A beautiful overland journey including some hiking every day.
Trip difficulty: 2 out of 5 possible. Easy.
Considering the duration and rhythm of this overland discovery including some beautiful hikes it is certainly by far the most intense and varied journey that one can do in a week in Iceland!
Highway Number One on the South coast of Iceland is truly among the world’s most spectacular driving routes. To its South, the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, with more than 10.000 miles of open water between us and the coast of Antarctica. To the North, a mysterious chaos of mountains, volcanoes and glaciers. From there the Highland Spirit keeps on calling us. But how to answer these calls? Well, we know some secret trails.
This trip is an exploration of an active volcanic soil, traversing some of Iceland’s most dramatic scenery. It is specially designed for nature lovers who are not deterred by some exertion, ideal for those wanting to experience Iceland’s stunning, unspoiled scenery at first hand, but at an easier pace compared to our more demanding treks.
Using specially modified 4x4 vehicles, we will discover the most secret part of the Southern Highlands and the strange but magnificent South Coast that hosts the huge Vatnajökull glacier. Hiking frequently, we will experience the stunning diversity of this “huge small land”. Stopping by small settlements such as Vik or Kirkjubæjarklaustur, we will also have a chance to meet the original Icelandic culture, the result of a long fight between this courageous people and nature’s harsh forces.
The general rhythm of this journey, the small size of the group, and the everlasting days, will give you a special feeling and allow each person to relax and enjoy this unique experience.
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Prices:
199.000 ISK per person. All overnights in sleeping bag accommodation in hostesl and huts
279.990 ISK per person. 3 nights in double / twin B&B and two nights in huts
299.990 ISK per person. 3 nights in single room in B&B and 2 nights in huts
Guaranteed departures 2012:
24th June - International departure
1st July - International departure
8th July - International departure
15th July - International departure
22nd July - International departure - FULL
29th July - International departure - FULL
5th August - International departure
12th August - International departure
19th August - International departure
26th August - International departure
2nd September - International departure
9th September - International departure
16th September - International departure
23rd September - International departure
Rough itinerary:
Day 1: Dyrhólaey - Eyjafjöll - Vík í Mýrdal
Day 2: Vík í Mýrdal
Day 3: Vatnajökull - Jökulsárlón
Day 4: Vatnajökull - Eldhraun - Eldgjá
Day 5: Fault of Eldgjá "The Fire Canyon"
Day 6: Landmannalaugar - Mount Hekla - Reykjavík
See detailed itinerary below.
Included in price: Guiding, transfer from/to Reykjavík by bus, jeep transfer for food and equipment between campsites, food for 6 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner the last day), in the interior overnights are in sleeping bag accommodation in huts but on the coast we offer a choice of accommodation, mattress and cooking gear.
Minimum: 6 persons. Maximum: 14 persons per guide.
Bring with you: Warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking boots are a vital! Sleeping bag can be rented from us if you let us know in advance.
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1
First section: Dyrhólaey - Eyjafjöll - Vík í Mýrdal
Distance: 200 km driving
Estimated travelling time: 4 hrs driving + 2-3 hours walking
Accommodation: Sleeping bag or B&B superior
Rendezvous with your guide at your accommodation around 8 o´clock in the morning. Welcome on board! Drive east along the South Coast, through vast meadows and moors, where innumerable sheep and horses graze in the summertime. We pass under Eyjafjöll mountains, topped by Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that erupted in April 2010. We visit the beautiful waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. (An optional visit to Skógar folk museum). Visit of Dyrhólaey promontory (except in June when birds are nesting) and the wonderful black sand beach of Reynisfjara.
Day 2
Second section: Vík í Mýrdal
Distance: 50 km driving
Estimated travelling time: 40 minutes driving, 4-5 hours hiking
Accommodation: Sleeping bag or B&B superior
In the shadow of Mýrdalsjökull glacier we´ll discover the charming village of Vík, and take a walk along the black sand beaches. We´ll then hike up to the basalt cliffs towering over the village, where thousands of puffins nest among exuberant angelicas. An impressive sight, these adorable little birds with their colorful beaks.
Day 3
Third section: Vatnajökull - Jökulsárlón
Distance: 190 km driving
Estimated travelling time: 4 hours driving + 2 hours walking
Accommodation: Sleeping bag or B&B superior
Today we´ll arrive at the foot of the mighty Vatnajökull glacier, Europe´s largest ice cap. It is the site of enormous suglglacial eruptions and catastrophic floods. We´ll visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where thousands of blue, white and black icebergs remain prisoners. If we´re lucky we can admire surfing seals in the strong current of the river running from the lagoon to the sea. We can admire the ballet of fishing Arctic Terns as well. An optional boat tour on the lagoon.
Day 4
Fourth section: Vatnajökull - Eldhraun - Eldgjá
Distance: 190 km driving
Estimated travelling time: 4 hrs driving + 2 hrs hiking
Accommodation: Sleeping bag or camping
We cross “another planet”, through the endless moss-covered lava fields of Eldhraun, vomited by the hundred craters of the Laki eruption of 1783 (the world’s biggest, continuous eruption of historical times). We then pass before the mighty Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest icecap, site of enormous sub-glacial eruptions and cataclysmic floods (the most recent being 2004). We then reach the awesome splendour of the Jökulsarlón glacier lagoon, where thousands of colorful icebergs remain prisoners. You can also take an optional boat journey through the lagoon. This is the eastern point of our journey.
Day 5
Fifth section: Fault of Eldgjá "The Fire Canyon"
Distance: 40 km driving
Estimated travelling time: 1 hr driving + 4-5 hrs hiking
Accommodation: Sleeping bag or B&B superior
Eldgjá and it´s neighbours, Laki craters, are a part of the same volcanic system as Katla caldera, located underneath Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. The canyon is 270 m deep and 600 m wide at it´s greatest.The only eruption in historical times took place in 934 and it produced the largest known lava field made in one single eruption. An estimated 18 cubic meters of lava was pushed out of the ground. We walk on the edge of the fissure to admire the beautiful waterfall Ófærufoss, pounding into the fissure. Drive through the amazing landscape of the North Fjallabak trail.
Day 6
Sixth section: Landmannalaugar - Mount Hekla - Reykjavík
Distance: 250 km driving
Estimated travelling time: 5 hrs driving + 4-5 hrs hiking
Accommodation: In Reykjavík
Off to the colorful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar. Experience boiling fumarroles, hot springs, waterfall, ice features and strange colors. Continuing on the Fjallabaksleið trail through incredible, ever changing landscapes until we reach the dramatic scoria field of Hekla, Iceland´s second most active volcano. Arrival at your accommodation in Reykjavík in late afternoon. (If you have an afternoon flight, let us know in advance!)
Itinerary may be slightly modified weather permitting, especially prior to mid-July or after end of August. The duration of the daily hikes are only suggestions and can be shorter or longer depending on above, terrain and on physical condition of the group.
It is possible to choose different types of accommodations in Reykjavik. We recommend Reykjavík Backpackers.
Trip extension: This trip can be combined with the 6 day Trek around Hekla or to the 6 day Trek at the Doors of Hell (see our 12 day-Walking between Ice & fire). You can also add 2 days to this trip by choosing to go on an extension to the Vestmannaeyjar Islands Archipelago. You can also stay a couple of days in Reykjavik enjoying the world’s most northern capital. From there you can take short excursions to the Blue Lagoon or go whale watching…
Group size: Multi-national group 6 to 12 members (Note: for group sizes of 4-5 persons a small group surcharge applies) Fjallabak staff or Fjallabak representatives accompanying professionals (e.g. photographers, journalists etc…) and other discounted travellers such as children, are excluded from the participant count.
Transport: Jeep or small bus depending of group size specially modified for Icelandic highland use.
Food: We pride ourselves on providing the best cuisine in the highlands! Breakfast is Scandinavian-style, with muesli, breads, jams, fish and cheese. Packed lunch, with a variety of sandwich fillings, from smoked meats and fish to local cheeses. Dinners involve fresh, local fish and meat dishes, with pasta, rice or potatoes, fresh vegetables and salad. Vegetarians and those with food allergies can be fully catered for with a range of tasty options. It is essential that you inform our office of any special food requirements at the time of booking!
Accommodation during the trip: 3 options
1. All nights in sleeping bag accommodation in huts and hostels (mixed bunkhouse)
2. 3 nights in made-up bed double-twin room in hotel*** or in B&B en suite with private facilities
3. 3 nights in made-up bed single room in hotel*** or in B&B en suite with private facilities if you travel alone (Sharing room is not possible if you are single when booking this option!)
Trip preparation and notes: Walking level Easy to Moderate. 5 day-trek carrying a light daypack. This should present no serious difficulty for persons with some mountain hiking experience, plus a reasonable level of personal fitness. Experienced guides lead all our trips. Once in the backcountry mountains, each group becomes an independent entity. The camaraderie, teamwork and friendships forged add much to the richness of each person’s experience. The itinerary passes through some remote areas. Some of the walking is off-track, with terrain conditions constantly changing. Therefore, we strongly advise sturdy, well broken-in hiking boots in addition to clothing that will keep you warm and dry. See our kit list below for more details.
Maximum altitude is no more than 1200 meters. Elevation change for most days is no more than 400 meters.
Disclaimer:
All hiking trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.
