From Forest to Mountains

This Iceland backpacking tour is the great classic of Icelandic Mountain Guides along with the Laki-Núpstaðarskógar hike. A remarkable journey along the canyons of Núpsá, up to the Grænalón glacier lagoon, nestled between mountains and glacier. Crossing the Skeiðarárjökull glacier is a challenge rewarded by a visit to one of the most unique places ever, Norðurdalur valley with its glacier lake and icebergs. On the last day the path takes us across the beautiful Skaftafell Mountains over to Morsárdalur glacier valley and into Skaftafell National Park.

Departure dates:
05.07-08.07.2012
*19.07-22.07.2012 (Confirmed departure)
*02.08-05.08.2012
16.08-19.08.2012

*The tours Laki - Núpsstaðarskógar and Núpsstaðarskógar - Skaftafell can be linked at these dates. This nine-day combination trek is designed for the great hiking enthusiasts. A truly unforgettable experience! The trip code for the combined backpacking tour is IMG 42.

Backpacking: 4 days.
Total walking distance: 60 kilometers (38 miles).
Altitude: 450-800 meters (1475  to 2625 feet).
Walking per day: 6-8 hours.
Maximum ascent: 450 meters (1475 feet).

Equipment List

Included : Guide for 4 days, transport from Skaftafell to Núpsstaðarskógur, food for 4 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 4), cooking gear, tents and safety equipment for glacier crossing.
Group size: 4-12 participants.
Meeting Point : Skaftafell National Park.

Please Note: When traveling from/to Reykjavík extra travel days are needed before and after the backpacking tour, e.g.:
Day 0: Bus: Reykjavik to Skaftafell. Accommodation at Skaftafell.
Day 1: Start of the hike.
Day 4: Accommodation at Skaftafell.
Day 5: Bus: Skaftafell to Reykjavik.

Package price with sleeping bag accommodation in Skaftafell the day before the tour and the day the tour ends and transportation from Reykjavík to Skaftafell and from Skaftafell to Reykjavík - 127.000 ISK

Package price for accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour, with pick up and drop off at the beginning/end of the tour:

In a guest house with shared facilities:

Based on double occupancy 20.000 ISK per person (for persons traveling together, both persons have to purchase this item for it to be valid).

Single room: 28.500 ISK.

Please note: Package for accommodation in Reykjavík does not include transfer from Reykjavík to Skaftafell or from Skaftafell to Reykjavík nor the accommodation in Skaftafell. 

Pick-up at the beginning of the tour is from the Guesthouse/Hotel in Reykjavík to the Reykjavík Bus Terminal and drop-off is from the Reykjavík Bus Terminal to the Guesthouse/Hotel in Reykjavík

Day 1: We meet at 07:30 at the service center in Skaftafell National park and take the bus at 08:30 from the park to the opening of the Núpsstaðarskógar valley, with its rich covering of Arctic birch. After passing the magnificent waterfalls of Tvílitihylur, we head up along the neatly sculpted canyons of the lower part of Núpsá river. A short climb leads us up to the deeper part of the canyons with walls up to 200 m high.  Camping is on the Sléttur lava plains.
Distance: 15-20km (9-12mi)    Walking time: 6-7hrs

Day 2: Crossing plains pink with Arctic River Beauty flowers we start to climb the hills towards Grænalón glacier lagoon. After ascending the Eggjar hills, the view opens over the lagoon where it lies between the mountains with floating icebergs. Our campsite is north of the lake, with a spectacular view over the enormous glacier tongue of Skeiðarárjökull, streaming down towards the plains and covering almost 1600 km².
Distance: 18-22km (11-14mi)    Walking time: 6-7hrs

Day 3: This day is devoted to the crossing of Skeiðarárjökull, from Grænafjall Mountain to Norðurdalur valley, an area surrounded by ice and high mountain ridges. Almost a whole day is required to traverse the 15-km of ice, before standing again on solid ground in the hinterland of Skaftafell National Park. Waiting for us is a magnificent camping with view over the several glacier lakes with floating icebergs and colored rhyolite mountains in the background.
Distance: 18-22km (11-14mi)    Walking time: 7-8hrs

Day 4: After some climbing to a narrow mountain ridge, one is able to admire the view to the yellowish rhyolite valley of Kjós at the other side as well as to Iceland’s highest mountain the Hvannadalshnúkur. Descending into the valley of Morsárdalur, the vegetation becomes progressively more abundant. The beautiful Arctic birch forest of Bæjarstaðarskógur welcomes us before we continue to the main camp site of the national park.
Distance: 20-25km (12-16mi)    Walking time: 7-8hrs

Departure Date	Availability
05. Jul 2012	Available
19. Jul 2012	Confirmed departure
02. Aug 2012	Available
16. Aug 2012	Available