, these enable you to walk on the glacier ice without slipping.
No, you should not visit the ice caves without a specially trained and certified glacier guide. The ice caves are always changing and it can be dangerous to visit an ice cave that is not safe.
