Katla Volcano Ice Cave - Super Jeep tour from Vik
4
Katla Volcano Ice Cave - Super Jeep tour from Vik
By Arctic Adventures
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 6-80, max of 15 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Small group experience
- Super Jeep Ride
- Visit to a natural ice cave
- Crampons for walking on the ice
- English speaking knowledgeable guide
- All required safety equipment
What's not included- Food & drinks
- Start:
- Ice Cave Bistro, Austurvegur 20, 870 VĂk, IcelandThe guide will be standing outside in the parking lot behind the Icewear Magasin building (facing the sea) in Vik, South Iceland, by a Super Jeep with an Arctic Adventures sign in the front window.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5590P100- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- It is important to note that this tour departs from Vik i Myrdal. Customers must make their own way to the meeting point in Vik town.
- What to bring: Warm clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots, head-wear and gloves.
- This is a small group tour ensuring a more personalized experience. The guide to client ratio is 1:14.
- Minimum age: 6 years old.
- Most travellers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5590P100
From
AU$338.39
per adult
Select date and travellers
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- Austurvegur 20, 870 VĂk, IcelandThe guide will be standing outside in the parking lot behind the Icewear Magasin building (facing the sea) in Vik, South Iceland, by a Super Jeep with an Arctic Adventures sign in the front window.
- 1
- 2
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Deena L0 contributionsGreat 2 days with our guide Lili!We had a wonderful two days with Lili as our guide! Lili was very friendly and knowledgeable and did an amazing job with some very difficult driving and some unforeseen challenges. We would definitely recommend traveling with Lili as your guide!Written 5 February 2025
- romil15070 contributionsBest tour experienceOur driver plus guide lily was too good. We had awesome tour. We had storm on the way back to our hotel but she was brave enough to handle itWritten 5 February 2025
- veralB2439UC0 contributionsExceptional Experience with V IgnorI recently joined a 2-day South Coast tour with Arctic Adventures and had the pleasure of being guided by V Ignor. He was flexible, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable throughout the trip. His driving skills made us feel safe, even with strong winds during our journey. V Ignor’s passion and professionalism truly enhanced my experience. This was my third visit to Iceland, and his dedication made it unforgettable. I highly recommend V Ignor for anyone looking to explore Iceland in a memorable way.Written 4 February 2025
- hlindsay440 contributionsMust-do tour of the stunning South Coast with Arctic Adventures!We did the South Coast tour and it was incredible, such beautiful scenery and sights. Our tour guide Thor was absolutely amazing - charming, funny with great stories and anecdotes and more importantly was a brilliant driver in horrendous conditions as a storm swept in. He looked after us well, adjusting the tour to make sure we could see all the sights before the weather got bad.Written 4 February 2025
- petrog7250 contributionsHappy travelers!January is definitely a challenging month in Iceland, and since we chose not to drive in the snow, we didn’t rent a car. We’re so glad we picked the 3-day tour for this trip. Our guide, Lili, was amazing. Despite the weather challenges, she stayed patient, kept us calm, and made sure we were safe while driving in the snow. Her driving skills made all the difference when we weren’t used to such conditions. Lili also had great stories to share and a fantastic music playlist! We were especially impressed by how she managed everything so smoothly, from handling the bad weather to the last minute rearranging of our ice cave experience. This trip will always be remembered. Thank you, Lili, for going above and beyond!Written 4 February 2025
- eilishr20140 contributionsGreat experienceHad a great time, equipment is very good, kept me warm. Photos are a great extra, would have been nice to have a little video under the water as well as the photos. Guide was very friendly and helpfulWritten 2 February 2025
- Jenna H0 contributionsTERRIBLE COMPANY. Do not use. They do not care about you or your experience, just your money. Way better companiesI want to start by saying our drivers were great and this is not a reflection on them. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY, there are so many better options out there. Arctic Adventures does NOT care about the guests or the experiences, only taking your money. This company needs some serious work and were atrocious to work with. A rip off and staff were terrible. First of all, we were booked on the Snowmobiling & Ice Cave tour on Saturday 2/1/25. On Friday 1/31/25, we got an email from Arctic Adventures saying it was cancelled due to weather and we can call to reschedule or for a refund. (We also talked to several guests who never received the email saying it was cancelled and waited in the cold for an hour, which is just unacceptable for a company). Our pickup location for the tour on 2/1 was in Skjol and we were staying the night of 1/31 into the morning of 2/1 in that area (specifically for this trip). When they cancelled our tour, we wanted to reschedule for Sunday 2/2 because it was our last day prior to departure. However, our Airbnb for 2/1 into 2/2 was in Reykjavik. I assumed it would be no big deal to change the pickup location. Staff confirmed they had room on the Reykjavik pickup location on 2/2 but we would have to pay the pickup fee for Reykjavik of $125 (additional to the almost $500 we already spent). When I asked to have this waived since the rescheduling was out of our control, staff on the phone got incredibly rude with me. I made the point that it wouldn’t cost them any additional money because they were picking up several other guests in ReykjavĂk. Staff then went on to repeat that it “wasn’t fair” that those guests had to pay the ReykjavĂk pickup fee and we didn’t and they shouldn’t have to “pay our share.” I don’t even know what that means. But regardless, I understand the weather was out of their control but if you are going to offer a rescheduling, you need to be accommodating. We planned our Airbnb locations based on this trip. It wouldn’t have cost them any additional money to pick us up (along with 10 other guests) in ReykjavĂk at the same bus stop. And again, we obviously were inconvenienced by this change of plans and it was not something we planned. We were desperate to go so we ended up paying the difference, much to my dismay. The tour itself felt very very very rushed. The guide said it would be an hour and it was nowhere near that. And that “hour” included the ice cave tour. So we were on the snowmobiles for less than 40 minutes. For a $600+ tour, you think they would give you the full time. Because even an hour seems like not enough time for that price. Since this was likely a once in a lifetime trip for most guests, you think that they would have been more accommodating. They provided no time to take photos or stop and enjoy the scenery. They told us not to take photos on the snowmobiles for safety reasons but even if you tried, you had to take your life in your own hands. It was such a struggle trying to get gloves off and not drop your phone. And then you couldn’t slow down because you had to keep up with the guide and not have the people behind you run into you. When we stopped at the ice cave, guides never offered any chances to take photos and the entire process felt rushed. I think for $600+, staff could have said something as simple as “we will stop once or twice on the way there and once or twice on the way back for you to take photos and take a moment to enjoy the scenery.” I don’t feel like I got even a second to look around and enjoy it, let alone photograph it. Just very obvious this company only cares about money and does not care about guests or the experiences. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY, there are so many better options. And I don’t want to hear that they “don’t operate the tour” and it’s their “trusted tour partners” or whatever I see on all of their responses to bad reviews. First of all, the customer service at the beginning was your own company. Second of all, based on reviews I read, multiple people have complained about tours being rushed and clearly nothing has been done about it. And also you are responsible for the service that your supposedly “trusted” tour partners provide.Written 2 February 2025
- Dream153991860730 contributionsBeautifulAnayancy was the best guide ever ! Funny and she showed us some magnificent hidden spots ! In January you see a lot of snow so I'll probably come back to see it during spring !Written 2 February 2025
- gillian d0 contributionsOur day of adventureWe booked the 12hr small tour to the golden circle then on to the secret lagoon . Our driver and guide was excellent I did not get her name ,she was very informative and her driving was good we felt safe at all times .The golden circle was fab although the falls were rather chilly wrap up well for that ,they had had a lot of snow which made everything amazing .The falls are an amazing sight to see .We were also at the guisers again spectacular. We stopped and had a chat with some Icelandic ponies again she was very knowledgeable as well. Then on to the secret lagoon ,if you are shy at all this is not for you it was hot but due to the steam you can't see anything but enjoyable none the less .later we were picked up for the northern lights unfortunately it was heavy snow and not even a star but we have no control over mother nature do we .A different driver at night and again felt safe even when snowing , He tried to go to places but not to be we had our hot chocolate and turned to come back .I can only say that we were looked after for our 12hr trip and came away feeling that we had an Artic adventure. The northern lights hopefully will be there the next time ,I will be going back as it is a beautiful breath taking country ❤️Written 2 February 2025
- Roving080549577520 contributionsGreat Northernlights Tour in a small groupThe tour was amazing, our guide Friman knew exactly where to go and where we would have the best chances to get an opening in the sky, so we could see the Aurora. With lots of insights on how northern lights work we had a really good and fun time. Takk fyrirWritten 2 February 2025
- peselinger0 contributionsSouth Coast AdventureOur guide, Thor, was excellent. Throughout our South Coast Adventure Day Tour, he told us all about the sites we were visiting and pointed out places where interesting historical events took place. He told great tales of elves, trolls, and the sagas as they related to the areas we were in. The weather worsened the further South we went and I appreciated that he adjusted the itinerary so we could see the glacier before the rain came. When the rain and wind did come, causing a 2-hr delay on our return, he calmed and assured all of us everything was okay and then told us how emergency services work in Iceland. We all got to enjoy another great bakery while we waited for roads to clear and he got us all back to town safely. We would be thrilled to have Thor as a guide in a future visit.Written 31 January 2025
- jessieclaire1SR0 contributionsGreat trip / praise to Franklin!We had a great morning at the Lava Tunnel after our golden circle tour was cancelled due to weather. Franklin our guide was incredible - friendly, funny and very knowledgeable! He filled our bus journey with stories and anecdotes about Iceland and its history which was excellent! He made the trip! The lava tunnel was great and well managed but wish it was slightly longer - another stop or two with some extra information as it was so interesting to be down there! All in all, a worthwhile trip and would recommend to anyone! I learnt a lotWritten 31 January 2025
- Julia R0 contributionsAwful customer serviceDo not use this company. Awful customer service care. A party of 9 of us set off on a five-hour journey, 3 hours in despite our best efforts we were turned back door to the extreme weather conditions. We contacted customer services and advised them but were told the weather is unpredictable and that we weren't able to get a refund! We were told we skulls have stayed closer to where the adventure was! The cost implications of booking accommodation for 9 people for one night when we had already paid for an apartment would've been astronomical and not feasible. Our party lead was advised to email the company on our return to find a solution which he did. Only to be patronised in the response from the company. Whilst we appreciate that the weather is unpredictable the company should have provided at least a partial refund. We had all saved for this trip of a lifetime and to lose hard-earned money in this way is devastating. A very poor show indeed. Terrible!Written 30 January 2025
- Stay328969966260 contributionsInconsiderate treatment from the companyA group of us, 9 in total, had booked a visit. We started from Reykjavik in clear weather with no snow or ice. As we progressed the weather deteriorated and after some 2 hours we hit a blizzard with zero visibility and were turned back by the authorities as the road was blocked. It was impossible for us to continue and positively dangerous. When we contacted the company we were told that they were not responsible for the weather, which is stating the obvious, and they would not return our payment which was the best part of a ÂŁ1000. They did not offer us an alternative date either. Considering that this was Iceland in January, such conditions are not unusual and I would have thought that basic good will and consideration would have been the least that we could have expected. This is a poor reflection on the venue and on Icelandic tourism. I would advise anyone to treat this company with caution as their policy is to fleece any potential customer. As a matter of principle I intend to contact the relevant Icelandic tourism authority.Written 30 January 2025
- 768mehulp0 contributionsDancing lights amazing experienceH was an excellent guide. On our way to find the lights he was very informative and engaging. On our first attempt we found the lights got to see them forming and dancing through the sky. The most amazing experience made even better by an equally great host. There were no blankets but we did get hot cocoWritten 30 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
93 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
8
Average
4
Poor
6
Terrible
10
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Alexis
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Tour started on time, and our tour guide was local, very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and history.
Started with a 30 minute off-road ride in a super jeep to the base of the glacier. Tour guide provided information about the surrounding landscape during the ride.
Tour guide provided a helmet and crampons for the hike, also went over the best techniques for walking on the ice safely.
Tour included hiking up and down the glacier, and visiting an ice cave. The ice cave visited changes weekly depending on the melting rate of the cave and glacier.
The views were amazing. I loved learning about the structure of the glacier, and how it changes so rapidly was eye-opening.
I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to interact with the Icelandic landscape on a deeper level.
Started with a 30 minute off-road ride in a super jeep to the base of the glacier. Tour guide provided information about the surrounding landscape during the ride.
Tour guide provided a helmet and crampons for the hike, also went over the best techniques for walking on the ice safely.
Tour included hiking up and down the glacier, and visiting an ice cave. The ice cave visited changes weekly depending on the melting rate of the cave and glacier.
The views were amazing. I loved learning about the structure of the glacier, and how it changes so rapidly was eye-opening.
I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to interact with the Icelandic landscape on a deeper level.
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Traveler,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Katla Volcano Ice Cave Tour and found our local guide both friendly and knowledgeable.
We deeply value all feedback, as it helps us to enhance our tours and motivates us to continue delivering memorable experiences. It’s fantastic to know that the off-road ride, glacier hike, and ice cave visit exceeded your expectations and that you appreciated the insights into the glacier’s structure.
We’d be delighted to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. If you have any further questions, concerns, or wish to discuss future travel plans, please feel free to reach out to us at info@adventures.is.
Thank you once again for your recommendation and kind words!
Written 8 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Natalie K
San Jose, CA35 contributions
June 2022
We met up in the parking lot in Vik as directed. I was expecting more signage on the vehicle, but a quick question for the driver of the megavan with huge tires and we confirmed we were in the right place.
Our driver gave us a running commentary of what he was doing with the vehicle (deflating tires) and the surrounding landscape and volcanoes and glaciers. His dry sense of humor was awesome (who knew lupines were such a divisive topic?) as we wended our way east of Vik and onto the "old" Ring Road over sand and barren land. There was a stop to see the area they used to film a portion of the Rogue One (Star Wars) film, so that was a fun photo op.
Back in the vehicles for more driving and stopping to put on our safety gear (hard hats and crampons) along with the other vehicle full of folks. It took us quite a bit of trekking to actually get TO the glaciers (thanks, global warming!) but we got there. The female guide took over as our driver went ahead to forge a new path for us in the ice. She had some good tips for photographing the glaciers and was very happy to take a million group pics for people. The cave itself was a bit disappointing in that you couldn't really go in very far, but that's nature for you: always changing. We had enough ropes to hold and narrow bits to traverse that made it feel like we were doing something more than just a breezy little hike, so we weren't too disappointed. Then it was the hike back to turn in our equipment and head back to Vik.
I had booked this tour more than 2 years ago, and then COVID kept us from Iceland. While they couldn't refund us, we did have a credit and were offered a discount. It was a fun and interesting tour and worth the time and money. In the words of my daughter who suggested Arctic Adventures in 2020, it looked like the one cave tour where we would probably be "least likely to die". Good enough for me!
As a funny side note, we received a call on our way to the airport the next day from Julie at Arctic Adventures, informing us that our tour THAT DAY was going to be running a little late. We laughed and informed Julie that we were in fact getting on a plane shortly and had been on our cave tour the day before and enjoyed it very much. I saw an email on my phone later on telling us the same thing. Not sure how they had us down for 2 days of tours, but I assume it's all been sorted out now!
Our driver gave us a running commentary of what he was doing with the vehicle (deflating tires) and the surrounding landscape and volcanoes and glaciers. His dry sense of humor was awesome (who knew lupines were such a divisive topic?) as we wended our way east of Vik and onto the "old" Ring Road over sand and barren land. There was a stop to see the area they used to film a portion of the Rogue One (Star Wars) film, so that was a fun photo op.
Back in the vehicles for more driving and stopping to put on our safety gear (hard hats and crampons) along with the other vehicle full of folks. It took us quite a bit of trekking to actually get TO the glaciers (thanks, global warming!) but we got there. The female guide took over as our driver went ahead to forge a new path for us in the ice. She had some good tips for photographing the glaciers and was very happy to take a million group pics for people. The cave itself was a bit disappointing in that you couldn't really go in very far, but that's nature for you: always changing. We had enough ropes to hold and narrow bits to traverse that made it feel like we were doing something more than just a breezy little hike, so we weren't too disappointed. Then it was the hike back to turn in our equipment and head back to Vik.
I had booked this tour more than 2 years ago, and then COVID kept us from Iceland. While they couldn't refund us, we did have a credit and were offered a discount. It was a fun and interesting tour and worth the time and money. In the words of my daughter who suggested Arctic Adventures in 2020, it looked like the one cave tour where we would probably be "least likely to die". Good enough for me!
As a funny side note, we received a call on our way to the airport the next day from Julie at Arctic Adventures, informing us that our tour THAT DAY was going to be running a little late. We laughed and informed Julie that we were in fact getting on a plane shortly and had been on our cave tour the day before and enjoyed it very much. I saw an email on my phone later on telling us the same thing. Not sure how they had us down for 2 days of tours, but I assume it's all been sorted out now!
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Natalie K,
Thanks a lot for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review. We are delighted to hear the tour went smoothly for you. A special thank you for all of the amazing compliments to our guide. They will be absolutely delighted to read this!
Please accept our apologies for any distress and inconvenience caused by the emails and calls. There was a system error which has been sorted out shortly afterwards.
We would like you to know that it means the world to us that you have chosen to book an experience with our team. We are looking forward to seeing you again on one of our tours sometime in the near future!
Warm wishes from Iceland.
Written 27 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lori W
Spring, TX6 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Long drive but our Artic Adventures bus driver Besi kept the ride interesting by sharing information on places we drove by, like volcanoes, eruptions, floods, and lava fields. After switching to a SuperTruck at Vik, ride to the base of the glacier was bumpy but exciting. After putting on crampons and helmets, we started for a 15 min walk to the ice cave. We walked single file through beautiful frozen, raw, wild landscape. Once we entered the cave, we faced ice in multi-shades of blue, streaked with black bands of ground volcanic material. Surreal, other-worldly environment. There is no substitute for being there. Although an ice cave is an inherently risky place, ropes were strung to assist traversing potentially dangerous areas and our guides kept out a watchful eye on us. Upon exiting the cave, our guide chipped off pieces of the glacier so we could taste 800 year old ice. Iceland has the purest, best tasting water and glaciers are the source. Definitely worth the long day!
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear LoriW326, Thank you so much for taking the time to write us this great feedback! We are delighted to know that you enjoyed the time spent with our fantastic team in Iceland. A special thank you for mentioning our guide Besi. He will be very happy to read this. We are looking forward to seeing you again soon for another memorable adventure. Let's explore more of Iceland together! Greetings from Iceland.
Written 11 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HeardItBothWays
Easton, PA2,359 contributions
Sept 2021
My husband and I took the Katla Volcano Ice Cave Tour from Vik and we were very disappointed with the experience. It wasn't informative and was a poorly-run tour, overall, and most definitely not worth the cost.
The tour started with a "Super Jeep" ride, which is really a van on huge wheels into which they shoved 14 of us during the pandemic. Most wore masks but some did not, and no one was told to wear them. The van was uncomfortable with so many people and I ended up with bruises from being squashed in the last row with 3 other people. The van was so loud that we couldn't hear any of the audio from our guide, so we, unfortunately, didn't get to learn anything on our tour. This continued on the hike itself since we were the last to get out of the last row of the van and ended up towards the back of the hiking line with one other couple behind us.
We travel pretty regularly and take tours often but this is the first tour we've ever taken in which nothing was explained to us about the plan for the tour itself. We didn't know how long we'd be hiking, if/when we could stop for photos, or what the plan was for the cave ahead of time. We felt the hike itself was pretty rushed and no time was really left to take in the view and take any pictures. The cave was much smaller than expected (which was fine, it's nature and we don't expect it to accommodate us) but I'm not really sure why we were sent into a tiny cave with two other people instead of just letting each pair go in on their own since we only had a minute or two in there, max. The cave looks much larger in the photos - be aware, it's only a small few feet of ice cave that fits no more than 2-3 people at a time.
The time at the top was somewhat wasted. Someone who was ahead of us in line started using his drone and we didn't because we didn't think there would be time (and our guide had explained nothing to the group). There would have been plenty of time because our guide actually spent about 10+ minutes giving directions to a couple on our tour while we all waited around and tried to stay out of the way of the next group that had arrived with their guide and started to go into the cave. We were literally standing around in the same spot waiting for our guide.
For the amount we paid ($155 USD per person), it was a real disappointment. We learned absolutely nothing because we couldn't hear our guide and he spent more time giving directions to a couple than addressing the rest of the group.
We informed Arctic Adventures who apologized, thanked us for the feedback, and blamed South Coast Adventure, who apparently ran the tour. They didn't offer any partial refund for the bad experience.
Definitely not recommended.
The tour started with a "Super Jeep" ride, which is really a van on huge wheels into which they shoved 14 of us during the pandemic. Most wore masks but some did not, and no one was told to wear them. The van was uncomfortable with so many people and I ended up with bruises from being squashed in the last row with 3 other people. The van was so loud that we couldn't hear any of the audio from our guide, so we, unfortunately, didn't get to learn anything on our tour. This continued on the hike itself since we were the last to get out of the last row of the van and ended up towards the back of the hiking line with one other couple behind us.
We travel pretty regularly and take tours often but this is the first tour we've ever taken in which nothing was explained to us about the plan for the tour itself. We didn't know how long we'd be hiking, if/when we could stop for photos, or what the plan was for the cave ahead of time. We felt the hike itself was pretty rushed and no time was really left to take in the view and take any pictures. The cave was much smaller than expected (which was fine, it's nature and we don't expect it to accommodate us) but I'm not really sure why we were sent into a tiny cave with two other people instead of just letting each pair go in on their own since we only had a minute or two in there, max. The cave looks much larger in the photos - be aware, it's only a small few feet of ice cave that fits no more than 2-3 people at a time.
The time at the top was somewhat wasted. Someone who was ahead of us in line started using his drone and we didn't because we didn't think there would be time (and our guide had explained nothing to the group). There would have been plenty of time because our guide actually spent about 10+ minutes giving directions to a couple on our tour while we all waited around and tried to stay out of the way of the next group that had arrived with their guide and started to go into the cave. We were literally standing around in the same spot waiting for our guide.
For the amount we paid ($155 USD per person), it was a real disappointment. We learned absolutely nothing because we couldn't hear our guide and he spent more time giving directions to a couple than addressing the rest of the group.
We informed Arctic Adventures who apologized, thanked us for the feedback, and blamed South Coast Adventure, who apparently ran the tour. They didn't offer any partial refund for the bad experience.
Definitely not recommended.
Written 17 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear HeardItBothWays,
Thank you for reaching out to us in regards to your experience with us. We welcome all feedback as it helps us improve our overall operations. The safety and overall enjoyment of our customers are factors that we value greatly. We are sad to hear your experience did not match your expectations, however, it does match the online description. Allow us to point out that the duration of the tour is up to 3 hours is including the shuttle. Therefore, even being run on a relatively small group basis it is not really possible to spend more than a few minutes inside the cave. In addition to that, this is a very popular public site that many agencies take their groups to, which gives each agency a very limited time that can be spent there.
Also, all pictures on the website are up to date. If you could take a closer look you'll see that the cave is smaller than a few years ago. It is part of the natural process, as caves change due to weather conditions. Photos in the tour gallery reflect the present situation:
https://adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/ice-caves/katla-ice-cave-tour-under-the-volcano/
We are also sorry to hear you did not get to take drone pictures. It is recommended to discuss things as the duration for free exploration and taking photos with the guide at the beginning of the tour.
As our team has already mentioned, this tour is operated by our partners South Coast Adventures. We assure you that all of your remarks have been passed to them in order to avid similar experiences in the future.
​Once again, we are sorry to hear that you did not find the experience enjoyable. We hope you had a great time in Iceland despite this
Written 21 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rhys D
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Friends
Very Disappointed in this tour for the price we paid! We had a 3hr tour to Katla Ice cave. Most of the tour consisted in the travel to and from the glacier in the 4wd. We spent a very short amount of time actually on the glacier and were very limited in how long we could stay at the cave areas due to other tour groups. There were points on the tour when the guide would just stop and have a chat to another operator, if it wasn’t for that the tour would be over even quicker, they were just killing time. The pictures used in advertising were of older ice caves with exquisite colours that no longer exist so it created higher expectations which definitely were not met. For the price we paid this tour was definitely Not Worth It!!
Written 19 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for taking the time to provide your constructive feedback regarding your experience during the Katla Ice Cave tour. We sincerely appreciate your insights, as they are invaluable in helping us improve our services and offerings.
We want to extend our heartfelt apologies for any inconvenience you experienced during your visit. It is always our aim to provide an exceptional experience, and we are truly sorry that we did not meet your expectations in this instance.
It is important to recognize that ice caves are remarkable natural phenomena that are inherently variable. Their appearance is subject to constant change based on a multitude of factors, including seasonal variations, the time of day, lighting conditions, and the natural movement of ice. Consequently, we cannot guarantee that the actual views experienced during your visit will align perfectly with the photographs and promotional materials. We strive to present our tours transparently and to manage expectations appropriately, yet the unpredictability of nature can sometimes lead to differences in perception.
We do understand how disappointing it can be when nature does not present itself as anticipated, and we appreciate your understanding in this regard. Your feedback provides us with the opportunity to reflect on how we communicate the nature of these experiences to our valued customers, and we will work diligently to ensure that future guests have a clear understanding of what to expect when embarking on the Katla Ice Cave tour.
Should you wish to discuss your experience in greater detail or if you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly at info@adventures.is. We are here to assist you in any way we can and are committed to addressing your concerns comprehensively.
Once again, thank you for your feedback. We value your insights and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a more satisfying experience in the future.
Written 13 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rob B
4 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
The meeting place in Vik was not not clear - we just had an address and were a bit confused until we found other groups congregating around the back of the shopping centre. The guide Jon (sp?) was friendly, relaxed, and knowledgeable. The drive to the foot of the glacier in the superjeep was great, with a scenic stop in the way. The ice cave itself was awesome and other-worldly. A lot of work evidently goes into preparing the walkways over crevasses, but people who have a fear of heights might have trouble.
The only negative was that I felt a bit rushed inside the cave, as space is limited and other groups needed to enter/leave
The only negative was that I felt a bit rushed inside the cave, as space is limited and other groups needed to enter/leave
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear robbO4812JS, Thank you so much for your feedback! We are happy you enjoyed the time spent with our fantastic team in Iceland. We are looking forward to seeing you again soon for another memorable adventure! Greetings from Iceland.
Written 2 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LM F
Rockville, MD63 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
We met at the pick-up spot and set off pretty soon after. The ride is very bumpy and lasts about 40 minutes. Your guide will provide crampons and a helmet (you can fit a hat under them). Dress warm and in waterproof pants. Don't wear white or light colors as you will get dirty as well as wet. Make sure to wear hiking boots and pants- this is not a place for jeans and sneakers (or for you to try to look "cute" rather than practical- you'll regret it). And also bring good gloves. The tour of the cave is a bit precarious with small boards over crevices so if you are afraid of heights, this might not be for you. Our guide (John) was very knowledgable and gave us ample opportunity for photos. Worth the money.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivia_Abroad
Hampshire57 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Our guide, Alex was knowledgable and friendly. The glacier landscape was stunning and the ice cave was really interesting. I would have preferred if some of the geological explanation was done inside as it was very cold to be standing outside! Overall I enjoyed the tour and on the way back Alex played some great Icelandic music for us and we drove along the black sand beach, which was really cool.
Written 4 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Olivia,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the stunning glacier landscape and the fascinating Katla ice cave. Alex is truly a great guide, and we’re happy to hear that his knowledge and friendly approach enhanced your tour.
We completely understand your preference for staying warm during the geological explanations – your feedback is valuable, and we’ll take it into account to improve the experience for future guests. We’re also glad that the drive along the black sand beach and the Icelandic music added something special to your journey.
Thank you again for your review! If you have any more questions or need assistance with future tours, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@adventures.is. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Written 10 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SergeiMingaliev
Dunedin, New Zealand114 contributions
July 2022
Educational trip out to the ice cave aboard the jeep with an entertaining guide. Interesting experience of climbing onto/into a glacial cave. But that was about it. Spent about over an hour getting to the ice cave, putting on safety equipment, walking to the cave, and about 30 min inside the cave itself. The cave itself (more like an ice tunnel) was definitely amazing however also felt a little underwhelmed, perhaps due to size of the cave and time spent.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear SergeiMingaliev,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are sad to hear the tour was not what you expected it to be. We have passed your feedback to both our Product and Operations Manager. Your feedback is extremely helpful for improving our products and services and avoiding similar situations in the future.
We hope you have enjoyed your stay in Iceland despite this experience.
Written 24 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ruth
6 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The tour with Jakob was wonderful! He told lots of stories about his homeland (Iceland), which I thought was the best part. The tour on the glacier and in the ice cave was totally surreal, beautiful and so fleeting. The trip to the glacier was also very worth seeing through the sandur areas of the Katla volcano. Top tour, highly recommended👍🏻

Written 21 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Traveler,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your glowing review of your recent tour with us on TripAdvisor! We are absolutely delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience, and it was our pleasure to have Jakob as your guide.
Jakob is indeed a treasure trove of Icelandic knowledge and stories, and we're thrilled that you found his insights into our country to be the highlight of your tour. Iceland is truly a land of wonders, and we're thrilled that you had the opportunity to explore its surreal beauty with us.
The glacier and ice cave tour is undoubtedly one of our favorites too! We couldn't agree more that witnessing the breathtaking landscapes of the Katla volcano areas is an experience like no other. It's moments like these that remind us of the sheer magnificence of nature.
Your recommendation means the world to us, and we're truly grateful for your kind words. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us continually improve our services and ensure that every guest has an unforgettable adventure with us.
We would be absolutely thrilled to welcome you back on another adventure in the future! Whether you're yearning to explore more of Iceland's natural wonders or seeking new thrilling experiences, we have an array of adventures waiting for you to discover.
Should you have any further questions, concerns, or simply wish to share more about your Icelandic adventures, please feel free to reach out to us at info@adventures.is. Our dedicated team is always here to assist you in any way we can.
Once again, thank you for choosing Arctic Adventures, and we can't wait to embark on another incredible journey with you!
Written 3 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Can I get confirmation that this tour is available on 1st of July?
Written 16 April 2019
We are staying in Reykjavik. How far is the commute to get to the meeting place from Reykjavik?
Written 11 December 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Buy it with
Top rated
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.