Across the Wilderness 2010
11 days, 10 nights, Reykjavik - Þingvellir National Park - Gullfoss - Geysir - Þórsmörk - Lake Mývatn - Dettifoss - Husavik - Hellisheiði - East Fjords - Skaftafell - Glacial Lagoon - Laki - Eldhraun - Landmannalaugar - Reykjavik | Iceland naturally: vast desert plans, towering volcanoes, awe-inspiring coastal vistas, lunar lava fields, majestic waterfalls and thriving communities. A fascinating journey through Iceland's wilderness and unspoiled nature.
Experience them all during this nine day guided tour plus pre and post nights. Enjoy this unhurried exploration of Iceland's natural treasures, such as the Thingvellir National Park, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, fishing villages Hellissandur, Grundarfjörður and Eiríksstaðir in Dalir area, the former home of Eirík the Red. Visits include the historical Glaumbær Farm Museum in Skagafjörður before heading over Öxnadalur pass to Akureyri, capital of the North.
From Lake Mývatn across the wilderness of Sprengisandur, to the largest lava field in Iceland, Ódáðahraun. On to Landmannalaugar to Skaftafell National Park and the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Eldhraun lava fields and Dyrhólaey headland, passing two waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss en route to the great Geysir and Strokkur, Europe's most powerfully spouting hot spring.
This escorted tour is operated in a modified off-road vehicle with all the comforts of a modern coach.
| Departure | Departures English / Scandinavian Thursdays July 1st, 15th*, 29th* / August 12th*, 26th *guaranteed departures |
| Price | $2,895 per person in double room $3,625 single room |
| Included | 9 day guided tour from/to Reykjavík in a 4x4 vehicle specially suited for highland travels Accommodation 2 nights w/breakfast and facilities in Reykjavík (pre & post tour) Accommodation 6 nights w/breakfast and shared facilities in the countryside 2 nights in cottage in the countryside Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 8 x dinners in the country side Entrance to Eric the Red Museum Hotel taxes and service fees |
| Not Included | International Airfare & Airport taxes Airport transfers Optional tours Meals other than those listed in itinerary Personal insurance / personal items $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Group size: 10 - 16 (min. of 10 passengers to guarantee tour) We reserve the right to alter routes without prior notice should the necessity arise due to road conditions. |
| Tour Options | Add-ons: Tour Options (not included): Additional nights in Reykjavik Glacial walking with crampons and ice axes Horse riding tour Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon Tour to the Blue Lagoon |
Day 1 ARRIVAL ICELAND Individual arrival at the Keflavik Airport. Transfer on your own by Flybus to the hotel. Overnight stay in Reykjavík (transfers not included).
Day 2 SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA (B, D) Morning drive to the south coast of the National Park of Snæfellsnes peninsula. Stop at the picturesque harbor village of Arnarstapi where magnificent columnar basalt rock formations can be seen. A unique walk between the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar is possible. Continue to the beautiful rocky sea shore by Djúpilónssandur. Circle tour around the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier, where, according to Jules Verne, the entrance to the center of the earth can be found. Overnight in Snæfellsnes area. Distance traveled: 217 miles
Day 3 SKAGAFJÖRÐUR (B, D) Through tiny fishing villages on the Snæfellsnes peninsula before visiting the Eric the Red museum. Head across Laxárdalsheiði to the region of Skagafjördur in the North. Through the inspiring scenery of this area renowned for horse breeding and many sites of the important events in the classic Icelandic sagas. Overnight in Varmahlíð area.
Day 4 SKAGAFJÖRÐUR - AKUREYRI - TJÖRNES (B, D) To Akureyri, the vibrant capital of north Iceland, and onwards to Goðafoss waterfall and the stunning Tjörnes peninsula. Continue to the National Park of Ásbyrgi to explore this enormous horseshoe-shaped canyon, which is, according to Norse mythology, the hoof print of Sleipnir, the magical eight-legged horse of the pagan god Óðinn. Overnight in Öxarfjörður area.
Day 5 ASBYRGI - DETTIFOSS - MÝVATN (B, D) Continue in the National Park to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, in the majestic Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Continue to the Mývatn area - a paradise for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers - surrounded by lava fields, volcanoes and mountains. Explore the natural beauty of the area, including the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir and the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir. Overnight in Mývatn area.
Day 6 LAKE MÝVATN - SPRENGISANDUR (B, D) Discover hidden parts of the Icelandic interior, exploring the wilderness of Sprengisandur and the largest continuous lava field in Iceland, Ódáðahraun. Overnight at Hrauneyjar. Distance traveled: 186 miles
Day 7 LANDMANNALAUGAR (B, D) First stop at Landmannalaugar, a magnificent area surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains with the option of bathing in a naturally warm geothermal pool. From Landmannalaugar, follow the Fjallabaksleið interior track to the south shore. Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area. Distance traveled: 199 miles
Day 8 JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIAL LAGOON - SKAFTAFELL (B, D) Start the day by visiting Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs float and grind together in the still, deep waters of the lagoon. Possible to take an optional boat tour among the floating icebergs. Spend the afternoon hiking in Skaftafell National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, dominated by Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap. Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Day 9 VIK - DYRHÓLAEY (B, D) Across the vast Eldhraun, the largest lava field from a single eruption in Iceland, and Mýrdalssandur plains. Stop to enjoy the great views from Dyrhólaey headland.* On the way to the Hella area, admire two beautiful waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Overnight in Hella area. *Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season in spring, middle May until June 23rd
Day 10 GEYSIR - GULLFOSS - REYKJAVIK (B) Drive to the well known geothermal field of the great Geysir and witness several boiling mud pools and hot springs, where the most active one, Strokkur, spouts high in the air every few minutes. Onwards to the beautiful Gullfoss, the „golden waterfall". Continue to Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world's first parliament. On the way to Reykjavík we pass Nesjavellir geothermal power plant that services Reykjavik's hot water needs. Overnight in Reykjavík.
Day 11 DEPARTURE (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and end of tour.