- Address: Sydjurland, Iceland;
- Area: 940 km ²;
- Length: ~ 50 km.
Nature has awarded Iceland with a lot of glaciers, the age of some of them has passed for several thousand years. The second largest in this country is the Laungyokudl glacier, famous for the whole world by the fact that in the spring of 2016 it became the venue for the wedding.
Laungyokudl - among the largest glaciers in Europe
In the list of the largest glaciers in Iceland, the "Long Glacier" (exactly from the Icelandic translates "Laungyokudl") takes the second position after Vatnayokyudl . Laungyokudl is located in the western part of the Iceland Plateau and covers an area of 940 sq. Km, the thickness of the ice reaches 580 m. The glacier covers two volcanic systems - the western (near the volcano Prestakhnukur) and the eastern (refers to the volcano Tjofadalur). Over the past 10 thousand years in this area there were only 32 eruptions, which indicates a low volcanic activity.
The highest points of the Laungyokudl glacier are located at 800-1200 m above sea level. Having risen on these heights, travelers are literally amazed by the unfolded boundless expanses. This glacier is recognized as one of the largest in Europe.
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Tours to the Laungyokudl Glacier
In early summer 2015, the world's largest artificial ice cave was officially opened in the Laungyokudl glacier, a tour called "Into the Glacier". The construction of the 800-meter tunnel took five years. In the cave there is a chapel in which benches and an altar are carved from the ice. In this place, you can spend an unforgettable wedding ceremony, as the couple from Great Britain did in the spring of 2016. Having arranged a wedding celebration in Laungyokudl cave, the newlyweds glorified the glacier to the whole world.
Also in the cave there is a cafe and a music area, where small festivals are held. In all sectors of the ice tunnel, an impressive multi-colored illumination is installed, and in some exhibitions are held. The deepest point of the Laungyokudl cave is 304 meters below the surface of the glacier. The cost of a two-hour tour of the tunnel as part of the group and guide starts from $ 120 for one person.
And if tours to the cave have become available relatively recently, then trips to the glacier itself and along it have long been popular with extreme travelers. Specialists strongly recommend visiting Laungjökull glacier exclusively accompanied by experienced guides and with special equipment.
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How to get to Laungyokudl Glacier?
Access to the glacier is possible only on special giant jeeps, which are provided by several travel companies in Iceland . Arriving at the site, tourists are offered to change to powerful snowmobiles to go on an incredible trip on the surface of Laungyokudl. Travelers get memorable impressions and bright: the sparkling snow shimmers with blue and pink hues, and the open spaces are really immense!
Tourists are provided with very warm coveralls for polar explorers, helmets and special equipment for shoes to move on foot along the surface of the glacier.
A collective trip to the glacier is organized by companies from Husavik and Reykjavik . Also, a visit to Laungyokudl is part of the tour program for the so-called "Golden Ring" of Iceland.