There aren't many days when you can snowmobile across a glacier and finish with a dip in naturally warm water. From Reykjavík, you'll travel out towards Langjökull, where mountains, snowfields and ice take over the view. “The contrast is what makes this trip special. You feel the cold out on the glacier, then later you're warming up in geothermal water,” says Einar, our local guide.
Once you've swapped four wheels for a snowmobile at the glacier hut, it's time to get moving. Feel the cold air as you ride across Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier, with the open Highlands stretching out around you. The ride lasts about an hour, including a stop to switch off the engine, take in the quiet and snap some photos before heading back to base. Warm overalls, gloves, a balaclava and helmet are provided to keep you wrapped up along the way.
After the buzz of the snowmobile, the pace changes completely. You'll travel to Flúðir and the Secret Lagoon, a natural geothermal pool where the water stays at around 38 to 40°C year-round. Sink into the warm water and watch the steam rise around you as you unwind after your time on the ice. It's a relaxed finish to a day that shows you two very different sides of Iceland.
