Volcano tourism in Iceland combines rugged adventure with luxurious spa experiences and accommodations.
Experience the Thrill of Iceland's Active Volcanoes: A Guide to Luxury Adventures
Iceland, a land of fire and ice, is renowned for its active volcanic systems and breathtaking landscapes. In recent years, the country has seen an increase in seismic activity, with ten eruptions occurring in the last four years, according to geophysics professor Magnús Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland.
Despite this heightened volcanic activity, Iceland's volcanoes are attracting travelers rather than deterring them. These active volcanic systems offer a unique opportunity to witness the Earth's raw dynamism and the creation of new land and landscape.
For those seeking a luxury adventure, Iceland offers a variety of exclusive experiences to explore its volcanic highlights.
Private Guided Volcano Hikes near the active Sundhnúkur Crater Row on the Reykjanes Peninsula provide an exclusive 1-day tour for up to three persons, priced at ISK 130,000, or for larger private groups with personalized itinerary options. This tour offers safe hiking to fresh lava fields, steaming vents, and spectacular volcanic landscapes, departing from Reykjavik with a private driver-guide.
The Thrihnukagigur Volcano Tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime luxury adventure, allowing visitors to descend into a dormant volcano’s magma chamber via elevator. This unique small-group tour lasts 5 to 6 hours and includes expert guidance amidst breathtaking volcanic terrain, with tickets priced around $458.
Super Jeep Glacier and Volcano Tours offer rugged terrain exploration with luxury transport, providing stunning views of volcanic features. Tours to volcanic craters like Askja Caldera and Viti Crater offer deep insights into volcanic processes in spectacular settings.
Luxury Minibus South Coast Volcano Tours combine volcano viewing with other iconic Icelandic landscapes like waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. These full-day tours include hotel pickup, an expert guide, and comfy transport with onboard Wi-Fi for sharing your experience.
For those seeking a more personalized adventure, customizable private tours by companies like Reykjavik Out Luxury Tours and Ice Paradise Tours allow travelers to tailor their volcano adventures, combining active volcano hikes, lava field walks, and scenic stops with personalized service and small groups for exclusivity.
Outside of volcano tours, Hótel Jökulsárlón, located at the edge of Vatnajökull National Park, offers rooms and suites with views of the glacier and surrounding landscape. The Westman Islands offer tours of Heimæy, a town partially buried by a 1973 eruption, and the Eldheimar museum documenting the catastrophe.
The western Fagradalsfall system on the Reykjanes Peninsula woke up after 6,000 years of dormancy in 2021 and is still making headlines today. Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features coexisting volcanoes and glaciers, with frequent landscape shifts.
Approximately 35 percent of Iceland's volcanic eruptions occur through glaciers, creating glowing fissures that can splinter the landscape for up to 2 miles. Iceland emerged from the ocean via volcanic eruption roughly 16 million years ago.
The active volcanic systems in Iceland are responsible for 80 percent of Iceland's seismic activity. Notable eruptions include the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in the south, which were dense enough to trigger the largest airspace shutdown since World War II.
In 2023, the coastal town of Grindavík was evacuated due to an eruption that unleashed lava moving at 7,400 cubic meters per second, the fastest ever recorded.
For those seeking a more relaxed luxury experience, the Hvammsvík Nature Resort offers freestanding houses and lodges for group rentals, with a recreational facility and private hot springs. The resort, located 45 minutes north of Reykjavik, has eight natural hot springs for guests to enjoy.
Hof Luxury Villa, a luxury accommodation near Katla, offers a significant upgrade with amenities like a hot tub, sauna, and chef-prepared meals. Katla, a famous volcano in Iceland, last erupted in 1918, causing a flood more powerful than the Amazon River.
Iceland remains one of the most seismically active places on the planet due to its location along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Seismic activity in Iceland also creates geothermal pools and spas, such as Sky Lagoon and Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland.
Whether you're seeking an adrenaline-pumping hike, a once-in-a-lifetime descent into a dormant volcano, or a relaxing soak in a geothermal pool, Iceland's luxury volcano experiences offer something for everyone.
- The environmentally-conscious traveler can opt for electric vehicles, as Iceland strives to reduce its carbon footprint, making electric-vehicle tours an attractive choice for exploring the country's volcanic landscapes.
- For those interested in environmental-science, a visit to the Geothermal Energy Research Center in Reykjavik provides insights into the harnessing of geothermal energy in Iceland's landscapes, including volcanic areas.
- To minimize travel's impact on the environment, eco-friendly budget travelers can consider staying at a camping site, like Fjaðrárbakki in the south, while exploring Iceland's volcanic highlights.
- In addition to adventure travel, cultural travelers can enjoy exhibits about Icelandic history at sites impacted by past volcanic eruptions, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir National Park, where the Viking parliament Alþing is believed to have originated.
- During vehicle car-maintenance, tourists can inquire about the availability of electric car charging stations in Iceland to ensure a smooth and eco-conscious travel experience as they continue their exploration of the country's active volcanic systems and breathtaking landscapes.
