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Welcome to Iceland!
Dettifoss waterfall
Reykjavik
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The fjord mountains of East Iceland rise dramatically from the sea to over 1000m. The valleys are green and lush, but snow streaks the hills even in mid summer. As we trek from fjord to fjord along the shoreline and over high passes which may still be covered by winter snowfields, our baggage is transported by small boat and jeep.
A bus journey takes us far into the interior, a primeval, volcanic landscape of lava desert and lush oases. We hike to the warm crater lake at Askja (and swim?) then head for the largest canyon in Iceland & the immense waterfall Dettifoss. Finally we reach Myvatn, a natural geothermal wonderland: lava, steaming fissures, ash cones and sulphurous boiling mud, with always a chance that the next big eruption takes place while you are there!
Itinerary
| DAY 1 Flight to Keflavik. Transfer to Reykjavik Domestic Airport for an evening flight
across Iceland to Egilsstaðir. An exciting bus ride (30 minutes) takes us over the
coastal mountains to our accommodation for the next two nights on the outskirts
of Eskifjörður, a classic fishing town. Farmhouse. | | DAY 2 Time to settle in, stretch legs and get a feel for Iceland. There are several walking
options and there should be time too, to visit the local museum. Our host’s father
is one of the few remaining fishermen on the east coast who prepares shark in the
traditional way, literally by burying it for several months, then drying it in the wind.
One of the first challenges of the trip is to sample the shark! Farmhouse. B | | DAY 3 We set off to walk to our next destination, a remote farmhouse on the Gerpir
peninsula. A track wends among hills and
lake before dropping down to Viðfjörður, a
deserted and beautiful fjord with horses,
eiders and terns for company. (4-5 hours).
B,L,D | | DAY 4 To Neskaupstadur & Mjoifjörður. We follow
the coastline round two spectacular
headlands by a tenuous and little used trail.
Avoid treading on eider nests and enjoy two
river crossings! (17 km). Neskaupstaður is a
fishing town and here we catch a small boat around the next headland - immense cliffs –
and into the tranquil and almost deserted Mjoifjordur. Look out for puffins &
whales. Hostel. (6-7 hours walking). B,L,D | | DAY 5 A gradual 900m ascent from our hostel leads to a high col of rock and snow with
tremendous views! Crossing into the next valley, we descend steadily to reach the
sea, and a coastal track which skirts the fjord. We follow this past diving arctic
terns which breed on the shoreline towards the fishing town of Seydisfjordur.
Hostel. (8 hours). B,L | | DAY 6 Our walk today contours round a shapely mountain, then drops gently down
towards the fjord past a series of waterfalls. Whimbrel, snipe, and golden plover
predominate, and wild flowers are prolific. Late afternoon stroll around town or
perhaps a beer by the harbour. (6 hours) B,L,D | | DAY 7 The bus arrives and we head inland towards the highlands. It is hard to describe
this part of the journey, much of it resembling the landscape of the moon! Apart
from pockets of occasional vegetation, it is a stark wasteland of lava fields,
volcanic ridges and barren hills. We head for Kverkfjöll, situated on the northern
fringe of Vatnajökull, the largest icecap in Europe, measuring 120km by 80km.
Approx. 7 hours driving. B,D | | DAY 8 At Kverkfjöll, a glacier tongue flows down between two rocky mountainous cliffs,
and is a spectacular sight. Currently, geothermal activity beneath the icecap is
creating rapid changes. We will visit the glacier at close quarters, then cross the rocky lunar landscape adjoining Vatnajökull to climb Biskupfjall (1240m) for great
views of the Kverk (‘Gap’) to the south, and the lava desert to the north,
dominated by Herdubreið, ‘The Queen of Mountains’. If conditions allow, there
may be an option to cross the glacier to reach a high point with local guides –
payable locally. Mountain hut. B,L,D | | DAY 9 An early start today, as we have a lot to fit in. We drive to Askja, an enormous
volcanic caldera. (2½ hours) The surrounding area is a central volcano formed
during the last ice age. In 1875 an eruption resulted in further great earth
movements and a new deep lake was formed. One of the lakes is warm enough
to swim in! (2 hours walk/swim). An hour’s drive then takes us to
Herdubreiðarlindar (Herdubreið Springs), a fertile green oasis of luxuriant
vegetation, flowers and ferns and dwarf willow. Ducks and waders breed here in
early summer including the pink footed goose and the harlequin. After a picnic
lunch we continue to our accommodation near to Asbyrgi to arrive in the early
evening. (3 hour drive) Schoolhouse. (B,L,D) | | DAY 10 The Jökulsa River drains off Vatnajökull and is the longest river in Iceland. In late
spring and summer when the melt water is at its height, the Jökulsa becomes a
wide, roaring and frightening
torrent of grey glacial water. It
tumbles over Dettifoss and two
other huge waterfalls,
Hafragilfoss and Selfoss into a
fantastic canyon 25km long,
gouged out in the recent
geological past by cataclysmic
volcanic activity. The canyon is
almost half a mile wide, over
300ft deep and has sliced
through a lava dessert. In its
depths however, are accessible
places with rich green growth
and an incredible range of plants and flowers near the spring-fed
streams and pools. It is home to the rare gyr falcon and the pink-footed goose. At Hljoðaklettar there are columnar basalt formations of great size and variety with
exposed volcanic cores, now free-standing pillars, 150ft high! A path traverses the
canyon at its base or else along its edge, and we can choose which sections to
explore. The walking is mostly easy despite the daunting appearance of much of
the terrain. In our opinion it is one of the most fascinating and enjoyable hikes
anywhere! (B,L,D) | | DAY 11 We drive along the coast to Husavik (40 km), a classic fishing town. Seawards,
the bay of Skjálfandafloi is now recognised as one of the finest whale watching
areas in the world. We sail out in a traditional wooden fishing boat and with a 98%
sighting record, shouldn’t be disappointed. The smaller minke whale is the most
common, often swimming alongside in small groups, but last year we had
dramatic encounters with the larger humpback. We might also see dolphins and
fin whales. We then continue on to the Myvatn area (50 km). (B,D) | | DAY 12 Lake Myvatn is not only the greatest duck breeding area in Europe but is ringed
by a bizarre landscape of sulphur springs, volcanic craters and strange rock
formations, epitomising both the tranquillity and drama of so many of the
landscapes of Iceland. The volcano Krafla is situated on top of the Mid Atlantic Ridge, and we can walk through lava still steaming from eruptions in the 1980’s.
There is plenty to do and see, and you can choose your own activities here.
Optional horse riding locally and various geothermal swimming choices. (B,L,D) | | DAY 13 An early morning bus transfer to Akureyri, the main town in north Iceland. There is
time for a coffee and a look around the town centre before heading to the airport
for a midday flight to Reykjavik. Our guesthouse is central and close to the
cathedral - you can climb the cathedral tower for great views of the city. (B) | | DAY 14 Depart Reykjavik. (B) |
for more information about High Places
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High Places have been taking visitors to Iceland for nineteen years and it continues to hold a fascination for us. Our classic trip visits some of the most wildly contrasting and beautiful parts of Iceland including fjords, mountains, canyons, waterfalls, lava deserts, crater lakes and geothermal areas. Birds and wild flowers are prolific during our walks and in July the sun never sets.
Price From
£1680
Reference
ISCO
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Holiday valid to
31 August 2010
Price Includes • Airport transfers (excluding land only clients)
• Domestic flights where appropriate
• All accommodation on a twin share basis.
• All transport integral to the itinerary.
• All meals except where stated in the trip itineraries.
• A High Places or locally appointed leader.
• All group trekking equipment and support.
• National park fees, local taxes and permits, except where stated in the trip itinerary.
Price Excludes • International flights
• Vaccinations
• Travel insurance
• Personal equipment, clothing etc
• Souvenirs etc
• Tips
• Certain meals (see trip itinerary)
• Any locally paid airport departure taxes
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