Spring Discovery

Day 1: Reykjavik to Snæfellsnes (approx. 200 km)

Departure West. After the bypass of the Whale Fjord, the road crosses the marshy tundra of the Borgarnes region and reaches the base of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, a narrow snowy mountain range jutting far into the ocean, pointing west as a finger with the magnificent volcano Snæfellsjökull -the glacier of Snowfell-crowning its tip.

Day 2: Snæfellsnes Peninsula (approx. 195 km)

The legendary Snæfellsjökull volcano crowned by a majestic immaculate glacier, rushes out of the ocean like a boreal Fuji-Yama. It is the entrance passage of the legendary "Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Jules Verne. Hike to the tip through desolate lava fields covered with moss and lichen contrasting with the pure white snow. Hiking (and bird watching from the end of March) on the basalt cliffs of Arnarstapi, then to the deserted black pebble beaches of Djúpalónsandur. The bay of Grundarfjördur is famous today for its beautiful solitary and lonely Kirkjufell mountain that attract photographers in any season since it became a celebrity on the net. It is true that it is beautiful!
The road finally reaches the pretty fishing harbor of Stykkishólmur.

Day 3: Vatnsnes Peninsula (approx. 200 km)

Drive east through a beautiful empty area along the bay of Breidafjordur dotted with innumerable islets and reefs. Then by the Swan Plateau the trail reaches the North Coast. In Hvammstangi there is the possibility in option of visiting an interesting small museum devoted to pinnipeds. The road then passes around the Vatnsnes peninsula through vast snowy coastal moors where one meets the herds of stuffed horses, so much their fur is thick in winter. At the farm of Ósar "the Estuaries" we can observe a large colony of harbour seals and the photogenic and strange reef (a dike) of Hvítserkur.

Day 4: Skagafjördur - Tröllaskagi - Siglufjörður - Akureyri (approx. 290 km)

Continue to the horse breeding fjord Skagafjörður, where we visit the old farm Glaumbær with its perfectly preserved and maintained traditional peat construction. Rounding the Giants Peninsula Tröllaskagi by the old village of Hofsós and its old tarred wood warehouses, facing the impressive tabular islands Drangey and Málmey. The road reaches the isolated fjord Siglufjörður, former center of the herring fisheries, village at the world’s end. Visit the museum in the old canneries devoted to the great era of herring fishing. The new tunnel, completed in 2010, allows us to reach the majestic fjord of Eyjafjörður, at the bottom of which lies the small town of Akureyri.

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• Domestic return flight to Reykjavik the next morning for those who are living the trip en-route
• Domestic flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri for participants taking the trip en-route for the last 6 days 

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Day 5: Akureyri - Goðafoss - Mývatn (approx. 120 km)

On to Mývatn via the old farm of Laufás with its perfectly preserved and maintained traditional peat construction., then Goðafoss, a magnificent cataract partly or completely frozen in this season. It is in the "Fall of the Gods" from a promontory that an early Christian leader threw the effigies of the old pagan gods of the Nordic pantheon for the chagrin of Thor and Odin. We discover the shores and volcanoes of Lake Mývatn. Strange formations of lava, pseudo craters, bubbling sulphur pots and fumaroles, and the impressive lava chaos of Dimmuborgir. At the end of winter, in very early spring, when the lake ice begins to thaw, countless flights of wild ducks converge to this shrine of birdlife, a paradise for ornithologists where both American and European species coexist. (Optional outdoor spa bath in the middle of volcanoes (Nature Baths www.jardbodin.is)

Day 6: Möðrudalsöræfi Plateau (approx. 80 km)

On the high desert plateau of Möðrudalsöræfi, amidst the wet tundra, is one of the most isolated farms at the highest altitude in Iceland. Naïve, charming architecture amidst a magnificent, vast and hostile landscape. White immensity where emerges alignments of small volcanic cones under a steel sky that is dyed orange red or antique rose at dawn and dusk. We can sometimes meet large herds of wild reindeer.

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• Domestic return flight to Reykjavik the next morning for those who are living the trip en-route
• Domestic flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri for participants taking the trip en-route for the last 4 days 

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Day 7: The East Fjords (approx. 220 km)

The road descends from the plateau, along the interminable glacial valley of Jokulsdalur. It ends up reaching the wooded area of Egilsstaðir, a small village on the shore of the long turquoise lake of Lagarfljót. The legend hides an aquatic monster, close cousin of Nessi in Scotland. From Egilsstadir, the route leads to the Eastern Fjords. Fáskrúðsfjörður, for nearly two centuries was a port of call and vital supplies for the fleets of Bretagne and French Flanders. The mountains that surround the fjords of Stöðvarfjörður and Berufjörður are particularly beautiful and impressive. Visit the pretty fishing port of Djúpivogur "deep bay", and the old trading post in one of the most beautiful scenery of mountains and sea in the region.

Day 8: Vatnajökull - Jökulsárlón (approx. 200 km)

Between the two majestic capes Austurhorn and Vesturhorn lies the lagoon Álftafjörður, "fjord swans." This is not really a fjord, but a large lagoon where thousands of immature swans arrive early in spring. We are less than 1000 km from the coast of Scotland, this beautiful country where the whooper swans winter. At Höfn in Hornafjörður, the huge Vatnajökull is offered to our gaze. We enter the south coast of Iceland. The beautiful lagoon Jökulsárlón is occupied by a large herd of blue icebergs streaked with intense black. The spectacle of the seals surfing in the current is gorgeous. The massive ice mass Öræfajökull dominates the Skaftafell glacier park. Several phenomenal sub glacial eruptions occurred in recent years, with cataclysmic water releases down the coastal desert, the latest in 1996.

Day 9: Eldhraun - Vík í Myrdal - Eyjafjöll (approx. 285 km)

Surrounding the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur: Eldhraun. This vast expanse of lava is from the phenomenal Laki eruption in 1783-4 (the world’s largest eruption in historical times), not far in the interior highlands, parallel to the fault of Eldgjá. Dependent on snow visit Fjarðárgljúfur gorges and Eldhraun pseudo-craters.
Wandering along the black sand beaches and grassy headlands of Vik in Mýrdal. Following the rapid and accurate flight of Northern Fulmars, above the Arctic Tern colonies, on the basalt cliffs among exuberant Angelica, lots and lots of puffins hurry up-and-from between the ocean and their burrows. (The puffins and terns are more observable beyond mid-August, but fulmars remain until fall.) Walk on the beautiful beach of black sand Reynisfjara between the famous reefs and the promontory of Reynisdrangar. Dyrhólaey arch with its impressive black basalt. Beautiful waterfalls Skógafoss (optional visit to the Folk Museum Skógar). We flank Mount Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in April 2010 and disrupted air traffic worldwide. Beyond the graceful Seljalandsfoss fall, we reach the vast pampas of Rangá that stretch to the foot of Mount Hekla.

Day 10:  South Coast - Reykjavik (approx. 100 km)

The majestic Hekla volcano, which rises at the end of a grassy plain and marks the entrance to the volcanic highlands, is one of Iceland's best known volcanoes; it is on the edge of the inhabited lands and the desert Highlands.. The large southern pampas-like breeding plain leads us to the famous gushing springs of Geysir and the great cataract of Gullfoss, "the Golden Fall" partly frozen by ice. Arrival in Reykjavik in the middle of the afternoon.

Payment on line by credit card:

1. Confirmation booking fee is 30% of trip price
2. Balance to be paid 60 days prior to departure

A pro forma invoice will be sent to you after we will have received your booking. Discount or extra charge, if any, will show on this invoice.

For a payment by bank wire: Please contact us!

Accommodation:

Overnight stays in hotels and hostels in made-up beds in double or double-twin rooms (2 twin beds) with or without private bathroom. In single rooms with supplement if available at the time of your registration

Single room:

approx. + 9,000 ISK per night (approx. + 60 €)

If you register alone you cannot opt ​​for a double-twin room to share. However, if you wish to share your room with another woman if you are a woman or with another man if you are a man, please let us know. If possible, we will put you together in a double-twin room (two beds) if another participant traveling alone has the same wish as you. We can guarantee you a shared double-twin room only if another person agrees to share it with you.

Rustic option:

Accommodation with a few nights in sleeping bags in a double, quadruple room, etc. in a hostel with sometimes the possibility of preparing your own dinners. This option is aimed at young people whose budget is more limited. (Contact us for more information)

Group size:

Multi-national group 6 to 12 members (+/-1) (Note: for group sizes of 4-5 persons a small group surcharge applies) Fjallabak’s staff or Fjallabak’s representatives accompanying professionals (e.g. photographers, journalists etc.…) and other discounted travellers such as children, are excluded from the participant count (minimum and maximum).

Small group surcharge:

A supplement applies for a group smaller than 6 participants

• 5 participants  ISK/pp (ca. €) for the first 6 days
• 4 participants ISK/pp (ca. €) for the first 6 days

• 5 participants  ISK/pp (ca. €) for the last 6 days
• 4 participants  ISK/pp (ca. €) for the last 6 days

Composition of the group:

In general, participants on our trips come from several countries. We generally have French, Swiss, Scandinavians, Germans, Canadians, Americans, Australians, New Zealanders, Japanese and even Icelanders. Your Icelandic guide is fluent in English and often speaks one or two other languages. Travelling with Fjallabak is also a chance to meet, exchange ideas and socialize with friendly people from other countries that otherwise you may never have known and it is therefore a unique opportunity to make friends around the world and wring the neck of certain prejudices and misconceptions.

Privatize this trip:

On other dates that could suit your vacation, it may be possible to privatize this trip and emphasise certain themes. The price increases in addition the group is small but decreases significantly from 8 participants and more. Contact us!

Easy level :

Travel accessible to all on board a small comfortable bus. The daily mileage 150 km is an indicative average. The duration of the walks on the road depends on the weather conditions of the day and the level of the group. They can be extended or shortened. A contemplative person but who does not wish to do much more than a few steps can of course take part in this trip.

Please refer to the equipment list, available in the information section of our site!

Vehicle:

Jeep or small comfortable 4wd bus according to group size driven by an Icelandic driver. On a smaller group, the guide may be driver-guide.

Food: Half-board trip

• The breakfasts are included "Scandinavian" and copious.
• Lunches are included, are taken on the road, often on the go, in a small village restaurant, a farm, in the kiosk or the grill-cafeteria of a service station. Nothing gourmet.
• Dinners are at your expense: In the evening at the hotel or restaurant: friendly dinner based on local specialties and products: fish (haddock, cod, sea trout, salmon, etc.), and lamb, accompanied by vegetables; excellent dairy products including blueberry skyr and súrmjólk. A special basic menu can be offered to vegetarians. It is essential that any special diet or allergy to a particular food be clearly indicated to us upon registration.

• Vegetarians and those with food allergies can be fully catered for with a range of tasty options. It is essential that you inform our office then your guide of any special food requirements at the time of booking! Vegans will have to bring from home a part of their diet.

Recommended Travel Gear

Given the marked climatic instability of the northern regions, we recommend that you reasonably comply with this list of equipment for your comfort and safety.

The list below is very complete (certainly too complete) and you can interpret it reasonably according to what you already have as clothing and equipment at home

Luggage:

• Large waterproof and solid travel bag (60 - 75 liters) or unbreakable suitcase - 1 bag per person and not 1 huge bag for two people (the weight of a bag should if possible not exceed 18 kg)
• Small travel bag or small backpack for the day
• Optionally, an extra empty light bag if you want to keep some of your belongings at your hotel in Reykjavik

Clothing and equipment:

• Good and comfortable hiking shoes
• Anorak jacket with hood (goretex type)
  
• Windbreaker pants
• Thick fleece sweater or jacket (Carline) or a good, thick natural wool sweater
• Long thermal underpants in polyester or (more luxurious) in natural merino wool
• Long-sleeved thermal undershirt in polyester or (more luxurious) in natural merino wool
• Hiking T-shorts
• Hiking socks (a few pairs) in natural curly raw wool (can be purchased on site)
• Thin silk socks (optional)
• Hat wool (can be purchased locally)
• Waterproof wool gloves (can be purchased locally)
• Silk gloves (especially for photographers)
• Comfortable wool & fiber shirt. (Possibility to buy woollens on site)
• Pyjamas or nightgown

Accessories:

• Strong, lightweight telescopic hiking poles
• Headlamp + 1 set of spare batteries (from August)
• Penknife (Don't forget to put it in your checked baggage)
• High protection sunglasses in their case
• Unbreakable Thermos flask 1/2 liter (optional)
• Pair of flat binoculars
• 220 V charger for standard European standard socket
• Swimsuit (can be rented on site in the swimming pools and spa)
• Small bath towel (can be rented on site in the swimming pools and spa)
• Toiletry bag
• Personal pharmacy
• Sun protection cream and lip balm
• Midge protection net for your head (*)

At the accommodation:

• Sporty and casual outfit for the evening at the accommodation
• Light city shoes such as loafers or sports shoes

Camera, tablet, telephone:

• Tripod and cable release for camera (for long northern lights breaks)
• Spare batteries and/or accumulators for cameras or electrical devices
• Additional memory cards
• 220 V charger for standard European standard socket

Optical Equipment:

Type of Binoculars for Bird Watching:

Eden HD Binoculars 10x42
Leica Noctivid 10x42
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42
Swarovski SLC 8x56
And others…

For bird photography:

Objective from 150 mm
Ideal zoom 150-400 mm

*About netting hood    There are no mosquitoes in Iceland (yet), but at the beginning of summer midges swarms invade the lowlands rivers banks and lakes as Lake Mývatn “lake of midges”. With global warming midges begin to colonize now some wet areas of higher ground covered by vegetation. The outbreak periods are short but not really accurate. It is hell for the hapless hiker who found a windless day in clouds of these very angry bugs You will not regret to have brought with you, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and above a netting hood that you put on over your head rain hat or sun hat. You probably will not have to use it, but you’ll be relieved to have it just in case … and it’s not a huge investment.