We are winding down and packing up, but saved one last highlight for our last day’s adventure, Into the Volcano. Iceland is the only place in the world where you can descend into a dormant volcano and safely explore its massive lava chamber (at least the only currently discovered one).
Courtesy of the tour website: Þríhnúkar is a safely dormant volcano that has erupted three times. The last eruption, which took place about 4,500 years ago, left behind a unique natural phenomena: Þríhnúkagígur "Three peak crater". It is truly one of a kind and the only accessible lava chamber on Earth. Inside, the beautiful coloration and unique rock formations represent all the shades and shapes of the earth where its size is enormous and to some extent intimidating.
So after breakfast we zipped about 35 minutes outside of Reykjavik to the meeting point for our volcano adventure. It was the perfect weather for hiking—sunny and about 50 degree Fahrenheit, finally with no wind blasting us. Our experts guided us about 3km across the lava and moss landscape to base camp. We divided into 3 groups for the actual descent into the volcano. We lucked out and were group one. At our appointed time, we strapped on our safety harnesses, secured our helmets, ascended the last few meter to the 12’x12’ opening, and boarded an open cable lift. We descended for about 6-7 minutes 120 meters/ 400’ into the volcano.
Once inside you can explore an area about 160’x220’, and go about 700’ down. The bottom originates from around the time that modern humans first walked the planet, about 30–40,000 years ago. The crater is not only the third largest in the world, but also the deepest formation of its kind. You can see beautiful colors “painted” on the surface of the interior by copper, Sulphur, and iron oxide. There are areas that are similar to stalactites. There are areas that look like something dried as it was dripping down—and it did. It was lava. There was about 15 minutes as the groups stagger through their descent where the 6 of us, plus our guide, were the only ones inside the volcano. Incredible experience.
After emerging, we were treated to hot chocolate and soup. There was also an orphaned artic fox pup which lives there that was super cute. We finished our refreshments and were released for our 3km return hike.
We returned to the hotel and took the next couple of hours to shower and repack, opting to not push for any additional sightseeing. We had a lovely final dinner down on Laugavegur street, played a few rounds of cards, and called it a night.
Tomorrow we head home. This trip is complete. I leave you with our faithful travel companion, Grug, and Iceland’s sunset and sunrise 11:27pm and 11:46pm, respectively. Goodbye for now, Iceland.
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