Action-packed and popular day excursion in Vatnajokull National Park, departing from Skaftafell. Combines a glacier walk with a boat trip on the Jokulsarlon iceberg lagoon.
Trip level: 2-3 (out of 5) easy
Guaranteed departures: from Skaftafell daily at 09:00 15 May-15 September
Duration: 7-8 hours
Price: 13,490 ISK per person
See similar trip departing from Reykjavik,
Vatnajokull Voyager
THE VENUE – VATNAJOKULL NATIONAL PARK
Vatnajokull is Europe's largest icecap, a massive 8,300 km² of ice up to 800m thick. That's a lot of ice! Forming the hub of Iceland's biggest National Park, the icecap is fringed by beautiful valley glaciers, where the glacier hike takes place. When they recede they sometimes create lagoons, where the ice front breaks off forming spectacular icebergs. These stunning landscapes are the focus of your excursion.
THE GLACIER HIKE
At the National Park entrance at Skaftafell you'll get kitted out for your guided adventure on the glacier. After a short drive through the moraines created by the retreat of the glacier, you'll arrive at the front of the glacier tongue. With crampons (metal spikes) attached to your boots, you can easily walk on the ice and after a safety briefing you'll set off. With your glacier guide leading the way you will soon be walking among a jumble of crevasses and jagged ice ridges. The guide will point our the many interesting features of the glacier as you make your way to the awe-inspiring icefall. Here you will witness up close how the ice crashes hundreds of metres over a cliff as it advances continually towards the ocean. It's a breathtaking spectacle.
THE ICEBERG LAGOON
Back on solid ground, you'll continue by road to Jökulsárlón Iceberg Lagoon. Arguably one of the top ten things to see in Iceland, the lagoon is jammed with icebergs that break off from the huge glacier tongue of Breidamerkurjokull. They come in many colours and all shapes and sizes, some shimmering white and as large as houses, some a deep shade of turquoise and others completely transparent. It's indescribably beautiful. Gazing at them from the shore is one thing but you'll be cruising among the icebergs as well. - don't forget your camera!
TRIP NOTES:
Pick up points: pick up from Skaftafell National Park, Hotel Skaftafell and the camping grounds at Svínafell.
The price includes: transportation to the glacier and Jokulsarlon iceberg lagoon, 4 hour guided hike on the glacier, boat trip on Jokulsarlon, packed lunch (lunch can only be included if you book your trip one day before).
Please bring with you: warm outdoor clothing, rainproof jacket and trousers, warm hat and gloves, hiking boots. You can rent hiking boots and/or waterproof clothing at Skaftafell: 500 ISK per piece
Minimum number: 2 persons
Minimum age: 15 years
Please note: all glacier trips are dependent on weather and glacier conditions.
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Disclaimer:
Guests are advised that all activities are undertaken entirely at their own risk and they must behave in a fit and proper manner at all times in accordance with Arctic Adventures / Glacier Guides guidelines and must take proper responsibility for their own safety. Glacier hiking and related activities carry inherent risks and Guests may be requested by Glacier Guides to sign a liability release and assumption of risk prior to certain excursions.