Volcanoes and Glaciers

In just a few days, this program takes us through the various landscapes of south Iceland. Here we find everything that Iceland is renowned for: the black ocean beaches, the sea cliffs, big glaciers, rivers, volcanoes, craters, lava fields, the geysers, hot springs etc.  A very complete program for just a short stay in the country.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Reykjavik
• Day 2/  Þingvellir - Geysir - Gullfoss
• Day 3/  Þórsmörk valley
• Day 4/  Þórsmörk - Skaftafell
• Day 5/  Skaftafell National Park
• Day 6/  Eldgjá, the fissure of fire- Landmannalaugar
• Day 7/  Landmannalaugar - Hekla Volcanoe  - Reykjavik.
• Day 8/  Depart from Reykjavik.

A typified approach to Iceland for those who want to have a good idea of the country in one week and do not foresee returning in the near future. But Iceland is like the deserts....when one has a taste for it, one will return to it.
Speaking of deserts, we will cross many miles of them, by foot and by car.
We avoid the crowded tourist places, but for a first trip, there are certain ones that we can not avoid, as there is such a buzz surrounding them. So, let's see what we can talk about to tempt you... Volcanoes, an arctic environment, geysers, hot sulfurous spring baths, wild colored uninhabited nature, daylight around the clock, the Icelandic people, 4x4 river crossing, the sharp, pure air, flowers, the birds, the sheep....
And still, so much more!

Day 1/  Arrival Reykjavik
Arrival at Keflavik airport. Transfer to Reykjavik, 30 miles. Lodging in a guest house.

Day 2/  Þingvellir - Geysir - Gullfoss
We start the day by taking the road that leads us to Þingvellir National Park, (the letter Þ being pronounced as « th ») Iceland's most sacred place.  It was here that the first settlers established a parliament in the year of 930 AD and it was here that many of Iceland's major political events of their medieval history took place. It was also in Þingvellir that Iceland declared the creation of a republic in 1944.  But Þingvellir is not only a sacred place because of its history but also for its natural beauty and very interesting Geography. It is here that we can see, better than from most other places, the separation of the tectonic plates in the rift valley that were formed in the last 10,000 years.
We then continue on the road of Lyngdalsheiði to Geysir, where the one and only Geysir sleeps and where his cousin Strokkur blows every 5 to 10 minutes.  After enjoying some time at Geysir we continue to Gullfoss, the « golden waterfall » falling into the canyon of the Hvítá River (which literally means white river) before continuing to our guesthouse close to Hella village.
3,5 H drive, 3 to 4 h walk

Day 3/  Þórsmörk valley
On a very impressive 4x4 track we drive into Porsmork valley, hidden behind the two southern coastal glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.  Here the landscape is made up of tuf from eruptions underneath the icecap of the ice age glacier.  The tuf rock is very soft and erosion has cut canyons and small valleys into it and made a pure paradise for those who like impressive landscapes and pure nature.
To get to Þórsmörk our vehicle has to cross more than 20 rivers and streams and when we get there we will walk half a day to better discover this magnificent nature. Back to the guesthouse.
Approximately 1,5 to 3 H drive and 5 H walk (speed adapted to group).

Day 4/  Þórsmörk - Skaftafell
From Þórsmörk we turn back to the main road towards the East.  We make a short visit to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall where it is actually possible to walk behind the falling water.  We then drive to Skógar where we visit the 200 foot high Skógar waterfall before visiting the Skógar folk museum. Then we continue to drive to the east, to the village of Vík, where from May to July, one can experience one of the biggest colonies of artic terns in the world. We also visit the magnificent sea cliffs of either Dyrhólaey or Reynisfjall, to admire the fantastic view over the south coast's black beach, and the rich birdlife including puffins (puffins can been seen only between May and July. In August they are rare).
We now cross the impressive flood plains of Mýrdalssandur where floods due to eruptions under the Mýrdalsjökull icecap have rushed to the sea. The last one in 1918 was as big as the Amazon River. Arrival at a guesthouse or hotel close to Skaftafell in the late afternoon.  Night in a guesthouse or hotel.
3 to 4 H drive. 4 to 5 H of short walks

Day 5/  Skaftafell National Park
We spend the day discovering this fantastic park which now includes the biggest glacier in Europe, the Vatnajökull.  We hike to a fantastic view point over one of the glacier tongues descending from the main icecap at the foot of Iceland's highest mountain, the Hvannadalshnúkur.  We then loop over to the Svartifoss waterfall, decorated with black basalt columns.  The view from our walk is great over the floodplains of the catastrophic flood of 1996 (caused by an eruption under the Vatnajökull icecap), over rivers and mountains and green oases of birch woods and flowers.  In Skaftafell, we have the opportunity to join a short guided walk on one of the glaciers.  In the late afternoon, we drive to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake, decorated with floating icebergs, for a short visit.  Night in a guesthouse or hotel.
4 to 6 H walk 1,5 to 2,5 H drive (depending on the location of our accommodation)

Day 6/  Eldgjá, the crack of fire- Landmannalaugar
We head back westwards. After the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, we have a look at the Fjaðrárgljúfur gorge with breathtaking views over the lava flow from the 1783 Laki eruption.  This lava is the largest to have flowed in historical times and covers about 370 square miles.  We then continue to the extraordinary volcanic fissure of Eldgjá, the other huge volcano from Iceland's history. Eldgjá erupted in 934 AD and sent a huge amount of volcanic ashes to the atmosphere.  This eruption was of similar power to the Laki eruption.  Both of these eruptions are part of the volcanic rift activity which separates the continental plates at a medium speed of about 0.7 inches per year. We take a walk into the fissure to the beautiful Ófærufoss waterfall.
We then continue on the mountain tracks, passing unabridged rivers, towards Landmannalaugar and the Fjallabak nature reserve. Short walk to view the fantastic colorful landscape of these rhyolite (volcanic rock) mountains part of the third geothermal zone in the world.  Many craters and lava flows from an eruption in 1480 are also to be seen.  After our walk, we have the opportunity to bathe in a warm river.
5 H drive and 4 H walk.

Day 7/  Landmannalaugar - Hekla Volcanoe  - Reykjavik
We continue driving on the mountain tracks that now lead us to the Hekla volcano, one of Iceland's most famous volcanos, its last eruption dating to the year 2000. The road travels through beautiful landscapes of various craters, lava fields and volcanoes. At Hekla we take a walk at the Rauðaskál crater before continuing to the Þjórsárdalur valley where we visit the little canyon of Gjáin and the archeological site of Stöng.  Stöng is part of the remains of a Viking era farm that was totally covered with volcanic ashes during an eruption in Hekla in 1104.  A replica of this farm can also be visited a few miles away.  We then hit the main road back to Reykjavík arriving at the end of the afternoon.  Night in a guesthouse.
3 to 4 H drive and 3 H walk.

Day 8/  Depart from Reykjavik
Transfer to the airport for flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the day (bottle of water, camera, and lunch depending on the day).
Luggage is transported by 4x4 vehicles.

An  English-speaking Icelandic Mountain World Travel guide, from the Organization of mountain guides, passionate of volcanism or ornithology and specialized in guiding treks.
To note: Iceland is a very expensive destination. To propose you quality service at a reasonable price, we chose to work with general-purpose guides in charge of guiding... as well as driving, etc.

Use of vehicles adapted to the trail, for domestic transportation: from raised minibuses, on the easy trails, to 4x4 vehicles, especially customized for the difficult tracks in the center of the island..

In Reykjavík: bed & breakfast in guest-house, based on double occupancy.
Outside of Reykjavík: in guest-houses (or hotels), based on double occupancy.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

- Reykjavik: breakfast at the guesthouse, evening meal at the restaurant.
- The meals (breakfasts, dinners) are prepared by the farm guesthouses.
Water is drinkable and excellent everywhere in Iceland; therefore, no mineral water supply for this circuit.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Keflavik
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions/options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water and tea/coffee during trekking)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guide
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Kevlavik:
Icelandair operates daily flights from Baltimore, Boston, Minneapolis, Orlando, New York, Washington.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a valid passport is required. No visa needed for a stay up to 90 days.
For US citizens, please check with   US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements.
For other nationalities, please contact the Iceland embassy of your country

Vaccines
No vaccine is obligatory. We however advise you, to be up date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever, hepatitis.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health.
Dentist and doctor
A check up before your departure is recommended.

LEVEL 2
2 months prior:  Hike 7 to 9 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).