All transfers in private spacious 4x4 bus from Reykjavik to Reykjavik
Accommodation (in guesthouses, sleeping bag accommodation and mountain huts)
Accompanying geologist & photojournalist guide
Breakfast (B) and Dinner (D) as indicated with B,D. Lunch is a private choice
Tour guide:
This tour is guided by volcanologist, science publisher and photographer Chris Hug-Fleck. He has travelled so many times to Iceland that he does not remember how many, written & published a geologic-and photographic textbook about Iceland as well as guided many tours in this fascinating country.
A world of incredible contrasts, colors, surprises and deep natural impressions. See all the fantastic landscape of Iceland: tectonic plates drifting apart, all variations of volcanism, gorgeous geothermal areas, mighty waterfalls, hot ponds and pools, geysers and giant glaciers.
The most spectacular natural features of Iceland: Glaciers, Volcanoes, Craters and Fissures, Geothermal Fields, Geysers, Waterfalls
Competent introduction to Iceland's unique geological history
Extraordinary landscapes and moonscapes
Adventure into the unique wildernesses of Iceland's interior
15 days Iceland
Day 1:
Arrival & meeting in Iceland
Arrival in Iceland, Keflavik airport and transfer (25 km) to the guesthouse in Grindavik, which is situated on the south coast of the pennisula Reykjanes. Meeting of the group in the evening (around 8 pm).
Acc.: : guesthouse (D)
Day 2:
Reykjanes-peninsula, Gullfoss, Kerligarfjöll
Visit the Nesjavellir geothermal area and Thingvellir national park - Gullfoss waterfall & Geysir. Transfer into the highlands at Kerlingafjöll.
Acc.: : hut in Kerlingafjöll (sleeping bag accommodation in small mountain hut) (B,D)
Day 3:
Hiking in the area of Kerlingarfjöll
Easy hikes in the geothermally active area of Kerlingarfjöll, one of Iceland's most spectacular landscapes and known for its multi-colored and bizarre rock formations, geysers, warm ponds, and fumaroles.
Acc.: : same hut (sleeping bag accommodation in small mountain hut) (B,D)
Day 4:
Hike to Strytur shield volcano and visit the hot springs of Hveravellir
Hot springs of Hveravellir, drive over Kjölur highlands to the old chruch of vidimyri and the old farmhouse "Glaumbær". Both were built in a traditional way with peat in the 18th. century. Late drive to the waterfall "Godafoss" and lake Myvatn.
Acc.: : guesthouse Myvatn (sleeping bag accommodation in dormitory) (B,D)
Day 5:
Mývatn and hot nature bath
Lake Mývatn and its geologically interesting sourroundings: mud and steam springs of Námaskarð,"Krafla" volcano, tectonic plates fissures, ancient lava lakes and pseudo-craters. Drive to Dettifoss and Askja.
Acc.: : hut at Askja (sleeping bag accommodation in small mountain hut) (B,D)
Day 6:
Askja-Caldera
Discover the caldera of Askja and the pumice crater of Viti. If the weather is good we will walk over the rim of caldera back to our hut.
Acc.: : as before (Askja) (B, D)
Day 7:
Askja - Kverkfjöll
Drive across the moon desert to Kverkfjöll volcano located on the northside of the great glacier "Vatnajökull", visit the glacier cave.
Acc.: : hut Kverkfjöll (sleeping bag accommodation) (B,D)
Day 8:
Adventure "Kverkfjöll"
The whole day for exploring the exceptional surroundings: Walk to the 1900 m high cater an geothermal area of mount "Kverkfjöll" which is coverd by the glacier. Or walking around the periglacial flood plains of the glacier "Dynjujökull", or walking up to the postglacial eruption fissures near the glacier.
Acc.: : same hut (sleeping bag accommodation) (B,D)
Day 9:
Kverkfjöll - East Fjords
A long drive from Kverkfjöll crossing the eastern highlands. Short stop for a refreshing bath under a small hot waterfall. Cross the dam of the new artificial lake Hárslon to Egilsstadir and futher on to Berunes on the north coast of the beautiful Berufjördur.
Acc.: : old Farmhouse (sleeping bag accommodation) (B,D)
Day 10:
Geology of the older Iceland
Exploring an exotic ignimbrite, beautifull waterfalls and xenolites.
Acc.: : same Farmhouse (B,D)
Day 11:
Glacier lagoon
Drive along the spectacular east coast near the big ice lagoon "Jökulsarlon". If the weather and light conditions are good then a half hour drive to the glacier lagoon after dinner.
Acc.: : guesthouse in L (B,D)Laekjahus
Day 12:
Glacier lagoon, Svartifoss, great sandur and southern highlands
Drive again to the glacier lagoon and further on around highest peak of Iceland "Hvannadalshnukur" 2115 m. Walk to the famous waterfall Svartifoss with amazing hanging basalt columns. Drive across the big flood plains - so called "sandur" - and the southern higlands to Eldja fissure and coloured area of Landmannalaugar.
Acc.: : hut in the highlands (B,D)
Day 13:
Hiking Landmannalaugar
Full day hiking across the coloured valleys and the rhyolithe mountains of Landmannalaugar area to a beautiful view point and hot springs. After the walk we can take a relaxing bath in the hot pool.
Acc.: : same hut (sleeping bag accommodation) (B,D)
Day 14:
Return to the Reykanes peninsula + Blue Lagoon
From Landmannalaugar we drive near Hekla west to Reakjavik. We stay for about 3 hours in the capital of Iceland. We drive to Reykjanes peninsula to the Blue Lagoon a unique natural pool of geothermal seawater (37-39 °C) in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, one of the most interesting places to visit in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is a combination of many factors, the most important being the origin of the geothermal seawater from 2,000 meters beneath the surface. At the Lagoon you can bath in the milky blue water or enjoy walking in the spectacular surroundings. On this last night the group stays at the same guesthouse as before in Grindavik.
Acc.: : Guesthouse in Grindavik (B)
Day 15:
Departure from Iceland
Transfer to the airport in time for your flight.
Acc.: : none (B)
Arrival info:
The tour starts and ends in Reykjavik. Flights are not included by default, because participants come from different countries. On request, we can include your flight to Iceland.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is often simple, in huts (sleeping bag accommodation), but often there is no other accommodation option when exploring the remote and very spectacular areas of Iceland. Where it makes sense, some nights offer the comfort of cosy guesthouses or hotel.
