Adventurer-seeking travelers now have another exciting option to add to their lists of must-do activities this summer — going down into the interior of a dormant volcano. Iceland’s Thrihnukagigur volcano last erupted over 4,000 years ago, and scientists believe that there is no danger of it erupting again any time in the near future. The tour provides an incredible opportunity to spend up to one hour exploring the inside of a once active volcano.
Located 20 miles from the Icelandic community of Reykjavík, the volcano tour begins with an easy 40-minute hike over a lava field, which has been described as similar to what it must be like to walk on the moon. Visitors will then descend 380 feet in an open elevator to the base of the magma chamber, which is known as the heart of the volcano. The magma chamber of the Thrihnukagigur volcano is the size of three basketball courts and is easily as tall as the Statue of Liberty.
Interested travelers who want to have the opportunity to see first-hand what a volcano looks like on the inside will need to make their plans quickly. The tour is only available for a period of six to eight weeks this summer, with June 15, 2012, being the opening day. Tours will last between five and six hours with several daily departure times available. Costs begin at $285 American dollars per participant. Transportation to and from the community of Reykjavík, safety gear, a traditional Icelandic meal with a vegetarian alternative and the expertise of experienced climbers and guides are all included in the price. Those desiring custom and private tours will find them available during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Although it is not legal to remove rocks and other natural souvenirs from the inside of the volcano, cameras are allowed on the tour. Travelers are encouraged to take as many photographs as they like in order to share this magical experience with family and friends.
Visitors will be asked to fill out a simple 5-minute questionnaire designed to aid in ongoing geological research regarding the volcanic region of Iceland. A good pair of hiking shoes, bottles of drinking water and outdoor clothing are recommended items for travelers making the journey to the inside of the Thrihnukagigur volcano.
Iceland offers lots more adventure opportunities including horseback riding, jeep tours, hiking and world-class scuba diving, including the Silfa rift, the crack between the American and Eurasian continents which offers unrivalled visibility from the lava-filtered glacial water. It’s a long way to go just to go into a volcano. Why not take an Iceland tour? You can get a great overview of Iceland with Insight tours, Natural Wonders of Iceland 9 day vacation which visits the Icelandic equivalent to Niagara Falls as well as Lake Jokulsarlon, the dramatic setting for the James Bond movie, Die Another Day, and Godafass, known as the “Waterfall of the Gods.” On the 9 day Collette Tours Wonders of Iceland, a trip to the Blue Lagoon is included, as well as the Golden Circle, where many natural scenic wonders are located, including the Thingvellir National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site.
