Itinerary Expand allReykjavik to Reykjavik Fly to Keflavik; transfer to Reykjavik.Our transfer to Reykjavik will be using the Flybus service. Your leader will have arranged a time for the welcome meeting, details of which will be at the hotel reception. This is usually around 1830. Day 1 Start ReykjavikAfter a Flybus transfer to our hotel we begin with a briefing from your leader, usually at 1830. Here you will have an outline of the the week ahead and the chance to ask any questions. Day 2 Reykjavik to LandmannalaugarWe transfer up to the unmistakable Landmannalaugar Mountains. The drive will take approximately 4 hours as we head through the south of Iceland, up the Thjorsardalur valley towards Mt Hekla, an enormous volcano which in centuries gone by has been responsible for enormous destruction. Here we turn into the Highlands and the black volcanic desert of the Fjallabak area. The Fjallabak Nature Reserve is one of the most popular areas in Iceland for trekking with a landscape like nowhere else, from black volcanic plains to multicoloured rhyolite mountains. At the heart of all this are the Landmannalaugar Mountains where we pitch our camp before having lunch.Typically most trips begin the Laugavegur trail today, however, we take the opportunity to enjoy a daywalk in these unique surroundings.Our afternoon walk heads to the top of Blue Peak and across the black Laugahruna lava field. The hot pools originate in this lava field, which was created in 1477, the last known eruption in the area. This area is believed to be the southern end of the Bardarbunga volcanic system. The last eruption in the Bardarbunga system was a fissure eruption in the northern end of the system from 2014 to 2015. Some 150 km north of Landmannalaugar, it was the largest eruption in Iceland for over 200 years though luckily did not have the same impact on air travel as the more famous Eyafjallajokull eruption of 2010. Our guide will prepare the evening meal in our mess tent, though group members are expected to pitch in and help with food preparation and washing up. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Landmannalaugar to AlftavatnFor the next two days we cross the Torfajokull volcanic area (rhyolitic stratovolcano). An area formed by series of subglacial volcanic eruptions which today are most commonly found in Iceland or in Antarctica. The area consists of rolling rhyolite hills with numerous hot springs and sulphur vents and is the largest rhyolitic area in Iceland.We start by crossing the Laugahraun lava field to the slopes of Brennisteinsalda, known for its photogenic spectrum of colours. We take a short but very worthwhile detour to the top.En route we pass the Storihver hot spring, cross the high plateau and enter the Hrafntinnusker area. Here steam rises from the hundreds of vents, and our route passes numerous hot springs along the way. From Hrafntinnusker and across the Torfajokull Massif. The route meanders southwards and we hike past steaming hot springs and boiling mud pools before we start dropping down Jokultungur to the black volcanic plains vest of the Myrdalsjokull glacier. The view is spectacular on a clear day with Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers in the foreground and the black volcanic landscape between. We enter to a totally different landscape made up from Palagonite ridges and peaks with black volcanic plains and big glacier rivers all around. Our aim for the day is Alftavatn lake (Swan lake) where we pitch our tents once more. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Alftavatn to EmstrurWe head further south towards Myrdalsjokull ice cap across the black volcanic landscape. There are several rivers in this area, the largest are bridged however the smaller ones are not. We make a detour just before we make it to our destination of the day, Emstrur. We head west for the Markarfljotsglufur canyon. The Markarkfljot glacial river has cut this canyon nearly 200m deep and it is worth a visit. After the Markarfljostgljufur canyon we have a short distance to Botnar in the Emstrur area, a small green oasis in the black volcanic desert. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Emstrur to Thorsmork (Basar)We start the day by crossing the bridge over the Emstrur River on our way to Thorsmork. We hike along the western edge of the Myrdalsjokull Ice Cap and leave the pitch black volcanic area. Vegetation increases slowly and eventually we get to the lush Birch covered area of Thorsmork (Thor's woodland). Thorsmork valley is a beautiful place with its magnificent glaciers, river and wind-swept mountains. This area has been a local walkers' favourite for decades and it’s not hard to see why. We hike across the Thorsmork valley and over the Krossa glacial river (by bridge) and to our camp in Basar. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Return to Reykjavik.Today we pack up ready to head back to Reykjavik. We board the bus and drive to the capital for our final night. Before getting to Reykjavik we go for a hike on Solheimajokull, an outlet glacier extending from the Myrdalsjokull icecap. We explore this wonderland of ice sculptures, crevasses, and long, narrow ridges. We strap on the crampons and get the ice axes before making our way up this massive ice flow. After the glacier walk en-route to Reykjavik we stop at Skogarfoss and Kvernufoss, two particularly photogenic waterfalls. On arrival in Reykjavik we can check in and then head out for our final meal together. The leader will be on hand to recommend or book a local restaurant for the group. Meals included: Breakfast Transfer to Keflavik; fly homeOur trip ends with a transfer to the airport for our flight home. Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 End ReykjavikThose wishing to spend extra time in Reykjavik will find it time well spent as this busy city has plenty to offer, from the Harpa Concert Hall to the many restaurants and cafés, not forgetting the geothermal baths, a key part of Icelandic culture. Meals included: Breakfast
Camping & Hotel The first and last two nights are spent in Reykjavik. Here we usually use Hotel Cabin, Klettur of the Fosshotel Baron offering comfortable rooms with en suite facilities. As hotel availability in Reykjavik can be scarce during the summer due to strong demand, we may occasionally use an alternative hotel of the same standard.When camping we usually stay at organised campsites, with good facilities and showers are available for a small fee (about £2) at some, included at others. Some also have a launderette service or facilities for washing clothes.We use spacious two-person tents with sewn-in groundsheets and separate flysheets are supplied. We provide a dining tent with a table, campstools, and LED lamps. Please note that some campsites in Iceland cannot be pre-booked, and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Occasionally in busy periods we may use campsites different to those outlined in the itinerary.Single accommodation, including a single tent, is available on request.
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Reviewed September 2019 Christine Gausden'Storm Group' This was an unexpectedly challenging trek across a mix of terrains in the Laugavegur region of Iceland - not only did our group experience the most stunning & variable scenery but equally a variable mix of weather conditions & the unexpected evacuation of camp at speed due to extreme wind conditions that started to uplift our overnight accommodation - & a colleague's possessions ….What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were several - daily - which largely revolved about the scenery - 'wow' moments, which will not be forgottenWhat did you think of your group leader? Gunner was affable, stoic & professional throughout; quietly unassuming, he was the calm amidst 'our storm' - whilst we were somewhat excited by the chaos he was efficient in his acquisition of alternative accommodation - at speedDo you have any advice for potential travellers? Notwithstanding the weather, this is not a moderate trip - the walks are substantive in length, & whilst the pace was not over demanding, there were several high, steep, narrow &/or exposed parts to almost every day which a more moderate walker may not anticipateIs there anything else you would like to add? Before visiting Iceland I was advised by fellow travellers I would love this seismic land - they were not wrong .. a fantastic trek in great company & highly recommended
Reviewed August 2018 Ian HudsonA walk through a lunar landscape A five day walk through the land that allegedly inspired JRR Tolkien to write "Lord of the Rings". Go on your own journey to return your own one ring to Mount Doom. More volcanoes than you can count on both hands but no Orc's. Iceland has quite a high rainfall but not a problem for this trip because: 1) It didn't rain all week! 2) There is very little soil, so no mud, you spend most of the time walking over volcanic ash or lava!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking over a mountain of obsidian boulders/cobbles. For non geologists obsidian is a volcanic glass that appears black , shiny and breaks with sharp edges. Usually difficult to locate but here there is a whole mountain of the stuff. Being informed that Icelandic trolls are bad, big, don't live under bridges and turn to stone if caught in daylight. Familiar if you have read the "The Hobbit". Petrified Troll spotting was a highlight of most days. The company of a great bunch of Exodus clients.What did you think of your group leader? Gunnar is a very experienced Icelandic guide with a flexible approach to travelling in the mountains. The forecast of high winds early in the trip meant we we didn't use a couple of exposed campsites which made the trip more enjoyable, high winds and tents don't mix! He is a wealth of knowledge on the locality, its eruptive history and the Icelandic saga's. He even coached me in local pronunciation I can now say Eyjafjnallajokull .......(I think).Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read the trip notes the advice in them is good especially the bit about using duty free at the airport. Gunnar carried hot water flasks for lunch tea/coffee but if you a lunchtime cuppa soup person take your own flask and packets, plenty of hot water at breakfast. Strong winds over ash produce "dust storms", take a pair of close fitting sunglasses to keep it out of your eyes. Goggles would be a little OTT.Is there anything else you would like to add? This is trip that will interest Geologists.