All transfers on Iceland in 4x4 vehicle according to the program
Accommodation (first and last night in B&B in Reykjavik, 12 nights sleeping bag accommodation in huts and halls of schools or other buildings)
Full board excluding drinks except two dinners in Reykjavik and Akureyri (ca. 15-30 EUR)
All excursions and visits according to the program
Accompying volcanologist (Thierry Basset) and experienced Icelandic field guide
Reiseleitung:
This tour is accompanied by Swiss geologist and VolcanoDiscovery team member Thierry Basset, who is an expert of Iceland's geology and has guided more than 10 group tours. In addition, there will be an experienced, multilingual crew of an Icelandic field guide and a driver.
Iceland was born out of the Atlantic Ocean by uncountable volcanic eruptions. It is the only place on the planet where one can observe an active mid-oceanic ridge located above sea level and follow it for such a great distance!
Iceland is located on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and marked by large fractures, active volcanoes, hydrothermal sites, desert-like lava fields, glaciers and some of the most stunning landscapes of the earth. This walking and study trip is an in-depth exploration of Iceland's fascinating interior and north. Our well-balanced itinerary allows you to fully enjoy the beauty of the spectacular and vast landscapes of this part of Iceland. Accompanied by Swiss volcanologist Thierry Basset, you are introduced to Iceland's peculiar geologic setting, learn about the processes that have been creating and continue to shape it. No particular previous knowledge is required!
Highlights of this tour include the lava deserts of the Highlands, volcanoes, giant glaciers and valleys, geysers, warm springs and fumaroles, colorful lakes, mighty waterfalls, the natural reserve of Lake Myvatn and the National Parks of Jökulsárgljúfur and Thingvellir.
Hikes in spectacular beautiful landscapes: deserts, volcanoes, glaciers of the Highlands
Competent introduction to Iceland's geology by a volcanologist from our team (Thierry Basset)
Europe's most impressive waterfalls: Dettifoss, Godafoss, Gullfoss
Adventure character, rustic comfort and good Icelandic field cuisine
Iceland North: 14 days geologic walking and study trip
Hinweis: The program can be modified on location to adapt to weather conditions, volcanic activity or other factors.
Tag 1:Arrival in Iceland / Reykjavik Arrival, pick-up from the airport and transfer to Reykjavik. Group dinner in the centre of town.
Ü: B&B in Reykjavik (D)
Tag 2:Reykjanes peninsula - geothermal site Krísuvík - Hekla volcano Short walk in the city centre and introduction to Iceland and its geology. Departure in 4x4 vehicle to the Reykjanes peninsula with its endless lava fields and the strange lake Kleifarvatn. Visit of the hydrothermal site of Krísuvík with its solfataras and bubbling mud pools - Continue to Hveragerdi and Hella - Arrival in the late afternoon near the majestic Hekla volcano, one of Iceland's most active and impressive volcanoes.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 3:The Highlands - Veidivötn volcano - Hofsjökull & Vatnajökull glaciers We enter the completely uninhabited and isolated Highlands: desert-like landscapes shaped by fire and ice, the fissure-cut area of Veidivötn volcano, one of the most active zones of Iceland, dreamlike landscapes with magnificient turqoise crater lakes in a mineralic black moonscape.
We pass into the area of giant glacial moraines from Vatnajökull and Hofsjökull glacier and arrive in the Sprengisandur desert at the feet of Tungnafellsjökull glacier, at the geographic centre of Iceland.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 4:Vatnajökull glacier - Askja volcano Continue in 4x4 vehicle along the difficult route of Gaesavatnaleid through the most isolated and wildest areas of the country. We drive along the NW margin of the giant Vatnajökull glacier, with 10,000km2 surface it is the largest in Europe. The route crosses glacial-fluvial flood plains at the feet of the glacier and some spectacular craters in alignment rise from the immense ice field. We pass at the feet of Trölladyngja, the biggest shield volcano of Iceland and continue until Askja.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 5:Askja volcano and its caldera Full day to explore Askja, with 8km diameter the largest caldera of Iceland. Bounded by steep cliffs several hundred meters high it contains several green and turqoise lakes with colorful sulphur deposits along their shores. Hike into this lunar and grandiose landscape, with the option to take a hot bath in the small Viti ("hell") crater from the 1875 eruption.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 6:Lava deserts and giant glaciers - fire and ice We leave the lunar landscape of Askja in our 4x4 vehicle southwards through a lava desert cut by innumerable fissures and many cinder cones - Arrival at the feet of the Kverkfjöll mountains, half covered by the large Vatnajökull glacier.
Walk along glacier tongues streching onto the black sand plains and observation of a giant glacier door, the result of the meeting of ice with countless fumaroles, creating an amazing landscape of jets of vapour and hot springs.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 7:Walk on Kverkfjöll - Herdubreid - Mödrudalur Hike through an exceptional volcanic landscape of the mountains of Kverkfjöll. Continue to the Jökulsá á Fjöllum, a large glacial meandering river, visit of Hvannalindir, a welcome oasis in this mineralic landscape. We pass the table mountain Herdubreid, the «queen of Icelandic mountains». Arrive at the plain of Mödrudalur, one of the most remote farms of the country where we will stay overnight.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 8:Dettifoss waterfall - Jökulsárgljúfur - Asbyrgi - Lake Myvatn We continue northwards along the right side of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river and visit the spectacular waterfall Dettifoss, with 45m height and 500m3 water discharge per second the largest and perhaps most impressive of Europe. Drive to the National Park of Jökulsárgljúfur, «the canyon of the ice river» - and visit the grand natural amphitheatre of Asbyrgi, bounded by high cliffs of basalt and containing a lush artic vegetation on its floor. We return along the left river side of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum and arrive later in the area of Lake Myvatn.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 9:Lake Myvatn and Krafla volcano Lake Myvatn, located on the rift zone separating the American and Eurasian plates, is a natural reserve with an exceptional richness in bird life, plants and geology, and volcanic features. Numerous cinder cones, eruption fissures, fumarole fields and hot springs are present in this area, where we will spend the whole day to explore some of them. In particular, we will visit Námafjall with its boiling mud ponds and the recent eruptive fissures of Krafla volcano, famous for its frequent curtains of fire eruptions, the last happening in 1984.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 10:Hverfjall - Godafoss - Akureyri We climb the stunning cinder cone of Hverfjall with its crater of 1000 m diameter - Superb panorama onto the Lake Myvatn - Continue on foot to cross Dimmuborgir, a maze of lava tunnels and frozen lava lakes, with many petrified trolls to discover!
In the afternoon, departure to the Godafoss waterfall, the "waterfall of the Gods". We arrive in Akureyri, the charming little capital of Iceland's North, located at the shore of a magnificient fjord. Evening and dinner are free.
Ü: (B, L)
Tag 11:Hydrothermal area of Kerlingarfjöll We take the route south to Kjölur, one of Icelands most scenic highland routes, crossing a wild mineralic landscape. Stop at Hveravellir and its solfatara field and take a refreshing bath in a natural warm water source.
The road passes through glacial moraines of Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers and we arrrive at Kerlingarfjöll, the «mountains of the sorcerers», one of Iceland's most impressive volcanic sites.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 12:Geothermal activity at Kerlingarfjöll Whole-day walk at Kerlingarfjöll in the middle of a landscape of lava domes and flows with incredibly colorful rock formations. We enter into a valley of extraordinary natural beauty with powerful fumaroles, bubbling mud ponds, geysers and warm springs.
Ü: (B, L, D)
Tag 13:"Golden Circle": Gullfoss - Geysir - Reykjavik We continue straight south on the Kjölur route that ends at famous Gullfoss, «the golden waterfall» - Visit to this two-level waterfall that precipitates into a narrow canyon of basalt prisms, one of Iceland's most beautiful natural wonders. Visit to the legendary site of Geysir: active geysers, warm springs, colorful mineral deposits. - Visit to the Thingvellir National Park, where one can see impressive graben fractures along the centre of the rift zone separating the American and European tectonic plates. Thingvellir is also the the site of the ancient Icelandic parlament, one of the earliest forms of democracy in history. Arrival in Reykjavík in the late afternoon. Free evening and dinner.
Ü: B&B in Reykjavik (B, L)
Tag 14:Transfer to the airport - departure or own extension If you don't opt for an extension in Iceland, the shuttle bus brings you to the airport in time for your outgoing flight.
Ü: none (B)
Anreise:
The trip starts and ends in Reykjavik and normally, participants arrange their own flight to Iceland (airport transfer included). On request, we can include a flight to Iceland for you.
Unterkunft:
First and last night in B&B in Reykjavik, the other 12 nights in sleeping-bag dormitory accommodation (mountain huts, and sometimes in halls of schools and other buildings).
