Reykjavik Excursions takes you on a tour into the ice
Iceland is famous for its volcanoes, glaciers and hot springs. It is possible to experience all of those things any time of the year, but during the summer months you get the added bonus of 24-hour daylight. This summer, a man-made ice cave was opened on top of Langjökull glacier. It offers the chance to go to a permanent winterland and see it from the inside. 
Reykjavik Excursions offers two different tours to Langjökull’s new man-made ice cave: The Langjökull Ice Cave Experience and Langjökull Ice Cave, Gullfoss, Geysir & Þingvellir. The glacier is Iceland’s second largest and covers an area of about 950 sq km. At the highest point it rises about 1200 metres above sea level. 
Both tours start at BSÍ bus terminal from whence you will be driven through the beautiful Húsafell and up to the foot of Langjökull. On the way to the top of the glacier, you change into a specially modified monster truck. It is important to dress well because it can get very cold on the glacier – even in the summer time. 
The main difference between the ice cave and other natural ice caves is that this one is on the top of a glacier while the natural caves are at the edges of glaciers and are formed by glacial rivers or hot springs. On days with clear skies, the view from the top of the glacier is spectacular. When you get there you will see the opening to the ice tunnel. Inside, the walls are lit up with led lights which have been embedded in the ice. In the tunnels you will get the chance to read interesting information about the glacier, glacial exploration and research and the effect that global warming is having on the glacier. It is a once in a lifetime experience to see a glacier from the inside. There’s even a cave room which can be rented for weddings, parties, meetings and other events. 
Enjoy the Golden Circle Afterwards
After Langjökull Ice Cave Experience, you see the rugged desert of Kaldidalur valley, which is in stark contrast to the lushness of Húsafell, before heading back to Reykjavik. If you join the Langjökull Ice Cave, Gullfoss, Geysir & Þingvellir tour you will visit some of Iceland’s most popular natural pearls after seeing the ice cave. 
A drive through Kaldidalur valley will take you to Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir, which make up the Golden Circle. The bright summer nights give those sites a different look. Þingvellir National Park became a UNESCO heritage site in 2004 and has a special place in the heart of Icelanders. It is the place where the world’s first parliament was founded and is the only place where you can see the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates above sea level. Part of the national park is Lake Þingvellir, which is the largest natural lake in Iceland. The water in it is mostly made up of melt water from Langjökull, but it has taken the water around 20 to 30 years to trickle through the lava fields to the lake. This makes the water very clean, cold and nutritious which explains the varied plant and animal life in and around the lake. 
Gullfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It is three tiered and falls into a deep canyon which, at some angles, makes it look as if it vanishes into the earth. The waterfall is fairly powerful so it is important not to go too close to the ledge. But due to the spray, you can usually see one or two rainbows above it. You will also stop at Geysir in Haukadalur, which is only a few minutes away from Gullfoss and from which other geysers got their name. The area is named after the now mostly dormant Geysir, but a smaller geyser, Strokkur, erupts approximately every eight minutes. Strokkur can reach up to 20 metres in height. Apart from Strokkur, there are over 40 other small hot springs, fumaroles and mud pots in the area. Reykjavik Excursions is one of Iceland’s oldest travel companies. They offer many different day tours and everyone should be able to find something that suits them. With its decades-long experience and knowledgeable travel guides, you cannot find a better company to travel with.– HDB
Reykjavik Excursions
BSÍ Bus Terminal • 101 Reykjavík +354 580 5400 [email protected] www.re.is
