
Do you have a question about Into the Glacier? We’ve tried to answer the most frequent questions about
the Into the Glacier experience below. Feel free to contact us with any other questions.
If not please contact us and we will gladly help you.
The majority of our tours depart from Reykjavík. View all our tours.
If you will be in the vicinity of Húsafell or Klaki Base Camp, book either our Classic tour or Snowmobile tour. We recommend booking in advance, as seats are limited for each tour.
It is not possible to drive normal vehicles directly to the tunnel, as it is located high on the glacial ice cap (around 1260 m above sea level), and is only accessible with special modified vehicles. You can, if you have a 4×4 car, drive up to Klaki Base Camp at the glacier’s edge during the summer season. There you will transfer to one of our specially modified glacier vehicles
Note that we offer shuttle service from Húsafell for those who don’t have 4×4 cars to drive up to the base camp.
The day tours from Reykjavik take approximately 9 – 11 hours depending on the tour.
The Classic tour from Husafell is approximately 3.5 – 4 hours depending on the season.
From Klaki base camp the Classic tour takes around 2-3 hours depending on the season
The temperature in the ice cave is around 0°C/32°F and is not affected by seasons or outside conditions.
There are no age restrictions on the Classic tour and children are very welcome.
It is an easy 1 hour walk inside the glacier, but the ground can be uneven and slippery (crampons are provided). The ride in the modified glacier vehicle can be bumpy. For toddlers and very young children (0 – 2 years old) we recommend having a baby carrier.
For the snowmobile tour the minimum age is 8 years old. There are no safety harnesses on the sled so passengers must hold on by their own strength. All those intending to drive the snowmobile must have a valid drivers license
Yes, but only during summer (1st of June – 15th of October)
The road from Húsafell to Klaki Base Camp is a rough gravel road, and it is only accessible from June through mid-October. (Please note that the road opening is dependent on weather and varies between years.)
Into the Glacier STRONGLY recommends only driving 4×4 vehicles to Klaki Base Camp.
We recommend all guests not equipped with w4x4 vehicle to take our shuttle from Húsafell.
It can get very cold on the glacier, even during summertime. The temperature inside the tunnel is around 0°C (32°F), so you need to be properly dressed to feel comfortable throughout your tour. We recommend layers of clothing, which can be added or removed as needed. We always recommend thermal underclothes and, most importantly, windproof and waterproof outerwear. A warm hat and gloves are advised and water repellent footwear is required (we provide crampons for use inside the tunnel).
As sunlight reflects off the ice and snow, you might wish to bring sunscreen or a sun cap to protect against sunburn. Sunglasses are also an essential item for sunny days.
We also recommend that you bring a snack and, of course, your camera to capture the experience.
Yes, we will gladly arrange a private tour.
Please contact us for further information at info@intotheglacier.is
We of course want everyone to be able to experience the ice tunnel but for those that have mobility issues there are some things to keep in mind. The walk inside the tunnel is around 1 hour with stops along the way so if you are able to walk for such a period unaided you should have few problems with the tour inside the tunnel.
The trucks are quite high and you must ascend 5 steps that are around 40 cm high to board them. Inside them there little space to store a full size wheelchair so a fold-able chair is required.
Inside the tunnel the ground is uneven and the floor is always covered in slushy snow. Pushing a wheelchair through it is very comparable to pushing one through sand. The chair often has to be carried through the most difficult parts.
We have looked into the possibility of installing scaffolding which would make the tour much easier for those that require a wheelchair but that has proved to be very difficult due to the movement of the tunnel. The glacier is constantly moving under its own weight so any installations would sink into the glacier itself over time.
Please keep in mind that even though our staff is very willing to assist you they cannot carry any passengers due to liability reasons. They are also responsible for the group as a whole and therefore cannot assist any single passengers in a way that would reduce their service to the group in its entirety.
For further information please contact us: info@intotheglacier.is
The ice tunnel is well lit, so there is no need for you to bring a flashlight. Your guide will carry one in case of emergency, and the tunnel is also outfitted with emergency lighting to ensure safety at all times
The floor of the tunnel is made of snow and ice. It is likely to be a little slippery and wet, and we ask you to bear that in mind when entering the tunnel. We provide our guests with crampons for the duration of their time in the tunnel.
You need to be fit enough to walk approx 500m on snow and ice, and be OK standing up for approximately an hour.
There are certain rules that you must follow at all times when you are on a tour with Into the Glacier. Your guide will brief you on them when you arrive. Please stay with your guide at all times while inside glacier tunnel and caves.
We recommend walking/hiking boots, snow boots, rain boots, or other footwear designed for outdoor use, as it can be slippery, cold and wet inside the ice cave. Crampons will be provided to guests while inside.
There are toilets at some of the places visited during the day tours from Reykjavík, including good facilities in Húsafell and dry toilets at Klaki Base Camp. There is a portable toilet at the ice cave, but it is intended for emergency use only, so please use the facilities before departing from the base camp.
There are no food and drinks served inside the glacier tunnel. You can, however, buy food and drink in Húsafell. We recommend bringing your own snacks and reusable water bottle on the tour.
Many, but not all, of our coaches do have Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can’t rely on having a Wi-Fi connection during the tour. There is no Wi-Fi connectivity at the ice tunnel and caves.
There is sometimes a mobile phone signal at the ice cave entrance, but it depends on your network provider. You should thus not rely on having a mobile phone signal.
The primary difference between the Into the Glacier ice tunnel and other ice caves in Iceland is location. Natural ice caves are typically found on the edges of glaciers, carved by glacial rivers, geothermal water, or volcanic activity. The Into the Glacier tunnel, on the other hand, has been man-made high up on the glacial cap, the most stable (and safest) part of the glacier.