Hiking Iceland-Island of Fire & Ice

Day 1 & 2

ACTIVITIES FROM REYKJAVÍK
Reykjavík Nordic Capital Walk 10 km, rated 2
Þingvellir Parliaments and Plates Walk 10 km, rated 2+/3

After an early arrival at Keflavík Airport (flight not included), your Walking Adventure on the Island of Fire & Ice begins with breakfast in Reykjavík. A guided walk through the historic district of this northernmost capital on the planet provides a thought-provoking look at a culture that has endured a multitude of challenges in its 1200-year history. Iceland's renowned Golden Circle Tour brings us to Þingvellir, the country's oldest national park. We'll walk from the Lögberg, traditional meeting point of the AlÞing, the Icelandic Viking parliament established in A.D. 930, and continue from North America to Europe across the rift zone that marks the junction of these two tectonic plates. Next on our route are stops at Geysir, the cluster of geysers that gave their name to this geological phenomenon, and Gullfoss, arguably the most spectacular of Iceland's many beautiful waterfalls.

Day 3

REYKJAVÍK-LAKE MÝVATN

Following breakfast in Reykjavík, we'll depart by plane for the northern reaches of Iceland and the modern outpost town of Akureyri on the shores of the Eyja Fjord. From Akureyri, we continue to the port of Husavik for a whale cruise. Though whale activity can never be predicted, odds are good that we'll encounter humpbacks, minke whales, and dolphins. We'll leave Husavik for Lake Mývatn, stop- ping en route at pounding Goðafoss-Waterfall of the Gods.

Day 4

LAKE MÝVATN-BREIÐDALSVÍK
Dimmuborgir Black Lava Castles Walk 10 km, rated 3+

Lake Mývatn is a geological wonderland brimming with geothermal and volcanic delights. Today's walk explores nearby Dimmuborgir, a convoluted labyrinth of “black castles”-oddly shaped pillars and crags created 2000 years ago by trapped lava flows. After stopping at the hot mud pots of Námafjall, we'll drive across the island's interior, a mesmerizing volcanic wasteland, and on to the rugged fjord country and dramatically isolated farmland of east Iceland.

Day 5

BREIÐDALSVÍK-SMYRLABJORG
Djúpivogur Seascapes and Seabirds Walk 10 km, rated 3+

An hour south along the coast lies the quiet fishing village of Djúpivogur, an unlikely venue for one of the most in- triguing days of our Adventure. A 45-minute cruise offshore in the North Atlantic, the now deserted island of Papey was once farmed by several generations of Norwegian Vikings and Icelanders. Today it is home to a lighthouse, the oldest and smallest wooden church in Iceland, and a thriving population of seabirds, including the comical little puffin. Due to the size of the boat, we'll alternate our visit between two groups. While one group explores the island, the other will participate in a stimulating hike along the rocky headlands and coves near Djúpivogur, with outstanding opportunities to enjoy dramatic seascapes and a diverse population of sea birds.

Day 6

SMYRLABJORG-HÖFÐABREKKA
Skaftafell Rivers of Ice Walk 10 km, rated 2+/3

First stop this morning is at Jökulsárlón Lagoon, a 600 foot deep river lagoon cluttered with icebergs calved from the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull. A short cruise will take us even closer to these floating crystal pyramids. Our walk venue for today is a forested hillside resisting the force of two huge flanking glaciers flowing down from the massive Vatnajökull ice field. The route passes lovely Svartifoss (black waterfall), visits a lonely group of deserted 19th century farm buildings, and finishes with a fascinating visit to the face of the most accessible glacier.

Day 7 & 8

ACTIVITIES FROM HÖFÐABREKKA
Iceland Canyon and Coast Hike 10 km, rated 2+/3
Höfðabrekka Moonscapes and Meadows Walk 10 km, rated 2+/3

One of the canyons not far from our hotel provides the setting for the first of a two-part walk, a fascinating hike through dramatic terrain carved by powerful geologic flows in eons past. After a break for lunch in the tiny community of Vik, part two of the walk takes us along one of Iceland's most beautiful black sand beaches. Our second walk in this area of stunning beauty meanders through a fascinating landscape of soft green hills, bizarre lava and sandstone shapes, and panoramic vistas out over the Atlantic. Later, we'll stop at the homey Skógar Folk Museum to view a wide and fascinating collection of rural Icelandic memorabilia. We'll continue on to the Selfoss area where we'll enjoy a special Farewell Dinner as we reminisce about our Adventures together.

Day 9

SELFOSS-HOMETOWN, USA)

You're invited to join us on an excursion to the Blue Lagoon this morning (admission not included). This turquoise-tinted thermal pool, set amongst the contrasting grays of the Reykjanes lava flows, is the perfect place to relax in preparation for a trans-Atlantic flight. Early this afternoon, we'll depart for the Keflavík Airport and our return to the USA, reluctant to leave, but enriched by the history, culture, and scenery of unforgettable Iceland!

Day 1

REYKJAVÍK-KULUSUK, GREENLAND

Village of Kulusuk Walk 5 km, not rated (non-sanctioned) Our Arctic adventure in Greenland begins with a flight from Reykjavík to the tiny east coast village of Kulusuk, situated on a remote island just off the coast. Due to its long icebound winters, and isolation from mainland Greenland and the rest of the world, this area was only penetrated by outsiders (Europeans) 100 years ago. We'll explore the Inuit village and surrounding area on a guided walking tour with cultural demonstrations along the way. After lunch, a jeep ride to a nearby mountaintop will offer panoramic views over the coastal mountains, ice floes, and icebergs.

Day 2

KULUSUK-AMMASSALIK

A morning helicopter ride to the town of Ammassalik on a neighboring island opens new vistas of this beautiful and rug- ged slice of Greenland. Upon arrival, we'll explore the village on a walking tour. The evening activity is a cruise in search of icebergs, enormous chunks of inland ice often criss-crossed by blue and green stripes where melt water from the glaciers has seeped into crevasses.

Day 3

AMMASSALIK-REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

After a memorable walk through the Valley of Flowers, a botanist's delight, we return to Kulusuk this morning for one more lunch in Greenland. Time for some last-minute shop- ping will be available before we board our flight back across the North Atlantic to Reykjavik and a final night in Iceland.

Day 4

KEFLAVÍK-USA

Following breakfast, we'll stop for one of Iceland's more exotic experiences (admission not included), a therapeutic soak in the steaming cobalt blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. From the Blue Lagoon, we'll take the scenic route around the Reykjanes Peninsula to the Keflavík Airport and our flight to the USA. We return with fond memories of our Adventures on the Island of Fire & Ice and the Arctic wonderland of Greenland.