Deserted Highlands of the Askja Volcano

A true adventure tour that takes you to the world famous Askja Caldera, a must visit for all nature lovers and geology enthusiasts alike. Starting in the lush areas of lake Mývatn we head into the vast desert highlands, covered by extensive lava fields and volcanoes. Until the early 20th century this area was known and feared due to legends about outlaws that were said to rule this unwelcoming territory. Consequently few people took their chances by venturing onto their turf, the smoke from active volcanoes believed to be smoke emanating from the outlaws’ farms. Today this area offers pristine wilderness at its best where many breathtaking moments await. A visit to the fertile oasis of Herðubreiðarlindir on the way back to lake Mývatn rounds up this fantastic tour in the North of Iceland.

Departures:
09.07 - 13.07 2012
23.07 - 27.07 2012
06.08 -10.08 2012

Level: Challenging to demanding
Trekking: 5 days
Walking per day: 6 - 8 hours
Total distance: 85 km (53 miles)
Altitude: 285 - 1100 m (935-3610)
Maximum ascent: 600 m (1970 feet)

Included in price: Guide for 5 days, transportation to and from the Askja highlands, food for 5 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 5), sleeping bag accommodation in mountain huts and transfer of luggage.
Domestic flights between Reykjavík and Akureyri and transport between Akureyri and Mývatn is optional.
Group size: 6 to 16 participants.
Please note: The tour starts and ends by lake Mývatn
Available upon request: Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour  - please contact us for more information.

Package price with flights Reykjavík-Akureyri-Reykjavík, transfer to and from Mývatn and sleeping bag accommodation w/breakfast at the end of the tour - 189.900 ISK

Day 1: Mývatn-Heilagsdalur
We start our trek from the village of Reykjahlið in the lush region of Lake Mývatn. Crossing over the rift between the tectonic plates at Grjotagjá we hike on, along the foothills of Hverfjall crater and over to the crater row of Þrenglsaborgir. This day we learn a lot about the geology of the surrounding area and how volcanically active it is. As we come up the hill on Goðagil we have a great view into Seljahjallagil gorge with its magnificent basalt columns. Coming into Heilagsdalur valley we now have an easy walk along the base of Mt. Bláfjall to our mountain hut, located on the southeast side of the mountain.
Distance: 20-22km (12-13mi)   Walking time: 6-8 hrs   Ascent: 350m (1150')

Day 2: Heilagsdalur-Botni
Leaving Heilagsdalur valley we set out for the true highlands, the vegetation becomes sparser with every footstep, the landscape changes slowly and the lava fields start to dominate the scene. We walk through sand and across the sand polished lavafields from Kollóttadyngja, a typical shield volcano. Finding our way through the lava and the occational clear streams pouring out from underneath the lava, we finally reach the little hut of Botni located in a perfect place in the middle of nowhere.
Distance: 20-22km (12-13mi)   Walking time: 6-8 hrs   Ascent: 50m (160')

Day 3: Botni-Dyngjufell at Dyngjufjalladalur
Today we set out for the real deserts leaving behind the fertile banks of the little stream that disappears into the sands in this immense lavafield of Ódáðahraun traversing both Pahoehoe and AA type lava. The name Ódáðahraun derives from the old belief that this was the Outlaws´ territory and here the common folk were not safe. We enjoy the views to the surrounding mountains; Herðubreið the queen of Icelandic mountains is to our east, up ahead the Dyngjufjöll mountains with the mysterious Askja hidden at their bosom, and in the distance the largest glacier of Europe, Vatnajökull. We reach the valley of Dyngjufjalladalur with its impressive rock formation. Here we find our next hut.
Distance: 20-22 km (12-13mi)   Walking time: 6-8 hrs   Ascent: 100m (330')

Day 4: Dyngjufjalldalur-Askja-Dreki-hut
We follow the moonlike Dyngjufjalladalur and climb up to Jónsskarð (Jóns pass) our gateway into Askja. From the pass we get a stunning view over the vast area of the magical Askja which lies in front of us before descending into Askja proper where we follow the designated path to the Askja lake. The atmosphere here is at best described as bizarre and the history of the place adds to the mystique surroundings of this caldera. In 1907 a couple of scientists were doing research here when they disappeared without a trace and despite a thorough search nothing was found apart from an single mitten. The common belief is that they perished on the lake. We hike to this 227 m deep lake that in fact is a separate caldera that came into being after the eruption in 1875. Just next to the lake is the explosion crater Víti (Hell) which is still filled with some warm, milky water. To swim in this hell crater is a very special experience... We walk to our mountain hut Dreki where we spend the night.
Distance: 19-20 km (11-12mi)   Walking time: 8-10 hrs   Ascent/descent: ~500m (1640’)/ ~300m (985’)

Day 5: Dreki Hut-Herðubreiðarlindir-Mývatn
Today we start our day by a short hike into Drekagil gorge before the bus leaves for Mývatn. Driving through the ochre landscape of the pumice which covered the area in the eruption of 1875 we soon however are back in the by now familiar, black lava fields which we cross before we reach the green oasis of Herðubreiðarlindir. Here, in this peaceful setting, Iceland´s most famous outlaw hid for a long winter and survived in the late 1800s. We continue North and turn west to lake Mývatn which is a real paradise for geologists and ornithologists with its multiple geological phenomenon and different bird species. Adding a day here in these magical surroundings may be the perfect thing to do. Things awaiting to explore are impressive bubbling mud pools with extraordinary colours, the majestic lava formations of Dimmuborgir “the dark city” and the lake itself. You can visit www.visitmyvatn.is for further information on the area.
Distance: Shorter walks Walking time: 2- 3 hrs

Departure Date	Availability
09. Jul 2012	Available
23. Jul 2012	Available
06. Aug 2012	Available