The Powerful North: Egilsstaðir-Reykjavík

Iceland is unique in so many respects. The landscape is ever-changing and different from one part of the island to the other. On this discovery round trip of Iceland (composed of two 7 day segments you can take separately or together) you will get to see the highlights of this wondrous island. On this second part of the all around Iceland tour the magnificent north is where you are headed. Spectacular high mountains are a distinguishing feature of the east where the tour starts. Lake Mývatn area is a real treasure surrounded by geological features; extraordinary lava formations and geothermal wonders as well as being an oasis for migrating birds. The north is also the home of the impressive Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall and the Ásbyrgi canyon that we will visit before heading back south. We traverse the northern farmlands, driving to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, with its beautiful cliffs and beaches capped by the Snæfellsjökull glacier the fabled entrance to the centre of the Earth! The evenings and nights are spent at luxurious or quaint little countryside hotels making this tour a unique and comfortable experience.

Combine this tour with the Beautiful South IMG337 for a complete all around Iceland tour.

Touring: 7 days
Walking per day: 2 - 5 hours total
Accommodation: Hotel

Departures:
22.08-28.08 2012

Included: Guide for 7 days, vehicle transportation for 7 days, full board for 7 days, accommodation in comfortable hotels.
Not included: Optional whale watching tour in Húsavík. Domestic flight to Egilstaðir at the beginning of the tour, this flight can be added.
Group size: 6-16 persons.
Optional: Domestic flight to Egilstaðir at the beginning of the tour.
Available upon request: Hotel in Reykjavík and transport to the airport at the beginning of the tour - please contact us for more information.

Price with domestic flight at the beginning of the tour: 345.000 ISK
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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: Egilsstaðir-Dyrfjöll-Borgarfjörður Eystri
Morning flight to Egilsstaðir where we start this part of the round tour. On arrival we drive north to the magnificent Dyrfjöll mountains and get ready for a hike to one of the more spectacular sites – Stórurð, truly an amazing place. After our hike we continue to the small village of Bakkagerði, before returning to the comfortable Gistihús country hotel at Egilstaðir.
Driving: 2 hours (~120km)              Hiking: 5 hours total           

Day 2: Egilsstaðir-Möðrudalur-Krafla-Námaskarð-Mývatn
Leaving Egilsstaðir we drive into the highlands visiting the farm at Möðrudalur, by many rated as the farm with the best views. The farm is located at the edge of the highlands and offers breathtaking scenery of the highland vistas. From Möðrudalur we continue east, arriving at the Krafla volcano in the early afternoon. Short walk on the brand new lava field of Krafla, visit of the explosion crater Víti and to the boiling mud pools and solfataras of the colorful Námaskarð. Late afternoon arrival to the nature paradise at Lake Mývatn, where we will settle down for the next couple of nights.
Driving: 3- 4 hours (~170 km)        Hiking: 2-3 hours total

Day 3: Mývatn area: Dimmuborgir-Leirhjúkur-Skútustaðir
We have a whole day to explore this magical place – a haven for both volcanological enthusiast as well as for ornithologists. Included in the day´s activities is a walk through the labyrinthine Dimmuborgir lava forest, and a walk to Leirhnúkur hill surrounding by the recent Krafla lava field. On our to do list we also have the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters and the shores of Lake Mývatn. Return to accommodations. Optional visit to the Jarðböðin SPA – the Blue Lagoon of the north.
Driving: 1-2 hours (~70km)              Hiking: 3-4 hours total           

Day 4: Dettifoss-Ásbyrgi-Hljóðaklettar-Húsavík
 From Mývatn we drive to waterfall Dettifoss and follow the wonders of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon as it continues north from the waterfall, visiting the hidden treasures of the canyon. These include the Hljóðaklettar at Vesturdalur, a strangely eroded crater row dating back some thousands of years as well as the Ásbyrgi oasis. The canyon forms the northern part of Vatnajökull NP and even though you may not be thinking of a glacier in the lush Ásbyrgi – the glacier was very much a part of its creation. From Ásbyrgi the tour continues west via Húsavík town – the whale watching centre of the North, to Akureyri – the Capital of the north – for the night. Optional: Whale watching from Húsavík in the evening.
Driving: 4 hours (~270km)                Hiking: 2-3 hours total           

Day 5: Northern farmlands-Skagafjörður-Snæfellsnes
Today will take us through the northern farmlands, with the green valleys and the low passes. The North Atlantic is ever present as the road crosses fjords of different shapes and size and soon we find ourselves on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Here the landscape is quite different a chain of peaks leads to the Snæfellsjökull glacier located at the tip of the peninsula. The comforts of Hotel Búðir with great views to the glacier and the surrounding peaks add yet another dimension to your experience.
Driving: 5 hours (~375 km)               Hiking: 1-2 hours total, short hikes

Day 6:  The Snæfellsnes peninsula
We set out to explore the foothills of the Snæfellsjökull glacier and the many wonders of the Snæfellsjökull NP. The coast between the hamlets Arnarstapi and Hellnar allow for a nice stroll in an old lava field right on the Ocean. A visit to Djúpalónssandur and Dritvík, tiny inlets on the western tip of the peninsula top the day. Return to Hotel Búðir for the night.
Driving: 2-3 hours total (~120km)     Hiking: 3-4 hours total

Day 7: Eldborg crater-Borgarfjörður-Hraufossar-Deildartunguhver hot spring Reykjavík
From the serenity of Hotel Búðir, we set out for the last day of this great tour and head for Reykjavík. We visit the picture perfect crater Eldborg and explore the uplands of the Borgarfjörður valley where Hraunfossar waterfalls and the nearby Barnafoss waterfall leave a lasting impression. On the way to Reykjavík we stop at the geothermal area of Deildartunguhver, one of the country´s most powerful hot spring providing heating to the surrounding farms and towns. The tour ends at your accommodation in Reykjavík.
Driving: 3-4 hours (~280 km)            Hiking: 2-3 hours total            

Departure Date	Availability
22. Aug 2012	Available