6 days filled with Activites and Adventure

The Öræfi region and the Vatnajökull National Park is the perfect playground for various outdoor activities. Whether it is for a day on a glacier, rock and ice climbing or hiking you will never be disappointed by the magnificent landscapes at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, the great Öræfajökull. During the trip we explore the principal sights of Iceland’s south coast, with its waterfall and hot springs, visit the best hiking in Skaftafell part of the National Park and of course the famous glacier lake, Jökulsárlón and try out different activities available in the region. Ideal tour for people of all ages looking for a taste of nature and different fun things to do and see! 

Departure dates:
Next departure in 2013


Included in price: Guide for 6 days, food for 6 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 6), sleeping bag accommodation in a hostel, cooking gear, transportation.
Group size: 6 to 12 participants.
Please note: Participants are picked up at accommodation in Reykjavík before the tour starts and dropped off at accommodation in Reykjavík at the end of the tour.
Walking/activity per day: 5 - 6 hours total.
Multi activity: 6 days.
Accomodation: Sleeping bag accomodation in a hostel (sleeping bag not included).
Available upon request: Accommodation in Reykjavík - please contact us for more information

Day 1: Drive to Skaftafell at the foot of the mighty Vatnajökull glacier
During the drive east to Skaftafell we pass by the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before exploring the black sand beaches of Vík. Quick passage through the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur before continuing over the black deserts of Skeiðarársandur. Night in a sleeping bag accommodation where we have a base for the next 5 nights.
Driving: 4 to 4½ hrs drive with stops

Day 2: Walk in Morsárdalur
The Morsárdalur is one of the nicest valleys of the Vatnajökull National Park. From Skaftafell we go west of the heath to reach Morsárdalur. Walking across the valley we come to the outlet of the Skeiðará river, the famous river that with its catastrophic floods has created the sand deserts south of the Skeiðarárjökul glacier tongue. The last one took place in 1996, when a flood of 55.000 m3/sec covered most of the plains below and carried away a couple of bridges, power lines and parts of the main road. From the Skeiðarárjökull we head to the birch forest of Bæjarstaðarskógur where we can bathe (at least) our feet in a hot spring before exploring the beautiful canyon of Bæjargil. We then head back crossing the valley and over the heaths of Skaftafellsheiði to get back to our vehicle.
Activity:  6 hrs hiking

Day  3: Glacier walk and Jökulsárlón
In the morning we head over Svínafellsjökull which is a breathtaking outlet glacier of the great Vatnajökull glacier. The scenery and views of the surrounding peaks are simply stunning. Walking through this wonderland of glacial ice sculptures, between ice ridges and deep crevasses of the glacier you will feel the age-old ice under your feet. At the outset of our tour, the guide teaches you how to use basic glacier equipment like crampons and ice axes. After passing the morning hiking on the glacier we drive 45 min east to the to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lake where we take a two hours walk to enjoy the magnificent scenery. 
Activity: 6 hrs hiking

Day 4: Rock climbing at Hnappavellir. Hiking.
A few km. east of our hostel we find one Iceland’s most popular rock climbing zone, Hnappavellir. Today we will spend half a day learning the basics of climbing and abseiling in those beautiful cliffs.  A scenic walk along the cliffs and to the Salthöfði cape and around the cliffs awaits us in the afternoon, passing red colored volcanic hill on the way back. In good weather we will get a great view of the Öræfajökull volcano, Iceland’s highest mountain, as well as other mountains of the area. .
Activity: Climbing and hiking 6 hrs

Day 5: Ice climbing and Ingólfshöfði
Again we head to the Svínafellsjökull but this time to scale its ice walls. We put up ropes and spend the morning practicing climbing steep walls of ice with one ice axe in each hand. When our hand muscles are worn out we take an excursion with a local farmer to the Cape Ingólfshöfði.  Ingólfshöfði is a rock island standing on the black beach of volcanic sands and a bird reserve. In spring an amazing number of different kind of sea and land birds gather to nest on the rocks of this outpost. Species like Puffin, Great Skua, Guillemots and many other create a unique atmosphere.  

Note: In our February departure it is not possible to go to the Ingólfshöfði bird reserve so we offer and alternative program including visit to a local sheep farm and a walk to the beautiful waterfalls in Skaftafell.

Day 6: Drive back to Reykjavík
On the way back make a stop at the Orustuhóll and visit this hill situated in the middle of the Eldhraun lava (the largest lava field humanity has ever seen). Closer to Reykjavik we go for a hot spring hike in the Grændalur valley, a fantastic valley with hundreds of boiling hot springs. An unforgettable sight.
Driving:  4 – 4½ hrs.  Hikes and stops: 3 to 4 hrs

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