Summer highland adventure- A tour that has it all!

The Icelandic Highlands hold countless treasures, so many in fact that even a lifetime is not long enough to discover them all. However on this tour our intention is to uncover as many as possible in as short a period as 13 days! To achieve this we will travel many of Iceland’s most famous mountain tracks like Kjölur, Sprengisandur and Fjallabak as well as the rough track of Gæsavötn, just north of the great Vatnajökull glacier. In between we will use our legs to explore different areas like the mystique beauty of Askja, the unreal landscape of Þórsmörk and the unique stone blocks of Stórurð. Whether it is the colorful geothermal mountains of Kerlingarfjöll and Landmannalaugar, the mysterious black deserts or Vatnajökull’s snowy peaks, the unique landscape is certain to leave a mark on the traveler that in his turn leaves only his footprint in the regions traveled.  

Departure Dates:
18.07 - 30.07. 2012 - Confirmed departure!
01.08 - 13.08. 2012 - Two needed to confirm!!
15.08 - 27.08. 2012 - Confirmed departure!

All departures are in English/German

Touring: 13 days
Walk per day: 2-7 hours total
Groups: 6 to 16 participants
Accomodation: Sleeping bag accomodation in hostel/mountain hut
Available upon request: Four-star accommodation in Reykjavík - please contact us for more information.

 Equipment List

Included: Guide for 13 days, vehicle transportation for 13 days, food for 13 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 13), accommodation in mountain huts (7 nights) or hostels (5 nights).
Note: Please note that accommodation / camping fees before and after the tour are not included in base price, but can be added.
Meeting Point: Please note that participants are picked up at accommodation in Reykjavík from 8:30-9:00 in the morning of the tour and are dropped off at accommodation in Reykjavík at the end of the tour.

Please note: This tour will be offered with German and English speaking guide.

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Package price for accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour:

In a guesthouse with shared facilities:

Based on double occupancy: 17.500 ISK per person (for persons traveling together, both persons have to purchase this item for it to be valid).

Single room: 24.500 ISK.

In a three-star hotel with breakfast and a private bathroom:

Based on double occupancy: 25.000 ISK per person (for persons traveling together, both persons have to purchase this item for it to be valid).

Single room: 42.500 ISK

Day 1: Reykjavík-Golden Circle-Kerlingafjöll
 Early morning departure from Reykjavík towards the UNESCO  World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park. After a short hike there the road takes us to Geysir geothermal area before continuing to the Golden Waterfall, Gullfoss. Next, the highland track of Kjölur brings us to Kerlingarfjöll mountains one of Iceland´s greatest geothermal area. Night in a hut.
Driving: 4 hrs Walking: 3 hrs combining several stops.

Day 2: Kerlingafjöll
The day is spent exploring the magnificent landscape of Kerlingarfjöll by foot. Here the contrast of snow and ice and the hot springs are painted in their fullest glory, in a colorful landscape of red, yellow, ochre brown rhyolite mountains. We enjoy the views towards Iceland’s second and third largest glaciers of Hofsjökull and Langjökull. Night in a hut.
Walking: 6 to 7 hrs.

Day 3: Hveravellir-Skagafjörður-Laugafell-Nýidalur
On the Kjölur track we continue northwards to Hveravellir where one of Iceland´s finest hot spring zone is to be found. There a short stop will allow us to enjoy a relaxing bath in a natural hot pool enjoying the nature around us. From Hveravellir the track slowly descends north  to Skagafjörður before turning south to the Hofsjökull glacier. Our vehicle slowly climbs the hills to Laugafell and on to the central Highlands at Nýidalur, travelling through the largest sand deserts in Iceland with stunning views to glaciers and mountains in the distance. In Nýidalur, the new valley (800 m.s.l.) over 50 vascular plants have been found, making it quite an oasis in this vast black desert. Night in hut.
Driving: 6-7 hrs drive.  

Day 4: Nýidalur-Gæsavötn-Drekagil
Today the infamous track of Gæsavötn is on the agenda. The crossing of the deserts north of the Vatnajökull will be quite a challenge for our 4x4 minibus. This rough track leads through lava fields and black sand deserts, past craters of all sizes, through rivers and over rocks. The mighty Vatnajökull glacier is our constant companion throughout the day and the extraordinary Urðarháls crater is a must visit. Night at Drekagil hut.
Driving: 8 hrs. Walking: 2 to 3 hrs combining several stops.  

Day 5: Drekagil-Askja-Víti-Herðubreiðarlindir-Mývatn
 Today we tie up our boots on and walk over the Dyngjufjöll mountains enjoying the strange feel of the otherworldly landscape. Once on the rim of the Askja caldera spectacular views are ours to enjoy and Askja´s a mystical aura won’t leave anyone untouched. Before leaving this magical place it is possible to bath in the crater Víti (21 to 24°C). In the afternoon, drive to the Mývatn region, passing by the Nature reserve of Herðubreiðarlindir and its crystal clear springs. At Herðubreiðarlindir an ingenious outlaw survived a hard winter by using his skills and the endless supply of clean water. Even though we might not be happy with his amenities today it is still a sight to see. Night at a hostel.
Driving: 4 hrs. Walking: 4 hrs

Day 6: Mývatn-Krafla-Námaskarð
 A day devoted to the exploration of the famous nature reserve Lake Mývatn. First a walk up to the Hverfjall crater and over to the black lava formations at Dimmuborgir before heading to the Krafla volcano for a second walk. On the way to Krafla we will take an obligatory stop to take a look at the solfataras of Námaskarð. The Krafla area had nine different eruptions from 1975 to 1984 and the lava is still warm in places, emitting steam creating an otherworldly atmosphere. From Krafla the road leads to East. Night at a hostel in Möðrudalur or Jökuldalur.
Driving: Approx.2 hrs. Walking: 6 hrs

Day 7: Dyrfjöll-Stórurð-Berufjörður
 Drive to the steep Dyrfjöll mountains and walk to the magnificent Stórurð. We spend half a day exploring this unique landscape at the foot of the vertical summits of Dyrfjöll. Stórurð is an apt name for the huge stone blocks scattered in a small valley. In between the blocks are deep ponds of a blue milky color. After exploring this magnificent  area we head south by the mountain road of Öxi to the narrow fjord Berufjörður. Night at a hostel.
Driving: 4 hrs. Walking: 5 hrs

Day 8: Berufjörður-Glacier Lagoon-Skaftafell
From Berufjörður we drive straight past the fjords, Hamarsfjörður and Álftafjörður and then on to Hornafjörður where we suddenly a view towards the great Vatnajökull glacier and its numerous outlet glaciers opens up to us. If we are in  luck we might see some of the reindeers territorial in this area. Continuing in to the great Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where we stop for a hike admiring the floating icebergs. Arrival in the afternoon in the Skaftafell region. Night at a hostel.
Driving: 4 hrs. Walking: 4 hrs.

Day 9: Vatnajökull National Park-Skaftafell
The whole day is spent exploring this part of the Vatnajökull National Park on foot. This is  the true kingdom of glaciers and many hiking possibilities are available. Also a large variety of plants is to be found here and even a natural forest, creating quite a contrast with the rugged outlet glaciers crawling down from the icecap and the endless sands to the south. An optional activity is to take a walk on one of the glaciers with a local glacier guide. Night at a hostel.
Walking: 7 hrs.

Day 10: Skaftafell-Eldgjá-Landmannalaugar
From the Skaftafell region we drive across the huge flood plains of Skeiðarársandur and the world largest lava field, the Eldhraun, before taking the mountain track that leads to Eldgjá – the Fissure of Fire. Walk to the Ófærufoss waterfall in the Eldgjá, before continuing to Landmannalaugar where we spend a few hours walking to enjoy the colors of this world famous rhyolite massif. Night in a mountain hut at Landmannalaugar or Landmannahellir.
Driving: 4 hrs. Walking: 4 to 5 hrs.

Day 11: Landmannalaugar- Þórsmörk
Our vehicle now takes us through the Dómadalur mountain track where dramatic volcanic landscapes rules. The mother of Icelandic volcanoes Mt Hekla sits proudly in her location and accepts a short visit. Continuing south we pass the village of Hella and arrive at the foot of the famous Eyjafjallajökull, yes the one that managed to stop air traffic all over Europe just last year. By a mountain track we enter the valley of Þórsmörk at the foot of this fierce volcano. The last 25 km into this hidden valley are quite an adventure as we need to ford many rivera. Night in a mountain hut.
Driving: 4 to 5 hrs. Walking: 3 hrs.

Day 12: Fimmvörðuháls Volcano
 We walk up to the new craters of Fimmvörðuháls (the two craters that erupted before the very summit of Eyjafjallajökull started to spew ash in march 2010). This walk takes us through the breathtaking palagonite landscape of Þórsmörk, cut with deep canyons, dotted with rock columns and sharp ridges. On the walk up we enjoy fantastic views towards the glaciers surrounding us as well as the green valley of Þórsmörk before arriving  at this new lava field and the new craters. Again a totally new type of landscape! Night in the same mountain hut.
Walking: 7 hrs.

Day 13: Þórsmörk-Hengill Hot Springs-Reykjavík
Leaving this beautiful place, we only drive for a short while before a taking brief walk in the deep gorge of Stakkholtsgjá. There the Northern fulmar soars on the thermals in this spectacular canyon carved by fire, ice and water. Shortly we are back on the main road heading towards Reykjavík. At the hot spring village Hveragerði we make our last hike up to the colorful valley of Grændalur where, dotted with numerous hot springs. If time allows we walk over to the nearby Reykjadalur valley before a last 40 min transfer back to the capital.
Driving: 3 hrs. Walking: 4 to 5 hrs.

Departure Date	Availability
18. Jul 2012	Confirmed departure
01. Aug 2012	Two needed to confirm departure
15. Aug 2012	Two needed to confirm departure