Early Bird Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajökull

An early bird ice cave tour that heads into the Vatnajökull ice cap before the day's other groups, with an optional photo package for those who want help capturing the blue ice. You meet on location and walk into a natural ice cave with a guide.

• An early morning departure, ahead of most ice cave groups
• A guide leads you into a natural blue ice cave in Vatnajökull
• A professional photographer, with 3 edited photos per person included
• Small group of up to 10 people

Your day, stop by stop

2Gear upFitted with a helmet with headlamp, crampons and, if needed, a harness.

Your guide checks everyone's footwear and clothing and fits a helmet with headlamp, crampons and, if needed, a harness before heading onto the ice.

3Walk to the ice caveA walk across the glacier to the cave entrance.

A walk across the glacier to the cave entrance, 1 to 1.5 hours in total on flat but rocky ground. The tour starts early, so you often have the route to yourselves.

Walking · 1 to 1.5 hours in total, flat but rocky

4Inside the ice caveTime inside the natural blue ice cave with your guide.

The cave's walls and ceiling show the blue tones typical of dense, compressed glacier ice. Photos are best with a steady hand or tripod in the low light. You receive 3 edited photos per person by email within 14 days.

Photos · 3 edited photos per person, emailed within 14 days

About the early bird ice cave tour

Natural ice caves form inside outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull each winter as meltwater carves tunnels through the ice, and they are only safe to visit with a guide who checks conditions daily. This tour is timed as an early departure, which usually means a smaller group and quieter cave than tours later in the day, along with softer morning light for photos.

Guests are fitted with a helmet with headlamp, crampons and, depending on conditions, a harness before walking on the glacier and into the cave itself, where the ice glows a deep blue in places, an effect caused by the way compressed glacier ice absorbs and scatters light. A professional photographer comes along and a 3-shot photo package per person is included, edited and emailed to you within 14 days.

Ice caves are strictly a winter activity, since the tunnels can be unstable or unsafe once the ice begins to melt in spring, which is why the season here runs roughly October to April. Good, warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear matter, since you spend time both outdoors on the glacier and inside cold, damp ice.

• Five extra photos
• Transport from and to Reykjavík
• Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
• Hiking boot rental

Questions people ask