Jokulsarlon Ice Cave Tour: A Super Jeep Adventure Review

Alright, so you’re looking into visiting the famed Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and, you know, peeking inside some seriously mesmerizing ice caves in Vatnajokull? Believe me, it is just the kind of thing you remember for a lifetime. I recently experienced the “Jokulsarlon Vatnajokull Glacier Ice Cave Tour By Super Jeep,” and I am, like, itching to spill all the beans about it. Expect crazy ice formations, views that will leave you stunned, and a blast getting to these far-flung destinations. This review? All the details, plus a few tips to assist you get the very most from it.

Why Pick a Super Jeep Tour, Actually?

Now, there are, you know, different ways you could get yourself to the ice caves, right? That said, a Super Jeep adventure? Seriously bumps up the entire experience. First off, these aren’t your average Jeeps. Picture a beast of a machine, souped-up and jacked up to deal with Iceland’s rugged stuff, such as glacial terrain. Trying to get there in some two-wheel-drive car is almost a guaranteed recipe for some serious disaster.

There’s also this freedom element to it. You’re not just, like, passively sitting back. You are traversing off the beaten stuff, splashing through crazy rivers, and tackling terrain the tour buses just can’t approach. It adds a dash of craziness and adventure that really just made this trip for me.

What’s more, it gives you, basically, this feel. Small group sizes translate into something more personalized and intimate. You will be able to ask questions to your guide, and snap way more pics without the crazy crowds elbowing you for space. Basically, a Super Jeep will give you much easier access and also create some unique adventure. Totally recommend this type of transportation!

What To Expect on the Jokulsarlon Ice Cave Trip

Okay, so what, precisely, does the day, very much, look like? So first, it starts with a pickup in Jokulsarlon (a few tours offer hotel pickups, so investigate that when you are booking). So, after getting acquainted with your tour guide and jumping into the Super Jeep, be prepared, really, to depart into some very raw Icelandic outback.

The ride itself tends to be scenic, like you’re just going to pass ice fields, snow-covered mountains, and seemingly never-ending plains of volcanic ash. It’s almost a preview of the amazingness to come. Depending on the precise cave you visit, you will likely require a bit of a hike on the glacier to actually reach the entrance, so bundle up warmly.

Then? Magic time. Wriggling through that ice cave is kind of unreal. You will be encircled by just some amazing blue ice, sculpted by something like centuries of glacial compression. Light filters right through in crazy ways, casting this glowy light all over. I think you will be gobsmacked, definitely.

Remember too that no two caves are exactly identical, and they change constantly from the elements, that said, your guides can often be good at choosing a fantastic and reasonably secure one depending on the current situation. Take your camera and be ready to just capture some unique beauty; but it’s good to listen and observe. Then, you will head back to Jokulsarlon after a great, chilly cave experience. All that remains, too, is to be dropped off where you were collected!

Gearing Up: What You’ll Need

So you probably want to make certain you dress the part? You know, Iceland ain’t joking around when it comes to weather. What should you bring?

Layers, loads of layers. Start with something thermal like a base, then go and include wool or fleece layers, finally a warm jacket
Outerwear that is waterproof. If you aren’t wearing some warm, waterproof stuff you will freeze when inside the caves; water trickles a little inside the caves.
Trekking boots that are durable, maybe. If they aren’t provided by the tour, you may want something hardy for walking. So, look into that!
Gloves plus a beanie. Protect your extremeties to avoid any potential issues when cold

Oh yeah, and don’t, like, skip out on the shades. Glacial ice can be highly reflective, very much possibly resulting in glare if you’re not well protected. Basically, dress smartly and prepare!

Photo Tricks

So, it goes without saying you will want photographs? Check out some advice!

Don’t stress yourself about professional gear. Phones may take okayish pictures inside the caves with their in-built features
Think on getting a tripod. Ice caves could be poorly lit; and if you are bringing some proper gear for photography, this may just work for you.
Play around with perspective. You could make the picture very epic, simply, just by making an individual stand away or look up, inside of the ice caves.

Important thing to note: go early during the time! Tours do sell out particularly in the months when most people would like to visit them.

Safety First, of course

Here’s the deal; glacial caves? Absolutely gorgeous. So, also, potentially rather treacherous. Respect and be conscious of dangers:

Never veer from your group: Listen, do not wander. Ice formations could be brittle or perhaps unstable; it is vital to remain within a known safe location, where other folk tend to be.
Listen To your tour guides very carefully. I want to say it’s pretty clear, but if your tour guide says “Do not go over there”, there might actually be a good, very solid and very obvious justification, not too unlike other trips with this level of inherent dangers.
Be mindful. Look for slippery situations.

I want to say that trips are generally considered very safe so long as participants adopt the sensible strategies.

Is This Trip Really “Worth It,” though?

You are aware I would say so? Spending time inside the ice caves? Truly other worldly and absolutely majestic, basically; the Super Jeep thing amplifies the trip from that already fantastic thing. If you are keen on some fairly unusual outdoor adventuring; or would like an especially special something whilst exploring the rest of the more well known Icelandic sights? Do consider it. A guided trip makes it easier and safer than going by yourself, which has its own specific and unique challenges.

Sure it does cost more money for a tour in a specially designed Jeep; and there are a lot of different companies which offer glacier and ice cave tours with slightly different rates, but considering the views and overall experience; if you aren’t specifically concerned by budgetary issues, I strongly recommend shelling out for something special such as this, for an awesome trip. Remember too that the specific access you get does also change, depending on stuff, and is something the tour companies adjust depending on safety needs; as well as seasonal cave locations, where things will simply freeze better!

What Could be Improved?

This tour provider was excellent! In other tours, one issue I saw from various companies, could simply be about size of tour groups; for what tends to be, actually, physically small and spatially constraining caves. I would propose folks going at non-peak days in Iceland when tour numbers are lower (as well as normal human traffic levels), if possible to do that! Or consider booking into some very privately or slightly more upmarket versions of existing tours which may limit participant numbers as a standard inclusion in your standard experience. Not every business trip works the same as what I experienced on this great tour; it just pays to look, shop around and consider things, that is.

One should note also, as noted previously, weather is totally unpredictable, so while it’s difficult, there is that possibility, however slight it may be, the trip could potentially be canceled at the last possible second due to external situations. However refunds are usually pretty possible and easy to process with minimal stress; should that unlikely problem affect your chosen bookings. One thing you, maybe, could possibly want to make certain of? How clear they actually are; when informing participants of cancellations, delays plus associated policy; so that the person can proceed as they see fit; fully and adequately knowledgeable with sufficient insights and comprehension, I think.