If adventure and thrill is your thing on vacation, then just check this out!

If exploring hidden gems of nature satiates your soul, then this winter arctic phenomena is a must for you!

Crystal Blue Ice caves with a waterfall - a sight to behold

First let me tell you what is an Ice cave?
It's an awe inspiring glacial activity! Ice caves are special because they are naturally formed within a glacier when the temperatures drop each winter and they disappear when it starts getting warm again. For the adventurous people soul-spotting an ice cave is hard as one has to hike in difficult terrain and entering them is a risky thing due to fear of an avalanche or the ground being slippery. 
However, ice caves, specially the crystal blue ones, are difficult to spot, but  once spotted and inspected at close quarters, they will get etched on to your mind and soul forever! 

Where Are Ice Caves Found?
One can experience this natural phenomena in extremely cold regions of the world like Greenland, Iceland, Canada and few other cold region countries.
I happened to spot one during my trip to Iceland. This ice cave inside Iceland's largest glacier Vatna glacier was jet black but started radiating crystal blue light when sun rays fell on it. 
A jaw dropping sight- Waterfall inside this cave was the cherry-on-top in the whole experience.

How to reach there?
One must never miss the experience of hiking to these ice caves. Tours must be booked well in advance. However, the operator can cancel these tours if these caves start melting and the terrain or the hike involves any kind of danger. Money is returned to tourists in such cases.

For caves inside Vatna, the meeting point is Hali country hotel. The 4 hour tour involves a 30 minute drive to the glacier in a monstrous truck. Oh my god! The drive is one of the most serene and picturesque drives that one can experience. Then one gears up for the hike with all the safety equipment. Hiking to Vatna is a scene straight cut out of Game of Thrones because the view is mesmerising. Crystal clear white snow everywhere. 'Saathi Haath Badana' is an apt song for the hike because it involves helping and getting help from your fellow hikers. 
Bravo! after 45 minutes to one hour of hike, one spots the cave and it is an experience beyond words. Happiness felt but difficult to express.

Icelandic ice caves are more easily accessible than the ones in Greenland and  various shows and movies are shot here like Game of Thrones, Fantastic Four, Batman Begins!

Cost
The cost of an ice caving tour in Iceland starts from Rs 13k and can go up to Rs 22k depending on your pick up point and distance from the cave. In winters the public transport is negligible, that’s why some of the tourists opt for pickups to witness these majestic stunning natural sights.

Tips
Because this tour promises an unforgettable experience, its always in demand. Hence, book it well in advance with the local tour operators. But, be ready for last moment cancellations if the tour guide decides that it’s not safe to enter the cave due to bad weather conditions. Full refund will be provided if canceled by the operator

Wear layers of clothes and keep yourself warm by any means because walking to the glacier means facing temperatures that are really very low.

Best time to visit
November to March. Because its’a winter phenomena and the ice caves start melting after that.