Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss

Reviewed · ICE CAVE & GLACIER HIKE TOURS

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss

5.0 · 179 reviews 4 hours (approx.) From $191 Operated by Sleipnir Tours Iceland - The biggest glacier truck in the world! · Bookable on Viator
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A glacier truck ride beats the usual Reykjavik day. This is one of the rare Iceland outings that actually gets you onto Langjökull, with the Sleipnir Monster Glacier Truck doing the heavy lifting. You stop at classic Golden Circle scenery first, then head into the highlands for an experience most people never find on their own.

I really like the combination of real glacier time and built-in comforts. On the ice you can try glacier golf or go sledding when conditions allow, then warm up with hot drinks and Icelandic treats. Guides like Kat, Samantha, and Kimberly are praised for making the drive and glacier stops feel both fun and informative, and driver Helgi gets credit for confident glacier driving.

The main consideration is weather and timing. You meet at Gullfoss Falls Car Park 806, and the glacier activities are optional based on conditions, so you need to dress for cold, bright sun and plan for possible changes. Also, the instructions list arrival by 11:45 PM but a 12:30 pm start time, so double-check the exact time in your booking confirmation.

Key highlights worth penciling in

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - Key highlights worth penciling in

  • Monster-truck access to Langjökull without needing technical glacier skills
  • Glacier golf and sledding are included options, depending on conditions
  • Hot drinks and Kleinur (Icelandic pastries) to warm you up after the ice
  • Crampons provided, plus a restroom and WiFi on board for comfort
  • Tight group size with a maximum of 47 people for a smoother experience
  • Gullfoss stop first, so you get big waterfall scenery before the glacier

Why the Sleipnir monster truck feels like a true Iceland day

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - Why the Sleipnir monster truck feels like a true Iceland day
Most Iceland tours stop at impressive viewpoints and call it a day. This one goes further. You start near Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, then you drive into the highlands and reach Langjökull, the Long Glacier.

The big win is that you do not have to hike for hours to get onto the ice. Instead, you get access using one of the huge glacier trucks, then you spend your time on the glacier doing fun, non-technical activities. If you have been to Iceland for a few days and only have time for one “different” experience, this is the type that makes the trip feel complete.

The vibe is also practical and family-friendly. The activities focus on simple, hands-on glacier fun like sledding and glacier golf, with safety gear like crampons provided. And yes, you get payoff moments for photos. You also get real breaks. A cold glacier experience is still a long day, so having drinks and pastries ready after helps a lot.

Price and value: what $191 buys you

At $191 per person for about 4 hours, the price looks steep on paper. But a lot is included, and it matters.

You are paying for:

  • Guided time on the glacier area for roughly 3 to 4 hours total
  • Access via the big glacier truck, plus a guided glacier stop
  • Crampons
  • Optional glacier activities like sledding and glacier golf
  • Hot drinks like hot chocolate and tea, plus Jökla, and Kleinur
  • WiFi and a restroom on board

When you add up equipment, guiding, and the transport needed to get onto Langjökull, it starts to feel more like a package than an expensive ticket. You are also not locked into only one photo stop. You get actual glacier time, then warm up, eat, and reset before heading back.

One more value point: the tour is often booked well ahead. The average booking window is about 35 days in advance, so if you are aiming for a particular day, you will do better booking early rather than waiting.

Your timing at Gullfoss: when to show up and why it matters

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - Your timing at Gullfoss: when to show up and why it matters
This is a meet-on-location tour based at Gullfoss, about 2.5 hours driving from Reykjavik. The stop at Gullfoss is short, around 15 minutes, so punctuality actually affects how much waterfall time you get.

You will meet at Gullfoss Falls Car Park 806, near the parking area where you see the Sleipnir meeting point sign close to Gullfoss Cafe. Your instructions say to be there by 11:45 PM, but the start time is listed as 12:30 pm. That mismatch is exactly the kind of detail worth double-checking in your confirmation message before you leave.

Here is the practical setup:

  • Stop 1 is your Gullfoss waterfall viewing time
  • Then you move toward the Langjökull base
  • After the glacier activities, you return to Gullfoss and finish at the same meeting point

This loop is why the tour works well if you are doing the Golden Circle. You already plan to pass Gullfoss, so you turn that stop into a full half-day with an actual glacier experience attached.

Stop 1 at Gullfoss: a quick hit before the ice

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - Stop 1 at Gullfoss: a quick hit before the ice
Gullfoss is the kind of waterfall that makes your brain say, wait, this is real. Your tour keeps it simple. You head to the upper parking area and look for the Gullfoss Panorama area, with nearby cafe and shop. If you park lower, you just walk back to the main area and rejoin the group from the road-facing parking area.

The timing here is tight, so do not expect a long stroll. Think of this as the bright start to the day. You get your big waterfall fix first, then you shift gears and head for the glacier.

One small practical tip: bring a layer you can move in. You might be cold, but you still want flexibility for photos and quick movement around the parking areas.

The Langjökull leg: monster truck ride plus guided glacier time

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - The Langjökull leg: monster truck ride plus guided glacier time
After Gullfoss, you board a Highland bus to the main base. From there you climb into the Sleipnir Monster Glacier Truck. Choose a comfortable seat when you can. It is not just about comfort, it also helps for the ride over uneven glacier terrain.

During the drive, guides share stories about the glacier and the surrounding area. People often mention how much they enjoyed the narration, including guides named Kat, Samantha, and Kimberly. Driver Helgi also gets praise for safe, skilled driving, including how the truck moves over crevices.

Then comes the best part: time on Langjökull. You get crampons, then you can try glacier golf or sledding depending on conditions. This is key. Activities are optional and weather-dependent, so the “glacier fun” plan is flexible.

Even if the snow conditions are different than you hoped, being on an Icelandic glacier changes your sense of scale. It feels like a whole different world made of ice and cold air, and it is the kind of moment you will remember long after the photos.

Glacier golf, sledding, and what to expect when conditions decide

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - Glacier golf, sledding, and what to expect when conditions decide
The tour includes glacier activities, but your weather call is real. When conditions are right, you can:

  • Play glacier golf
  • Try sledding down snowy slopes

If conditions are not perfect, you may still get glacier access and time on the ice, but the specific games might be adjusted. The tour is designed to be non-technical and approachable, so you are not signing up for climbing skills. This matters because it changes how you should plan your expectations. You are there for glacier fun plus a guided day, not for advanced training.

Also, the tour includes built-in “after” time. The glacier can be cold even when the weather looks calm. Having hot drinks and pastries waiting after helps your body recover. That makes the difference between a fun outing and a miserable one.

What they feed you on the glacier day

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - What they feed you on the glacier day
Food is part of the comfort plan here. You get:

  • Hot cocoa and tea
  • Jökla
  • Kleiner or Kleinur, the Icelandic pastry

Plus, there is pure glacier water offered. I like that the snacks and drinks are not treated like an afterthought. They are part of the pacing. You cool down on the ice, then you warm up right when you need it.

There is also a cafeteria break at the glacier base. That is where you can settle, eat, and take stock of the day’s photos and weather changes. It is a smart way to keep energy up, especially if you end up doing sledding or walking longer on the glacier.

How to dress so the day stays fun (not miserable)

Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss - How to dress so the day stays fun (not miserable)
You are not just cold at altitude. You are on ice, and the sun reflects off it. You should plan for bright light and real chill.

What to bring:

  • Waterproof hiking shoes (not listed as included)
  • Warm clothes
  • Sunglasses (not included, but the tour specifically recommends them)

Crampons are provided, so you do not need to source that gear. But you do need footwear that can handle wet, icy surfaces. If your shoes are not waterproof, you will feel it quickly, especially during transfers and time on the glacier.

And pack a warm layer even if the sky looks promising. Iceland weather shifts, and even in decent conditions the glacier air can feel sharp.

Weather reality and the best way to handle it

This tour requires good weather. If weather shuts down the glacier activities, you can expect an alternative date or a full refund option depending on how it is canceled. That is not just fine print. It is central to how you plan your Iceland schedule.

Here is how I suggest thinking about it:

  • If you are flexible with dates, you are more likely to get the full glacier activity package.
  • If your schedule is tight, you should still do it, but keep expectations open about sledding and glacier golf.

Even when the weather turns gray or rainy, people still describe the outing as enjoyable. That makes sense. The glacier does not stop being a glacier just because the sky is moody. The stories, the truck ride, the pacing, and the warm drinks still do their job.

Who should book this tour, and who might skip it

This tour is a great fit for:

  • First-time Iceland visitors who want one high-impact experience beyond the usual stops
  • People who want glacier access without technical skills
  • Families and groups who like structured activities with safety gear provided
  • Anyone who wants a mix of waterfall scenery and real glacier time in one half-day

You might skip it if:

  • You want a long, unstructured glacier hike with no set activities (this is more guided, more planned)
  • You hate unpredictable weather affecting outdoor activities
  • You are allergic to the idea that your sledding or golf time depends on conditions

Should you book the Red Glacier Monster Truck from Gullfoss?

If you are choosing between a standard Golden Circle day and one that turns into a glacier day, I think booking this is the better move. The value comes from the combo of Langjökull access, real glacier fun options, and included warmth and snacks afterward. The monster truck ride also adds a layer of Iceland that feels pure and slightly ridiculous in the best way.

Do it if your heart says, I want to see the glacier up close. Then plan smart: bring waterproof shoes, warm layers, and sunglasses, and double-check your exact arrival time instructions. If the weather forces a change, use the flexibility built into the operator’s approach to keep your Iceland days moving.

FAQ

How long is the Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjökull tour?

It runs for about 4 hours on average. The itinerary includes a short Gullfoss stop, then roughly 3 hours at Langjökull for glacier time and optional activities.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Gullfoss Falls Car Park 806. The transfer bus is located close to the Sleipnir meeting point sign near the parking lot by the road of Gullfoss Cafe.

Is this tour starting from Reykjavik?

This specific tour meets at Gullfoss, not in Reykjavik. Gullfoss is about a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavik. The info also notes there are options that start from Reykjavik if you choose a different tour pairing.

What is included for the glacier activities?

You get crampons and time on Langjökull. Glacier golf and sledding are included as optional activities, depending on weather conditions.

Are glacier golf and sledding guaranteed?

No. They are optional and held during the glacier stop only if conditions allow.

What should I wear or bring?

You should bring waterproof hiking shoes and warm clothes. Sunglasses are also recommended because glacier conditions reflect a lot of light.

Is there WiFi and a restroom available?

Yes. WiFi is available on board, and there is a restroom on board as well.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

The tour requires good weather and may be canceled due to conditions with sometimes short notice. If it is canceled for poor weather, you can be offered an alternative date or full refund.