[ BB = Breakfast Buffet / L = Lunch / LB = Lunch Box / D = Dinner ]
DAY 1: Depart Canada
From Montreal, meet your Tour Conductor at PE Trudeau Airport. From all other Canadian gateways, meeting point to be advised. Overnight flight to Keflavik International Airport.
DAY 2: Arrival – Golden Circle - Hrauneyjar
Early morning arrival at Keflavík Airport where your guide will meet you. Breakfast in Reykjavík before driving east to Þingvellir, a remarkable geological and Iceland’s most important historical site. It is easy to see why the Vikings had chosen to convene there in AD930 to establish the worlds’s first parliament: a superb natural setting now a national park. The immense and beautiful canyon running through the park is actually the meeting point of two of the earth’s tectonic plates, the North American and Eurasian plates. Þingvellir´s combination of natural phenomena and historical significance make it inseparable from the fabric of Icelandic national life. Then we continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Here you will see thousands of tons of icy water thunder majestically down in double falls into a deep canyon. Only a few minutes drive from Gullfoss is the famous Great Geyser which has given name to hot springs all over the world. You will see one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur, spouting up to 30 meters.
2 hours walking.
Overnight in Hrauneyjar. B, L, D
DAY 3: Landmannalaugar
Today we will have a fantastic view of the active volcano Mt. Hekla, it last erupted in 2000. The tour follows the Dómadalsleið and Fjallabaksleið interior track by the foot of Mt. Hekla to Landmannalaugar, a magnificent area surrounded by colourful rhyolite mountains. We enjoy hiking in this exceptional area with the possibility afterwards to bathe in a warm natural brook.
4-5 hours hiking.
Overnight in Hrauneyjar. B, Lunch-box, D
DAY 4: Sprengisandur
We will drive along the Sprengisandur Route, crossing Iceland’s largest lava field, the Ódáðahraun. Unexplored for ages, it was a refuge for outlaws such as Erik the Red. Still today, the name Sprengisandur conjures up images of ghosts and trolls. We will walk in Nýidalur and stop to view the beautiful Aldeyjarfoss, one of Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls flowing over basalt columns. Several unbridged glacial rivers need to be crossed along the way. Gem of Northeastern Iceland, we arrive in Lake Mývatn area in the afternoon. Mývatn Lake and the surrounding area are absolutely gorgeous, a magical landscape of splutering mud pots, weird lava formations and volcanic craters. Green, fertile rolling hills contrast with the lake’s shades of azure blue. Its surrounding wetlands have an exceptionally rich fauna and is a renowned bird-watchers’ paradise, especially ducks . We hike around the northern lake shore. Late afternoon or evening we will enjoy a unique experience: a ride on the friendly and docile Icelandic horse.
Walk 1 hour. A long drive, 5-7 hours, from south to north through the highlands.
Overnight in Mývatn. B, Lunch-box, D
DAY 5: Hiking in Mývatn Area
The day will be spent hiking in the Lake Mývatn area. Morning: Visit the Námaskarð, one of the most potent clay hot springs, incredibly rich in colours. We begin our hike at Mt Krafla, an extremely volcanic area where nine eruptions took place during the period 1975-1984, to the village of Reykjahlíð. Afternoon: We hike from Reykjahlíð to Grjotagja, a small cave with an underground spring, but too hot to soak in, then on to Mt. Hverfjall, a gigantic crater. The hiking route ends at Dimmuborgir (Dark castles), a giant and fascinating lava field with oddly shaped pillars, bizarre volcanic formations and caves. At the end of the day we relax and ease aching muscles in the mineral-rich water of Mývatn Nature Baths at the end of the day.
3 hours hiking in the morning and 3-4 hrs hiking in the afternoon.
Overnight in Mývatn. B, L, D
DAY 6: Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon
This whole day is dedicated to the National Park of Jökulsá Canyon. A highlight of our hike will be the bizarre twisted rocks and columns of basalt at Hljoðaklettar, a puzzling place for amateur geologists. Stop at Ásbyrgi “Fortress of the gods”, a lush horseshoe-shaped canyon, formed as a result of a catastrophic flood. Late in the afternoon we drive to Húsavík the whale-watching capital and also home to the excellent Whale Museum (optional visit). Return to Lake Mývatn.
3-4 hours hiking.
Overnight in Mývatn. B, L, D
DAY 7: Borgarfjörður Eystri region
We will spend 2 days hiking in one of Iceland's stunning hiking areas, Víknaslóðir, or the "Deserted Inlets", where imposing, colourful mountains meet the ocean, along one of the country's most magnificent coastlines. We hike in the surrounding hills of Borgarfjörður Eystri, an exceptionally beautiful and serene area – from a good vantage point we may even spot dolphins pods. This isolated region, aknowledged home to fairies and elves, is said to be the dwelling place for their queen at the beautiful Álfaborg, or "Elf Hill", situated near the village of Bakkagerði and its 130 inhabitants. Along the way we will enjoy the hospitality of local people through their services, their knowledge of the area and its culture and taste their fresh local food. Bird watching is a frequent pastime on our routes, and side-tracks take us to deserted inlets that tell us the story of a past far removed from mobile phone contacts. From Mývatn we drive through the desert highlands of Modrudalur to Egilsstadir on the shores of Lake Logurinn, the center of East Iceland. From there we drive to Unaós Farm where our next hike starts, along Selfljót river to the seashore and Stapavík cove. A rather easy hike from the Stapavík trail crossing along Gönguskarð pass (415 m), largely along an old riding trail. This was the main route between Borgarfjörður and Fljótsdalshérað valley until the road over Vatnsskarð pass was finished in 1955.
4 hours hiking
B, L, D - (accommodation in Borgarfjörður Eystri in rooms without private facilities)
DAY 8: Borgarfjörður – Breiðavík – Borgarfjörður
Today we hike near Fjarðará river, following a good jeep track passing Fagrihóll, a curious natural phenomenon (another one!) and renowned elf community, over Gagnheiði and then down to the hut at Breiðavík inlet. The view from the top of Gagnheiði ridge, where the view dial is located, is spectacular. In many places it is easy to walk through areas away from the vehicle track. The start from the Breiðavík hut is an easy walk up the valley north of the Stóraá river. We drive to Egilsstaðir late in the afternoon.
7 hours hiking
Overnight in Egilsstaðir. B, Lunch-box, D
DAY 9: Egilssstaðir - Hengill Area
Morning flight from Egilsstaðir to Reykjavík. We visit Árbæjarsafn – an outdoor museum before we head to the Hengill area where we hike through one of the most powerful and impressive geothermal areas in Iceland. Located at the foot of the old volcanic centre, Hengill, this hiking trail passes a series of beautifull hot springs en route to the Reykjadalur valley where one can enjoy bathing in a warm stream. The tour is a fantastic exploration of hundreds of bubbling mud pool, steaming sulphur pits and boiling water.
Duration of flight 1 hour, 6-7 hours walking.
Overnight in Reykjavik. B and Lunch-box.
DAY 10: Reykjavík
After a week of hiking and touring the land of the midnight sun’s countryside and raw nature, it’s time fro some “city fun”. Whatever takes your fancy – art galleries, museums, shopping or just walking the streets of the cleanest and safest cities in the world. Enjoy the day on your own, discovering this modern and quaint city.
Overnight in Reykjavik. B and Farewell dinner
DAY 11: Reykjanes Peninsula – Blue Lagoon – Departure
From Hveragerði the group drives through Reykjanes Peninsula en route to Keflavík International airport. We pass Lake Kleifarvatn, set in fascinating, stark, moon-like surroundings. Near the lake’s southern end lies Krísuvík with powerful jets of steam escaping from deep below the earth’s crust and sulphurous steam rising from numerous vents of a geothermal field. Here we can see innumerable small hot springs, mud pots, boiling pools and other types of geothermal activity. We continue under low mountains along the shore to stop by craggy, sheer cliffs rising from the sea and dotted with bird’s nests. We proceed to the town of Grindavik with its sizeable fishing fleet. After a drive through Grindavík we approach the Blue Lagoon. The Lagoon is a unique wonder of nature, pleasantly warm (a perfect 38C) mineral-rich geothermal water in the middle of a black lava field. The high natural levels of silica and minerals give the Lagoon its turquoise colour. An informal spa, the Blue Lagoon’s seawater is known for its beneficial effects on the body. The facilities include modern changing rooms and showers, an indoor geothermal pool, a winter garden and restaurants. A totally invigorating and rejuvenating experience before boarding our flight home.
B |
