Do you want to explore Iceland’s glaciers but only have a short amount of time? The Vatnajökull Glacier Encounter is just for you. This partner tour with Local Guide of Vatnajökull is designed to offer a quick and easy introduction to glacier hiking, and is even suitable for kids ages eight and above!
Vatnajökull Glacier is the largest glacier in Europe and is located in the Vatnajökull National Park. Spanning nearly 8,000 square kilometres, Vatnajökull is a sight to behold, and traversing its icy terrain is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
On your Vatnajökull Glacier Encounter tour, you will be driven to the front of the glacier using a modified 4×4. This saves you a long walk at the beginning and gives you more time to explore the glacier. You’ll strap on your crampons to traverse the ice with ease and follow your certified guide across the glacier for 1 hour. As you walk, you’ll make stops to admire views of Falljökull Glacier, which forms part of Vatnajökull, as well as Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak in Iceland at over 2,000 metres.
Make sure to bring your camera so you can capture the incredible crevasse fields and ice formations. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating information about the origin of these glaciers, the geographical history of the region, as well as how climate change is affecting Iceland’s natural phenomena.
This is a Spring-Summer season tour and lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours in total, including travel time in the 4×4, making this an easy fit into any itinerary. While the Vatnajökull Glacier Encounter tour offers an introduction to glacier hiking, you might just find yourself getting hooked on the experience. Ice Guardians offers Iceland Ice Climbing Trips, Glacier Hikes, and Skills Courses that will help you advance your techniques and increase your confidence on the ice.
If you already have some experience with glacier exploration, then check out our range of Iceland Adventure Activities, including longer glacier excursions and ice cave tours. Our team is on hand to help out with any of your queries. For more information on the Vatnajökull Glacier Encounter, feel free to contact us.
Quick Facts
Group min: 2 people
Group max: 12 people
Min. age: 8 years old
The meeting point for this tour is the Freysnes Service station, which is located just outside of Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. It’s recommended that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts. Accommodation options are available near the meeting point.
No previous glacier hiking experience is required to take part in this tour and it is well-suited to families with children. However, Local Guide of Vatnajökull reserves the right to bar anyone from participating in the tour if they are unfit for the activity.
To take part in the Vatnajökull Glacier Encounter, it’s crucial that you wear the correct attire. Sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support and good grip are mandatory for this tour. We also recommend dressing in layers to help regulate your temperature.
Local Guide of Vatnajökull reserves the right to refuse the participation of clients if they are not dressed according to the weather as this will put them at risk. In such circumstances, no refunds shall be given.
