Expeditions
Expeditions
Sprengisandur - Traverse of the Icelandic Highlands
Traverse on an ancient route where unpredictable weather and beautiful scenery combine for an awesome adventure. Available on request!
Tour code: EXPI52
Take On the Challenge of Skiing Through The Center of Iceland
A beautiful traverse on cross-country skis over the Icelandic highlands. Your highly experienced and knowledgeable guide will lead you from the high grounds above Akureyri in the North, over the deserted Sprengisandur, which is the ancient route between the Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers – to Landmannalaugar, an area of high geothermal activity. This is a journey through the center of Iceland is challenging and rewarding. Because this area is not easily accessible in the winter time, you will encounter wide open spaces and impressive mountainous landscapes with no one else around. Snow, ice, fire and water come together to create an enchanting winter world. While you are surrounded by amazing nature, the unpredictable weather and isolation make this tour a personal challenge for many participants. After a long day of skiing, you will get some much deserved rest in a hut or tent, depending on where we stop for the night, and enjoy a delicious meal.
We recommend this tour as a preparation for the Greenland crossing. For beginners in cross-country skiing, we recommend the Landmannalaugar cross-country ski tour before attempting this crossing.
Tour Overview
- Pickup
- Included
- Group Size
- 5 - 12 participants (second guide for groups 8 - 12)
- Language
- English
- Accommodation
- Mountain hut and camping
- Walking per day
- 7 - 9 hrs
- Total Distance
- 220 km (137 mi)
- Max. Ascent
- 900 m (2900 ft)
- Minimum age
- 16 years
- Duration
- 10 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
16
Customer Reviews
“...What a fantastic trip! Our guide Maxime was incredible, we cannot say enough about him or his knowledge of everything Icelandic. The scenery could not be beat and the whole experience was really, really special. Even had one crystal clear night where the Northern Lights filled the sky. Wow.”
Tour Highlights
Included
- Experienced and qualified guide
- Mountain hut sleeping bag accommodation in dormitories (6 nights)
- Camping accommodation in two persons tent (3 nights)
- Flight Reykjavík - Akureyri
- Transport at the beginning and end of the tour
- Breakfast (9), Lunch (10), Dinner (9)
- Pulkas/sleds
Not included
- Sleeping bag
- Mattress
- Skiing equipment
- Accommodation in Reykjavík
Optional extras
- Sleeping bag
- Skiing equipment
- Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour
Tour Map and Itinerary
Click map for detailed itineraryMap & Itinerary
Sprengisandur - Traverse of the Icelandic Highlands
Meeting with the guide
Day 0
In the morning (day before departure) is a meeting with the guide to go over the equipment and the itinerary for the following week. If anything is missing, we have time to arrange for things or go shopping in the afternoon.
Flight to Akureyri - Eyjafjörður
Day 1
Our Sprengisandur expedition begins with an early morning flight from Reykjavík to Akureyri, capital of the North. Entering Eyjafjörður, the first day’s project is to get all the gear up to the mountain plateau at 800 m altitude. First night in a small hut.
Distance: 12 km
Walking time: 7-8 hrs
Laugafell
Day 2
On the high plateau we head straight south to Laugafell, where a hot geothermal pool is ready for a moment of relaxation. Night in Laugafell geothermally heated hut.
Distance: 23 km
Walking time: 6-7 hrs
Tungnafellsjökull - Nýidalur
Day 3 and 4
From Laugafell, we traverse a long plateau of small hills. We set course in the direction of a mountain mass crowned by the glacier Tungnafellsjökull. Our destination is Nýidalur that lies just under the glacier. Third night in a tent and the fourth in Nýidalur hut.
Distance day 3: 20 km
Distance day 4: 16 km
Walking time each day: 6-7 hrs
Vatnajökull glacier - Vonarskarð - Jökulheimar
Day 5 and 6
From Nýidalur our route takes us closer to the great ice cap of the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest, that dominates the skies to the east. Our route lies through Vonarskarð (Pass of Hope) and over snow covered lava fields to Jökulheimar at the edge of the south-west corner of the glacier. Fifth night in a tent and the sixth in Jökulheimar mountain hut.
Distance each day: 24 km
Walking time each day: 7-8 hrs
Tungnaá - Landmannalaugar
Day 7 and 8
Jökulheimar (meaning literately "Glacier Worlds") is the source of one of the country’s largest river, Tungnaá. At this time of year the mighty river is typically covered with ice and snow and is therefore like a highway leading all the way to Landmannalaugar a large valley surrounded by colorful rhyolite hills. In Landmannalaugar there’s another extremely appreciated warm natural pool close to the hut. Seventh night in a tent and eighth in Landmannalaugar mountain hut.
Distance each day: 27 km
Walking time each day: 7-8 hrs
Landmannalaugar
Day 9
A rest day in Landmannalaugar, giving us a chance to explore this geothermal area in its winter coat. Lava fields, mud pots, geysers and hot springs decorate the landscape creating magical contrasts of ice and fire. This day also serves as an extra day in case we are delayed by difficult weather or snow conditions.
Sigalda - Reykjavík
Day 10
Last leg will take us north-west towards Sigalda, where there is an open road for the vehicle to transport us to Reykjavík.
Distance: 23 km
Walking time: 6 hrs
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Practical Information
FAQ
I do not have any experience of Nordic skiing. Can I go on this tour?
If you have winter experience and good fitness, we can add a day for ski training before the trip or you can do a Nordic / XC skiing course closer to home.
Booking
- The date I want to book is not available, can I still request to book?
It is not possible to book the expeditions online. Please contact us at info@mountainguides.is if you are interested in booking or if you have any questions. You are also welcome to contact us for a private tour if you cannot join on an available date.
Facilities (showers, water, accommodation, electricity)
- Will we be able to shower on the expedition?
Yes, the amazing hut in Grímsvötn has both a shower and a steam bath. - Will the huts have running water?
No you will need to melt snow for water on the expedition. - Do the mountain huts have dormitory rooms/private rooms?
The huts have no private rooms available, there are only dormitories. - Do I need to bring my own cooking equipment?
No, we will have all cooking equipment needed as well as gas and gas stove. - Can I charge my phone/camera in the hotels/huts?
We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your electronic devices. The huts do not have electricity.
Special diets
- I am a vegetarian/vegan/gluten intolerant, will there be a food option for me, what is it?
Special dietary supplement, such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free or other supplements, can be ordered at some extra cost. The supplement will include meals that meet the requirements of your diet.
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