Into the Glacier from Reykjavík
Description
Turn a day from Reykjavík into a grand West Iceland adventure with powerful hot springs, lava-born waterfalls, Icelandic horses and a journey deep inside Langjökull’s extraordinary year-round ice tunnel.
This full-day journey links the rich landscapes of Borgarfjörður with an experience that seems almost impossible: walking through luminous passages inside Iceland’s second-largest glacier. Comfortable transport from Reykjavík makes the day effortless, while the route builds from green farmland and surging water to the white immensity of Langjökull.
Meet Icelandic horses, watch Hraunfossar stream from beneath a broad lava field, feel the force of Deildartunguhver and continue through Húsafell to the glacier edge. A mighty specialised vehicle then climbs onto the ice cap, revealing immense views before the guided journey into the tunnel.
Inside Langjökull, blue ice, deep crevasses and dark volcanic layers turn the glacier into a living archive. This is a brilliantly varied day for travellers who want classic West Iceland scenery and a genuine once-in-a-lifetime adventure in one seamless tour.
Itinerary
Reykjavík pickup
A comfortable start to a remarkable West Iceland day
Join the tour at the pickup point and time confirmed on your voucher, then settle in for the journey north from Reykjavík. The city soon gives way to fjord views, farmland and the broad volcanic landscapes of Borgarfjörður.
Icelandic horse farm
Meet the small, strong horse that shaped Icelandic history
Pause at a local farm to meet Icelandic horses and hear what makes the breed so distinctive. Their intelligence, sturdy character and famous extra gaits add a warm cultural encounter before the day moves deeper into wild West Iceland.
Deildartunguhver
Europe’s most powerful hot spring
Feel the extraordinary energy of Deildartunguhver, where boiling water surges from the earth in clouds of steam. The spring supplies nearby communities with geothermal heat and offers a vivid introduction to the forces working beneath Iceland’s surface.
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Waterfalls born from lava, legend and glacial rivers
At Hraunfossar, countless clear streams appear from beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field and tumble into the Hvítá river. Nearby Barnafoss adds rushing turquoise water, sculpted rock and one of West Iceland’s most memorable local legends.
Húsafell and the glacier approach
From wooded oasis to the white plateau of Langjökull
Continue through Húsafell, a green highland gateway framed by mountains and lava fields. Here the route changes character as you board a specially modified glacier vehicle built to climb onto Langjökull’s immense ice cap.
Langjökull ice cap
A thrilling ride across Iceland’s second-largest glacier
The glacier vehicle powers upwards across snow and ice, opening remarkable views over the highlands and West Iceland. Time on the surface gives a sense of Langjökull’s enormous scale before the group reaches the discreet entrance into the glacier.
Inside the glacier
Walk through blue ice and centuries of frozen history
Enter illuminated corridors carved deep within Langjökull and see blue walls, crevasses and dark volcanic ash layers preserved in the ice. The guided walk reveals how the tunnel was engineered and how glaciers record Iceland’s natural history.
Choose your preferred departure and make this extraordinary world of ice part of your Iceland story.
What is included
- Pickup and drop-off from Reykjavík
- Coach transport through West Iceland
- Visit to an Icelandic horse farm
- Hraunfossar, Barnafoss and Deildartunguhver sightseeing
- Specially modified glacier-vehicle journey
- Guided entrance to the Langjökull ice tunnel
- English-speaking guide and free Wi-Fi where connection allows
What do I need to bring
- Warm layers, even in summer
- Waterproof and windproof outerwear
- Sturdy shoes with good grip
- Hat and gloves
- Food, drinks and a charged camera or phone
Good to know
Meeting point: Pick-up.
Select your preferred pickup point while booking. Your voucher confirms the exact location, vehicle information and departure time.
Highlights
- A full-day journey from Reykjavík into West Iceland
- Icelandic horses and the geothermal power of Deildartunguhver
- The lava-born beauty of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
- A spectacular glacier-vehicle ride high onto Langjökull
- A guided walk deep inside a year-round blue-ice tunnel
Into the Glacier from Reykjavík – Frequently Asked Questions
This Reykjavík departure includes return city transport and a complete West Iceland sightseeing route, including Icelandic horses, Deildartunguhver, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss before the glacier adventure.
Yes. Because the tunnel is engineered within Langjökull, it offers a rare opportunity to enter a glacier in both winter and summer. Current departures appear in the booking calendar.
The guided walk through the tunnel is approximately one hour. Additional time is spent travelling across the ice cap in the specialised glacier vehicle and enjoying the surface scenery.
Food and drinks are not included. Bring refreshments or purchase food when the day’s timing and stops allow; your guide explains the practical plan after departure.
No. This is not a technical glacier hike. The vehicle carries you onto the ice cap, and the tunnel visit follows a guided walking route on prepared but icy surfaces.
Wear warm layers, gloves, a hat and sturdy footwear with good grip in every season. The tunnel stays close to freezing even when Reykjavík is mild.
Select an available pickup point while booking. The final location, time and vehicle details appear on your voucher, so check it carefully before the tour.
The route offers exceptional variety: Icelandic horses, steaming geothermal water, turquoise rivers, lace-like waterfalls, a vast white ice cap and glowing blue passages inside the glacier.
Families with children aged 6 and older can enjoy the experience. The combination of coach travel, a glacier vehicle and a guided tunnel walk makes the adventure accessible without specialist skills.