Inside the Volcano: Small-Group Tour and Lava Field Hike

Recommended by 94% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Reykjavik, Iceland

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

5 to 6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Dominique_W ·

Nov 2025

This was the absolute highlight of my trip. Although pricey, very very VERY worth it! Our guides were humorous, knowledgeable, and accommodating. The hike to the volcano was a little long, but not strenuous and our group was full of mixed-ages from young to old. The colors inside the volcano and just the sheer size of it will definitely leave you in awe. Highly highly highly recommend!

· AdrianneA_L ·

Sep 2025

This is an experience not to be missed when visiting Iceland. The only place in the world that you can actually go into a "dormant" volcano and witness the interior beauty. The guides were wonderful and caring, and the entire experience - from arrival to departure - was second to none! HIGHLY recommend.

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Overview

Sorry, generic bus tours—it's time for *actual* adventure. On this tour, go full-on Indiana Jones, making an adventurous descent inside the remains of Iceland’s dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano. Traverse the surreal landscapes of Iceland’s countryside on your way to the Blue Mountains, hiking through the area’s craggy lava fields. Then, follow your guide inside the geological site's immense subterranean interior, its walls still scalded from an eruption that took place 4,000 years ago.

Explore the only accessible volcano interior in the world
Benefit from your expert volcano guide's knowledge
Walk through scenic lava fields to and from the volcanic crater
Relax with hassle-free pickup from most Reykjavik hotels

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Unlike other similar tours, hotel pickup/drop-off is standard, making this a hassle-free adventure from start to finish.

What's Included

Guided Volcano Tour
Descent into the Volcano
Pickup and drop-off from select locations
Professional guide
All necessary safety gear, helmets, harness
Light refreshments

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Outdoor Clothing and Hiking Shoes

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick-up is offered from most hotels and guesthouses in the capital area, as well as from cruise ports. Pick-ups from hotels in the city center are not possible from directly in front of the hotel due to traffic restrictions, instead passengers must come to the nearest bus pickup point. Please be ready 30 minutes before tour departure time. These pick-up points are the following: Bus Stop 1 - Ráðhúsið / City Hall Bus Stop 2 - Tjörnin / The Pond Bus Stop 3 - Lækjargata Bus Stop 4 - Miðbakki Bus Stop 5 - Harpa Bus Stop 6 - Safnahúsið / Culture House Bus Stop 8 - Hallgrímskirkja Bus Stop 9 - Snorrabraut Bus Stop 10 - Hlemmur Bus Stop 11 - Austurbær Bus Stop 12 - Höfðatorg Bus Stop 13 - Rauðarárstígur Bus Stop 14 - Skúlagata

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Add a dose of adventure to your Iceland visit during this small-group exploration inside the now-extinct Thrihnukagigur volcano. Outdoor lovers: enjoy this thrilling chance to climb inside a cavern formed thousands of years ago by the powerful forces of mother nature.

Begin with pickup from your hotel in Reykjavik. Then take off for a drive to Iceland’s Blue Mountains (Bláfjöll) for your volcano experience, listening to an introduction on how this unique volcanic site was first formed 4,000 years ago from your guide. As it turns out, the unique eruption allowed the formation of its magnificent magmatic chamber.

Arrive at Thrihnukagigur, taking note of the safety briefing from your guide. Then head out into the craggy formations of the volcano’s surrounding lava field. Your walk is of moderate difficulty due to the uneven ground and sharp rocky surface, so please be sure to be in good shape and to bring along good hiking shoes.

Continue your hike through the field, taking time to admire its volcanic cones and steaming gas fissures, before arriving at the rim of the crater. Listen to another short safety lesson while donning your helmet and harness, then join a group of three or four other guests on the open cable elevator that lowers you into the site.

Enjoy the incredible views as you descend, observing the crater’s walls formed many thousands of years ago. Soon, reach the base of this dormant volcano and continue on an exploration of the cavernous interior with your guide. Check out the towering rock dome above, the surface scattered with an array of colors caused by the magma that once touched its surface. You also hear a variety of stories from your guide about the last eruption, imagining this incredible site as it once was, bubbling with liquid magma.

After time inside the crater, return back to your vehicle, which drops you at your Reykjavik hotel.

Thrihnukagigur Volcano

Admission Ticket Free

Reykjavik (Pass By)

Bláfjöll

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Inside The Volcano

5 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Wear warm and waterproof clothing, as well as hiking boots. Sneakers and jeans are not appropriate.
Minimum age is 8 years
Be aware that this tour includes a total of 7 km hike across an uneven mountain terrain in unpredictable weather conditions. No hiking experience is needed, but this does require moderate fitness levels.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Dominique_W

Reviews

4.8

based on 168 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Inside Volcano Tour

Dominique_W, Nov 2025

This is an experience not...

AdrianneA_L, Sep 2025

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you found the volcano experience unforgettable and that our caring guides helped make it so special. Knowing you’d highly recommend it truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you back again! Best regards, Gray Line Team

Phantastic

Robert_B, Aug 2025

Use good clothing for rainy days ! Use good shoes - you need nothing to eat. A very good soup is provided !

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your tips! We’re happy you enjoyed the tour (and the soup 😊). Good shoes and rain gear definitely make the experience more comfortable. We appreciate you helping future guests be better prepared! Best Regards, Gray Line Team

Communication not great but experience itself was cool

Laura_W, Aug 2025

The experience itself was great but the tour guide communication is not.. it took reaching out several times on several different platforms to get them to answer and it made me very anxious if I’d get a response in time.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the tour experience itself. We sincerely apologize for the communication delays and understand how stressful that was. Your comments help us improve responsiveness so future guests feel fully supported. Best Regards, Gray Line Team

Unique Iceland Experience - Must do!

Vinay_S, Aug 2025

A unique experience that you cannot miss when in Iceland. This is the only place on earth where you can enter the magma chamber of a dormant volcano. There’s a mostly flat and scenic hike to get to/from the entrance of the volcano, and a thrilling 400ft ride on essentially a modified window-washing platform to get to the bottom. Amazing rock formations, beautiful colors, … a must-do activity! The guide is extremely knowledgeable about the history and geology of the area and the volcano itself. My family of 4, including kids 12 & 14, loved it - it was our #1 activity from our action-packed 9-day stay in the country.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled your family loved this once-in-a-lifetime adventure into a dormant volcano. It’s fantastic to hear you enjoyed the scenic hike, thrilling descent, and stunning geology. We’re glad the guide’s knowledge enhanced your visit—definitely a must-do in Iceland! Best Regards, Gray Line Team

You can’t miss this tour

jessie_l, Aug 2025

This was an unbelievable experience. It’s the only volcano in the world that one can enter down 400’. The tour requires a bit of a hike(2 miles) to get to the volcano but it’s scenic and part of the whole experience…totally worth the effort. A must for anyone traveling to Iceland.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your amazing experience! We’re thrilled you enjoyed this unique adventure—the hike, the scenery, and especially the chance to enter the volcano. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime activity, and we’re glad it lived up to your expectations! Best Regards, Gray Line Team

This is really an...

Nancy_M, Jul 2025

This is really an awe-inspiring experience like no other. This is the only volcano on earth where you can descend 400 feet into an actual magma chamber.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing! It truly is a once in a life time experience to descend into a real magma chamber is unlike anything else on Earth. We're glad you found it as inspiring as we do! Best, Gray Line Team

The 1.5hr walk back and...

Varun_G, Jul 2025

The 1.5hr walk back and forth is tad under-stated, but on reaching the base, totally worth and unforgettable experience, with no parallel....

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for your feedback! We're glad the experience was unforgettable and worth the effort, even if the walk was a bit longer than expected. Truly a one-of-a-kind adventure! Best, Gray Line Team

An Unforgettable, Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Ashley_o, Jul 2025

This was truly an extraordinary adventure — something so unique and awe-inspiring that most people will never experience anything like it. Descending into the heart of a dormant volcano is surreal, and the scale and colors inside are breathtaking. That said, this tour is not for the faint of heart. The hike back — about a mile and a half — was intense, especially in 50 mph winds and driving rain. You need to be in decent physical shape and mentally prepared for harsh Icelandic conditions. Still, even with the weather challenges, it was absolutely worth it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who can handle the hike. It’s one of those rare, raw, and wild experiences that you’ll remember forever.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing such a vivid and heartfelt review. This was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. Your honest note about the physical demands and unpredictable weather is incredibly helpful for future travelers. It’s great to hear that, despite the challenges, the adventure was still so powerful and unforgettable Best, Gray Line Team

Inside the volcano was a great trip and worth it

Robby_A, Jul 2025

Great experience. Picked up near the hotel and then about 30-35 minute drive to the blue mountain area. Easy hike about 2 miles (3.5km) and very friendly guides. Time in the volcano itself is about 20-25 minutes and totally worth it. Make sure have good hiking shoes for inside the volcano and dress in layers for the weather in general in Iceland. Inside the volcano is about 4 degrees C (like a fridge) but felt very comfortable. Beautiful colors inside and the lift up and down is about 5 minutes each way so it’s a nice and slow lift. Very safe. 120 meters from entry to inside the volcano. Afterwards had yummy lamb soup then hiked back for the bus departure. 100% recommend this trip

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled you had a great time exploring the volcano and enjoyed the hike, scenery, and guides. The lamb soup at the end is a perfect reward. We are glad you loved it! Best, Gray Line Team

Most amazing, unique...

Allison_G, Jun 2025

Most amazing, unique experience! Highlight of my trip. The staff was amazing and accommodating the whole way. Worth every penny - you will be sad if you don’t do this while in Iceland!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Dear Customer, We’re so happy to hear you had a great experience! It means a lot to us that you enjoyed the experience. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again for another amazing adventure. Best regards, Gray Line Team

A once-in-a-lifetime experience that is well worth it

Andrew_K, Jun 2025

This trip is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and worth every penny. We got very lucky that the weather was perfect, so we had the most beautiful view of the lava fields and volcanos all around us as we walked the two miles to the base camp. The elevator down inside the volcano is not scary in the least, and you're actually hooked on just for extra safety. Once you're down and free to walk around, words just can't describe the colors and shapes you will see. My boys (19 and 22) said it was easily their favorite part of our trip to Iceland. Bonus: After coming back up out of the volcano, we went back into the basecamp where we enjoyed the most delicious lamb stew that our guide had prepared the previous day. It really was amazing. We even tried lamb stew at a restaurant later in the week and it paled in comparison. If you have the opportunity to take this tour, don't pass it up!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for the amazing review! We're thrilled you and your sons had such a memorable experience inside the volcano. It’s great to hear the weather, views, and homemade lamb stew all made the day unforgettable. We truly appreciate your recommendation! Best, Gray Line Team

Fantastic experience, bring your hiking shoes!

Larissa_S, Jun 2025

This is an easy hike, best with older kids 10+. I'd recommend families do this early in your trip, but after you've acclimated to the time difference. It is 4-ish miles of hiking, so if you are already tuckered out from multiple-day tours, there will be tears (I'm not just talking about the kids, lol. ) The hike itself is easy, the guides are lovely, the landscape hauntingly beautiful, and the soup hardy. Being able to explore the inside of the volcano was one of the coolest, most educational experiences ever. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Dear Customer, Thank you for your fantastic review! We love hearing that you had a great time. Our goal is always to create unforgettable experiences, and we’re thrilled we could be part of your journey. Hope to see you again soon! Best, Gray Line Team

Once in a lifetime opportunity

Jennifer_K, May 2025

This is the only place in the world where you can enter a hollow volcano. Pictures cannot capture the beauty and color of the rock formations. Staff was friendly and a delicious lamb soup is served afterwards.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Dear Customer, We are thrilled to see your 5-star review! Thank you for choosing us and for taking the time to share your positive experience. Your feedback encourages us to keep delivering the best service possible. If there’s anything else we can do for you, please let us know. We can’t wait to see you again soon! Best regards, Gray Line Team

Unexpected delight

Lesley_D, Mar 2025

It was really amazing. Totally worth it. The weather was crazy windy and raining and we still had an amazing time. Great experience.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Dear Customer, We’re so glad you had a great time! Your kind words mean a lot to us. Looking forward to welcoming you back in the future! Best regards, Gray Line Team

Blown away (no pun intended)

Grace_W, Oct 2024

Descending into a dormant volcano is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We were blown away by its unique beauty, complex history, and expert guidance. And the soup And hot chocolate that followed were also excellent. :) Thank you!

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Grace, thank you so much for your kind words! It’s always such a pleasure to see you at Gray Line. We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support and can’t wait to have you with us again. Best regards, Gray Line Team

No pick up

Craig_H, Oct 2024

I wasn’t picked up so I saw nothing I expect it might well be a good experience if you get picked up.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Dear Craig, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're sorry to hear that your recent visit wasn't up to your expectations. We understand it is upsetting to miss the tour you booked for and we apologize for any inconvenience or frustration you may have experienced. We would like to address your specific concerns and make things right. Please feel free to contact us directly at iceland@grayline.is with your booking information so we can discuss your experience further. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you better in the future. Sincerely, Gray Line Team

Worth it

Nelsie_N, Dec 2023

Absolutely a must do and see - there’s a bit of a walk to the volcano but absolutely worth it and the soup is great! Such an awesome thing to see in person and walk around !

A Once in a Lifetime Adventure

Penelope_G, Oct 2023

Nice 3 km hike. Great experience inside the volcano. Great crew and guides. A bucket list must: "I walked inside a volcano".

Kind of a whirlwind experience

Danielle_D, Oct 2023

The original day we booked was cancelled and rescheduled due to bad weather. On the rescheduled day, the hike to the mountain was awful. The winds and snow made the 50 min hike take an hour and a half. The volcano itself is incredible, it made the trip worth it. The snow had died down by the time we hiked back, which ended up being a very pleasant walk back.

Amazing!!

Pamela_V, Oct 2023

Incredible experience! Excellent and very friendly guides. This is a must do when visiting Iceland!!