May 27, 2024
Fantastic tour with a top guide! - This was the coolest tour we did. Helgi was our guide and is someone who can tell you in an enthusiastic, clear and pleasant way about the glacier and basically everything you want to know! He is careful and has an eye for the safety of the group.
Every tour will be different because it is such a changing environment, but you can trust that he will not take any risks and will still give you the best experience.
In any case, we enjoyed it immensely. It was the most expensive tour of the trip, but definitely worth the money. If you are satisfied with Helgi/your guide, it is kind to give him some tip, as he does not get the amount you pay for the tour and there is still a considerable responsibility on him.
I think this tour has a minimum age of 6 years. We would certainly increase this age to about 12 years old, not because they would not be able to handle the route, but because children are less able to assess the risks and may be less able to follow the rules. I would also advise against it for elderly people who are not fit.
Some practical things:
- you get ice picks for the glacier, then it is really easy to walk on, you don't slip.
- you drive there by super jeep, it takes about 30-40 minutes, so the return trip is included in the 3-hour tour.
All in all, highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 22, 2024
A must do - Words cannot really describe how amazing the tour into the Katla ice cave turned out to be! The weather was... ehm... not the best when driving to the meeting point in Vík where we boarded a superjeep and set out for the adventure. But at the glacier, there was almost no wind nor rain, and gosh, the sceneries! But what stood out was our amazing guide Helgi who made the tour so much fun. He was very informative, respectful and really pleasant to be around. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 16, 2024
Absolutely amazing! - This tour was awesome! I had Alex as my guide, and even though the tour started with a tire popping on the road to the glacier, this was quickly solved and we got another bus to pick us up. The cave was absolutely stunning and Alex did a great job keeping everyone safe and entertained throughout the trip. The cherry on the cake was that we got to see an Arctic fox on our way down from the glacier! How lucky we were! Incredible tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 28, 2023
Great Guide. Gorgeous Landscape. - Siggi was a great guide. He shared lots of information and a few bad jokes to break the ice... XD
When we arrived we got to see other members of the crew carving and chiseling new stairs into the ice, which gave us a new appreciation for all the work that goes into making the space safe and accessible.
Definitely an incredible experience and a great way to support the people that make it possible.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 17, 2023
Out of this world experience - While the tour itself was spectacular, I think we struck gold by getting Hawk as a guide. Sure, his conspiracy theories were a little extra, but his knowledge and humor and care for our entire group made this one of the best tours we've been on. We learned more about glaciers and the history of Icelandic geography from him than we did from any museum!
But even if you don't have the pleasure of getting paired with Hawk, the Katla Ice Cave tour is still out of this world. We've never done anything like this, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat. Don't hesitate - book this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 11, 2023
The moment you realise you are so small on Earth - I am not a big fan of group tours, but I must say that this tour was very well organised and I truly enjoyed it! The group was small (maybe 12 persons) our guide (John, which is of corse not written like that I guess…) was kind, patient and smart. We could learn the history of the glacier and visit it in total safe. I think that the overall experience will be one of the best for me in Iceland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 3, 2023
Katla Ice Caves - We were awestruck by the ice caves, such a phenomenal display of creation! Our guide Benny was very knowledgeable, personable and passionate about our fragile environment. The 4 rating instead of 5 is that (considering the price), we were expecting to be in caves longer vs more time spent getting there and the hike approaching (although the hike and surrounding area was surreal as well.)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 29, 2023
Cowboys - Being stuffed into a 4WD minibus and hurled at ungodly speed (what happened to the 80kmh limit?) along glorified goat tracks, was neither safe nor fun. For those in the back row of seats, the experience was exponentially worse as we were tossed around in stifling heat like popcorn in a saucepan. The ice cave itself was great, and you should definitely go if you have the requisite agility. But find a more responsible organisation to take you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 2, 2024
The ice cave was awesome the tour guide and operator was terrible. - We booked with Troll. This is not a Troll tour it is a Suncoast Tour. They sent one vehicle it arrived late at the pickup point. We stood in the cold not being allowed in the Troll building. Around 27 of us dutifully arrived as instructed 20 minutes early. The first driver filled up his 12-person van and left 18 of us not knowing what to expect. He was rude, and argumentative and indicated he didn't work for Troll. He had no idea what was going on. The second van arrived very late, Thor took our party of 5 and 4. He had never driven that particular vehicle and didn't know how to open or close that door. We had to use the emergency switch. He indicated that stuff got moved at the office and he couldn't find his belongings. Thor did nothing to indicate what was going on. He didn't even introduce himself until we asked on the hike. He spoke very little and didn't explain much. I am assuming a third vehicle showed up for the last 9 people. Troll you should not attached your name to such a poor subcontractor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 8, 2023
Overpriced crowded tour ! - Chaotic organisition. Ride in the truck was ok but could also be done by a less impressive vehicle. Extremely crowded cave visit. Rushed through one cave where we expected to see tree. Could have been an ok tour if they organised it better and in smaller groups. This way it was not worth the money. Do not recommend this visit for this high price. For 160 Euro per person it felt like a tourist trap.
Review provided by Tripadvisor