Ice Cave Katla Private Super Jeep Tour from Vík

The caves at Katla are carved by meltwater, not carved by humans. You walk inside them.

A private super jeep tour from Vík to Katla glacier, where you walk through ice caves formed by water flowing down the glacier, then visit Hjorleifshofdi and a black sand beach. The tour runs four hours with a guide trained in glacial exploration. Crampons, helmets and harness are included. Small groups only, so the pace stays unhurried on the glacier itself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Katla glacier and Hjorleifshofdi

• Travel to Katla glacier base
• Explore ice caves on glacier
• Hike around the glacier
• Drive to Hjorleifshofdi
• Visit Hjorleifshofdi Cave (Yoda Cave)
• Visit deserted black sand beach

The experience

The modified jeep with oversized tyres is how you reach the base of Katla glacier in the Icelandic wilderness. The vehicle itself is part of the adventure. Once there, you explore the ice caves carved by meltwater in the warmer months, then hike around the glacier itself. The guide, trained in glacial exploration and first aid certified, has worked in this area for years and knows the conditions well. You spend as much time as possible on the glacier, which means the rush ends once you arrive.

After the glacier, the route heads to Hjorleifshofdi on Myrdalssandur to the south. This is where Iceland's first settler came ashore, and the guide shares that history. You also visit the Hjorleifshofdi Cave, known locally as the Yoda Cave, then drive toward the ocean to a deserted black sand beach away from the crowds. The whole day is four hours.

What’s included

• Modified super jeep with huge tyres to reach the glacier.
• crampons, helmets and harness for glacier exploration.
• a live guide in English trained in glacial exploration and first aid certified.
• WiFi on board during the drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:30

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 11 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Glaciers and Waterfalls

Is this one for you?The super jeep picks you up from Vík and handles the rough terrain to the glacier, so you don't need your own vehicle or local knowledge of how to reach Katla. Small groups keep the pace unhurried once you're on the ice, which matters if you want time to absorb the caves rather than move through them quickly.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the ice caves at Katla actually made of?

The caves are carved by water that pours down the glacier during the warmer months of the year, creating crystal blue ice formations inside the glacier itself. You walk through them as part of the tour.

Do I need my own crampons and helmet for the glacier?

No. Crampons, helmets and a harness are all included in the price, so you arrive with just your gear and put them on at the base.

How long do we actually spend on the Katla glacier?

The tour is four hours total, and the guide prioritizes spending as much of that time as possible on the glacier itself so you can really take in the experience rather than rushing through it.

What is Hjorleifshofdi and why do we stop there?

Hjorleifshofdi is a historic site on Myrdalssandur where Iceland's first settler came ashore. The tour includes the Hjorleifshofdi Cave, called the Yoda Cave locally, and then continues to a deserted black sand beach away from the crowds.

What kind of physical fitness do I need for this tour?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, since you'll be hiking and exploring on the glacier.