Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik
Black ice and blue ice sit side by side inside a cave that only exists because of the volcano underneath it.
A Super Jeep tour from Vik to the Katla Ice Cave, where you walk inside a natural ice cave carved by geothermal heat beneath Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. The tour includes a certified English-speaking glacier guide, all safety equipment (crampons and helmet), and a scenic drive through moss-covered highlands. Groups stay under 13 travelers, and the full experience takes around 3 hours from departure.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Ice Cave Tour from Vik
- Depart from Vik village
- Ride Super Jeep to glacier
- Put on crampons and helmet
- Walk inside natural ice cave
- Learn about glacier and ice cave
What’s included
- Certified glacier guide in English.
- entry to the natural ice cave.
- Super Jeep transport from Vik to the glacier.
- all safety equipment including crampons and helmet.
- scenic drive through moss-covered highlands.
Times
- Every day 09:30 14:00
Before you book
Operated by Troll Expeditions
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The experience
The tour departs from the village of Vik, where you board a Super Jeep for the drive up to Kötlujökull Glacier. The route passes through moss-covered landscapes that look unlike anywhere else in Iceland: the terrain shifts from black sand and lava fields into soft, rolling green. Your guide drives you as far as the vehicle can go, then you put on crampons and a helmet to enter the ice cave on foot.
Inside, the cave reveals what the volcano has been doing beneath the surface. The ice is not uniform: you'll see black ice stained by volcanic ash, and blue ice where the pressure and age have compressed the color out of it. The cave exists because geothermal heat from Katla volcano, buried under the glacier, melts passages through the ice year after year. Your guide explains how the ice cave forms and what you're standing inside: the intersection of fire and ice that makes this cave rare enough that most visitors to Iceland never see one.
The certified glacier guide handles all the technical details: fitting your crampons, explaining the route, pointing out the features that make this cave different from the ice caves elsewhere in the country. The tour is suitable for anyone aged 8 and up, regardless of fitness level, though you'll be walking on ice and need to be comfortable with that. Bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots, and gloves: the cave stays cold even in summer.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in or near Vik and want to skip driving yourself. The Super Jeep departs from the village and takes you directly to the glacier and ice cave.
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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.
How long does the full tour take from start to finish?
The tour runs about 3 hours total, including the Super Jeep drive to the glacier and the time spent inside the ice cave itself.
What's the difference between the black ice and blue ice inside the Katla Ice Cave?
Black ice forms where volcanic ash from Katla has stained the surface. Blue ice is older, compressed ice where the air has been squeezed out and the color has shifted. Both sit side by side in the same cave.
Do I need hiking boots, or can I wear regular winter boots?
Hiking boots are recommended because you'll be walking on ice with crampons attached. Regular winter boots may not have the ankle support or grip needed for safe footing on the glacier.
What happens if I arrive late to the Vik departure point?
If you arrive after the departure time, your place on the tour cannot be guaranteed and is not refundable. The Super Jeep leaves on schedule from Vik village.
Is the ice cave accessible year-round?
The tour operates seasonally when the ice cave is stable and safe to enter. Your guide will confirm current conditions and access when you book.
Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik
3h · EN
from US$ 222 per person
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