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After exploring northern Iceland for the first few days of my trip, I spent the rest of my stay in the south and southeast of the island.
Besides the Northern Lights, visiting a glacier ice cave is the second absolute highlight of a road trip through wintery Iceland.
It was a long-held wish to admire and photograph the fascinating colors, textures, and contrasts within.
I opted for a guided ice cave exploration on the Breidamerkurjökull glacier, which I was able to book directly at the parking lot of the Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon.
Breidamerkurjökull is an outlet glacier known for its ice caves and is part of the massive Vatnajökull glacier.
The tour began next to the Jökulsarlon cafeteria, where I met two experienced, friendly guides.
The ratio of two guides to a maximum of 15 guests ensured a personalized experience.
In a comfortable super jeep, you drive off-road along the Vatnajökull glacier while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
The driver will take you close to the cave, making this tour suitable for all fitness levels. From there, it's a 20-minute hike through the glacial valley to the ice cave entrance. Along the way, the guide will share all sorts of interesting and informative information.
Unfortunately, rising global temperatures aren't sparing Iceland's glaciers either. As the ice formations disappear, so too are their spectacular caves.
The Vatnajökull glacier is retreating by approximately 200 meters per year!
Shortly before climbing the glacier, the guide will help you with safety equipment (helmets and shoe spikes are mandatory).
Then it's finally time to explore a fascinating, ice-covered world.
Ice cave exploration is only possible in the depths of winter, as the cave is inspected for safety before arrival.
All that's left to do is admire the cave's unique beauty: a mesmerizing sight!
During the approximately 40-minute cave tour, at least two stops are planned so you can enjoy and photograph the diversity of this natural wonder.
In some places, the ice appears blue or green, in others black due to embedded volcanic ash.
The ice formations are equally spectacular, from perfectly arranged icicles to silky-smooth walls.
The guide shares interesting stories about the ice caves, glaciers, volcanoes, and local culture.
During the summer months, the increased temperatures cause increased meltwater, making these caves unsafe to enter.
The meltwater flows through the glacier and melts the existing ice. This naturally creates cavities/tunnels. This also means that the ice caves reform every year.
Most glacier caves are therefore generally only accessible from November to March, and they also change slightly throughout the winter season.
After visiting the glacier ice cave, you return to the super jeep and Jökulsarlon, with exciting impressions and many unforgettable moments in your bag.
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