Polar-Travel.com Iceland Highland Tour

15 - day journey into the solitude of the Highlands
To Geysirs, Volcanos, Water Cataracts
Special Four-Wheel-Drive-Vehicle, comfortable kitchen-tent
Opportuniy for Whale- and Birdwachting
Thorsmörk, Landmannalaugar, Myvatn, Dettifoss, Askja, Laki-Gap
Sprengisandur, Aldeyarfoss, Jökulsarlon

Iceland is the island of extreme contrasts: with impressive waterfalls, the biggest in Europe, with high mountain areas, glaciers, juicy green pastures and the dark blue sea! Above all steaming hot springs, geysers and volcanos. During this exceptional trip you'll get to see all different forms of landscape, you'll pass across the most difficult tracks into hardly approachable regions, in order to visit the most interesting nature-miracles. To hike there is our goal.

Itinerary:

1. Day:

Flight to Keflavik/Iceland and transfer to the Camp-ground. Rest of the day as you please.

2. Day:

We go shopping, supply ourselves during the forenoon and shall leave the city afterwards direction Thingvellir National Park. This is a geologically and historically highly interesting place. We'll spend two nights in this area.

3. Day:

We'll drive on one of the most beautiful Icelandic highland-routes via Kaldidalur to the glacier of Langjökull. Spectacular panoramic view and possibility for a snowmobile-tour across the glacier. Continueing we'll pass Hraunfossar, innumerable small waterfalls originating from from a lava-wall. We'll finish this day with a visit of the most productive hot water-spring in Europe.

4. Day:

In case of good weather we'll take a rough track to the world-famous Geyser and visit Gulfoss, one of the best-known waterfalls in Iceland. On our way northward along the Kjölur highland-route we'll make another small side-trip to the Kerlingarfjöll, where the contrast between fire and ice becomes especially clear. Overnight stay at a hot spring.

5. Day:

Proceeding to Myvatn we'll supplement our supplies in Akureyri. Short stop at the marvelous Godafoss, the waterfall of the "Gods". The lake Myvatn is universally known for its unique landscape and above: abundance of birds.

6. Day:

During this day different excursions and hikes can be done: to the steamy lava-fields of Krafla, the solfatar fields of Namaskard, to the bizarre lava-formations of Dimmuborgir. Possible also an ascent of the crater of Hverfjall or of the pseudo-craters of Skutustadir. Whoever likes to, could go on short ride and try the Iceland-horses. The most unforgettable experience surely would be a charter-flight over the volcanically most active areas of Iceland.

7. Day:

Husavik is said to be the "whaling-capital" of Europe. You may book an excursion to watch these giants of the seas. A short hike will lead us to Hjodaklettar, impressive basalt-formations and on our way back let's visit Dettifoss, Europe's mightiest waterfall.

8. Day:

Another remote highland-track leads us to Hrossaborg an old ringwall-crater, which is easy to climb. We'll establish our camp at the foot of Herdubreid, the queen of all Icelandic mountains. A difficult ride through the so-called "Desert of Malefactors" will bring us to the vulcanic area of Askja. Years ago the NASA had been testing its moon-vehicles here. You ahould not miss to climb the crater of the Viti and even may take a guaranteed sulfuric warm bath in it's green crater-lake.

9. Day:

Driving back to Myvatn we'll reach civilization again and supplement food and gasoline. Next we'll choose the Sprengisandur Piste for our way southward and shall reach anoher fascinating waterfall, the Aldeyarfoss. Quite tired we'll reach a dream that day: the landscapes of Landmannalaugar. We shall relax in it's Hot Springs.

10. Day:

We'll undertake a hike in the morning. Later that day we leave to the "Gap of Fire" to Eldgja. In Kirjubaejarklaustur we will spend two nights again.

11. Day:

You may relax or go on a hike. Provided the weather is good, an excursion to the "Laki-Gap" would be also a good choice. There you could see 120 monoactive craters at one time.

12. Day:

We'll reach the National Park of Skaftafell at noon and pass the picturesque Swartifoss earlier on the way. In the lake of Jökulsarlon you'll admire unnumerous icebergs. A boats-trip in this marvelous ice-lagoon may be booked individually - certainly a long-lasting memory.

13. Day:

At Vik we'll reach the southernmost point of Iceland. We'll visit the impressive waterfall Skogafoss and the bird's rock of Cape Dyrholaey. A very rough track with numerous river-crossings leads to Thörsmörk but finally a heavenly situated Campground compensates for all our efforts that day.

14. Day:

After all adventurous experiences of the past days the 'Greenhouse-city' of Hveragerdi will certainly cause a cultural shock. But it's a good preparation for the capital Reykjavik as well. Provided we'll have sufficient time, you'll enjoy a swim in the „Blue Lagoon“ and spend the rest of the day with some sightseeing in the capital.

15. Day:

Transfer to the airport in Keflavik and departure

Kindly take note:

The Highland roads and tracks are not manageable at all weather conditions. Some excursions as mentioned here will be only worthwhile to undertake if weather is good. That's why program changes might occur at all times. We try to find alternatives, however, we cannot guarantee a program as being published here. Some of the days include long passages by car across bad roads and thus require your patience. Average hiking-condition will be sufficient for this tour. You should be ready to cooperate with your co-participants in a team and be willing to help, whenever your assistance is needed (e.g. while putting up the camps).

What is included:

Economy-Class flights from Germany to Kevlavik and retur; all transfers, Overnights in tents (2 persons/tent), according to the program above. Camping-equipment and -fees, kitchen-tent, special Four-Wheel-Drive -Vehicle, Full Board, Equipment list, satellit phone, German-speaking guide

Not included:

Individually organized Excursions, Entrance Fees for Museums oder Public Baths, Insurances

Number of participants:

Minimum 5, max. 8 persons

Travel Dates:

02.07.- 16.07.2008
16.07.- 30.07.2008

Price:

from Frankfurt: 2.190,- €

Additionals:

Single tent inclusive Camping Fees: 100,- €

Rail & Fly Ticket incl. ICE-Zuschl. p.P./2.Kl.:65,- €

This journey is being organized and pursued under the responsibility of the Iceland-expert Wolfgang Kolb.

Fotos: W. Kolb, Ch. Adler