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Day
1:
Reykjavik (49km) Day
3: Snaefellsnes
Peninsula (280km)
Day 4: Bifrost
(70km) Day 5: Thingvellir & Nesjavellir (230km) Start the day with a visit to Thingvellir National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers numerous hiking trails; many are ideal for short and leisurely walks. Mt. Hengill is a 803 m high mountain, most likely a part of a central volcano as the widespread thermal activity suggests. From the top you will enjoy an amazing view over a large part of South and Central Iceland. Nesjavellir is the largest geothermal power area in Iceland and a fascinating place to explore. 2 nights stay in South Iceland. (B/O) Day 6: Gullfoss & Geysir (204km) Visit Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot springs and there are some options for easy hikes in Haukadalur forest and to Brúaráfoss waterfall, a little bit off the beaten track. (B/O) Day 7: Interior (90km/180 miles or 100km/62miles) The interior highlands are heaven for hiking. Depending on your rental car you can reach different regions. We suggest areas like Hekla volcano hike, visit Landmannalaugar or Thórsmörk glacier valley (4WD Jeep needed). Hiking in this area is from easy to difficult and hikes can be from 2 to 8 hours, depending on selected trails. (B/O) Day 8: Thjorsardalur (170km/105 miles, roundtrip) Thjórsárdalur valley is well-known for its numerous excavations of old Viking farms, which were buried by the ash of an eruption of Hekla volcano in the year 1104. The farm at Stöng is especially worth seeing. In this area are two beautiful waterfalls, Hjálparfoss that is easy to reach and Háifoss waterfall that is a bit off the beaten track and longer hike. A short walk leads to the ravine Gjáin that offers a surrounding with waterfalls, lava formations and wonderful vegetation. This is an enchanting spot and not to be missed. (B/O) Day 9: South Shore (240km/149 miles) Explore the glaciers and waterfalls of South Iceland with some shorter walks today. The bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara are simply amazing. We recommend also a stroll on the black lava beaches of Vík. This day includes more driving and less time for hiking. There is also an option for a glacier hike and ice climbing. A longer hike is recommend along the Skógaá river where you find a series of about 20 waterfalls. 3 nights stay in the Skaftafell area. (B/O) Day 10: Skaftafell National Park (10km/6 miles) Vatnajökull is Europe's largest glacier and National Park that includes numerous huge glacier tongues that descend to the sandy outwash plains which stretch south to the coast. Spend a full day exploring Skaftafell National Park. There is a lot to do here if you like hiking, which varies from rather easy to very hard. In this area is offered a bird watching tour by tractor to Ingolfshöfdi promotory which is one of Iceland's best outdoor adventure tours. There are several options for a glacier hike and ice climbing from 2 to 6 hours. (B/O) Day 11: Vatnajokull National Park (140km/87 miles round trip) Jökulsárlón, the lagoon at the mouth of Vatnajökull glacier, is several kilometers long and wide and covered with icebergs that break off the glacier. If you are lucky, you will spot seals in the lagoon. We recommend a boat tour on the glacier lagoon and also a stroll along the black lava sand beach that is covered with stranded icebergs. Here you can experience the rough North Atlantic surf. There are many wonderful walking trails at Vatnajökull national park and we suggest also a visit to the lovely turf church at Hof. (B/O) Day 12: South Coast (330km/205 miles) There are plenty of natural wonders along the south coast back to Reykjavik. We recommend a visit at the small turf church at Núpsstaður, a walk around the Dwarf Cliffs and a walk up to Systrafoss waterfall in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Nearby is the fabulous 100m-deep gorge called Fjaðrárglújfur which sides are full of spikes, arches and scary ledges. 3 nights stay in the capital. (B/O) Day 13: Reykjanes & Blue Lagoon (150km/93 miles round trip) Reykjanes peninsula is goelogically speaking very interesting and diverse. We recommend climbing Keilir volcano, then walk to the Hafnarberg seabird colonies and Reykjanes light house. Here you find dramatic surf from the Atlantic ocean, Gunnahver hot springs and interesting rock formations and lava features. We recommend a visit to the Blue Lagoon and Grindavik salt fish museum. (B/O) Day 14: Nature Reserve Heidmork (40km/25 miles roundtrip) Today spend the day in Heiðmörk reserve, a municipal conservation and recreational area of Reykjavík, just 10 km outside the capital city. More than 4 million trees have been planted since 1950 and in Heiðmörk you find and diverse vegetation and fauna. At least 26 species of trees, 150 wild flower species and more than 60 species of birds have been counted. Here we recommend two hikes, up to the volcano crater Búrfell and the volcanic mountain Helgafell. (B/O) Day 15: Departure (49km/30 miles) Depart for home.
(B) B=Breakfast; D=Dinner; O=Overnight gitsj033 |
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