Magnificent West and Glacier
Super Jeep Day Tour from Reykjavik

Itinerary for Magnificent West + Glacier Super-Jeep day tour

This Nature Explorer adventure day tour starts by driving to Thingvellir where the oldest parliament in world was founded and you can see the tectonic plates drift apart. After Thingvellir we cross the rough mountain road of Kaldidalur (Cold Valley) were we enjoy great variety in barren landscape before reaching Langjokull, Iceland´s second largest glacier. After a short cruise on the white plains of the glacier on the Super-Jeep we continue to one of Iceland´s largest and most magnificent lava caves, Surtshellir which was inhabited by outlaws. We can provide you with headlights so you have the option of caving and explore the strange lava formations. We continue down to Borgarfjordur to see Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls) where the river flows from underneath the lava field and cascades down into river. Just a few meters away there´s another great waterfall, Barnafoss. We pass through the historical site of Reykholt before visiting Iceland´s most powerful geothermal spring, Deildartunguhver. Return to Reykjavik via scenic Hvalfjordur (Whale Fjord).

Very rarely during winter this route may be changed because of difficult conditions at Kaldidalur so we may need to skip Thingvellir and go through Borgarnes instead - but there will still be plenty of off-roading and remote wilderness.

Photos from Magnificent West + Glacier day tour

Thingvellir National Park on the Magnificent West + Glacier day tour

Lava tube cave with icycles haning from the ceiling

Cairn on Kaldidalur mt. road in west Iceland

Hraunfoss waterfall in Borgarfjordur, West Iceland

Surtshellir lava cave in Hallmundarhraun lava field in west Iceland

Tour Highlights

Thingvellir National Park
- Old viking parliament ('Alþingi')
- Tectonic plate boundaries
- UNESCO World Heritage Site

Lava tube Cave

Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls)

Barnafoss (Children's Waterfall)

Langjokull Glacier

Iceland's largest hot spring

Hvalfjordur (Whale Fjord)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Magnificent West Tour

Q: Do we need to bring lunch or is there a place to stop on the way?
A: Your driverguide will advise you on the options and stop on the way to make sure you can get some food and refreshments - so, no you don't have to bring anything.
There is a little shop at Thingvellir we can stop at and in summer there is a little shop/café at Husafell in Borgarfjordur - and a little gas station in Reykholt. So in summer, we you don't have to bring anything but in winter almost everything is closed in Borgarfjordur but then we will stop on the way out of Reykjavik to give you a chance to stock up for the day.

Q: Is there blue ice on the glacier?
A: The glacier looks different between seasons and even from day to day. In winter the glacier is a vast snowy wilderness and you will most likely not see any blue ice as it is all covered by snow. In summer, the snow melts on the lower parts of the glacier and exposes the blue ice.
(Note: the ice isn't really blue, it appears blue because the way it reflects light)

Q: How far up on the glacier do we go?
A: This depends upon the snow conditions and weather. Sometimes the snow is hard and compresses so we can easily cruise high up on the glacier. Other times the snow is more challenging and we stay on the lower parts.
In summer and early fall, lower part of the glacier is very icy and crevassed so it's not safe to go far up on the glacier and we therefore stay close to the edge.

 Safety is always the first priority and we are not taking any chances or risks.

Do you have a questions? Please don't hesitate to contact us: info@NatureExplorer.is