South Coast Glacier Expedition

by Hrafnar Guides · Sightseeing day tours · South Coast

5.0(20) · operator on Google
South Coast Glacier Expedition — Hrafnar Guides

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Black Crust pizzeriaSouth Coast Glacier Expedition, photo 7

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  • Duration

    13 hours

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Reykjavík

  • Meeting

    Hotel pickup available

  • Languages

    EN

  • Start time

    Time agreed after booking

  • Minimum age

    10

About this experience

Embark on the ultimate Southern adventure with The South Coast Glacier Expedition, a journey designed for those who seek both epic landscapes and authentic local culture. Your day begins with a private door-to-door pickup directly at your accommodation, starting in Keflavík at 08:00 or Reykjavík at 08:30. This is a private experience, meaning your group has the exclusive attention of our expert guide and the comfort of our premium vehicle for the entire day.

The morning starts with a visit to the beloved Faxe Bakery, where you can enjoy traditional Icelandic pastries before heading to the roaring Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. The centerpiece of this journey is an unforgettable easy glacier hike on Sólheimajökull. Under the guidance of a professional, you will step onto the ancient ice and witness the raw power of Iceland’s frozen giants up close. All necessary safety equipment is provided to ensure a safe and thrilling experience on the ice.

Following the glacier hike, we explore the world-famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with its dramatic basalt columns and powerful Atlantic waves. The expedition then heads to the charming village of Vík, where you can unwind and enjoy the atmosphere of a local brewery and pizzeria. It is the perfect way to reflect on the day’s adventure over a local pint and great food.

We conclude the day with a private drop-off back to your starting point between 21:00 and 22:00. Please note that sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for the glacier hike to ensure safety and the proper fit of ice crampons. While the glacier equipment is included, meals and drinks at the bakery and brewery are not part of the tour price. This expedition offers a perfect balance of adrenaline, natural wonders, and local flavors.

Description from the operator, Hrafnar Guides. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. The South Coast Glacier Expedition

Included

  • Private transportation for the entire 13-hour duration
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Door-to-door pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík or Keflavík
  • Parking fees at all locations
  • Fuel and local taxes
  • Crampons
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Hiking pole

Not included

  • Lunch and snacks
  • Personal expenses at restaurants, gas stations, and cafes
  • Travel insurance
  • Hiking boots
  • Warm, insulating clothing (preferably layered in the “onion” style)
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants
  • Gloves and a warm hat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Sunscreen
  • Extra snacks and water

Good to know

  • Warm, layered clothing
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket
  • Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes
  • Warm hat and gloves (even in summer)
  • Sunglasses
  • Small backpack for personal items
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Camera or smartphone
  • Mandatory Footwear: For your safety, sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are strictly required. The ice crampons cannot be fitted onto sneakers, soft fashion boots, or low-cut shoes. If you do not have appropriate boots, please let us know in advance.
  • Glacier Safety: All glacier hikes are led by certified guides. All necessary safety equipment—including crampons, helmets, and ice axes—is provided. For safety reasons, walking on the glacier without a guide is strictly prohibited.
  • Weather Conditions: Iceland’s weather changes rapidly. Tours operate in most conditions, but in the event of extreme wind or lightning, the glacier hike may be adjusted or replaced with an alternative activity to ensure your safety.
  • Physical Requirements: The glacier hike is considered "easy to moderate." You should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
  • What to Wear: Dress in layers. Even in summer, it is significantly colder on the ice. We recommend a thermal base layer, a fleece or wool mid-layer, and a 100% waterproof outer shell (jacket and trousers).
  • Age/Size Limit: To participate in the glacier hike, children must be able to fit the smallest size of crampons (usually around EU size 34/35) and be at least 8–10 years old (depending on the specific glacier conditions).
  • Meals: Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. We will make stops at Faxe Bakery and in Vík for refreshments and dinner.

Cancellation for this tour

Cancelling costs 50% of the price within 8 days of departure. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is a forecast the operator judges unsafe. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Hrafnar Guides decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
  2. 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
  3. 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until the cutoff shown above, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Sold out on your date?

Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.

Who this is not for

  • Children under 10 cannot join this one.
  • Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 13 hours is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Hrafnar Guides is one of 154 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Hrafnar Guides

Read all 20 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 5.0/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Jan Valášek

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    I had the best glacier experience yet thanks to Ondra. Instead of a short walk he took our group for a proper long hike to Svinafelljokul, beautiful glacier with many crevasses and lupin field on the side. There was no time to be bored as he said many interesting stories and facts in a playfully and educational way. Highly recommend!!!

  • Natalia Soja

    ★★★★★ · 4 months ago

    Amazing tour I’ll remember for a lifetime! Ondřej is a fantastic guide. I felt safe the whole time and everything was very well organized. He speaks both English and Polish (and probably many more!). Highly recommend this glacier hike!

  • Ochal Nat

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    What an incredible adventure! 😭 The glacier was even more beautiful than I expected. The views were breathtaking and every moment of the hike was special 🥹🥹 Our guide Ondrej was fantastic, he explained many interesting things about the glacier and always checked that everyone was doing well. The small group made us feel special and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the experience. Walking through the glacier crossing between ice crevasses and glacier hills was exciting and fun, even during the more adventurous parts we always felt completely safe 🧚 Thank you for an unforgettable experience!

  • Kuba Pszczoła

    ★★★★★ · 4 months ago

    I highly recommend a glacier tour to anyone visiting and discovering Iceland, especially with guide Andrzej. He planned the route very well (you feel safe), provided all the new equipment, and shared many interesting facts about the glacier, plus seeing the crevasses was incredible🥹. I'm very satisfied, so I recommend it to everyone. A trip for everyone😇

Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

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