Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

The Eyjafjallajökull Volcano tour is a Super Jeep excursion from Reykjavik, run by Boreal. A Boreal driver-guide does the driving and guests ride as passengers, so this is a guided day rather than a self-drive trip. It is a small-group tour of 8 to 10 hours covering about 320 to 340 km, with pick-up at 8:30.

The volcano erupted in the spring of 2010 and is covered by a glacier, with its peak rising more than 1,600 metres above the lowland. The tour spends the day close to it, as close as weather and road conditions allow. The operator keeps the itinerary deliberately loose, so the group can adapt and make the most of the day, and the Super Jeep and its driver are used to reach less visited places.

Along the way the guide discusses the eruption, the damage it caused and the black beaches that are a product of the volcano. The tour also gives a look at the everyday life of farmers living close to an active volcano. Boreal sums it up as a tour of geology, geography and photography. The route can change with the season, the road, snow and weather conditions.

Boreal recommends good shoes, warm wind and waterproof clothing and sunglasses. The tour is given in English, with other languages on request, and meals are not included. Departures from hotels outside Reykjavik are available on request, as is a private tailor-made version. Price is not published on the page, so contact Boreal for a quote. It suits people who prefer an unhurried day with a specific focus over a long list of stops.