This Is The Only Country In The World Where You Can Tour The Inside Of A Volcano

Iceland is the only country in the world where you can descend into the vast and vibrant magma chamber of a dormant volcano – with a guide, of course. Situated on a rift between the North American and European tectonic plates, the island has a lot of volcanic activity and is, in fact, one of the most volcanic places on Earth, with 150 to 200 volcanoes both dormant and active.

The tour begins in Reykjavik, where you are picked up and taken to Bláfjöll, a park just outside of the capital that is a popular ski area in the winter. From the park, it is a 3.2-kilometer hike to Þríhnúkagígur (Three Peaks Crater in English) volcano. Be sure you are capable of climbing uphill over rough terrain for an hour before considering the tour. Also, be sure to wear many layers of clothing, including rain gear, as the weather in Iceland can be notoriously unpredictable. At the volcano’s opening crater awaits an elevator crane where you will enter – after being outfitted in helmet and harness – and begin your descent.

This unique way of entering a magma chamber is the only one of its kind in the world. Your descent takes about six minutes and covers 198 meters. The slow pace of the descent allows you to take in the incredible beauty of the chamber that was formed over 4,000 years ago during the volcano’s last eruption. The seemingly unnatural coloration of yellows, blues, reds, violets and oranges create bizarre scenes, the scale of which will make you feel microscopic. For perspective, the Statue of Liberty could easily fit inside and the ground of the chamber is the size of three football fields.

Once on the ground of the chamber, the guide allows you to explore for half an hour before ascending again. The ground is an incredible array of lava formations and light effects flowing in from above, creating an incredible photographic opportunity. Most volcanoes that are dormant have magma chambers that are full of solidified magma, but for some unknown reason, this chamber was drained, leaving this vast empty space. After the ascent, the tour guide treats you to a typical Icelandic soup before your hike back to the van. Available between May and October, be sure to book your tour in advance, as it is a popular one, at Inside the Volcano.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.