Visit Bardabunga

I have seen reference on another forum to tour operators issuing gas masks due to the high sulphur dioxide emissions, so I presume that means that people are organising trips. Tour operators at Myvatn/Akureyri would be best placed to organise trips, though there's bound to be a buzz over it in Reykjavik and people looking to make money out of such an excellent opportunity. But a heavy snowfall, entirely possible in that area as early as 2 weeks ago, could put a stop to it, or at least make it a lot more expensive to organise. Also the state of these eruptions is inclined to change very rapidly, so it is probably a question of getting yourself to Myvatn/Akureyri and seeing what is going on when you get there, and remaining uncertain until the last minute of any actual trip.

at Bardabunga

The visible eruption isn't actually on Bardarbunga, (though Bardarbunga may have had subglacial eruptions, it's hard to tell). The visible eruption is a fissure eruption in a lavafield called Holuhraun, which is on the plain to just on the northern edge of the icecap, and quite a long way east and north of Bardarbunga, which is mostly under the icecap. Indeed I think people are preferring to say it is in the Dyngjujokull volcano, a volcano to the NE of Bardarbunga, and a bit closer to the actual visible eruption. The visible eruption is not far from a vehicle track, albeit a pretty ropey one, so if they are being strict about "drive on the road only" you won't have too far to walk. Though I think scientists have been driving up, so maybe the tour operators can use their tracks.

Hi, this is indeed not possible to access the area of the eruption, due to the gas and also because an eruption under the glacier could still happen and would generate a water flooding so this is too dangerous to go there.
So no, there are no excursions to go there.

You can see on ruv.is and on the website of the University of Iceland really nice pictures and videos of the eruption. This is impressive.

Journalists managed to get there this morning.
http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/09/03/iceland-review-team-arrives-first-eruption-pictures

But apparently scientists have now been evacuated because of the glacial flood risk
http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/09/03/eruption-area-cleared-safety-reasons

And regular tour operators will be wanting to arrange things as soon as possible, though you clearly can't go there when there is a substantial risk of a glacial flood.
http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/09/02/travel-companies-want-offer-eruption-tours

But the references I read to tourists being issued with gas masks suggests that some operators must have managed to get tourists there somehow over the last couple of days, despite the roads being closed. Maybe they helicoptered in.

there is a company offering helicopter tours, but they are not flying yet, just asking people to leave their contact details

http://www.heli.is/helicopter-tours-of-iceland-heli-is/

Thanks. I've sent heli.is an email. Doesn't sound very likely that I'll get there but I'll wait and see if I hear back from them.

Hi, I'm also visiting Iceland next week and will try to visit the vulcano I will put a post if I found a way. Can you please do the same? Have a very nice trip :)

Hello,

There are many options:

• Fly from Reykjavík: http://www.eagleair.is
• Fly from Akureyri: http://www.sagatravel.is
• Fly from Myvatn: http://www.myflug.is
• Super Jeep Tour: http://www.landmannalaugartours.com

:)

Enjoy!