Description
Summary
Description
Learn about the past of Iceland on a guided tour of the historic man-made caves of Laugarvatnshellar, home to the cave people of Iceland. It suits Golden Circle travelers who want to see how Icelandic cave-dwelling families lived.
The tour is meet-on-location, between Thingvellir National Park and Laugarvatn on the Golden Circle route. The caves are easy to reach and make a good stop on the route.
If you want to add some culture and history to your Golden Circle trip, this short tour gives you a break from the natural landmarks and a look at Icelandic life and heritage.
It's especially interesting for history lovers and anyone curious about how Icelanders lived in such a harsh environment.
Laugarvatnshellar has a special place in the cultural history of Iceland. No one knows who cut the caves out of the soft tuff rock or when, and for centuries they sheltered shepherds and their flocks before families moved in.
Two couples once lived in the caves. In 1910, Indridi Gudmundsson and Gudrun Kolbeinsdottir moved in and lived in the caves for a year.
Later, in 1918, Jon Thorvardarson and Vigdis Helgadottir lived here for four years. Their story shows how resourceful Icelanders were in this rugged landscape.
On the tour, you learn how the cave dwellers made the rocky chambers their homes, using natural resources and inventive solutions to get by in a harsh climate.
As you walk through the caves, your guide shows you the layout of the former living quarters, where the families slept, cooked, and spent their days, kept warm by fire and insulated walls.
The caves give you a rare look at a bygone era and at how closely early Icelanders were connected to the land. Feel free to ask your guide questions.
After the tour, you can continue along the Golden Circle on your own.
Check availability by choosing a date.
