Mountain Highlights

SMALL GROUP TOUR: HIKING, WALKING, TOURING

AND WHALE WATCHING

The world is at your feet, with an average of three hours walking a day in some of the most beautiful parts of Iceland and with some longer hikes on day three, five and ten. Highlights include visiting the two National Parks of Þingvellir and Vatnajökull, the wonders of Landmannalaugar and Lake Mývatn - for its latitude the most fertile area in the world. There are waterfalls including the awesome and remote Dettifoss, the most powerful in Europe. The tour includes, weather permitting, a 3-hour whale watching cruise sailing from Húsavík and a glacial hike in South Iceland. There is a lot to see but little to carry, as the tour bus will convey your luggage.

Accommodation is provided in simple and clean hotels and guesthouses with private facilities.

Day 1 - Arrival Reykjavik

Fly from the UK to Keflavik.  Take the airport bus to your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is free with the opportunity to explore Reykjavik city.

1 night REYKJAVIK - Hotel Björk

Day 2 - Waterfalls, Glacial Walk, Lava Beaches & Bird Cliffs

We travel from Reykjavik along the south coast which is lined with moutainous cliffs and magnificent waterfalls. You´ll experience a guided glacial walk in South Iceland before we explore a black lava beach with bird cliffs. We stay for the next two nights in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park region.

Day 3 - Hiking in Europe´s Largest National Park

The whole day is spent hiking through Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park.

Day 4 - Icebergs and Fjords

We drive south of Vatnajökull, Europe´s largest glacier which dominates the landscape of Southeast Iceland. Next, amongst the floating icebergs, enjoy a boat trip on the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. We then continue through the beautiful Eastern fjords. We spend the next two nights in a remote fishing village in East Iceland.

Day 5 - Hiking Through Viking Trails

A full day hiking in the beautiful Eastern mountains.

Day 6 - East Iceland, Highland Desert, North Iceland

Today we walk up to Hengifoss, one of Iceland´s highest waterfalls. In the very remote area in the highlands of Iceland we enjoy lunch at Sænautasel, an old farm that was the main model for the setting of the novel, Independent People by Nobel Prize Winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness. Continuing on, we come to Möðrudalur, a farm that has been inhabited from the early Icelandic settlers through to the present day. Our route takes us through desert landsape before reaching our accommodation for the next three nights in Northeast Iceland.

Day 7 - Whale Watching, Geological Wonders and Nature Baths

From the picturesque village of Húsavík we start the day with a 3 hour whale watching cruise, weather permitting. A short drive brings us to Lake Mývatn, a unique area that features strange lava formations, attractive bays, pseudo craters and prolific bird life. We stroll through the lava field of Dimmuborgir and have a walk to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall. As a reward for all that walking, we can relax in Mývatn Nature Baths, in the late afternoon.

Day 8 - Walking In The National Park

We visit Hljóðaklettar with its strange formations and the magnificent and puzzling canyon Ásbyrgi, said to be a hoof print from Sleipnir, the eight legged horse of the ancient God Óðinn. We walk along the west bank of the mighty Jökulsá River, home of Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, at the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park.

Day 9 - From North To South Through The Interior Highlands

We visit Goðafoss waterfall and then travel south across the highland desert on the Kjölur trail. There are wonderful views of the distant ice-caps and we stop at the hot springs of Hveravellir. This region is shrouded in mystery, with folktales of ghosts, giants and outlaws. You’ll experience one of Europe's last wildernesses! We end the day with a visit at Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot springs. We spend the next two nights in South Iceland.

Day 10 - Hiking in Landmannalaugar

Today we travel to the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar, a jewel in the Icelandic landscape. The surrounding rhyolite mountains have the feel of another planet, ranging in colours from beige to red and from blue to black. After a long hike we can relax and enjoy a bath in a natural hot river.

Day 11 - Golden Circle, Reykjavik

Optional horseback riding tour in the morning before we travel to the historic sites of the first Icelandic Parliament at Þingvellir National Park. Here we have the last hike of our tour before returning to Reykjavík late afternoon.

Day 12 - Departure

Take the airport bus from your hotel to Keflavik Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Departure Day:  Sundays from London Heathrow Airport with Icelandair
Departure Dates:  23 June 2013; 7 & 21 July 2013; 4 August 2013
Duration:  11 nights

NB: Departures are also possible from Manchester and Glasgow, however, extra nights in Reykjavik may be required in order to fit in with flight schedules and availability.

Pick up for tour:  Between 0815 - 0845 from your accommodation in Reykjavik.

Language:  All tours are guided in English and German

Group size:  Maximum 16 passengers. Once a booking is confirmed - the departure is guaranteed.
 
Accommodation:  Accommodation is provided in simple but clean hotels or guesthouses with private facilities. Most of our groups will stay at the following hotels (subject to change):
 * Fosshotel Skaftafell or Islandiahotel Núpar, Southeast Iceland
 * Guesthouse Álfheimar, Borgarfjörður Eystri, East Iceland
 * Fosshotel Húsavik, Northeast Iceland
 * Hotel Örk, Hveragerði, South Iceland
 
Meals:  During your stay in Reykjavik the only included meal is breakfast as this gives you the opportunity to explore the many wonderful restaurants the city has to offer. During the tour dinner (3-course or buffet) and breakfast are included throughout plus two picnic lunches on days 6 and 9. The remainder of the time lunch stops will be made at restaurants or café-shops en route.

Hiking:  There is an average of 3 hours hiking & walking each day, with longer hikes on day 3, 5 and 10. This tour is not very difficult, and there is mostly the opportunity of returning earlier back to the base if someone does not want to hike the whole day. Good walking boots are needed on all our tours, as well as waterproof clothing and we recommend walking/hiking poles.

Solo Coach Seat: Supplement for guaranteed window seat on our escorted coach tours which includes a window seat and next seat remaining empty (passenger actually has two seats) as well as a pillow and blanket for upgraded comfort. Seats will be reserved in the front rows of the bus.