Iceland walking holidays
| country: | Iceland |
| trip type: | Moderate/strenuous walking holidays |
| departures: | Departures can be arranged at any time to suit you with a minimum of 4 people |
| price: | From Kr89990 - Kr124990 (approx £466 - £647) (4-5 days) excluding flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Highlights of the Highlands - Trekking the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls in Iceland
Landmannalaugar-Þórsmörk-Skógar. From Kr124990 (approx £647) (5 days) ex flights.
Laugavegur hiking trail is the most popular route through the Icelandic wilderness. This tour is even better as it also includes the glacier traverse from Þórsmörk to Skógar. There are very few places in the world that offer such diverse landscapes and scenic views. On the trek there are colorful mountains, huge and rugged glaciers, screaming hot springs, rivers of every shape and size, peaceful lakes, narrow ridges, immense waterfalls, deep canyons and panoramic views of the North Atlantic Ocean. This trek truly has it all!
Guaranteed departures are available on 17 and 27 July 2009. More departures will be added as these fill up.
Included in price: Guiding, transfer from/to Reykjavík with jeep, jeep transfer for food and equipment between huts/campsites, food for 5 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner the last day), tents & cooking gear.
Bring with you: warm outdoor clothes, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking boots are a vital!
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve - Trekking the Hornstrandir in Iceland
Vestfirðir peninsula. From Kr88990 (approx £466) (4 days) ex flights.
The Hornstrandir nature reserve is a place of magnificent untouched beauty and wildlife. The sheer basalt mountains stretch from the sea to the sky chaotically divided by deep fjords, secluded alcoves and valleys. At the coastline the relentless power of the ocean has molded towering sea cliffs richly populated by birds. Many of the alcoves and scurries of the coast are home to an abundance of seals. Inland the crawling glaciers of the last ice age have hewn ancient mountain passes and lakes into the rugged peninsula. There the arctic fox wanders in its natural environment. At the settlement of Iceland and until the middle of the 20th century the area was populated by the toughest of Icelandic fishermen and craftsmen. Many of them making their livelihood from crafting unsurpassed vessels for the North Atlantic Ocean. Hornstrandir is now empty of permanent settlers but their abandoned homes and workshops are scattered around the area, nestled deep in the fjords and valleys. You can be sure that trekking through the Hornstrandir will leave you breathless and packed with memories that will last a lifetime.
Guaranteed departures are available on 20 July 2009. More departures will be added as this fills up.
Included in price: Guiding, boat ride into the reserve, food for 3 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner last day, tents, cooking gear and transfer of luggage. Not included: Flight from/to Reykjavík to/from Ísafjörður.
Bring with you: warm outdoor clothes, wind- and waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves and of course some hiking boots.
Note: The trek starts and ends in Ísafjörður in the Vestfirðir. You will have to arrange for transfer from/to Reykjavík.
Optional add-ons:
Snæfellsjökull Glacier (Volcano and historic site in Vest-Iceland)
From Kr19490 (approx £100) (1 day) ex flights. Price includes pick-up. Add a packed lunch for Kr1500
The Snæfellsjökull glacier is one of the most picturesque mountains in Iceland, rising up 1450 meters from the middle of the Snæfellsnes peninsula this famous volcano is clearly visible more then 100 km away. Many have written poems about its grandeur and shining white coat of ice and snow. The most famous literature about Snæfellsjökull is undoubtedly Jules’s Vernes novel “Journey to the center of the Earth” where the entrance to the center was through a caldera at the top it.
Everything about this trip is an amazing adventure; even the drive to the start of the hike offers breathtaking views only surpassed by the vistas from the slopes and the peak. On clear days the whole Vestfjord peninsula is visible, beyond the North Atlantic ocean the shores of Greenland can be glimpsed and the peninsula itself with its amazing mountains and beaches are sights never forgotten. This is one of the very best glacier hikes in the world! After the hike we drive down to the sheer ocean cliffs of Arnarstapi and stroll down to the Hellnar alcove for a delicious Icelandic fish soup in a tiny fishing hut a few meters from the relentless surf and pounding of the sea.
Included in price: Guiding and all necessary glacial gear, sight seeing at Arnarstapi village and fish soup at Fjöruhúsið.
Minimum age: 16 years
Mt. Hvannadalshnjúkur. A Mountain hike to Iceland's highest peak
From Kr14990 (approx £78) (1 day) ex flights. Price with pick-up Kr21590 (approx £112). Add a packed lunch for Kr1500
To stand on Iceland’s highest peak and cast your eyes over the land is an unforgettable experience that no adventurer should let pass before him. The route to the top starts with a drive in towards Europe’s biggest glacier the Vatnajokull from Skaftafell National Reserve. The sheer size of the Vatnajokull glacier, at 8.100 km2, is almost beyond comprehension and this frozen expanse is a sight not soon forgotten. You will need specialized glacier equipment such as crampons and an expert mountain guide to cross the crevasse riddled glacier plateau. All things considered the hike up the “Hnjúkurinn”, as Icelanders call it, is not a technical climb although it certainly is a long and physically challenging one. Please note that you will have to stay the night before and after the hike in Skaftafell or its surroundings.
Included in price: Guiding and all necessary glacial gear.
Minimum age: 16 years
Landmannalaugar-Þórsmörk-Skógar. From Kr124990 (approx £647) (5 days) ex flights.
Laugavegur hiking trail is the most popular route through the Icelandic wilderness. This tour is even better as it also includes the glacier traverse from Þórsmörk to Skógar. There are very few places in the world that offer such diverse landscapes and scenic views. On the trek there are colorful mountains, huge and rugged glaciers, screaming hot springs, rivers of every shape and size, peaceful lakes, narrow ridges, immense waterfalls, deep canyons and panoramic views of the North Atlantic Ocean. This trek truly has it all!
Guaranteed departures are available on 17 and 27 July 2009. More departures will be added as these fill up.
Included in price: Guiding, transfer from/to Reykjavík with jeep, jeep transfer for food and equipment between huts/campsites, food for 5 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner the last day), tents & cooking gear.
Bring with you: warm outdoor clothes, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking boots are a vital!
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve - Trekking the Hornstrandir in Iceland
Vestfirðir peninsula. From Kr88990 (approx £466) (4 days) ex flights.
The Hornstrandir nature reserve is a place of magnificent untouched beauty and wildlife. The sheer basalt mountains stretch from the sea to the sky chaotically divided by deep fjords, secluded alcoves and valleys. At the coastline the relentless power of the ocean has molded towering sea cliffs richly populated by birds. Many of the alcoves and scurries of the coast are home to an abundance of seals. Inland the crawling glaciers of the last ice age have hewn ancient mountain passes and lakes into the rugged peninsula. There the arctic fox wanders in its natural environment. At the settlement of Iceland and until the middle of the 20th century the area was populated by the toughest of Icelandic fishermen and craftsmen. Many of them making their livelihood from crafting unsurpassed vessels for the North Atlantic Ocean. Hornstrandir is now empty of permanent settlers but their abandoned homes and workshops are scattered around the area, nestled deep in the fjords and valleys. You can be sure that trekking through the Hornstrandir will leave you breathless and packed with memories that will last a lifetime.
Guaranteed departures are available on 20 July 2009. More departures will be added as this fills up.
Included in price: Guiding, boat ride into the reserve, food for 3 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner last day, tents, cooking gear and transfer of luggage. Not included: Flight from/to Reykjavík to/from Ísafjörður.
Bring with you: warm outdoor clothes, wind- and waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves and of course some hiking boots.
Note: The trek starts and ends in Ísafjörður in the Vestfirðir. You will have to arrange for transfer from/to Reykjavík.
Optional add-ons:
Snæfellsjökull Glacier (Volcano and historic site in Vest-Iceland)
From Kr19490 (approx £100) (1 day) ex flights. Price includes pick-up. Add a packed lunch for Kr1500
The Snæfellsjökull glacier is one of the most picturesque mountains in Iceland, rising up 1450 meters from the middle of the Snæfellsnes peninsula this famous volcano is clearly visible more then 100 km away. Many have written poems about its grandeur and shining white coat of ice and snow. The most famous literature about Snæfellsjökull is undoubtedly Jules’s Vernes novel “Journey to the center of the Earth” where the entrance to the center was through a caldera at the top it.
Everything about this trip is an amazing adventure; even the drive to the start of the hike offers breathtaking views only surpassed by the vistas from the slopes and the peak. On clear days the whole Vestfjord peninsula is visible, beyond the North Atlantic ocean the shores of Greenland can be glimpsed and the peninsula itself with its amazing mountains and beaches are sights never forgotten. This is one of the very best glacier hikes in the world! After the hike we drive down to the sheer ocean cliffs of Arnarstapi and stroll down to the Hellnar alcove for a delicious Icelandic fish soup in a tiny fishing hut a few meters from the relentless surf and pounding of the sea.
Included in price: Guiding and all necessary glacial gear, sight seeing at Arnarstapi village and fish soup at Fjöruhúsið.
Minimum age: 16 years
Mt. Hvannadalshnjúkur. A Mountain hike to Iceland's highest peak
From Kr14990 (approx £78) (1 day) ex flights. Price with pick-up Kr21590 (approx £112). Add a packed lunch for Kr1500
To stand on Iceland’s highest peak and cast your eyes over the land is an unforgettable experience that no adventurer should let pass before him. The route to the top starts with a drive in towards Europe’s biggest glacier the Vatnajokull from Skaftafell National Reserve. The sheer size of the Vatnajokull glacier, at 8.100 km2, is almost beyond comprehension and this frozen expanse is a sight not soon forgotten. You will need specialized glacier equipment such as crampons and an expert mountain guide to cross the crevasse riddled glacier plateau. All things considered the hike up the “Hnjúkurinn”, as Icelanders call it, is not a technical climb although it certainly is a long and physically challenging one. Please note that you will have to stay the night before and after the hike in Skaftafell or its surroundings.
Included in price: Guiding and all necessary glacial gear.
Minimum age: 16 years
travelling with a local operator
This holiday is operated by a company based in the holiday destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.how this holiday makes a difference
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On our treks through the magnificent Icelandic nature we place a heavy emphasis on our leave no trace policy:
When we need transport between places or transfer of luggage or supplies we offset the carbon emission through the Icelandic Carbon fund. We take part in the Icelandic Nature Conservation organization and through them take an active part in supervision over constructions in the highlands of Iceland. The organization is public forum that issues statements and gives their opinion on all matters concerning construction in the Icelandic nature. We recycle as much of our waste as possible. Both at our office, at our base camps, in our restaurant and on tours we take all waste with us and dispose of it after the trip. We only use local guides, Icelanders that are passionate about their environment and its conservation. Every single trip we operate is genially Icelandic, packed lunches are made with Icelandic ingredients such as cabin smoked lamb from Húsavík, dried fish from Vestfirðir. If we dine in restaurants we eat eg: at Rauða Húsið or Hafið Bláa Icelandic seafood restaurants in the small towns of Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri on North Atlantic coast. All our services are performed in the countryside or highlands and we are fiercely local, using only hostels, guesthouses, huts or hotels where we have a personal relationship with its owners and staff. On all our treks we have a maximum of 12 people with a optimal group size of 8. This makes our treks an intimate experience and enables us to be flexible with our schedules. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |