Are you done with those warm summer days and are you looking for ways to cool down? Iceland is not exactly known for warm weather, so this arctic island is perfect for going on cool tours.
Let us tell you about the six best tours for cool people.
1. Take a boat ride at Jökulsárlón lagoon
Jökulsárlón is a glacial lake in Southeast Iceland (370km from Reykjavík), formed by meltwater from Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier of Europe.
It is beautiful to see from land, but you can experience it even better by boat. Seeing icebergs from up close is really cool (literally and figuratively). And you can see the occasional seal swimming in the water around the boat or resting on ice blocks.
If you feel like going to the beach afterwards, walk to the beach right next to the lagoon, known as diamond beach. On this beach, thousands of ice blocks, both large and small, are washed onto shore.
Book this tour if you want to go on a boat ride at Jökulsárlón.
2. Walk into a glacier
Langjökull is Iceland’s second largest glacier. Since 2015, people can walk straight into the glacier, through a man-made tunnel going 30 metres down into the ice and stretching over half a kilometre. The tunnel has been made deep inside the glacier where the ice is most stable.
Even though it’s man-made, nature takes over quickly, which results in the tunnel slowly but constantly changing. Crevasses form and ice sculptures shape without human intervention.
If you go on this tour, you will start with a spectacular ride in an eight-wheel drive glacial truck to the entrance of the tunnel. It is easily accessible and offers an amazing opportunity to explore the glacier from within. The temperature in the glacier tunnel is 0°C all year round.
Click on the following link if you’re interested in going into the glacier.
3. Hike up a glacier
Would you prefer going on top of a glacier? It doesn’t get any icier than hiking on a glacier.
Sólheimajökull is a glacial tongue located about 160km from Reykjavík, close enough to the city to visit if you only have one day in Iceland! Glacier hikes are relatively easy, and all the gear is provided, so it should be accessible for most people (be prepared to hike uphill with crampons, though).
You get to walk on a glacier and enjoy magnificent views, along with professional guides that tell you all kinds of interesting stuff about glaciers and Iceland in general.
4. Go snowmobiling
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can also go snowmobiling. This is possible on the glaciers Langjökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Vatnajökull.
You will be brought to the snowmobile starting point on top of the glacier by either glacier truck or superjeep. Before going snowmobiling, you will get a short instruction and you will get a warm overall and helmet. And then you are ready to go on an exhilarating ride over the snow.
It’s the coolest way to enjoy the beautiful view of the glacier and its surroundings.
Book your snowmobile tour here.
5. Go snorkeling in Silfra
How cool is exploring the underwater world? Iceland offers great opportunities for this, as you can snorkel between two tectonic plates.
Snorkeling or diving in the Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park is an amazing experience. The lava-rock filtered glacier water is some of the cleanest in the world and provides amazing visibility. Some people even experience a fear of heights because it is so clear.
The water is 2-4°C all year round, but don’t worry, a dry or wet suit will protect you from (most of) the cold.
Read more about snorkeling in Silfra here.
6. Visit Perlan glacier exhibition
In 2017, Perlan Museum designed a replicate of an ice tunnel, made with real ice. It’s the first indoor ice cave in the world. For this ice cave you don’t have to travel far, as it’s right in the middle of Reykjavík.
The temperature inside the ice cave is -10 °C and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk through it. It’s easily accessible and you don’t need special boots, but it’s recommended to dress warmly.
Inside the cave you will read information about glaciers, while at the same time looking at and touching real ice! At the end of the tunnel there is an exhibition about glaciers in Iceland.
A free shuttle bus drives between Harpa Concert Hall and Perlan. It departs twice every hour, every day.
Get your ticket for the ice cave here.
