Vatnajokull Hike, 4.5 Hours

What's Included

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape this tour more than most, from boot rules to weather calls, so it helps to know them before booking.

• Boots and clothing. Stiff hiking boots that cover the ankle are required; soft, foam or low shoes and sneakers are not allowed. Warm, breathable layers are recommended, and the glacier is usually no colder than the meeting point. Boot and rain jacket rentals are available at the meeting point if you arrive under-dressed, and in extreme cases improperly dressed guests may be denied participation for safety reasons.
• Fitness and pace. The operator lists the difficulty as medium because you walk 4 to 6 km on varied terrain in whatever weather the day brings. Good general health and the ability to cover that distance are the only real requirements. No previous glacier experience is expected.
• Guides and group feel. Reviewers consistently describe the guides as knowledgeable, friendly and attentive, several naming the information about glacier formation as a highlight. Questions raised along the route get answered, according to multiple reviews.

• What changes daily. The route is not fixed. On some days the group walks further to cover more of the glacier, on others the focus is small moulins or crevasses. One reviewer reported a tour running longer than scheduled because the guide made time for caves, so it can pay to build some slack into your day.
• Food and drink. Nothing to eat or drink is included. Bring your own water and snacks for the 4.5 hours, especially for the drive legs.
• Arrive early. The meeting point is at the glacier lagoon itself, and the operator suggests arriving early to watch icebergs drifting in the water. It is an easy way to add value to the same stop.

Common issues. This tour runs in any weather, rain, wind and cold included, so a wet day will not be rescheduled and you are expected to dress for it. Same-day cancellations get no refund, and cancelling partway through the tour gets none either, so the 24-hour window matters if you doubt your fitness for the distance. Some reviewers felt the tour description could set expectations better on difficulty and on which features, such as caves or blue ice, are limited by daily conditions. There is a minimum age of 10, and children's feet must fit crampons in the EU 35 to 48 range. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need your own transport to Jökulsárlón.