Mapping the Mysteries of Sandfellsjökull Glacier

by Gravel Travel · Glacier hiking · South Coast

4.40(116) · operator on Google
Mapping the Mysteries of Sandfellsjökull Glacier — Gravel Travel

Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Gravel Travel's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.

  • Duration

    10 hours

  • Difficulty

    Moderate

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Vik

  • Meeting

    Meet on location

  • Languages

    EN, DE, NO, FI, RU, SV, KO, IT, PT, FR, ES, ZH, ZH, EN, DA

  • Departs

    08:00

  • Minimum age

    10

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24h before

About this experience

Get ready to uncover the secrets of one of Iceland’s most remote and dynamic glacial landscapes in Iceland. In fact, the area has been unmonitored until recently. Perfect for adventurers and aspiring folks who wish to step into the role of a Citizen Scientist. This unforgettable expedition combines awe-inspiring natural beauty with hands-on scientific research. So why not explore untouched glacier terrain, while contributing to vital environmental studies, and still create memories that will last a lifetime in the process.

Why Join the Sandfellsjokull Glacier Mapping Adventure?

  • Trek Into the Unknown
    Begin with a thrilling 4x4 drive into the Icelandic Highlands. Then embark on a scenic 1.5 hike (one way) to the rarely visited Sandfellsjökull glacier outlet. Truly, experience Iceland’s raw beauty as you traverse rugged terrain like geological flutes and iron fed waterfall river as you approach the glacier’s striking features.
  • Discover Hidden Glacier Wonders
    Explore the glacier’s unique ice formations, from crevasses to hidden caves carved by nature itself. Witness firsthand the dramatic changes shaping this dynamic area.
  • Be a Citizen Scientist
    Take part in mapping the glacier’s outlet and monitoring the water flow from its rivers. Work alongside a Katla Geopark expert, to collect data that contributes to ongoing research on glacial dynamics and climate change.
  • Lunch in Nature’s Lap
    Enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by breathtaking views of the glacier and the sweeping landscapes of the heart of the Icelandic Highlands.
  • Gain Geological Insights
    Learn from expert guides about the fascinating geology of the Sandfellsjökull area and the powerful forces that have sculpted this part of Iceland over millennia.
  • Results & Take Aways
    You'll get a formal certificate proving your "Citizen Scientist" program participation from Katla Geopark. Further, staff from Katla Geopark will process your Sandfellsjökull Mapping findings and share them with you in a report weeks after the adventure.

Excited yet? We are too.

Description from the operator, Gravel Travel. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Included

What’s Included:

  • Guided full-day tour with professional guide (up to 10 hours)
  • A private experience for up to 4 passengers
  • 4x4 transport to the highland glacier area Sandfellsjokull (from Vik)
  • Glacier, Safety and Scientific equipment for mapping and monitoring
  • Certificate of participation as a Citizen Scientist with Katla Geopark
  • Results & ongoing updates on your research contributions via email


Not included

Food and Drink

Good to know

What to Bring:

  • Warm, layered clothing suitable for glacial conditions (rain or shine)
  • Waterproof Outerwear
  • Sturdy Waterproof Hiking Boots
  • A sense of curiosity, adventure, and love of Science.
  • Backpack
  • Packed Lunch
  • Snacks & Water Bottle


Special Notes: Due to the Scientific nature of this tour, group sizes are limited to ensure each participant receives personalized guidance and training. Katla Geopark reserves the right to make changes to the plan based on weather and safety dynamics (IE, Switching days, to dead ice mapping or different glacier edge mapping, etc).

Join us on this rare opportunity to become a Katla Geopark Civilian Scientist, mapping Sandfellsjökull Glacier and contributing to vital climate research. This is more than just an adventure... It's a chance to make a meaningful impact while experiencing one of Iceland's most stunning and dynamic natural wonders.


Mapping the Mysteries of Sandfellsjökull isn’t just a tour; it’s an unforgettable journey into one of Iceland’s most fascinating glaciers. A true expedition that will allow you to leave a positive legacy behind you. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an environmental advocate, or simply seeking a truly unique adventure, this expedition offers it all—spectacular scenery, immersive learning, and the chance to leave a meaningful mark on the world of science.

Book your spot today and become part of the story and history of Sandfellsjökull.

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. 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 high wind or rain on the ice — the guide decides at the meeting point, sometimes after you have set off. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Gravel Travel 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 1 day before departure, 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.
  • Priced per vehicle, so it is poor value for one or two people and good value for four or more sharing.

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

Why we list it

Gravel Travel 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 Gravel Travel

Read all 116 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.4/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Chai Chuan Wei

    ★★★★★ · 5 months ago

    We went for Katla Ice Cave tour this morning on 29 Mar. Gunnarr is our guide. He can drive superjeep very well and is a very interesting guide. Would recommmend to join their ice cave tour which is of very good experience we had

  • Roya Shahi

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    The Landmannlauger super jeep tour departing from Hella (I chose pick up there, but pick up from Reykjavik is also possible) was wonderful and so much fun! Our tour guide was great, had a sense of humor and explained the scenery and history of all the places we visited very well. The super jeep is huge and comfortable, so can cross the rivers easily and makes for a fun ride. The tour included lots of incredible, beautiful spots like the famous Landmannlauger area and scenery of course, which also included time to go on a brief hike and relax at the hot spring, lots of volcanic scenery between points of interest on the tour, much of it looking like a different planet, a big crater with lake, a few gorgeous waterfalls including the tallest in Iceland, beautiful and unique scenery all around. The tour is packed with so many amazing sites and is the perfect way to explore the highlands. I highly recommend booking with Gravel Travel, as the itinerary was perfect, customer service was friendly and prompt, and the experience was one of the highlights of my Iceland trips.

  • Nora Tuominen

    ★★★★★ · 3 months ago

    The Katla ice cave tour from Vík was great! The ice caves are changing constantly, but at least in late May the cave was about 30 meters deep and the walls were beautiful mix of blue, clear, white and black stripes. There were no other groups at the cave, and the guide allowed us to stay in as long as we liked. The journey to the cave and back was fun as well, with the guide sharing stories and facts about the areas we drove past.

  • Jared Kaufman

    ★★★ · 7 months ago

    I have to say I was disappointed by the Super Jeep Northern Lights tour. The lights were incredible, however, I’m not sure what we gained with the Super Jeep. For the added cost from a traditional tour, there did not appear to be any evident difference. Don’t waste your money on this upgraded experience if you’re expecting something special by being in a “super jeep”. Guide was a little rough around the edges, though, brought us to a great spot. Pick up was late, drop off was over an hour early. A 4 hour experience was actually less than 2.5 hours.

Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026

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Reviews from our travellers

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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.

Glacier hiking — questions people ask

Which glacier is best for a first glacier hike?

Sólheimajökull on the South Coast, about two and a half hours from Reykjavík. It is the most accessible glacier tongue, the walk from the car park is short and the three-to-four-hour tours (/experience/6853/ or /experience/914990/) suit beginners. Skaftafell in the southeast has bigger ice and fewer people, with tours like Glacier Wonders (/experience/17340/), but it is a five-hour drive each way, so it only works if you are staying out there.

Can you hike on a glacier in Iceland in summer?

Yes. Glacier hiking runs all year. In June to August the ice is grey and gritty on the surface with blue crevasses and meltwater channels, and the weather is milder. In November to March the ice is whiter and you may see ice formations, but daylight is short and the wind bites. Neither is better; summer is easier, winter is prettier. The one thing you cannot do in summer is visit a natural blue ice cave.

How fit do I need to be for a glacier hike?

Moderately. You walk two to three hours on uneven ice in crampons, with some short steep sections. Anyone who can manage a hilly day walk will be fine; the pace is slow because the guide is checking the route. It is not for anyone with knee or balance problems, and most operators set a minimum age of eight to ten. Check the tour page. Longer tours like Glacier Explorer (/experience/17338/) push further onto the ice and need more stamina.

What do I need to bring on a glacier hike?

Sturdy boots with ankle support, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, gloves and a hat, plus water and a snack. The operator provides crampons, a harness, a helmet and an ice axe. Jeans and trainers are not allowed on the ice, and guides do turn people away. Most meeting points rent boots and rain gear for a small fee; check the tour page and book them in advance in summer.

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Pairs well with

Everything here goes into the same basket and the same single payment, however many operators it comes from.

from

€2,723 per vehicle

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