From Reykjavík: The Lava Tunnel tour with Round-trip Transfer
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Reykjavik, Iceland
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Immerse yourself in Iceland’s lava landscapes without straying too far away from Reykjavik on this efficient group tour. In just a few hours, you'll go spelunking through Raufarhólshellir, a lava tunnel, with a guide to explain everything you see. Whether you're a geology enthusiast or are seeking a city escape, the included transfers mean you won't have to worry about organizing transit.
- Enjoy hassle-free pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik
- Navigate the winding tunnels more efficiently with a guide
- Skip the equipment rentals—all of your caving gear is included
- Learn about Iceland's volcanic history and different rock formations
What's Included
- Small group guarantee
- Reykjavik pick up & return
- Certified guide
- All necessary caving gear
- Free wi-fi on board
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please note that we only serve the pick-up locations specified in our pick-up list below. Due to traffic restrictions, we are not allowed to pick up from hotels in the city center nor from private Air BnBs. If your pick-up location is not on our pick-up list then we kindly ask you to find the closest pick-up point to your accommodation from our list: 22 Hill Hótel – Brautarholt 22-24. Arctic Comfort Hótel – Síðumúli 19. BSÍ Bus Terminal – Vatnsmýrarvegi 10. Bus Hostel Reykjavík – Skógarhlíð 10. Bus pick up/drop off nr.1 – City Hall, Vonarstræti Bus pick up/drop off nr.4 – Miðbakki Bus pick up/drop off nr.6 – Safnahúsið (The Culture House) Bus pick up/drop off nr.8 – Hallgrímskirkja Church Bus pick up/drop off nr.9 – Snorrabraut Bus pick up/drop off nr.12 – Höfðatorg Bus pick up/drop off nr.15 – Vesturbugt Cabin Hótel – Borgartún 32. Eyja Guldsmen Hotel – Brautarholt 10. Grand Hótel Reykjavík – Sigtún 38. Grayline – Main bus terminal - Klettagarðar 4. Hilton Reykjavík Nordica – Suðurlandsbraut 2. Hótel Ísland – Ármúla 9. Hotel Ørkin – Brautarholti 29. Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Natura – við Hlíðarfót, Nauthólsvegur 52. Klettur Hótel – Mjölnisholt 12-14. N1 Gas Station – Ártúnshöfði Radisson Blu Hótel Saga – við Hagatorg. Reykjavík City Hostel – Sundlaugavegur 34. Reykjavík Lights Hotel – Suðurlandsbraut 12. Skarfabakki – Cruise Ship, Reykjavik Harbor, 105 Reykjavik
Operating hours.8:00 am
What To Expect
Depart your central Reykjavik hotel by air-conditioned minivan and travel to an Icelandic lava cave.
En route, listen as your guide describes how these lava tubes were formed when lava solidified above ground while magna flowed and moved beneath it, eventually forming twisted corridors and chambers.
On arrival at the plateau, put on your provided specialist caving equipment, including a helmet with a flashlight. Then, after a safety briefing, follow your guide into the caves.
With your way illuminated by your helmet torch, head through the tunnel behind your guide. Be prepared to crawl over uneven terrain along some sections as you progress.
While you explore, soak in the silent and eerie beauty around you — nature at its rawest. See the beginnings of new stalactites and stalagmites, and ogle the multicolored lava formations and streams evident in the walls and ceiling as your guide explains how the different types of lava indicate different eruptions through the ages.
After discovering the cave, emerge back into the daylight and change out of your caving gear. Then, relax on your minivan journey back to Reykjavik, where your trip ends at your hotel.
En route, listen as your guide describes how these lava tubes were formed when lava solidified above ground while magna flowed and moved beneath it, eventually forming twisted corridors and chambers.
On arrival at the plateau, put on your provided specialist caving equipment, including a helmet with a flashlight. Then, after a safety briefing, follow your guide into the caves.
With your way illuminated by your helmet torch, head through the tunnel behind your guide. Be prepared to crawl over uneven terrain along some sections as you progress.
While you explore, soak in the silent and eerie beauty around you — nature at its rawest. See the beginnings of new stalactites and stalagmites, and ogle the multicolored lava formations and streams evident in the walls and ceiling as your guide explains how the different types of lava indicate different eruptions through the ages.
After discovering the cave, emerge back into the daylight and change out of your caving gear. Then, relax on your minivan journey back to Reykjavik, where your trip ends at your hotel.
1
Raufarholshellir
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Minimum age: 6 years old
- Remember to bring: Warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, head-wear, gloves and hiking shoes.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Caving equipment will be provided, however you are advised to wear good hiking shoes and gloves.
- This is a small group tour ensuring a more personalized experience.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Season_K
Such an amazing experience and so beautiful area. I loved that the guides were attentive and there were great safety features. Granted, we went in the middle of the winter and cramp-ons were required, it was such a fun experience.
Reviews
4.5
based on 87 reviews
juliet_w, Apr 2026
Awesome my husband has a prosthetic leg and was delighted he could do this tour real bucket list moment and the little stop at the geothermal was an added bonus so thank you Simon for being so helpful and Alex at the cave’s hilarious 🤣
Sarah_W, Feb 2026
Loved this- we were three adults and three kids aged 10. Kids loved the adventure, and the guide was really funny and informative.
Stuart_S, Aug 2025
Excellent experience to be had by all
The guide was very knowledgeable.
The cave guide made it very interesting and we learned a lot.
Good value for money
Ideal for young children up to adults
Gigi_A, Aug 2024
It was not worth the time, cost and effort to do this trip. When we got to the cave it was amazing but only to find out they take you only 20 feet into the cave
Vince_G, May 2024
It was a fantastic experience. Loved when the guide turned off all the lights and you experience pitch blackness in totality. Amazing what lava can create.
JeanPierre_B, Mar 2024
The morning started with a slow, foggy drive out to the lava field where the lava tube is located. After a short and necessary safety brief where we got kitted up with hardhat, headtorch and crampons for our shoes, we headed towards the entrance of the tunnel. The tunnel is located behind the visitor centre, just a short walk away. However, it shows the vastness of the area that hides the tunnel underground. Descending down the staircase and into the tunnel, we followed the raised path that goes over fallen rocks and the lava flow residue including lavatites. The tunnel is surprisingly silent and no echoes are possible due to the irregular nature of the walls. There were many icicles and little round ice balls, which have formed from the melting snow above. Our guide, while obviously not a local from her accent, was very knowledgeable and spoke very passionately regarding this cave system and its origins. While our tour was a little compressed due to the fog that had delayed our arrival at no point was I rushed when stopping to take photos nor did we miss anything. A great tour all up and I'd like to see it in the summer when it is not covered in snow.
Lisa_W, Jul 2023
Great experience .! Informative guide. Loved the feel when all the lights were out highly recommend!
Season_K, Mar 2023
Such an amazing experience and so beautiful area. I loved that the guides were attentive and there were great safety features. Granted, we went in the middle of the winter and cramp-ons were required, it was such a fun experience.
Blidar_F, Feb 2023
The driver picked us up on time and the guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. It was our 1st tour in Iceland and we totally loved it!
Marius_B, Feb 2023
Great small trip that I believe gets overlooked when compared to some of the bigger excursions, but it is definelty worth checking out. Different than anything you will see elsewhere in the world. Plus, it leaves you with plenty of time to explore Reykjavík if you choose the 830am option.
David_B, Sep 2022
This trip was the best part of my ten day stay in Iceland. The cave was dark, damp and well lit. Would go again.
Destiny_S, Aug 2021
Very cool experience. Only a 45min scenic drive from Reykjavík. Really enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.
SADE_B, Aug 2021
Amazing tour and an incredible guide! Educational and fun. I didn't need my waterproof jacket, a regular jacket was dine
Cynthia_N, Oct 2019
I was totally disappointed with this tour. The information provided was inadequate. Unless you are under 40 I would not recommend this...uneven/unstable walking surfaces, ducking down and crawling through it, it was WET and slippery, so dark and headlamps were not suitable and guides only had two torches. There are NO services at all and you are in the middle of nowhere. Be cautious on this one. Not worth the time or cost.
Darrow_W, Sep 2019
The small group caving experience was interesting and exciting. I was a little surprised that 13 was considered a small group, but the two guides took care of us well.
Johnny_S, Jun 2019
The setting for this visit was just perfect plus the weather definitely helped make it a memorable experience. It is a short drive on a small bus from Reykjavik. The guides were very informative on what to expect but also how to be safe. The cave is in the proximity of some beautiful mountains and picture perfect. If you are claustrophobic this is not for you. I was there in the morning tour.
Be prepare to walk and crawl through small spaces.
Sarah_O, Mar 2019
Amazing experience, I couldn’t recommend enough. Real caving through tiny spaces. Very small group which helps as there isn’t a lot of space under ground
Anna_G, Jan 2019
The small group lava caving experience was amazing! We learned the history behind the caves formation while both walking and crawling through the cave. Make sure you wear good shoes and bring gloves as the cave floor is rough! Highly recommend!
MichelleM_B, Aug 2018
VERY nice guides, but lava tube small and rather ... monochromatic. Sorry, but having seen many through US states of PA, OH, KY, TX, CO —- made this a bit boring. Too small, not much of visual interest.
Michail_M, Aug 2018
Interesting enough but less exciting experience than expected. Very short duration and rather expensive.
David_E, Jul 2018
The cave is a short drive away from Reykjavik. Pick up was on time and the bus had wifi. The tour was awesome! I am claustrophobic and my tour guide was very supportive and walked me through two small spaces. Otherwise, it's mostly open, you can stand in 70 of the spaces. I highly recommend visiting the cave. It's a great experience!
Muthu_P, Jul 2018
Our guide was Jonas. We had just gotten off the plane, and he gave us a great introduction to everything Iceland! We loved exploring the cave- it was exhilarating. Jonas shared a lot of information on the geography and culture of Iceland, which was very enjoyable. We found this to be a very unique experience-Highly recommend this!
Marlen_C, Apr 2018
SO MUCH FUN! Our tour guide was awesome and she really made us feel comfortable with the whole experience. It was hard to take pictures during, but so fun I really didn't mind it. If you're not a big adventurer but still want to do something exciting this is the tour for you!
Sydni_D, Mar 2018
This tour was great! Very small group which was very nice, I couldn't imagine doing this with a larger group, there were only four of us on this tour. Pick up was on time. Tour guide was great! By boyfriend and I are both bodybuilders, he is large and was able to fit through the small places in the cave.
Lauren_M, Mar 2018
This was a perfect half-day trip, very close to Reykjavik. I wish I could remember our guide's name but he was fantastic. It was very obvious he loved his job and he loved and respected the caves. He was very knowledgeable on the history of Iceland and the caves. Highly recommend! Excellent half-day trip. Expect some small spaces and to have to bend down and crawl through some of the tunnels.
Samir_S, Jan 2018
Extremely friendly guide who explained and guided us very well. However, I would definitely not recommend this tour if you are older, have back or knee problems, or of course are claustrophobic. Otherwise, great tour. Helmets were helpful! Lol.
King L, Jan 2018
I enjoyed the caving but I would not recommend this if you are unfit or elderly. You need to be able to crawl thought certain areas. Majority of the time you are hunched over. Our guide was great.
kingadele, Dec 2017
Absolutely awesome, breath taking and personally challenging experience. A fantastic way to learn of and to appreciate the sheer size, power and magnitude of this natural phenomena. A good pair of hiking boots and knee pads recommended, there is an element of rambling involved but completely worth doing!
pksheetal, Aug 2017
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour, it was not something we experienced before. We knew we have to go through some narrow area but when we actually started to walk in the lava cave, we got the real taste of the caving and crawling experience in a pitch dark place. It was really thrilling and exhilarating as we walked, crawled up and down the lava tube. Our guide Paulina from Extreme Adventures was super nice and knowledgeable and really made this tour a fun ride. Not recommended for people with back and joint problems.
Graham M, Aug 2017
This was a great experience. Our guide was great, knowledgeable, and just gave you a great sense of confidence. Underground was amazing, but you spend a fair amount of time stooped, and a couple of times you're flat to the ground. I'm over 50, 5'10 and not great with confined spaces but I had no issues whatsoever with this adventure.
From $113.50
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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