Inside The Volcano
Inside The Volcano
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About
Journey towards the centre of the earth. Descend 120 meters into the dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano in Iceland.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Inside The Volcano
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
3,088 reviews
Excellent
2,706
Very good
269
Average
63
Poor
30
Terrible
20
sorbybryggetravelling
Lillehammer, Norway466 contributions
Jul 2020
If you want to experience something unique, this might be the attraction for you.
The thrill of being lowered down more than 100 meters into a volcano while studying serveral types of rock and the spectacular colours is truly exceptional. This should be on everyone's bucket list.
We were picked up at our hotel in Reykjavik and transported to the meeting point in Bláfjöll, at the ski-resort. The drive is around 30 minutes.
From there, it is a 3 km hike to the "base camp" at the volcano. The path is of moderate difficulty and takes about 45 minutes.
On arrival there is a short information session and the participants are divided into groups, as there is only room for about 8 in the lift.
Everybody is equipped with a harness and helmet before the 5 minute walk to the top of the volcano.
There is a short walk-bridge to the lift, and inside the lift everybody is secured.
The journey to the interior is very interesting and the lift operator gives much information about the rocks the lift passes.
At one point the shaft is so narrow that the lift touches the side. Keep your hands inside!
Once down in the bottom of the crater there is about 30-40 minutes to explore before having to go up again.
There is a sort of a path one can follow around but it is is quite steep at times and rocky.
The view of the walls of the crater is spectacular.
Once back at the "base camp", soup is served.
There is time to take a short walk around the area before hiking back to the meeting point for the transport back to Reykjavik.
The total time was just over 5 hours for us.
If you want to save time, flying to the volcano with helicopter is a good alternative.
The thrill of being lowered down more than 100 meters into a volcano while studying serveral types of rock and the spectacular colours is truly exceptional. This should be on everyone's bucket list.
We were picked up at our hotel in Reykjavik and transported to the meeting point in Bláfjöll, at the ski-resort. The drive is around 30 minutes.
From there, it is a 3 km hike to the "base camp" at the volcano. The path is of moderate difficulty and takes about 45 minutes.
On arrival there is a short information session and the participants are divided into groups, as there is only room for about 8 in the lift.
Everybody is equipped with a harness and helmet before the 5 minute walk to the top of the volcano.
There is a short walk-bridge to the lift, and inside the lift everybody is secured.
The journey to the interior is very interesting and the lift operator gives much information about the rocks the lift passes.
At one point the shaft is so narrow that the lift touches the side. Keep your hands inside!
Once down in the bottom of the crater there is about 30-40 minutes to explore before having to go up again.
There is a sort of a path one can follow around but it is is quite steep at times and rocky.
The view of the walls of the crater is spectacular.
Once back at the "base camp", soup is served.
There is time to take a short walk around the area before hiking back to the meeting point for the transport back to Reykjavik.
The total time was just over 5 hours for us.
If you want to save time, flying to the volcano with helicopter is a good alternative.
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
topblue99
Royston, UK71 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
It is interesting and unique to be able to descend into a extinct volcano. The tour, comprising a hike to the volcano, descent and about 30 minutes inside, is all as expected. If anything I was slightly underwhelmed, but perhaps I had read too much marketing material on the trip. It is good, no question, but it is very expensive and you’d really have to be not too concerned about money to feel ok spending over £500 for two people. It is poor value for money but presumably that just reflects the demand and there are evidently plenty of willing customers.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dr_kawecki
Hattersheim, Germany2 contributions
Aug 2020
The desire to go into an extinct volcanic cone led to booking this excursion. You walk 45 minutes to get there - in our case in pouring rain and strong wind. In the 'base camp' you could warm up with coffee. The impressions inside the vulcano are very special, the colors and the size of it all impressive. Before we went home, there was a tasty soup in the base camp.
You have to decide beforehand whether it is worth spending so much money on it because it is exorbitantly expensive.
Included in the ticket is the transfer from the hotel in Reykjavik to the volcano and back. If you do not live in Reykjavik, but come from the other direction with your own car, this is unfortunately not reflected in a price reduction.
You have to decide beforehand whether it is worth spending so much money on it because it is exorbitantly expensive.
Included in the ticket is the transfer from the hotel in Reykjavik to the volcano and back. If you do not live in Reykjavik, but come from the other direction with your own car, this is unfortunately not reflected in a price reduction.
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue P
6 contributions
Aug 2023
We booked a trip Inside the Volcano through Artic Adventures of Iceland. Our trip started with a pick up in Reykjavik and transfer to the tour bus. We then travelled approximately 30 mins outside of the city in a 17 seat minibus to the activity base in the Blue Mountains. Our guide travelled with us but others met groups at the base. We were given a short briefing before walking for approximately 30 mins on a fairly level but stony path across vast lava fields to the activity site, which reminded us of a Tyrolean ski hut. Here we were provided with hot/cold drinks and split into small groups ready for the main event. Kitted up in climbing harness and helmet we proceeded up a steep slope for 5 mins to the top of the volcano. From here we entered a cradle which held around 8 people and began our 120m descent into the heart of the volcano. The descent took around 6 mins and felt very secure with the lift operator happy to answer any questions. Once safely on the base of the magma chamber we disembarked from the cradle and were allowed to roam quite freely for approximately 40 mins. The walking inside is obviously rocky and uneven with ascents and descents as the team have left this as untouched as possible. There are ropes/hand holds but this is would not be an easy walk for people with mobility issues, however they could easily go into the volcano and enjoy soaking up the amazing interior even if they just stepped out of the cradle. Being inside felt like entering into another world with amazing colours and structures to view with subtle lighting enhancing the scene. After our time we ascended via the cradle for the short walk back to the ‘ski hut’ for more drinks and a bowl of fantastic lamb (or vegetable ) soup and more drinks. There was also the obligatory option to buy souvenirs which we found to be quite reasonably priced (we bought 2 t-shirts @ 3,000 isk each). Having had a wonderful experience and being well fed and watered, we walked the 30 mins back to base camp for our return journey back to Reykjavik.
Having spent 10 days in Iceland and doing an excursion each day, all the family felt that this was one of the best and would recommend it to anyone lucky enough to be visiting Iceland.
Having spent 10 days in Iceland and doing an excursion each day, all the family felt that this was one of the best and would recommend it to anyone lucky enough to be visiting Iceland.
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carmie H
12 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
This was so special. This experience was so wonderful as an opportunity to better understand what is happening under the surface of this world’s most unique landscapes. The hike to the base camp was a pleasant one (relatively flat and within gorgeous scenery and just enough pauses to gather and hear information from our helpful guides about the areas we passed). Base camp was terrific. I appreciate that Solveig offered to talk with anyone experiencing anxiety about the trip down into the volcano. Her intention was to make sure all felt comfortable and prepared and we weren’t having “the most expensive cup of coffee ever” by being afraid and not going further. I felt so assured by her safety review and that was enough for meZ It was so nice to have coffee and tea and to meet our hiking companions to get to know them better and to get excited about the next steps.
The lift that takes us into the volcano is much like what window washers might use and it was a little frightening we we slowly went down into the magma chamber but in an exciting way. Our guide was so assuring (and funny) and we all had helmets and harnesses and down we safely went.
Inside was quite the experience - there were so many colors and it was all so incredible to consider. Our guide used helpful metaphors to understand all that was happening beneath the surface. The time spent below was just enough for exploring and taking photos and videos and then back up we went. And then we had the soup!! Really yummy and warming traditional Icelandic soup. A vegetarian option was also available. It was a perfect way to celebrate a successful expedition. We then hiked back to our cars as our victory March and took in the gorgeous landscape around us. It was a really special way to experience Iceland and to gain great understanding and appreciation for the geology of the area. Thank you
The lift that takes us into the volcano is much like what window washers might use and it was a little frightening we we slowly went down into the magma chamber but in an exciting way. Our guide was so assuring (and funny) and we all had helmets and harnesses and down we safely went.
Inside was quite the experience - there were so many colors and it was all so incredible to consider. Our guide used helpful metaphors to understand all that was happening beneath the surface. The time spent below was just enough for exploring and taking photos and videos and then back up we went. And then we had the soup!! Really yummy and warming traditional Icelandic soup. A vegetarian option was also available. It was a perfect way to celebrate a successful expedition. We then hiked back to our cars as our victory March and took in the gorgeous landscape around us. It was a really special way to experience Iceland and to gain great understanding and appreciation for the geology of the area. Thank you
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie
4 contributions
Sep 2019
Such an amazing and unique experience! The walk to and from the volcano was very nice and easy (the rugged Icelandic scenery was just amazing). Being inside the volcano and hearing about its history was quite enjoyable and breathtaking. It was also nice to chill at the base camp and eat soup / relax. I was lucky enough to see the arctic fox that hangs around (she was definitely a bonus!). Also, my husband and I were originally supposed to take this tour in the morning, but our flight into Reykjavik was very delayed and we arrived close to midnight. But luckily we were able to easily switch our tour time to one of the later ones in the day no problem so we could be well rested.
Written April 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharla-Rose
Melbourne, Australia41 contributions
Jun 2022
This is one of the coolest and most unique things I have ever done. I have been wanting to go inside a volcano my entire life and this is the only place where you can on a tour. I found it when they first started the tours in 2012 and it has been on my bucket list ever since.
The tour guide we had was incredibly knowledgeable and went at a leisurely pace with the walk in order to let us soak in the trip. Being inside the volcano was something completely out of this world and we had ample time to explore, only started getting cold in the last few minutes down there.
I have recommended it to everyone I have met who wants cool things to do in Iceland and the price sometimes makes people not want to do it but it is 100% worth it.
We also had extra time on our walk back and our tour guide took us into some lava tunnels which was like a 2 for 1 kind of tour which was great!
The tour guide we had was incredibly knowledgeable and went at a leisurely pace with the walk in order to let us soak in the trip. Being inside the volcano was something completely out of this world and we had ample time to explore, only started getting cold in the last few minutes down there.
I have recommended it to everyone I have met who wants cool things to do in Iceland and the price sometimes makes people not want to do it but it is 100% worth it.
We also had extra time on our walk back and our tour guide took us into some lava tunnels which was like a 2 for 1 kind of tour which was great!
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bex
2 contributions
Sep 2022
Okay, okay, you may be hesitant about the price...I get that, but you literally cannot do this anywhere else in the world and you're in Iceland- by now you should already know it is expensive in general. Buy this tour! You won't be disappointed, it really is something else. The guides are knowledgeable with a warm, friendly and fun demeanor. The experience itself is hard to put into words. From the moment you step onto the platform, to the time you're lowered into the volcano, to exploring the chamber, to the moment you can see the sky again... everything is truly breathtaking from start to finish. And take it from someone with one horrible knee, the hike involved is no problem! Buy this tour and enjoy everything this once in a lifetime experience has to offer.
Written September 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha W
Keller, TX49 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Four mile round-trip hike to volcano was not a leisure walk nor what I would classify as a run walk but rather a moderate to rapid paced walk. You need to be in good physical condition to make this trek. The trail will appear long to you if you're not used to walking. There were 2 short rest stops on the way to the volcano but no rest stops on the return. IMO, this could be improved by a 5 minute rest stop half way along the trail on the return trip. You need to be able to keep up with the group because the guide doesn't slow down for slower paced guests. To be fair, the guides have a time table to adhere to and they really can't be constantly stopping and slowing down for those not physically fit to make the trek. There is a helicopter ride you can book that will take you to the top of the volcano if you don't want to make the trek. Otherwise, the experience was awesome! There is a base camp at the top of the trail before entering the volcano. They serve a lamb and vegetarian stew which was wonderful. There are restrooms available here also. The guide was lovely and we felt safe descending into and returning to the surface from the depths of the volcano. The colors inside the cave were magnificent. There is a circular route at the bottom that has ropes attached to rocks to aid you in walking (climbing over the rocks) around the trail. You will be in awe of this experience that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drew d
Beacon, NY526 contributions
May 2022
I am overweight and older and was not sure if I could and should do this. What an experience! I took the helicopter from the domestic airport in Rekjavik (about 10 -12 minutes) Nordurflug Helicopter tours. The pilot flew over the volcano so people could get a few pictures and a sense of what they were in for. We landed and went inside the base camp to meet the team and 'suit up' with safety gear and helmets. Took a walk up the volcano, I was definitely slower than the rest (total of 5 in group). But with one guide in front leading the way and another in back making me feel comfortable, no problem. We attached to the walkway and walked over into the elevator. Unattached from the walkway and attached to the elevator. Went slowly down, took about 6 minutes. great for a video! Once down inside, unattached from the elevator and stepped out onto a platform and then down onto the rocks. There is a crude 'walkway' that is roped off and EVERYONE should follow. You can walk around the entire perimeter in a nice big circle. The guide explained what we were looking at and answered any questions. after about 40 minutes of wandering, taking pictures and video, we re attached to the elevator and went back up. Unattached from the elevator, attached to the walkway, walk over the walkway, unattached there and slower made a way down the volcano to base camp. We were served choice of lamb soup or vegetarian soup. Chatted a bit and then the helicopter came and wisked us away, again, circling over the volcano so the other side could get picture and video. Great experience overall. a few pointers for the staff: Overweight people would LOVE to sit and catch their breath, while walking up the volcano, if only there was a bench or rock or something to sit on. Also, the rope along the path could and should be higher in some areas. You have them there to keep people on the path, but some people are unsteady on their feet, especially since the path is NOT paved, so holding onto something would be appreciated. Would I do it again, probably not, because been there, done that, but definitely worth every penny spent to see it one time. Truly a MUST SEE.
Written May 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I want to do this tour...but hesitant.
How hardcore is the hike up the volcano?
I'm scared of heights...and I'm going solo...so the ascend and descend of the volcano hike is my big worry vs the car down. I will use hiking polos. It's costly so I'm wondering if I should skip and do a lava tunnel or its doable?! Thanks
Written February 24, 2022
Most of the hike was flat along the landscape and the last bit actually up the volcano is like climbing 4-5 flights of stairs. The guides were super helpful and took the time for all skill levels.
Written February 25, 2022
When is the best time to see it in bloom?
Written February 15, 2020
Es posible it con nuestro vehiculo, y solo bajar con el ascensor. Gracias
Written August 7, 2019
Puede conducir hasta el punto de encuentro y desde allí con el grupo en unos 45 minutos a pie hasta el cráter. El precio del tour sigue siendo el mismo.
Written August 28, 2019
What tour company did you use? I don't want a Grey Line experience.
Written June 30, 2019
Can you go drive to this on your own without having to sign up for the whole tour. We are geologists and would like to go on our own.
Written June 27, 2019
We drove to their facility. They give you the address and then just gps it.
Written December 4, 2019
Hi
I need examples of shoes to wear. Coming off a cruise I’m trying to figure the footwear. Thanks
Ruth
Written May 22, 2018
Sorry i haven‘t received the mail just in this moment. Stable walking shoes are important
Written November 11, 2018
Are the tickets for this tour ever on sale? My partner and I would really love to do this tour but it's just out of our budget.
Written March 25, 2018
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, literally the only place in the world you can do this. So I would say chances of tickets going on sale are slim—>none. It is expensive. We made this our only paid excursion for the trip in order to make it work in the trip budget. There is so much else in Iceland that you can see without a paid tour. My advice would be to prioritize what you really want to do and spend the money there. For us, it was worth it!
Written August 26, 2018
Can anyone give helpful advice for how to photograph this beauty? Specifically, are there ways to take photos inside with a person in them that is not just a shadow?
Written February 3, 2018
Your helmet has a headlamp on it. If you shine the headlamp on the chest of the person you're trying to photograph it will light up the person but not distort the background.
Written June 19, 2018
Hello,
We are hoping to take this tour with my family of 5 in April. My youngest child will be just shy of 9 years old. She is capable of the walk and quite mature, so no concerns of being fearful. Would she be permitted to participate?
Thank you,
Robin Sheldon
Written November 27, 2017
I would contact them. There were no children in my group.
Written January 6, 2018
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