00354-445-1078
contact@alkemia.isThis trip is for those who want to discover the heart of Iceland, its uninhabited landscapes, unaccessible 9 months out of 12, without doing trekking or intense hiking. On the contrary, we privilege multiple smooth and short walks and enjoy looking at the nature surrounding us.
This trip will let you discover the Highlands of Iceland, along the rift emerging in Iceland where the thoughtful, the walker, the photographer will be fulfilled away from mass tourism.
You’ll visit the volcanic area of Kerlingarfjoll, literally the witch’s mountains, the geothermic area of Hveravellir with mud pools and hot springs. You’ll cross the endless desert of Kjolur and Sprengisandur where Harpa, your guide, will tell you the stories of the banned, and of the hidden people… You’ll get close to the volcano Askja and sleep at close proximity to this ice giant, the biggest glacier in Europe, the Vatnajökull. Your route ends in the East fjords after a crossing in diagonal of the country.
Thanks to the nights in huts, you’ll enjoy the silence of the highlands and you will be disconnected to all your electronics devices that get more and more intrusive in your live.
Arrival in Iceland at Keflavik airport. Transfer by bus to the domestic airport and second flight to Akureyri. In Akureyri your guide will welcome you. Short drive to your accommodation on the coastline. Northern lights are often visible there, perfect to welcome you. There is a Jacuzzi there and you can start this trip with a hot bath under the stars.
After the breakfast, you’ll start the day discovering the region of Eyjafjordur. Your guide will show you great spots in the forest and mountain near by with view overlooking the fjord. Night in the same guesthouse.
Today we drive to Myvatn, it’s only an drive. We will get into our accommodation for the next 5 nights. Just 2 kms from our accommodation we will hike between the rocky formation of Dimmuborgir (the lava castles). During the snowshoeing hike, we will make several stops to discover lava caves and try to spot some trolls… In the afternoon we will go in the Myvatn Baths for a relaxing tome. Diner cooked at the guesthouse by the lake.
Hearty breakfast by the lake where we might be lucky enough to see some ducks enjoying the warmish waters. We will start the ascent of the crater Hverfell a 400 m rise to reach its top. From there, we will enjoy a beautiful 360° sight. Then we’ll hike to the fault of Grjotagja located on the rift. The place served on the shooting of Game of Thrones famous scene with Jon Snow.
Today we head towards the Krafla Caldera to discover this unique site, where the last eruption happened in 1984. We will snowshoe on a wonderful ground struggle between ice and fire. In the end of the day, we will enjoy another warm bath.
A visit of Myvatn is not complete without a walk in the solfataras’ fields of Hverir and a hike on the Namaskard mountain. After this unique spot of fumaroles, boiling mud puddles and sulphur deposits, we will end the afternoon by a walk in the forest of Höfdi on the shores of the lake, where we can find some of the only trees existing in Myvatn. Last night in the warm baths.
We will reach Akureyri in the morning after a 1-hour drive and a stop at the waterfall of Godafoss, the Gods’ waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfall in the country. Lunch in Akureyri before a 45’ flight to Reykjavik. Transfer to the city centre where your accommodation is located. Free afternoon and night.
Transfer to the international airport and international flight.
Group from 6 to 14 people.
Walks : All our walks are on an accessible level. Their duration depends on weather conditions and on the overall level of the group. They can be extended or shorted depending on circumstances.
Indicative itinerary and safety : The day by day plan for this Jewels of Iceland tour is given indicatively and is susceptible to change for safety reasons such as bad weather conditions, volcanic activity etc… Your guide knows perfectly the terrain and will always be the only one in charge, especially to take decisions relative to safety.
Guide : Your guide is always attentive to both the group and the Icelandic nature in order to ensure you enjoy perfectly this magical midnight sun tour.
Vehicle : For your group we will operated a private and dedicated minibus.
Food : Any allergy or strict diet must imperatively be stated clearly during the inscription.
For conviviality in the group : (not mandatory) we recommend everyone to bring a delicacy from their home land.
Participation : Our guests are kindly asked to help the guide if he requests some help in preparing the picnic.
Accommodation during your stay : All our accommodations have been selected to make your experience comfortable.
Extension of your stay : Please contact us! You might not come back to Iceland any time soon, and if you can spare a few more days, we advise you to extend your stay a little bit, in an independent trip to discover another region or just to enjoy more of the northernmost capital city in the world. We can arrange 1 or 2 days more in Reykjavik for you to really submerge in its relaxed and original way of living, to enjoy its excellent coffee-shops and wonderful book-stores, to discover its fascinating little museums and art galleries, and to relax yourself in its swimming pools, spas and original night life.
Be careful to choose your prolongation early on, because modifying your plane ticket on site can be pricey and even sometimes impossible.
According to the season and to the weather’s instability of these northern countries, we ask you to follow this gear list, for you own safety and pleasure.
YOUR PERSONAL GEAR :
If you have a doubt on your gear, feel really free to contact us to receive some personalized advice!
