The Skaftafell Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour

Glacier hiking and ice cave tours are two exciting activities that travelers should try while visiting Iceland.
The Skaftafell Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
The Skaftafell Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
Likely to sell out soon
Likely to sell out soon
The Skaftafell Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
The Skaftafell Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
The Skaftafell Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
The Skaftafell Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
Free 24-hour cancellation
24/7 customer support
Best price guarantee
Book Now
Pay Later

Travel details

Dates
Time
Travelers
1
From: Jökulsárlón, Iceland

When to book

Most travelers book about 4 weeks ahead. October is the cheapest and busiest month, from US$156 per person.

Description

Summary

Tour starts
Jökulsárlón, Iceland
Duration
4 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Languages
English
Available
Oct. - Apr.
Minimum age
8 years old

When to book

Most travelers book about 4 weeks ahead. October is the cheapest and busiest month, from US$156 per person.

3,789 reviews

Description

Join us for an unforgettable glacier hike and ice cave tour in Iceland! Trek across Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier, and step inside a naturally formed blue ice cave. It’s an extraordinary adventure few get to experience.

Your journey begins in Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon's main parking lot, where you’ll meet your expert guide and gear up with crampons, a helmet, and an ice axe. No previous glacier experience is needed. Just bring a sense of adventure and be ready for a rewarding hike.

The glacier hike starts with a walk of approximately 30 to 40 minutes to reach the ice, depending on conditions and the pace of your group. The approach is rated as moderate and crosses uneven terrain, passing fascinating sights like deformed bedrock, moss lines showing where the ice once reached, and a lagoon with the last remnants of melted ice.

Once you arrive at Falljokull, one of Vatnajokull’s most enchanting outlet glaciers, your guide will teach you how to walk on ice and provide a quick safety briefing. You’ll then embark on a three-hour glacier hike across breathtaking landscapes. 

Along the way, you'll see deep crevasses, shimmering moulins, moss-covered “glacier mice,” and towering icefalls. Your guide will set a steady, manageable pace so you can take in every view, though a reasonable level of fitness is needed to enjoy the day comfortably.

The highlight of the tour is the dazzling blue ice cave, where vivid shades of blue ice create a surreal and magical atmosphere. The ice caves in Iceland offer a dream setting for capturing truly unforgettable photos, so be sure to bring your phone or camera fully charged and ready.

This glacier hike and ice cave tour in Iceland is perfect for adventurers who enjoy a moderate physical challenge, offering stunning scenery, fascinating discoveries, and memories to last a lifetime. 

Book now to secure your spot for the ultimate glacier tour in Iceland and explore Vatnajokull National Park's most breathtaking landscapes! Check availability now by choosing a date.

Read more
Iceland's leading travel agency

Included

Glacier Hiking Tour
Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajokull
Professional English-Speaking Guide
All Safety Gear

Activities

Glacier Hiking
Sightseeing
Ice Caving
Iceland's leading travel agency
Traveler's Choice

Attractions

Falljökull GlacierFalljökull Glacier
SkaftafellSkaftafell
Vatnajokull Glacier & National ParkVatnajokull Glacier & National Park
Hvannadalshnúkur MountainHvannadalshnúkur Mountain

Tips from travelers

  • Wear stiff ankle-supporting hiking boots

    Sturdy boots with solid ankle support are essential so the crampons fit securely on your feet and protect your ankles on uneven ice.

  • Check meeting coordinates carefully

    Multiple tour vans gather around the base parking areas, so check your confirmation for the exact meeting point coordinates to locate your group.

  • Take turns inside the cave

    Space inside the ice cave is limited, so step aside after taking your photos to let fellow hikers capture clear shots without people in the background.

  • Match your stride to the ice

    Listen carefully when the guide demonstrates how to walk in crampons, placing your feet flat to keep the spikes gripped on the glacier.

  • Allow time for gearing up

    Expect a portion of your tour time to be spent getting fitted with helmets, harnesses, and ice spikes before walking onto the glacier.

  • Pack water and snacks

    Keep a water bottle and a light snack in a small backpack, as there are no services once you leave the base parking lot.

Pick-up information

Starting time

This tour has flexible departure times. See the drop-down for all departures.

Starting location

Jökulsárlón, Iceland. Please arrive at the pick-up point on time.

How it works

Secure your spot with Iceland’s most trusted travel marketplace—instant confirmation, best price guarantee, and 24/7 local support.

Secure your spot
Secure your spot instantly on Iceland’s most trusted travel marketplace. As soon as you reserve, we lock in your place to help you make the most of your trip. You’ll get the best price and a secure payment system that protects your information.
Receive instant confirmation
You’ll get your e-ticket and a detailed summary immediately after booking, including meeting points and schedules. Enjoy peace of mind and get exactly what you booked, or a money-back guarantee. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Get access to the VIP Club
Booking with us gives you access to the Guide to Iceland VIP Club, where you’ll enjoy priority service, special perks, and exclusive discounts for amazing savings on your trip at Iceland’s top restaurants, shops, and local favorites.
Explore with confidence
From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, we’re here to take care of you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re just seconds away, 24/7, ready to help you make the most of your time in Iceland.
Secure your spot
Secure your spot instantly on Iceland’s most trusted travel marketplace. As soon as you reserve, we lock in your place to help you make the most of your trip. You’ll get the best price and a secure payment system that protects your information.
Receive instant confirmation
You’ll get your e-ticket and a detailed summary immediately after booking, including meeting points and schedules. Enjoy peace of mind and get exactly what you booked, or a money-back guarantee. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Get access to the VIP Club
Booking with us gives you access to the Guide to Iceland VIP Club, where you’ll enjoy priority service, special perks, and exclusive discounts for amazing savings on your trip at Iceland’s top restaurants, shops, and local favorites.
Explore with confidence
From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, we’re here to take care of you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re just seconds away, 24/7, ready to help you make the most of your time in Iceland.

What to bring

Warm, waterproof layers
Sturdy shoes
Sunglasses
Camera / Smartphone

Good to know

Walking onto the glacier requires stepping across moraine gravel, slush, and uneven inclines before reaching the solid ice. Crampons and helmets are provided at the start of the trek to ensure secure movement over the terrain.

The appearance, size, and hue of the ice caves change naturally throughout the season due to melting and shifting ice, ranging from deep blue to dark volcanic ash tones. Temperatures on the ice cap feel noticeably colder and windier than at the base meeting area.

Participants will meet near the restroom area in the main Jokulsarlon parking lot, where the café, ice cave tours, and boat tours also depart. It is important not to go to the “alternative car park,” which is located about 3 kilometers away. The correct meeting point has large glacier vehicles nearby; reaching a small, quiet car park without these vehicles indicates the wrong location.

Jokulsarlon is located about 5 hours from Reykjavik, approximately 236 miles (380 kilometers) away. The nearest towns here are Kirkjubaejarklaustur and Hofn.

This tour does not require prior experience. Please bring hiking boots that are tight around the ankle and have a hard sole. You can also rent shoes and clothing during the booking process. Jeans are not recommended for glacier activities, as they dry slowly when wet and can leave you cold.

Read more

Price per person by month

Winter only.

Lowest prices: January, from about US$148. Not available: May to September.

US$148Lowest priceJan
US$185Average priceAcross the season
OctCheapest monthAverage US$168
MarMost expensiveAverage US$196
Oct
US$168US$156
Nov
US$169US$156
Dec
US$179US$149
Jan
US$195US$148
Feb
US$191US$156
Mar
US$196US$156
Apr
US$192US$156
Lowest price per personAverage price per personTypical price range

Weather and cancellations

Called off on about 7.4% of dates. February is the safest month. April is the riskiest.

11.0%
Oct
2.2%
Nov
7.1%
Dec
2.8%
Jan
1.9%
Feb
2.4%
Mar
15.9%
Apr
Fewer to more called off
  • Called off by the operator? You get a full refund or a free rebooking.
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

We guarantee

Your trip is protected, personalized, and priced right. No surprises, no stress.

  • Free cancellation & full refund

  • Unlimited changes and support

  • Best price always guaranteed

  • 0% booking & credit card fees

Who books this tour

Who travels on this tour, where they come from and which days fill up first.

Who books

2.6travelers per booking on average
Couples57%
Groups of 3 or more33%
Solo travelers10%

Couples make up the largest share of bookings, at 57%. Groups of 3 or more follow, at 33%.

Where travelers come from

United States19%from the United States
United StatesUnited States19%
South KoreaSouth Korea12%
ChinaChina12%
ItalyItaly6%
TaiwanTaiwan6%
JapanJapan5%

The largest share of travelers, 19%, comes from the United States, followed by South Korea and China.

Busiest days of the week

ThubusiestSatquietest
Mon
12%
Tue
17%
Wed
14%
Thu
18%
Fri
15%
Sat
11%
Sun
13%
Busiest daysQuietest days

Thursday is the busiest departure day. Saturday is the quietest.

Verified reviews

What travelers love

More than half of reviews mention the guides.

  • Guides explaining glacier formation
  • Clear blue ice formations
  • Calm pace across the glacier
  • Uncrowded natural ice caves
  • Attentive safety guidance

Most common complaint: Some travelers find the scheduled glacier walk shorter than expected, with significant time spent driving, gearing up, or waiting for delayed departures. Expect the total tour duration to include the off-road drive to the ice edge, safety briefings, and equipment fitting alongside the hike itself.

156 reviews
9.2
All languages
All ratings
All ratings
Mary Kate Palfini
10
Amazing!

Mary Kate Palfini

An amazing and unforgettable experience! Our guide was wonderful and we had such a fun time

Audra Hunter
10
Amazing!

Audra Hunter

we had some weather delays leading up to the trip and between Guide to Iceland and the tour company, we were able to adjust the tour timing to another day fairly easily. The email communication was quick and reliable. Although it wasn't exactly clear where the tour meeting location was, Guide to Iceland send me coordinates fairly quickly. The tour guide we had was amazing, very knowledgeable, and extremely fun!

Diego Barrera
10
Amazing!

Diego Barrera

Amazing experience, great tour guide ! Just what you expect!

Olga Iancu
10
Amazing!

Olga Iancu

despite the bad weather, this ended up to be an amazing experience for my husband, to whom I gifted this tour as a birthday gift. The guide was very kind, friendly, and knowledgeable, and the communication with the team went really smooth (fast in answering messages/emails/picking up the phone). Thank you got such a memorable experience!

Percy
10
Amazing!

Percy

It was a worthwhile experience. Our guide Eli took us to two beautiful caves—the second one was actually an extra stop, making the trip fully packed. We’re a quiet group, but he managed everything really well.

It’s still recommended for those with relatively good physical fitness and no ankle injuries.

Dong Linlin
10
Amazing!

Dong Linlin

It was a amazing tour, perfect guide, I can't spell his name, but he told us to call him Rock.

YI TING LIN
10
Amazing!

YI TING LIN

The tour operation was amazing. Christ was very nice and friendly. We love it!

Abhijit Choudhry
10
Amazing!

Abhijit Choudhry

Guides were friendly and helpful

Lucie Schwaiger
10
Amazing!

Lucie Schwaiger

It was a incredible experience with an incredible guide as well !!

From the beginning of the reservations to the end of the tour on D-Day, everything was well planned with a great team that responded every questions supper quickly. I would recommend this activity 1000%, it was an incredible journey on a beautiful glacier with a beautiful weather that made all of this trip more than great !!

Thank you again !!

Lucas Anthony
10
Amazing!

Lucas Anthony

This was by far the coolest experience I had while visiting Iceland! The guides were great, kept us safe, on track, and well-informed about the history of the glacier and the surrounding area. It was fascinating to learn about how the glacier was formed and how it’s changed over the past few decades. Hiking through the ice cave was truly an unforgettable experience. The ice is so blue, clear, and smooth! I have never seen ice that blue before. It looked exactly as it does in the advertisements. If you are visiting Iceland and planning to be in the Vatnajokull area, definitely check out this tour!

Get the best price now!

Book now to lock in the best price on your trip, with the flexibility to change or cancel later if your plans change.

Book Now

Similar tours

From 202USD

Link to appstore phone
Install Iceland’s biggest travel app

Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place

Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.