Iceland Winter Adventure
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A journey to discover the magic of Iceland in winter, by jeep and snowshoe
In winter, Iceland’s mountainous interior hides a few rare treasures under a layer of snow and ice, magical places that can only be accessed with some difficulty. That is why we use impressive 4x4 super-jeeps that have been modified and adapted for winter conditions (raised chassis and giant underinflated tyres allowing vehicles to “float” on the snow) to reach these isolated locations and experience adventures filled with different impressions. Travelling in these vehicles is an adventure in its own right, a ride into the unknown and not without unforeseen occurrences. Hiking in snowshoes through landscapes that are solidly held in winter’s frozen grips, we swim in open air baths in natural hot springs, and visit waterfalls of all shapes and sizes where water and ice form magical sculptures. Venturing further we view vapor clouds that burst out from earth’s interior, solfataras, mud pots, and geysers that are strangely spectacular in the winter season.
Highlights
- Bathe in natural hot springs, view frozen waterfall
- Snowshoe through stunning volcanic sceneries to view glaciers and mountains
- Experience the dramatic northern lights
- Stay in rustic mountain huts
Itinerary
Day 1 Depart Reykjvik for Þingvellir National Park, Barnafoss and Hraunfossar (2-3hrs)
Our day begins with a hike in Þingvellir National Park, the site of the old parliament and a place of great historic importance. The birth place of democracy in Iceland, the park is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. A magnificent location: a beautiful lake skirted by a small canyon, a fissure that is in fact part of the Mid-Atlantic Rift. A visit to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Iceland, followed by the waterfalls of Barnafoss and Hraunfossar, a row of waterfalls that over a few hundred meters emerge from underneath a lava field. From there we visit one of the numerous lava caves of the region. In winter the caves are decorated with ice stalactites. We stay the night in a hut in the area where a bath in the “hot pots” of a local swimming pool is optional. Hiking: 2-3 hrs. Total walking times divided into numerous shorter walks.
Day 2 Visit Hveravellir, known for its geothermal activity (3hrs)
We set course for Hveravellir! Depending on weather and snow conditions, we go north of Langjökull glacier either by route 1 and the mountain road Kjölur (a road that crosses the island from north to south between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull), or by crossing the lava fields of Hallmundarhraun. Hveravellir is above all known for intense geothermal activity, fumaroles, hot springs and colorful ponds filled with boiling water. We visit the site’s famous hot springs before putting on our snow shoes for a walk to the volcano Strýtur, and majestic views of the icecaps of Langjökull and Hofsjökull. In the evening we relax, soaking in the Hveravellir natural geothermal pool, where on a clear night we might see the Aurora Borealis light up the dark winter sky! Night in a mountain hut.
Day 3 Series of small hikes in Gullfoss-Geysir-Háifoss waterfall- Þjórsárdalur –Hekla (3-4hrs)
From the plateau we descend towards Gullfoss (the powerful “Golden Waterfall”) where the turbulent waters of the river Hvítá plunge into a fault (canyon). Then we head to Geysir, which gives his name to all other spouting hot springs in the world! We come to the valley of Þjórsárdalur, which borders the lava field created by the volcano Hekla. We visit the grand waterfall of Háifoss where the water drops down a 122m high cliff, and the small valley Gjáin, before arriving at a hut near Hekla one of the Iceland’s most active volcanoes. When the Danes ruled the country they believed that its crater was a gateway to the Nether world. The local farmers, clever as they were, told them it was all true, and for that matter, one could hear Danish being spoken down there. The last eruption goes back to… February 2000! Hiking: 3-4 hours, with numerous small walks interspersed with transfers in vehicles.
Day 4 See the immense crater of Ljótipollur, then to mountain hut in Landmannalaugar (3-4hrs)
We head south-west to Landmannalaugar. If weather and snow conditions allow, we visit the immense crater of Ljótipollur before arriving at the mountain hut in Landmannalaugar at the foot of a lava field from an eruption in 1480. After a hike in snowshoes through this extraordinary landscape, of colorful rhyolite mountains, a bath in the warm waters of river that runs next to the hut is an ideal way to end our day.
Day 5 Return to Reykjvik via Tungná river and Hjálparfoss waterfall (2hrs), trip ends
We start the day by visiting the hot springs that lie at the foot of the hill Reykjarkollur before retracing our steps from the day before in our vehicles. We pass by the crater of Hnausapollar and come down into the great valley of the river Tungná. There, in the past farmers used to cross this vast river on boats with their sheep at the ford of Hófsvað. On the road to Reykjavík we stop at the Hjálparfoss waterfall where one stream splits into a twin waterfall that comes together in a circular basin surrounded by twisted basalt columns that form beautiful asymmetric wall. Arrival in Reykjavík in the late afternoon.
Additional Information
Inclusions
- 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- 4 nights in mountain huts on a multishare basis with sleeping bag provided
- Experienced walking guide for 5 days
- All internal transfers in 4X4 vehicle
Summary
- HOTEL
Trip Main Activities
- Guided walk
Group Size Min
4
Group Size Max
16
Accommodation Summary
During the trip you will be accommodated in mountain huts which are multishare. Sleeping bags are provided. The guide will have food and cooking equipment for the group. Group participation in cooking preparation and clean-up is part of the experience.
Equipment Required
Wet weather gear, warm clothes (layers are best), day pack, sunscreen, good walking boots/shoes and sun hat. A full clothing list is provided in our pre-departure kit, available on booking.
What You Carry
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from
USD$2,490
Why we recommend World Expeditions
- Pioneers in responsible travel.
- No local payments.
- True adventures in every sense.
- Expert guides and support.
- Quality facilities and transport.
Customer care
World Expeditions is a global company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada, all staffed with experienced adventure travellers.
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