Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Trek - 2023

• Professional and qualified English speaking guide for 6 days
• Accommodation in mountain huts dormitory style. Sleeping bag needed
• Meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 6
• Luggage transports during the trek
• Transport from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar and from Þórsmörk to Reykjavik

• Sleeping bag (available for an additional price)
• Showers in huts (payable on site where showers are available)
• Vegan/vegetarian meal plan (available for an additional price)
• Pick-up from hotel
• Accommodation in Reykjavík (available for an additional price)

Day 1. Reykjavík – Hrafntinnusker

• Transfer with a public bus from BSI bus terminal in Reykjavík at 07:00.
• During the summer months the bus drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area.
• Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we have a lunch and then head south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges.
• Arrival at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut, were we will stay the night, in the late afternoon.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Ascent: 470 m (1540 ft)

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Day 2. Hrafntinnusker - Álftavatn

• From Hrafntinnusker we descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Up there we enjoy fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers.
• In the afternoon we arrive at Álftavatn hut where we stay the night.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Descent: 490 m (1610 ft)

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Day 3. Álftavatn - Emstrur

• We pass at the foot of the green conic volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur.
• Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, we enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer.
• Before arriving at the Botnar hut where we stay the night, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cut almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.

Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 40 m (130 ft)

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Day 4. Emstrur – Þórsmörk

• We continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away.
• As our hike is coming to an end for the day, we descend into Þórsmörk’s (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers.

Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)

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Day 5. Þórsmörk – Fimmvörðuháls

• We start the hike in the magic landscapes of Goðaland, the abode of the Gods.
• Nesting at the foot of two glaciers this is a wonderland of ridges and cliffs covered by a multitude of flowers and grasses.
• We continue up the hills leading to the pass of Fimmvörðuháls enjoying the view of the lava stream that flowed down from the Fimmvörðuháls volcano in March and early April 2010.
• As we gain height above Morinsheiði we come to the two craters Magni and Móði.
• We head back to Þórsmörk with the magnificent view over the glaciers and this beautiful valley for our celebtration barbeque dinner and night in Básar hut.

Distance: 20 km (12.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs.
Ascent: 900 m (2953 ft)
Descent: 900m (2953 ft)

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Day 6. Þórsmörk – Reykjavík

• We spend the day in Þórsmörk where we have an abundance of choice between various paths.
• We can for example visit to the Sönghellir cave (“Song cave”), climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where magnificent view can be enjoyed, or hike into the beautifully carved canyon Stakkholtsgjá. This oasis between the mountains also an ideal place to relax and just enjoy nature.
• Return to Reykjavik in the afternoon.

Distance: 5 - 10 km (3 - 6 mi)
Walking time: 2 - 5 hrs.

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June 16, 2023	English		Sold out
June 23, 2023	English		Sold out
June 30, 2023	English		Sold out
July 07, 2023	English		Sold out
July 14, 2023	English		Sold out
July 21, 2023	English		Sold out
July 28, 2023	English		Sold out
August 04, 2023	English		Sold out
August 11, 2023	English		Sold out
August 18, 2023	English		Sold out
August 25, 2023	English		Sold out
September 01, 2023	English		Sold out

Sleeping bag during the tour: Price: 7000 ISK

Vegan meal option: Price: 8000 ISK

Hiking Poles: Price: 3000 ISK

• We require a 15% non-refundable deposit for this tour.
• Cancellation:
• All cancellations must be made by letter or or e-mail to Iceland Road Trip. In conformity with business practices within the Icelandic travel industry, the Travel Agent is obliged to charge cancellation fees to passenger(s) as follows:
• CANCELLATION CHARGES
• Iceland Road Trip reserves the right to keep the below fee to cover costs.
• If clients formally cancel their participation:
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 15 days or less before event
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 75% if booking is cancelled 16-29 days before event
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 30-59 days before event
• 15% of the tour price is non-refundable

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

GROUP SIZE: 6 - 16 participants

MINIMUM AGE: 14 yrs

LANGUAGE: English

ACCOMMODATION: Mountain hut

TOTAL DISTANCE: 78 km (48 mi)

WALKIN PER DAY: 4 - 7 hrs

MAX ASCENT: 1000 m (3280 ft)

DIFFICULTY: Challenging:
Please note that this hike is challenging and suits those that are physically active and have some background in basic traveling in mountainous terrain with a backpack. 6-7 hrs. walk per day can be expected.
Participants take full responsibility for meeting the physical fitness level requirement of the trip. Participants that are physically unfit or not equipped for their tour can be dismissed from the tour at their own expense.

TRANSPORT: Public bus

MEETING POINT: BSI Bus terminal at 6:30

PLEASE NOTE:
• During the trek the accommodation will be in mountain huts in dormitories. All of the huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. They have bunk rooms with single and twin beds, participants have to be prepared to share a bunk with other travelers from the group.
• Participants will need to cross some rivers. The water level in the rivers changes from time to time due to seasonal conditions. In some cases we will be able to step from stone to stone to get to the other side. In other cases we will need to take our shoes and socks off, put on river crossing shoes and wade the rivers. Your guide will provide you with advice on river crossing as well as help you to cross the river. Trekking poles might come in handy when wading rivers as well as crossing with a partner.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Boots and Clothing:
• Sturdy Hiking Boots – waterproof with good ankle support.
• Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
• T-shirt (thermal underwear), Wool or synthetic.
• Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer).
• Trousers – Strong and light material that dries quickly e.g. soft-shell.
• Jacket with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or comparable.
• Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory in Iceland, poncho is not useful because of wind.
• Gloves – Wool or synthetic 2 pairs of different thickness.
• Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs.
• Warm hat – Wool or synthetic.
• Swimwear if you want to bathe in the hot geothermal pool in Landmannalaugar.

Other gear:
• A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear between huts. Please avoid bringing a suitcase!
• Day backpack for extra clothes and lunch pack during the day. 25 – 40L (1500 – 2500 cu in).
• River shoes – Walking sandals or old running shoes with a good grip are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks. Open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job.
• Sleeping bag. A basic sleeping bag with no specific temperature rating is sufficient for this trek since all the huts are heated.
• Towel – light weight and packable.
• Sunglasses & sun protection.
• Water container – thermos flask, water bottle 0.5 – 1L. or camelbak.
• Headlamp for reading and getting around the hut.
• Change of clothes for wearing in the hut.
• Personal first aid kit – including blister care.
• Prescription medication and other personal health items.
• Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc.
• Earplugs.
• Lunch box

Optional gear:
• Walking pole(s). To preserve the vulnerable nature please keep the rubber tip protectors on.
• Power-bank / extra battery for your electronics – small solar cells usually do not work that well in Iceland, so a pre-charged power bank is a better option. Charging your electronics in the highlands often is not an option or will cost you extra. Having converters adapters for 220 V and/or USB will help.
• Gaiters (recommended for departures in June and early July).
• Pocket knife.
• Sun/rain hat or a cap. Shorts.
• Small thermal mat (to sit on for lunch breaks).
• Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down).
• Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing.
• Slippers for indoor use.
• Pillow or pillow case (to wrap around your warm sweater or down jacket for a pillow).
• Playing cards and travel games – or other toys you might like and can travel.
• Cash– for the showers, a shower normally costs about 500 ISK.
• Book - to read during the evenings.
• Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits.

FOOD:
The food is purchased in Reykjavik, with the emphasis on fresh product and easily-prepared meals. The trip leader, will prepare the group’s evening meals and will be grateful for any assistance from group members. Local specialties predominate, including excellent sea-fish and Icelandic lamb, as well as fresh Arctic char. Breakfasts consists of porridge, muesli, bread, jam, cheese, ham, tea and coffee. At breakfast, snack items and sandwich materials will be made available for the group members to make their own lunch packs. We can provide vegetarian/vegan meals on request for an additional charge.
Please note that there are very few possibilities to buy refreshments, snacks or drinks in the huts or anywhere during the trek.