In the shadow of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, lives a family that has defined what it means to explore Iceland’s frozen landscapes. Glacier Journey, an adventure tour company founded by Laufey and her husband Gulli, isn’t just about snowmobiles or ice cave explorations — it’s a living story of resilience, grit, and a shared love for their community and Iceland's raw, untamed nature. We at HandPicked Iceland spoke to Laufey and her daughter, Tinna, who works alongside them in the family business.
Laufey recalls the origins of Glacier Journey as something that “simply happened.” In the early days, she and her husband, Gulli, had no grand vision of starting a tourism company. Gulli first ventured onto glaciers with snow sleds in 1984 as an employee, making him one of Iceland’s first glacier guides. A passion for the outdoors and the thrill of exploring the unknown is something Gulli and Laufey have always shared.
“We bought a farm, not a business!”
“We bought a farm, not a business!” Laufey remembers, reflecting on how she and Gulli purchased a small farm near the Vatnajökull glacier to live and raise their children and animals. Their days were filled with farm chores — milking 50 cows, tending to 450 sheep and 60 goats. In addition, the couple ran a guesthouse and even owned and operated the community school bus. “And as if that wasn’t enough” says Tinna, their daughter, noting that having a glacier in the backyard was too tempting for her adventure-loving parents, who seemed to have endless energy for glacier exploration. “Even today, it’s hard to get them down from the glacier” Tinna adds with a laugh, admitting she doesn’t quite share their same passion for outdoor adventures.
Laufey and her daughter Tinna at a yearly travel convention in Iceland.
“It’s hard to get them down from the glacier.”
Initially, they didn’t have the luxury of a fleet of snowmobiles. The tours began with just one rugged Jeep, but one day, Laufey impulsively bought eight used snowmobiles. “I didn’t even tell Gulli, I just did it” she recalls. Those first snowmobiles, hidden away until Gulli found them, marked the start of their glacier tour venture. As the business expanded, the fleet quickly grew into a full lineup of top-of-the-line snowmobiles and super jeeps.
A Local Family Business
Laufey and Gulli have poured their hearts into Glacier Journey, overcoming challenges through highs and lows. Each day brings something unexpected, whether it’s a machinery issue or an impromptu snowstorm. Even when COVID hit, they found a way to survive. “We were the only local company hiring people. We decided to set up a ski school on the glacier for Icelandic kids, which became very popular and kept us busy. No one is coming to save you; if you don’t save yourself, you’re done” Laufey says passionately.
Tinna, Laufey and Gulli’s daughter joined the business, handling bookings, accounts and customer service. Tinna’s organizational skills complement her mother’s energetic, outdoorsy spirit. “Mom loves taking people up on the glacier, but she’s not very patient with emails or handling phone calls” Tinna says with a grin. She’s proud to play a role in the business, allowing her mother to focus on leading tours while she manages the behind-the-scenes work. When he’s not out on the glacier, her father, a skilled mechanic, takes care of the equipment. Together, they make a great team supported by dedicated employees. For Laufey, it’s not a job, it’s a way of life, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
(myndatexti: Icecaves are accessable during the summer
The Changing Landscape on the Glacier
The family has been offering guests a variety of excursions — from thrilling snowmobile and super jeep rides over the glacier to exploring breathtaking ice caves. Natural ice caves are formed when meltwater rivers flow from glaciers during the summer, carving out holes and tunnels in the ice. In winter, when these rivers freeze, caves are left behind. Glacier guides must locate these caves each season and ensure their safety for visitors.
“When we started fifteen years ago, four companies offered ice cave trips in Vatnajökull, now there are 30! Many of them are huge companies, bringing big groups. Each day, around 1,000 people visit the same cave, which is often smaller than it once was. People are lining up, with some getting no more than five minutes inside before the next group enters. It’s very different from when we started” Laufey explains. Tinna adds, “That’s why we have developed a new winter trip where our guests can experience true solitude, history, and magnificent nature.”
The Black Beach tour emerged as an alternative option for days when weather conditions made visiting the ice caves impossible. After recognizing the tour’s uniqueness and receiving positive feedback from guests, they decided to make it one of their top winter offerings. “People are always amazed by the untouched coastline and the absence of docks or piers along the south coast” Laufey explains. The Black Beach tour captures that wild beauty, taking visitors to remote parts of the coast where they’re surrounded only by sea, volcanic sands, crashing waves and curious seals. It’s a beach destination like no other, complete with a stop at the area’s first local airport and lighthouse before they drive to a glacier lagoon.”
“Imagine walking on an icy lake surrounded by towering glaciers and crystalline icebergs, it’s like stepping into another world. And while we’re there, we often spot a reindeer herd that only exists in the Eastern part of the country” Laufey adds proudly. Glacier Journey prefers small groups of up to 20 people, believing that a more personal and exclusive experience enhances the adventure. This commitment exemplifies how they distinguish themselves from other tour companies in the region.
“Our goal is to give people the thrill of exploring glaciers, feeling safe, and without leaving a footprint.”
Myndatexti: Super Jeep tours are available from May – September and ………. Eco-friendly Tours and a Smaller Footprint
A recurring theme in Glacier Journey’s story is their drive to continuously improve. They regularly invest in the latest equipment to ensure safety and quality, even owning the area’s only rescue vehicle for emergencies. They take care of their machines in-house and constantly seek environmentally friendly solutions. “Our goal is to give people the thrill of exploring glaciers, feeling safe, and without leaving a footprint” Tinna shares. This commitment to preservation reflects the family’s deep respect for Iceland’s natural wonders, which travelers increasingly appreciate. “For the past 15 years, our guests have been able to carbon-balance their trip while booking on our website. We then match their donation and contribute to the local forestry” Laufey adds.
Glacier Journey was the first travel company in Iceland to offer this option. Tinna proudly elaborates on the company’s green initiatives, “We recycle almost everything, use environmentally friendly cleaning products, shop locally when possible, and don’t sell bottled water. We encourage people to bring their own bottles and fill them up here at the base, as our water is among the purest in the world. During trips, our team is known for picking up even the smallest litter, teaching by example the importance of respecting nature.”
Snowmobiling is Laufays favorite activity. The tours are available from March to October. (myndatexti)
Balancing Adventure and Community
“We need a strong and supportive community to thrive” Laufey declares when asked about their support for local sports teams. “We need families to choose to move here, and they won’t come if there are no activities for the kids. So, we decided to support the golf club and the basketball team with an annual donation” she says. Being a school bus operator has also allowed them to impact many local lives. “It’s probably the most fun school bus in the country” Tinna says, having traveled on the bus daily during her elementary school years. “The bus was — and still is — always decorated for Christmas and Halloween, which was such a joy.
At Easter, we each got a big Easter egg to take home over the break. And at the end of the school year, we’d go on an ice cream tour as a farewell treat. Mom and Dad didn’t have to do this, they just did it for fun” Tinna explains, expressing admiration for her parents. At Christmas, when school is out, Laufey or someone from the Glacier Journey team takes residents from the local retirement home on a drive through town to admire the holiday lights. “It’s become a yearly event that everyone looks forward to. I feel we have an obligation to the elders, the ones who played a big role in building our precious community” Laufey shares.
Travel Better — Go Local
Glacier Journey is far more than just a tour operator. With Laufey and Gulli at the helm, this family-run business embodies what it means to be a true lifestyle entrepreneur. For them, it’s not just about what brings financial returns but about giving back to the place they call home. Laufey and Tinna have given us a unique glimpse into a way of life that balances humanity, nature, and business. So, when you choose an adventure with Glacier Journey, you’re not just booking a tour — you’re supporting a way of life that’s good for the community, kind to the environment and all about the joy of sustainable travel.
