Easy to Moderate Hiking in the Most Beautiful Landscape of South and South-East Iceland.

This is an outstanding trip to one of Iceland’s most attractive areas, including the famous Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall, Skaftafell National Park, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the famous Laki volcano.** Hiking through stunning volcanic sceneries with breathtaking panoramic views over glaciers and spectacular mountain peaks. Whether it is the glacier lagoon and its amazing icebergs, the incredible volcanic landscapes of the Laki area or Skaftafell National Park that impresses you the most, you can be certain to have an outstanding adventure. And maybe, if weather conditions permit we could enjoy the dramatic northern lights or the phenomenal midnight sun decorating Vatnajökull icecap. The evenings and nights will be spent at a nice and comfortable countryside hotel in the close vicinity of the small town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the southeast. Transport in comfortable 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Confirmed departure:

• 24. May 2010 - Fully booked!
• 07. June 2010 - availabke
• 21. June 2010 - available
• Many other departures available under the Departures and Prices tab above.

Touring: 5 days

Walking per day: 2-5 hours

Groups: 6-16 participants

Pickup: Pickup from hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavik at 08:30 in the morning.

All departures are offered with English and French speaking guide.

Equipment list

Included : Guiding, food during the whole trip (except breakfast on day one and dinner on the last day), accommodation at country side hotel, transport in 4x4 vehicle, 2-3 hrs. glacier walk on Svinafellsjokull glacier (all glacier and safety gear provided).
Single supplement: Winter: 18.000 ISK - Summer: 25.000 ISK.
Meeting Point : Participants are picked up from their accommodation in Reykjavik the morning the tour starts.

Day 1: Gullfoss – Geysir - Hotel    Pickup from hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavik at 08:30 in the morning.
First on our program for the day is a visit to the Great Geysir geothermal area. There we will take a look at the areas namesake and its neighbor, Strokkur a feisty geyser which spouts every 5-10 minutes. Close by we find Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls; in two giant steps the water falls 32 meters into a deep gorge. We continue east through one of the largest agriculture areas. Passing by two very impressive glaciers, a huge sand desert and one of Iceland’s biggest lava fields we reach our hotel where we stay for the next 4 nights.
Driving: 6 hrs total    Walking: 2-3 hrs total

Day 2: Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park is a part of Europe’s biggest National Park. It is composed of natural forest growing between glacial tongues, reaching down almost to sea level - a unique place to visit. We walk through a birch forest up to the Svartifoss waterfall, which is famous for its black basalt columns. On the way we will get fantastic views of Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull and Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m), its highest peak. In the afternoon you try an inspiring walk on the glacier. You will be provided with all the necessary gear (crampons and ice axes) to discover the amazing blue world of ice and explore its ridges and crevasses ! Return to the hotel.
Driving: 2 hrs total    Walking: 4-5 hrs total

Day 3: Volcano Laki**
Today we head for the craters of Laki. In 1783 a 25km long fissure opened and lava flew out of 130 craters, devastating huge pasture fields. Clouds of poisonous gases killed over 50% of the livestock on Iceland. This led to a great famine which soon killed about 20% of the population. This was the greatest eruption in Iceland since the original settlement and naturally had a deep impact on the Icelandic population. However, today these craters are mostly covered with green moss which makes a huge contrast to the black and red color of the underlying lava. In good weather we will climb to the top of the the Laki moutain. From there we have a splendid view over all the craters and the ice cap of Vatnajökull. Return to the same hotel.
Driving: 4-5 hrs total    Walking: 3-4 hrs total

** In winter departures the road to Laki can be impossible even for our well equipped 4x4 vehicles. In that case we will discover the lower parts of the lava flows from the volcano and turn to an alternative program in the afternoon.

Day 4: Jökulsárlón – Slaga
Today we head east along the Öræfajökull glacier which covers one of the country’s greatest volcanoes and its highest summit. We then cross great flatlands in front of the huge Breiðamerkurjökull glacier before arriving to Jökulsárlón lagoon with its picturesque floating icebergs. This place has provided the backdrop for many Hollywood films - for example the recent James Bond movie “Die another Day”. We discover a great variety of icebergs of different forms and shapes and the wide range of blue and white colours in the ice. In the afternoon on our way back, we will take a walk at the foot of the Öræfajökull glacier, with fantastic views over the vast sand plains of the river Skeiðará. In 1996 the great glacier outflow from under the Vatnajökull icecap destroyed the longest bridge in Iceland. A huge mass of ice (3000 billion liters) melted and the water reached a flow rate of 55,000 cubic meters per second and covered these huge plains with water. Return to the same hotel.
Driving: 3-4 hrs total    Walking: 4-5 hrs total

Day 5: Vík – Hot springs of Ölkelduháls – Reykjavik
On our return to Reykjavik we pass by the village of Vík (Vík í Mýrdal) where we can enjoy a walk on the black beach. The pinnacles of Reynisdrangar are to be seen just offshore. According to legend, the pinnacles were left standing there after two trolls tried to pull a three master ship past the headland, but were caught and petrified by the first rays of sunshine. North of the village Hveragerði, famous for its greenhouses, we enjoy our last walk over to the geothermal area of Reykjadalur where we can enjoy a relaxing bath in a warm stream before returning to the hectic life of Iceland’s capital.
Driving: 4 hrs total    Walking: 3-4 hrs total

Additional cost for two night accommodation in Reykjavik (one night before the tour and one night after the tour):

Winter departures:

• Accommodation in guesthouse, sleeping bag, with shared facilities, and breakfast included – price from: 4.500 ISK per person.
• Accommodation in guesthouse with shared facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 8.500 ISK per person. Single supplement from: 5.000 ISK
• Accommodation in guesthouse with private facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 10.500 ISK per person. Single supplement from: 6.000 ISK
• Accommodation in a 2-3 star hotel with private facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 15.500 ISK. Single supplement from: 7.000 ISK

Summer departures:

• Accommodation in guesthouse, sleeping bag, with shared facilities, and breakfast included – price from: 8.500 ISK per person.
• Accommodation in guesthouse with shared facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 14.000 ISK per person. Single supplement from: 8.000 ISK
• Accommodation in guesthouse with private facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 19.500 ISK per person. Single supplement from: 11.000 ISK
• Accommodation in a 2-3 star hotel with private facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 22.5000 ISK. Single supplement from: 13.000 ISK

For bookings and further information, please contact our office by email: info@mountainguides.is or call: +354 587 9999.