Iceland – Across The Wilderness

Itinerary :

Day 1: Reykjavik: Welcome to Reykjavik, Iceland. Upon arrival, head through passport control, collect your bags and go through customs to the Arrival Hall. You will be welcomed and driven to your accommodation in Reykjavík. If you arrive early in the day, you might enjoy visiting one of the city’s outdoor geothermal swimming pools where you can shake off your jetlag (on your own). You can also roam through the old city centre, perhaps visiting by a museum of your own or chilling with a cup of coffee in a cozy café . Dinner is on your own. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Day 2: Reykjavik-Thingvellir National Park – Geysir – Gullfoss: Breakfast at the hotel. Today start the day with a short city sightseeing of Reykjavik. From Reykjavik head to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world’s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. Next on your journey is Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”, where various walking paths give you photo-worthy views of the beautiful double-ledged cascade. You’ll also visit the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. During the day you’ll get a glimpse into Icelandic local life. Visit an Icelandic family farm where tomatoes are grown using organic geothermal energy. The day ends in Hveragerdi, a pretty town located in an active geothermal area. Dinner and overnight stay in the Hveragerdi area. (B, D)

Day 3: Hvolsvollur – Vik – Dyrholaey – Kirkjubaejarklaustur: Breakfast at the hotel. Today start the day by driving along the highway, making a stop at two impressive waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Head to the black sand beaches to enjoy the far-reaching views from Dyrholaey headland, where thousands of puffins and other seabirds nest (puffins are generally seen between May and mid-August). Enjoy a stop in the quaint village of Vik before crossing the Myrdalssandur volcanic ash outwash plains created by flowing water from nearby glaciers. The day ends after passing through the vast Eldhraun lava field, the worlds largest recorded single lava flow in the last 10,000 years. Dinner and overnight stay in Kirkjubaejarklaustur area. (B, D)

Day 4: Kirkjubaejarklaustur – Jokulsarlon – Skaftafell – Kirkjubaejarklaustur: Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be in the area of Vatnajokull National Park, the largest national park in Western Europe. The day starts with a drive through beautiful scenery towards Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe. You will also get a view of Hvannadalshnjukur, the country’s highest peak. The highlight of the day will surely be the Fjallsarlon and Jokulsarlon lagoons, where huge icebergs dance around in icy seawater. Experience up close this stunning sight on a zodiac tour among the icebergs. You will also view the much-photographed Diamond Beach area, where glittering shards of ice rest on a black sand beach. Continue on your way, passing by several outlet glaciers from Vatnajokull. Along the route you also will get magnificent views of Skaftafell, a glacier-crowned wonderland within Vatnajokull National Park. Dinner and overnight stay in Kirkjubaejarklaustur area. (B, D)

Day 5: Kirkjubaejarklaustur – Landmannalaugar – Thjorsardalur: Breakfast at the hotel. It’s now time to leave the asphalt behind and meander along the scenic, rugged Fjallabaksleid interior track to Landmannalaugar, an astonishing area surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains. The surreal beauty of the uninhabited interior reveals deep valleys and sculptured mountains, many formed by volcanic eruptions that happened beneath glaciers during the Ice Age. After a nice walk in the nature reserve (optional), enjoy a relaxing bath in a warm brook created by the convergence of hot and cold springs. It’s an authentic Iceland experience! Head to Thjorsardalur, a scenic valley that holds Iceland’s longest river. The valley is perched just on the edge of the highland wilderness. Dinner and overnight in the Thjorsardalur area. (B, D)

Day 6: Thjorsardalur – Sprengisandur – Myvatn area: Breakfast at your hotel. Today, wilderness adventure awaits! It’s time to head north through the very heart of Iceland. Discover the hidden treasures of Iceland’s uninhabited interior along the black sands of the Sprengisandur highland route. With only rough tracks and un-bridged glacial rivers, your group will rely on your experienced driver to navigate the rugged passage between the glaciers. This is a true taste of Iceland’s wild side. You’ll also discover how this route holds legends and ghost stories. It is even inspiration for one of the country’s most famous folk songs! Through the day you will get a glimpse of the beautiful flat-topped Herdubreid, Iceland’s “Queen of Mountains.” Emerge back into “civilization” in North Iceland, where the landscape is very different from the southern region. Head to the Myvatn area for your overnight. Note: If Sprengisandur is closed due to road conditions, your group will take the Kjolur highland route instead. Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area. (B, D)

Day 7: Lake Myvatn – Dettifoss – Asbyrgi – Tjornes – Lake Myvatn area : Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will the northern part of Vatnajokull National Park, as well as Lake Myvatn. Travel to the unforgettable Lake Myvatn area, a geological wonderland and paradise for bird watchers. Some of the most visually bizarre attractions in the region include the colorful boiling mud pits of Hverarond and the surreal steamming slopes of Namaskard. The journey continues to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, located in the awe-inspiring Jokulsargljufur canyon. Discover the impressive 100 meter (328 feet) high walls of the horseshoe-shaped canyon of Asbyrgi. According to Norse mythology, the canyon is the hoof-print left by Sleipnir, the magical eight-legged horse of the pagan god Odinn. Drive around the Tjornes peninsula, the northernmost point of your journey. In the afternoon drive to the town of Husavik where you have the option to experience the hot spring bath named GeoSea. Dinner and overnight stay in the Lake Myvatn area. (B, D)

Day 8: Lake Myvatn – Askja Caldera: Breakfast at your hotel. Today you’ll be viting the Askja Caldera, (a sunken crater) located in Vatnajokull National Park’s Odadahraun desert area. Askjan’s geographic isolation and other worldy terrain are reasons why NASA leaders used it as a trainning site for astronautes who went on moon missions in 1960’s and 1970’s. Visit the Askja caldera, formed by a volanic eruption during the last ice age. You’ll also take a walk to see the mountain-ringged Lake Askjaformed by a powerful 19th centuary volcanic eruption. The same crater called Viti, the gate to Hell. Standing at the Viti carter and viewing its vast size and the brilliant turquoise water. During ther day you will visit Drekagil, the Dragon valley, famous for its strangley shapped lava formations. Dinner an overnight stay in Lake Myvatn area. (B, D)

Day 9: Lake Myvatn area – Laugarbakki area: Breakfast at the hotel. Today, your route takes you along the Arctic Coast Way, Iceland’s first scenic byway. Start your adventure with a visit to Godafoss (“Waterfall of the Gods”), one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Continue to Akureyri, the vibrant “Capital of the North. You can also enjoy activities like a visit to the delightful botanical garden, or enjoying the culture, art and fine food of the Listagil artists. A visit to Troll peninsula where the rugged rocks indeed look like frozen trolls. Your route then continues to the Skagafjordur area, known as the traditional heart of horse breeding in Iceland. This fjord also holds many historical sites from the classic Viking-age Sagas. Dinner and overnight stay in the Laugarbakki area. (B, D)

Day 10: Laugarbakki – Vatnsnes Peninsula – Hvammstangi – Eiriksstadir – Snaefellsnes: Breakfast at your hotel. Your journey continues around Vatnsnes Peninsula, which holds the extraordinary rock formation of Hvitserkur, a 15 meter (49 feet) tall cliff jutting out straight from the sea. This is an area where the sea and the sky seem to meet, and there are inspiring views far into the distance. You might even see seals resting close to the beach. the afternoon, drive through rolling farmlands and across Laxardalsheidi heath and into Western Iceland. Visit the Viking Age house at the Eric the Red Museum. This was the original homestead of Eric the Red, as well as the birthplace of his son, Leif Eiriksson. These men are two of the world’s most legendary Vikings. In a replica of a grass-roofed house, meet modern day Vikings who will show you crafts and activities from a thousand years ago.Dinner and overnight stay in the Snaefellsnes area. (B, D)

Day 11: Snaefellsnes – Snaefellsjokull National Park – Reykjavik: Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will explore the amazing variety of natural landscapes in Snaefellsjokull National Park. The park‘s crown jewel is Snaefellsjokull glacier itself, which covers a dormant volcano that last erupted in 250 AD. In addition, you’ll also see Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. Walk along the uniquely pebbled seascape of Djupalonssandur beach. At the picturesque harbor village of Arnarstapi, you can observe magnificent basalt rocks in stacked formations and perhaps take a walk along the unique hiking trail linking the historical settlements of Arnarstapi and Hellnar. At the end of the afternoon, the journey leads back to Reykjavik. Overnight stay in Reykjavik. (B)

Day 12: Reykjavik: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport on your own for your international flight. (B)