Iceland review - 2016, Page 107

104 ICELAND REVIEW ICELAND REVIEW 105
Iceland Deluxe
SPECIAL PROMOTION
Iceland’s glaciers attract travelers from around the world who
want to hike, photograph, or just marvel at the vast stretches
of ice. Traversing the surface of a glacier is exhilarating, but
actually exploring the inside of one is a once-in-a-lifetime expe-
rience. The company Into the Glacier offers travelers that rare
opportunity to get a glimpse inside. Located in the western sec-
tion of Langjökull glacier, the second largest ice cap in Iceland,
and 1,260 meters (4,134 feet) above sea level, the ice tunnel
stretches 40 meters underground, giving guests the chance to
see ice that has been forming for more than 40 years. The ice
tunnel spans more than 550 meters, with about 200 meters into
solid ice.
CLIMBING TO THE TOP
During the spring, fall and winter, the daily guided tours
begin in Húsafell—130 km (80 miles) west of Reykjavík. To kick
off the tour, guests board a customized super truck that was
once used as a NATO cruise missile launcher. The impressive
truck, which seats up to 35 passengers, is the perfect vehicle to
make the 20 km trip up from Húsafell to the glacier, which is an
experience in itself, in good weather or bad. Clear days offer
breathtaking views of the vast icy expanse, while poor condi-
tions reveal the brute power and unpredictability of Icelandic
weather. In the summer, departures are from the Klaki base
camp, which is 5 km (3.1 miles) from the tunnel entrance. Tours
last about three hours in the summer, four hours in winter.
ENTER THE GLACIER
Once guests have clipped on their crampons, they enter the gla-
cier in small groups and begin to explore the inside—something
so few people have seen—with their guide introducing them to
many interesting facts about Iceland’s glaciers along the way.
Travelers are treated to views of gaping crevasses as they look
above, running their fingers along the smooth, icy walls.
CUSTOMIZED TRIPS
Into the Glacier staff offer customized trips for tourists looking
for a little luxury. For instance, the staff can arrange for private
tours, have catered food available for guests, or bring cham-
pagne for a toast. Special events can also be arranged in ad-
vance for parties, marriage proposals, or even weddings. In
fact, Into the Glacier recently hosted its first wedding inside the
tunnel as a British couple exchanged vows in one of the most
unique wedding venues in the world. Into the Glacier also offers
guests the chance to ride on snowmobiles on the glacier (which
has to be prearranged.)
Visit intotheglacier.is to book classic glacier tours, as well as
snowmobile, super jeep and helicopter trips.
Experience the world’s largest man-made ice tunnel.
Into the Glacier