Adventurous Vatnajökull Glacier Exploration - Full Day Hike
Overview
Available languages
1 day
Mobile ticket
On this adventurous day, you will hike beyond the crowds to explore further reaches of an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull.
•Lowest guest to guide ratio (4:1) on the market, meaning we can deliver high quality adventures.
•You'll venture through more difficult routes than typical tours and get into areas that larger groups cannot.
•You'll be informed on the surrounding nature and landscape formation by experienced and knowledgeable guides. You'll be sure to have a newfound love of glaciers.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
This trip operates with a max. of 4 max. per guide. We will meet at Freysnes Gas Station where you have the chance to use the bathroom and buy snacks, you'll follow us for a short drive to a glacier car park, where we'll get you equipped with the appropriate safety gear. From the car park we'll take a short walk on a trail to the front of the glacier where we'll put on our equipment and go through safety instructions. Once on the glacier we'll walk through easy terrain to get you familiar with all the necessary techniques to progress throughout the trip. Once familiar and confident with the equipment and their use, we'll begin to move through steeper and more adventurous terrain beyond the crowds. Here, you will see your guide at work, fixing anchors, fixing ropes and cutting steps to make your journey through these areas very safe. Throughout the day you'll get many opportunities to take photos, learn about the natural history of Vatnajökull, Europe's most voluminous ice cap. More specifically, we love to talk about geology, glaciology, recent glacier changes and what the future looks like in a world of climate change.
What‘s Included
1-2 days before your trip, we'll get in touch to give you a weather & expected conditions report.
Pre-trip communication with your guide on Whats-app/Email
Coffee and/or Tea
Safety Equipment (Helmet, Harness, Ice Axe/s, Crampons)
Bottled water
Mountain Boot Rental (if you don't have your own)
Transportation (you'll need your own car)
Lunch
Options
Adventurous Vatnajökull Glacier Exploration - Full Day Hike
Reviews
37 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Glacier hike
L769OHkatiee,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I spent the while day with Rich. It was a once in a lifetime experience! Rich was full of knowledge and gladly answered every question we had. He took pictures of us along the way as well. We had an amazing time and would recommend this hike!
Best experience of my life and no other way to mountaineer Iceland! Must book Kish and Ice Guardians!!!!!!
taryns457,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I cannot recommend touring with Ice Guardians enough and am so deeply grateful to have gone on a private tour with Kish!!!! Kish went above and beyond to accommodate our schedule and allow us to book outside of their offered window. The access and expertise we had to as truly unmatched. Throughout the trip, I felt a great deal of sympathy for the other tour company groups, whose numbers were in the dozens and whose treks were hardly off the road. It was incredible to get so far off the beaten path, truly immersed in untouched parts of nature, and to be guided with such a fun, knowledgeable, exemplar tour guide. I felt safe, empowered, supported, and happy the entire time. I am so grateful to Kish and Ice Guardians for this one in a lifetime experience and cannot stress enough how big of a difference it made to go with mountaineering expertise, to receive geologist subject matter expertise, and to overall have a lovely day with a certified mountain chiller. No amount of money could be worth, and no amount of words could describe, how beautiful the increasingly receding glaciers were and how exciting it was to ice climb throughout this otherworldly landscape. I gained even more appreciation for nature after receiving such wonderful education during my tour and having all of my questions answered from a geological expert. I hope to go back to Iceland someday and book additional tours solely because of how incredible this experience was. Thank you so much to Kish and Ice Guardians!!!! Best time ever.
So much better than other tours
nicoletO2005PS,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best experience of my life! Kish took us off the beaten path and way up high onto the glacier. This doesn’t even compare to the other tours we saw people taking where they go up just a short way up the glacier in large groups. We had a marvelous time and I would recommend them 100%. I can’t say enough good things.
The best glacier adventure!
jennifern090,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best experience on this full day glacier hike with Kish. It was a much more personable experience than the big group hikes, and we explored the glacier much further than all the large groups were able to. It was a full day, and we loved every minute of it! Kish was a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide. He helped us with how to use the ice spikes for our shoes, and how to safely walk on the glacier. This was our first glacier hike, and we never once felt unsafe or unsure at any point. We had plenty of time to take as many photos as we could ever want, which was great because typically tours don't allow much time for photos, but that was not the case here, we got tons on our camera, and Kish took many photos of us. Kish even brought hot chocolate to enjoy on the glacier which was a lovely way to take in all the sights before heading back down. This tour was the highlight of our trip, and our favorite activity we did. We will cherish the experience and photos for a lifetime! In terms of fitness/experience, we didn't have any experience ice climbing or glacier walks, but we hike frequently and are in decent shape overall. I highly recommend booking this tour if you are looking for a full day of exploring the glacier.
Awesome experience!
aliciamwaters,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We (two couples/friends) did the all day glacier with Kish as our guide. It was overall a really great experience. Booking was easy and Kish communicated by email prior to our trip to let us know everything we needed to know. He gave us all the necessary gear and explained how to use it. The hike up the glacier was amazing and Kish was very knowledgeable about the glacier and surrounding area. I’ve done a large group tour on this glacier previously and this was much better and personable to our fitness level and what we wanted to experience. I would definitely recommend!
Incredible Experience!
jameswT6597OX,Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I did the Vatnajökull Hiking and Ice Climbing Tour with Kish, and it was an amazing experience, something we will remember for a lifetime. We had no prior ice climbing experience, but we felt cared for and safe the entire time. Kish immediately felt like a friend. I would highly recommend this tour to all of my adventurous friends.
Great expérience that I recommand
Jose P,Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I Have a great time with thé tour. I totally recommand Ice Guardians iceland company. It’s a Smaller company, but it’s worth it. You Have Time to know your guide and so does he. I recommand richard (rich). He is very Well trained. He challengés his group depending on their skills. He triés to make feel everybody safe and comfortable. He uses another trail than the others groups. So We Have seen more landscapes and didn’t Have to follow the pace of other people. Thanks!
Look no further than Ice Guardians Glacier Tours!
maryhO7883AA,Jun 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Of all the glacier touring companies in Iceland, I am so grateful that we went with Ice Guardians Glacier Tours. Kish, our tour guide, went above and beyond to provide us with a very unique and personalized glacier hiking/climbing experience. It was evident from the start that he truly valued the quality of our experience. It felt like we were going on a once in a life-time adventure with an old friend. He did all of this while making us feel safe to push the limits of our comfort zone. We ultimately chose Ice Guardians due to their focus on quality over quantity with their private and small group tours. Unlike the more publicized glacier touring companies that do upwards of 15 to 20 people per group, which looked to me to be a very underwhelming experience for all involved. This tour was the highlight of our trip Ice Guardians will be our go-to recommendation for family and friends moving forward! No need to second guess or look further. Book with Ice Guardians and you will not be disappointed. Bigger isn’t always better.
Glacier hike and climb!!
Y6372IPnathanh,Jun 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From start to finish this tour with Kish from Ice Guardians was beyond exceptional. It was clear he cared about the quality experience and that no tour was the same. Unlike other tours with 12 - 20 people per guide as if on an assembly line at a factory. Kish was extremely knowledgeable, personable, and made the tour an absolute blast while ensuring our safety. There is no other company I will ever book with on my future trips to Iceland. This tour became the absolute highlight of our trip in Iceland and if you are considering Ice Guardians vs other operators I am telling with 100% certainty to book Ice Guardians.
Amazing Glacier Experience
annecV6301WC,Nov 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This hike was the coolest thing we did on our Iceland trip! Richard was a fantastic guide, super knowledgeable and considerate of our ability level. We felt incredibly safe throughout the whole experience. We were able to get up close to so many interesting ice structures, even going into some ice passageways. It was an unforgettable experience and can't recommend it enough.
From €392.00
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Operated by Ice Guardians Iceland