Iceland: Volcano and Ice Cap Trek

9th – 17th July 2011

Iceland, one of the most stunning countries in the world is only a handful of hours away from the UK. A land of breathtaking beauty, Iceland is a nation famous for its wild volcanic landscape, awe-inspiring mountains, glaciers, geysers and waterfalls, which, combined with its rich history and folklore make it an ideal location for adventure.
 
What does this trek involve?Let’s not beat around the bush, this challenge is going to be tough, so be prepared. Starting at one of Iceland’s most active volcano, Mt Hekla, known once as ‘The Gateway to Hell’ in the middle ages, the trek winds over to the dazzling Landmannalaugar before heading south to through the mountains to the striking permanent icecaps of Myrdals and Eyjafjallajokull. The trek will involve walking through remote locations and potentially hostile environments, so anyone after a real voyage of discovery may well have found what they are looking for.

What’s it like doing the trek?You’ll be doing a lot of walking, about six to nine hours a day, so you’ll definitely need a good pair of sturdy (and comfy) walking boots. Over the course of the nine days, you’ll come across a huge variety of terrain, from volcanic lava fields to rocky ridges. It’s fairly spectacular, with numerous river crossings and changeable weather conditions in the mix to spice things up a bit.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be doing day to day:Day 1: Fly London - Keflavik, transfer to Reykjavik
Day 2: Transfer to Mount Hekla, see results of most recent eruption (2000), transfer to Landmannahellir
Day 3: Trek to Landmannalaugar, relax hot springs
Day 4: Trek through rhyolite and lava fields to Álftavatn
Day 5: Easier day trekking to Botnar
Day 6: Trek to Thor's Wood via Markafljót's Canyon
Day 7: Glacier pass to Skógafoss, transfer to Reykjavik
Day 8: Free day to explore Reykjavik, optional whale watching
Day 9: Return to London

What’s the next step if I’m interested?Simple, you simply need to register your interest in the event. It doesn’t tie you down to anything at this stage, it’s just our way of finding out who is keen on doing what. To start this process, simply click here.