United Kingdom·18 - 24 July 2023

Iceland - Fire and Ice Trek - Durham

Immerse yourself in Iceland's Laugavegur trail, home to ancient glaciers, volcanos and stunning landscapes every step of the way

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Overview

The Icelandic Fire and Ice Trek offers a unique and immersive experience which takes you from the geothermal hot spots of Landmannlaugar through to the deep green valleys of Thórsmörk. On this trail you will find yourself trekking through bright rhyolite mountains, past vast Icelandic canyons and across deserts of black sand that date back thousands of years. This challenge is raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK, a leading dementia and Alzheimer’s disease research charity. It may come as no surprise that this trail is considered one of the top 20 best treks by National Geographic. This 7 day adventure features 5 intense days of trekking, within which you will venture deep into Iceland's rich geography, starting in the mountains, where we pass glacial lakes, hot springs and ancient lava flows featuring stunning obsidian rock. As we move forward the landscape begins to twist and turn, with distinct, bright green cone mountains showcasing the location of volcanic eruptions that occurred when the area was encased in Ice millennia ago. As your journey continues, again the landscape evolves into a vast and open desert of black sand, with fast flowing waterfalls, rivers and currents slicing the region apart. We cross the river and enter a stunning natural canyon that is a unique highlight for all adventurers. With no day the same, the adventure finishes with the group hiking to 'Thor's Valley' and the Song Cave, two unique locations with a rich history and incredible views of the area showing the route we have hiked together. With the adventure over we head back to the capital, Reykjavík, where there is an opportunity to go to a nearby hot spring, and for those who wish to remain, the start of our Icelandic Extension Trip, offering a unique cultural and famous landmarks journey around the country. All our challenges are inclusive of accommodation, guides, food and in country transport.

Schedule

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DAY 1 - WELCOME TO ICELAND - ACCLIMATISATION DAY

Arriving in Iceland in the afternoon, we aboard the shuttle bus into the city where we have a briefing and can prepare for the challenge, staying overnight.

Included

Hostel

Airport Transfer

Not Included

Dinner

Flights

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DAY 2 - HOT SPRINGS AND START OF TREK

Following a meet and greet with the guides at the hostel, we board transfer bus to Landmannalaugar, the start of our challenge. 

Upon arrival in Landmannalaugar there will be an opportunity to bathe in the hot springs, grab some lunch and refresh before we begin trekking! 

We start out by crossing the 500-year-old Laugahraun lava flow that is still giving heat to Landmannalaugar hot springs. Climbing steadily past numerous Sulphur vents and obsidian rock, we top a succession of rolling rhyolite hills before descending to the steaming hot springs of Stórihver. 

As we get higher, the more we can uncover about the forces of nature in the region. Up on the plateau, steam rises in all directions from unseen vents and we reach our accommodation at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut in the late afternoon. 

Drive: 5 hours

Trek: 12km (7.5miles) Active walking time: 4-5 hours Ascent: 470m (1540')

Accommodation: Mountain Hut

Meals: Lunch, Dinner 

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Accommodation - Mountain Hut

In country transport

Guide

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DAY 3 - JOURNEY INTO ICE

We head south into the canyon complex to the south of Hrafntinnusker. Descending into the gorges of Jökultungur, we come across steaming hot springs and mud pools. 

The route winds southwards, crossing old snow patches and climbing ridges where we have views across dark volcanic plains towards lake Álftavatn and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. 

Crossing the southern edge of the Torfajökull Massif, we descend a long slope towards the black sands and palagonite ridges around Lake Álftavatn (Swan Lake). Arriving at the lake, one of the most beautiful locations on our route, we check in at the Álftavatn mountain hut. 

Accommodation: Mountain Hut

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Walking: 12km (7.5 miles) Active walking time: 4-5 hours Descent: 490 m (1610 ‘)

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Guide

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DAY 4 - JOURNEY THROUGH THE VOLCANIC HISTORY OF THE REGION

On day three of the trek there are several rivers to cross, as we head southwards and towards Mýrdalsjokull Icecap.

We descend to the green oasis of Hvanngil, where there is a mountain hut. We continue our walk, crossing another couple of rivers, to reach the surreal 5-kilometer-wide, black sand plain of Mælifellssandur, beneath the conical peak of Stórasúla. 

Heading now towards Hattfell, another ancient volcano, we reach the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar Mountain Hut (our accommodation for the night) we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon which is cut almost 200 meters down into the rocks south of Hattfell. 

Trek: 16km (10 miles) Active walking time: 6-7 hours Descent: 40 m (130 ')

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Accommodation - Mountain Hut

Guide

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DAY 5 - JOURNEY TO PORSMORK

The first challenge today is to cross the bridge across Emstrur River. Having overcome this obstacle, we trek through the magnificent Markarfljót Canyon, which was carved out by thundering floods, caused by volcanic eruptions under the ice cap. 

For the first time on our trek, we will enter a green and well-vegetated valley, which becomes ever greener the closer we get to Þórsmörk. 

The last part of the hike is through thick birch forest, where even the lava ridges are covered with trees and the lovely arctic flowers that bloom for a few weeks each summer. 

Þórsmörk means Þór's forest and it is not hard to see why this area should be considered to belong to a norse God. It is out of this world! The valley is guarded on all sides by tremendous, fast-flowing rivers and steep glacier-clad mountains. It is one of the most beautiful spots in Iceland and the favourite weekend retreat of many of Reykjavik's hikers. 

We will stay overnight at one of the Þórsmörk’s huts and have a celebratory BBQ that evening.

Trek: 17km (10.5 miles) 

Time: 6-7hrs 

Accommodation: Mountain Huts

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Accommodation - Mountain Hut

Guide

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DAY 6 - THOR'S VALLEY AND THE SONG CAVE

We spend the morning in Þórsmörk, where we set off to trek to the Sönghellir Cave (Song Cave) and to hike up to the viewpoint of Valahnjúkur, from where we can see over the icecaps of Mýrdalsjökull (1460m) and Eyjafjallajökull (1666m). 

After this we catch the bus back Reykjavik. Arriving in the early evening, where our accommodation for the evening is a short 5-minute walk away and you have time to change before heading off to explore Reykjavik for a celebratory meal.

 Trek: 7km

Time: 3-4 hours 

Accommodation: Hostel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Accommodation - Hostel

Transport

Guide

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DAY 7 - FINAL MORNING

Spend the morning exploring the capital, recovering and saying goodbye to your new friends before we board transport to the airport to return home.


Included

Breakfast

Airport Transfer

Accommodation - Hostel

Not Included

Lunch

Dinner

Flights

Add Ons

Extension Trip - THE SPIRIT OF ICELAND ADVENTURE

Extension Trip - THE SPIRIT OF ICELAND ADVENTURE

CAN BE ADDED TO BOOKING UP UNTIL MARCH 2023 - JUST £195 DEPOSIT - The ULTIMATE Icelandic Extension Experience - Discover the culture, cuisine and amazing locations left to uncover in Iceland on our extension trip. Hot springs | Quad biking | Whale Watching | Food Tours | Volcano Tours - Payment Plans Available at sign up...
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PRICE$1,039.22/pp

Iceland - Fire and Ice Trek - Durham

United Kingdom· 18 - 24 July 2023· 6 nights

FREE