Inside the Volcano: Small-Group Tour and Lava Field Hike

Descend into a dormant volcano on a thrilling 5-hour tour from Reykjavik. Hike lava fields, explore Thrihnukagigur’s chamber, and enjoy a personalized small-group experience.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Inside The Volcano - On the short drive to the Bláfjöll mountain range, listen to a fascinating introduction to the Thrihnukagigur volcano — the site of your underground experience. Hear how this dormant peak last erupted 4,000 years ago, and why the nature of the explosion left the volcano with an open and accessible magmatic chamber.

After roughly 30 minutes, arrive at Thrihnukagigur and after a short briefing, start out on an hour walk to its crater. The trek, while not uphill, is undulating and uneven, and only suitable for walkers with a moderate or higher level of fitness. Hiking shoes are advised.

Follow your guide at a steady pace along the 2-mile (3-km) path and, as you walk, take in the surrounding lava fields dotted with volcanic cones and gas fissures.

When you arrive at the crater, get another safety briefing and don the provided helmet and harness. Then, in a group of three or four other people, board the open cable elevator that lowers you down into the crater.

Thrill as you descend around 400 feet (120 meters) into the throat of the volcano, passing millennia-old rock walls deep into the bowels of the Earth. At the bottom, step off the lift and explore the magma chamber with your guide. Marvel at the remarkable natural arena and take in the rock dome with its patchwork of colors created by scalding and charring.

As you look around in awe, hear incredible facts about the volcano’s last eruption and imagine the chamber as it once was, filled with a seething mass of burning hot lava.

After around 30 minutes inside the volcano, ascend to the surface and then walk back to your vehicle.

  • Bláfjöll - The mountain range where the volcano is located
What's Included
  • Light refreshments
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Professional guide
  • Helmet, harness and all necessary safety equipment
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Hungry for adventure? Journey into the depths of a dormant volcano on this exhilarating 5-hour expedition from Reykjavik. After a hike through the lava fields of the Blue Mountains, arrive at the rim of the Thrihnukagigur volcano. Don a helmet and harness, and descend by open elevator into the vast subterranean chamber. Ogle the rock walls and dome, and learn how Thrihnukagigur last erupted 4,000 years ago, filling the crater with burning lava, before ascending back up. Numbers are limited to maximum 18 people on this small-group tour for a personalized experience.

  • Wear warm and waterproof clothing, as well as hiking boots. Sneakers and jeans are not appropriate.
  • Minimum age is 8 years
  • Be aware that this tour includes a total of 7 km hike across an uneven mountain terrain in unpredictable weather conditions. No hiking experience is needed, but this does require moderate fitness levels.
Location
Bus stop #1 - Ráðhúsið - City Hall
Vonarstræti
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(146 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Nelsie_n
Dec 28, 2023
Worth it - Absolutely a must do and see - there’s a bit of a walk to the volcano but absolutely worth it and the soup is great! Such an awesome thing to see in person and walk around !
Review provided by Viator
Danny
Oct 22, 2023
Life time experience - The weather was extreme, High winds heavy rain. The adventure was amazing, would absolutely 💯 do it again. The extreme colors inside the VOLCANO were mind blowing. The team they have working there were great very knowledgeable. The lamb soup 🍲 afterwards was perfect.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Penelope_g
Oct 21, 2023
A Once in a Lifetime Adventure - Nice 3 km hike. Great experience inside the volcano. Great crew and guides. A bucket list must: "I walked inside a volcano".
Review provided by Viator
Danielle_d
Oct 16, 2023
Kind of a whirlwind experience - The original day we booked was cancelled and rescheduled due to bad weather. On the rescheduled day, the hike to the mountain was awful. The winds and snow made the 50 min hike take an hour and a half. The volcano itself is incredible, it made the trip worth it. The snow had died down by the time we hiked back, which ended up being a very pleasant walk back.
Review provided by Viator
Pamela_v
Oct 11, 2023
Amazing!! - Incredible experience! Excellent and very friendly guides. This is a must do when visiting Iceland!!
Review provided by Viator
Lucy_r
Oct 7, 2023
Superb tour - Fabulous tour, would most definitely recommend. Our guide Jonas was fantastic, very knowledgeable and helpful. We were very lucky with the weather so the walk was very enjoyable. The volcano experience was unbelievable, beautiful, difficult to put into words how amazing it was. Soup and drinks were available afterwards at base camp. Highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Carson_c
Oct 5, 2023
Stunning - Absolutely amazing experience. The bus ride was prompt and beautiful and the hike to the volcano was stunning. Going down into the volcano was a once in a lifetime experience. The guides were extremely nice and helpful.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth_c
Oct 4, 2023
Incredible journey to the center of the earth - Absolutely incredible expirence. Kind and knowledgeable crew, delicious meal, stunning scenery. Unbelievable time, hard to find the words to describe it.
Review provided by Viator
Madison_t
Sep 30, 2023
Once in a Lifetime Experience - This tour is so much fun!!! The crew is soooo nice. I felt very safe. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Review provided by Viator
Product-of-canada
Aug 16, 2024
Great experience, but not necessarily among my top experiences in Iceland. - I was really looking forward to this experience, so perhaps my expectations were high. It was really enjoyable, and would say it's worthwhile experiencing overall. The hot soup and hot chocolate/tea inclusion is nice, in addition to the domesticated fox that was hanging around. [although don't expect to see the fox. We were among the first visitors that day, and I think it retreats as more people arrive].
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 9 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today