EXTREME ODYSSEY

   Everyone receives:

*All Guests must wear boots provided for the extreme odyssey, which are required for Ice climbing.

    Essentials needed:

    We also recommend:

Upon arrival, our guides will get your group geared up and briefed on safety measures before hiking to the glacier. Unfortunately due to receding, the distance to ice gets longer each year, but we will enjoy stunning views of the lagoon and glacial valley during the 15- 25 minute walk until we reach ice. 

After putting crampons on, we will begin the trek up the glacier, and deviate away from the access path used by other tour groups. You will be safely guided through challenging terrain, such as crossing crevasse ridges, ascending vertical ice walls, and conquering steep inclines. We will navigate these features by Ice climbing, repelling/ lowering or using “via ferrata” style rope systems which are set up on the go. Guests will always be attached to a rope while moving through high risk areas.

Although the difficulty of the extreme odyssey is moderate to hard, Prior experience is not required for participation.  Guests should expect greater physical exertion compared to our 3.5 hour hike, but will be rewarded with the chance to explore areas which are otherwise inaccessible without ropes. For the majority of the tour, we won’t see other groups and will feel like we have the entire glacier to ourselves!  

Near the end of the tour, we make our way down feeling victorious, as we’ve pushed our limits and overcome the some of most demanding elements on the glacier. We will likely take the access path so we can enjoy an easy stroll and reflect on our adventure and arrive at the Sólheimajökull parking lot on time.

We will meet at the Sólheimajökull Parking Lot and you can visit our Contact page to see the location on google maps. We typically park our small trailer in the south west corner of the parking lot. 

Please reach out to us, or check our FAQs if you need further explanation, or have questions regarding your tour.

Is the equipment included in the price of the tour?

• All of the equipment needed for the Extreme Odyssey is included in the price of the tour. Please note that we do not provide clothing, and you must come prepared with proper waterproof, warm layers, hats, gloves and thick socks. Refer to the section above, “What to Bring”
• The equipment we provide free of charge includes harnesses, helmets, boots, crampons, and climbing axes which are carried by the guide.

Do we still need to bring warm layers in summertime?

• Yes. Summer temperatures can be quite cold averaging around 10- 13℃ (50- 55 ℉), but can seldomly increase up to 20- 25℃ (68- 77℉). We highly encourage guests to come prepared with warm clothing, waterproof layers and puffy jackets throughout all seasons, whether you are on a tour or in Iceland in general! It is always better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them.

Do you only offer private Extreme Odyssey Tours?

• Yes. We only run private tours, and do not offer any public departures.

Is Ice Climbing on the glacier safe?

• Yes, Ice Climbing on the glacier is very safe with our qualified guides. Glacier ice is very dense, allowing us to build a very strong anchor using ice screws which are made to withstand force up to 10kN, holding approximately 1000kg (2200 lbs). The anchor is the point in which the rope and climber is attached to.

Will we have to Ice Climb?

• As we navigate through the difficult terrain, we may encounter obstacles that require us to climb in order to continue heading up the glacier. We encourage clients to give ice climbing their best try, but in any situation your guide can assist you up the wall using a pulley system.
• Please inform your guide at the beginning of the tour if you are hesitant or have concerns about climbing, as this will help them choose an appropriate route, according to the needs of your group.

*If you have other general questions about our tours, you can visit the FAQ page, or find our contact details here.