Upon entering the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, one of the longest and most well-known caves in Iceland, you’ll descend into a completely different world. It was blazing hot lava that created this path, thousands of years ago. Anyone with a sense of adventure and a love for the gems that the natural world has to offer us is perfectly suited for this tour.
You’ll meet you guide at the cave site. The lava tunnel is near Hveragerði, a geothermal town which is only about a 30-minute drive from the capital city.
When the whole group has arrived and is ready, we’ll pass out all the necessary equipment. You’ll be provided a protective helmet and a flashlight.
Once we’ve all been outfitted, the professional guide will lead everyone down into the tunnel. The estimated length of the lava tunnel is around 1360 m (4462 ft.), making this the fourth longest cave in Iceland. As we descend into the tunnel, the guide will tell us everything about the cave, its geology, the unique rock formations, and Iceland’s volcanoes in general. You’ll spend about an hour in total inside the cave itself.
A footbridge was constructed not long ago which will allow us to navigate the cave in comfort. Various viewing platforms are scattered along the path to allow visitors to marvel at the sheer range of colors visible in the walls of the cave, which were caused by the minerals in the eruption that created the cave in the first place.
Some 5000 years ago, there was an eruption east of the Bláfjöll mountain range. The flowing hot lava from this eruption flowed beneath the surface until the rock cooled and the steam ceased to pour out of the rock. Afterward, this cave remained behind. At 30 m (98 ft.) wide and 10 m (32 ft.) high, this cave is both long and impressive.
In winter, frost covers the land above with its icy sheen while underground, you’ll find the cave covered in otherworldly ice decorations which hang from the ceiling and rise up from the ground. These eye-catching natural formations sparkle as the light touches them. The color of the lava rocks remains visible through the ice, as it becomes iridescent. It is a truly magical experience.
The following is important information applicable to this tour. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us by email or phone, we are here to make your tour exceptional!
Operation:
This tour is operated by our trusted partner.
Booking:
Our day tours are very popular and we have many days when all available seats are booked out. Please book your tour early to avoid disappointment. You can book this tour online using the booking form or just call our office. We typically respond to phone calls from 8:00 AM to 17:00 PM GMT – if you do not reach us, please send an email and we will reply your message as soon as possible.
Prices:
All prices are per vehicle. We accept payment by major credit and debit cards with no additional fees. Gratuities are not included.
Tour itinerary changes:
At all times your safety is our first priority. You can expect any kind of weather in Iceland. For this reason, the tour itinerary may be subject to change the sights without notice or the tour might be canceled due to weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. If the timing changes, we will need your valid mobile phone number to contact you and inform you of the time change. Please don’t forget to fill out your phone number on the booking form. If the tour is canceled, you can choose to receive a full refund or to reschedule your tour for another day. We make every effort to avoid any such changes wherever possible.
What to bring:
Since the weather is unpredictable, always bring comfortable outdoor clothes, warm layers, with waterproof and windproof outer-layers. Jeans are not suitable clothing; waterproof jacket and shoes and a warm sweater are highly recommended. It’s best to wear waterproof boots. Bring some snack or packed lunch. Bring your personal daily medications if required.
Medical conditions:
Please let us know of any allergies or medical conditions that you may require assistance with.
Authorized Tour Operator and Travel Agency certified by the Icelandic Tourist Board, a proud member of the Icelandia family. Tours offered on this website are sold under the license of Ferðaskrifstofa Kynnisferða.