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Langjökull Glacier/Silfra fissure possible to do same day?

I would like recommendations/suggestions on the best way to include the Langjökull Glacier with the Golden Circle drive. I am planning two days for the Golden Circle, leaving Reykjavik the morning of the first day. Do you think it’s reasonable to snorkel Silfra fissure in the morning (9:00am) and then make it to the Langjökull Glacier Ice Cave Tour from Húsafell (3:00pm). It looks like ~2 hour drive between the two.

Any hotel suggestions near Húsafell?

The plan would be to resume the Golden Circle drive on day two.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
771 posts

Stacy,
I don't know that you can't do it, but I think you would be extremely stressed if you tried. One thing we learned from planning 3 activities on 3 days, was that they take a lot more time than you think. Usually you have to arrive a half hour early and the activity takes longer than they say, such as getting everyone set up beforehand, and the time to take off the diving gear and put it away at the end.
The drives took longer than we expected, also. We didn't do the Glacier Ice Cave tour, but we went to a lava tube in the general vicinity. The roads were gravel by the time we got to the area which made for slower going. We try to be early for things, but we were late for that after driving from Borganes.
Could you do them on separate days? For example, do the diving and then see the rest of Thingvellir and the Goldn Circle that day? Gulfoss and Geysir don't take nearly as much time as Thingvellir. Then do the Glacier tour the next day and see sights around there.
By the way, we stayed at Hotel A near Husafell and would recommend it. (A with an accent means river, and it is on the White River.)
You could also contact the folks at the Glacier tour and ask them your question. They probably get questions like that frequently, since they are in a remote-ish area.
We booked with a self drive tour company, and they recommended against book in 2 activities in one day. And they both look like awesome activities. Give yourself time to enjoy each one, rather than stressing. I know different people who have done each and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Posted by
1008 posts

We did the silfra fissure snorkeling... we almost canceled it because we all freaked out about the cold... but I am so glad we went through with it. It was super cool!!! I was kind of freaked out, but so happy that we did it after it was over! Enjoy!

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you Alexandria and Kim.
The snorkeling is a must-do for us. I think I’ll hold the Glacier Ice Cave tour to the end of our trip if we have time.

Posted by
771 posts

Good choice! You probably can't snorkel between continents any place else. Enjoy.