ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

Day 1
Fly to Keflavik, transfer to Reykjavik.

Day 2
Drive to Thorsmork Valley via Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.

Day 3
Hike up to the new craters and lavafields created by the Eyafjallajokull eruption.

Day 4
Today is a little tougher - a climb up the Kristinartindar valley brings us to the pass between the two Kristinartindar peaks. From the pass we can take quite a steep but non-technical route to the top of the higher peak. Views from the top are well worth the effort: Hvannadalshnukur - the highest mountain in Iceland; the huge ice-cap; tumbling glaciers on both sides and the North Atlantic Ocean in the distance. On either day 3 or 4 there will be the option to venture on the ice as part of a guided glacier walk (with crampons and ice-axe). There are two variations, a half-day glacier walk, or the ascent of Mt.Hvannadalshnukur (2119 m). The climb involves 2000 vertical metres of ascent and 2 x 10km in distance, and is for experienced trekkers only. For both options ice equipment, harnesses etc are provided. There may also be the opportunity to try ice climbing in the National Park, or take a tractor ride to Ingolfshofdi, an isolated headland where hundreds of thousands of sea birds, including Puffins, nest.

Day 5
A long day, mostly driving, but with plenty to see. First to Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, where the outlet glacier Breidamerkurjokull is carving huge icebergs into the cold waters of the lagoon. We take a hike to admire the towering ice pinnacles and touch the small stranded chunks at the shore. Sometimes seals are seen in the 300m long river that leads from the lagoon to sea. North of Hofn (Harbour) we enter a totally different landscape - the Eastern Fjords. The road passes cascading streams, farms and fishing villages, winding from fjord to fjord. We drive through Alftafjordur (Swan-Fjord) where hundreds of swans seek food and shelter on a shallow lagoon in moulting season. We make a short stop in Egilsstadir village to get fresh supplies before we drive into the barren northern highlands. This is the driest part of Iceland and vegetation is only found where ground water reaches the surface. At the south border of Joklulsargljufur National Park is Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. We hike down to the very rim of the waterfall and witness the immense power of the cascading water. Not far north is the Asbyrgi canyon where we camp for the next two nights.

Day 6
Travel to Bakkagerdi village, stopping en route at the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon (full of icebergs), and Hofn.

Day 7
Hike to beautiful Storurd in the Dyrfjoll mountains.

Day 8
A hike in the lava fields and craters south of lake Myvatn. We hike to Dimmuborgir, a vast area of lava towers, natural arches and sand dunes. The most spectacular of them is 'the Church', a large vault resembling a church. Only a short distance from Dimmuborgir is Mt.Hverfjall, a huge circular crater with a depth of 140 metres and 1000 metres in diameter. It is one of the most beautiful steam-explosion craters in Iceland and thought to be one of the largest on the planet. We traverse Mt.Hverfjall, and a little further north is the rift crevasse Grjotagja with its crystal clear warm water.

Day 9
We drive into the Krafla volcano area to explore the craters and lava from the eruptive period of 1975-1984. We hike into one of the craters and look at the strange textures of cooled magma splatters and rich colours of the mineral deposits. From the colourful Leirhnjukur hill we set course down to Lake Myvatn on foot and cross countless rift fissures and the lava falls Elda (Fire River) on an unforgettable hike. Back at Myvatn we have the chance to soak our muscles in one of the geothermal pools.

Day 10
A scenic drive with a stop at Skutustadagigar pseudo-craters and Godafoss waterfall. After a short stop to explore Akureyri, the largest settlement outside the capital, we cross the Trollaskagi mountain range and the old mountain route Kjolur. A stop at natural pools is a great chance to admire the view to the big icecaps both the east and west. From Hveravellir it takes about an hour to drive up to Mt.Kerlingarfjoll where we set up camp on the lower flanks of this old volcano.

Day 11
A full day of hiking in Kerlingarfjoll Mountains. Kerlingarfjoll is an extinct volcano that still holds enormous heat and in Hveradalur (Boiling Valley) we see the result of thousands of years of geothermal activity and glacial erosion. The combination of boiling colourful mud pits, pure yellow sulphur and snow is extraordinary. Mt.Kerlingarfjoll is capped with its own small glacier. In good visibility we set out to hike up to 1400 m. high Mt.Snaekollur.

Day 12
We drive south over the Kjolur Highland and down to Gullfoss waterfall. Again we have the opportunity to go out to the very edge of the falls and witness it cascade into the Hvitargljufur Canyon. A little further west is Geysir geothermal area with the original Geysir that other similar 'eruptive springs' elsewhere are named after. The most reliable eruption comes every 5-10 minutes from one called 'Strokkur'; the 30-meter jet of water and steam is spectacular. Our next stop is Lake Laugarvatn, whose shores contain boiling springs. On top of one is a modest building housing the oldest steam bath in Iceland. Having all that cold water in the lake just outside makes it an excellent bathing stop. Our final visit is to Thingvellir National park, the old site of the first Icelandic parliament. This area became Iceland's first National Park in 1928 and World Heritage Area in 2004, it sits right on top of a major fault line. The area abounds with waterfalls, immense fissures and the largest lake in the country. Return to Reykjavik

Day 13
A free day in the capital with plenty of options for activities and relaxation. Whale-watching, horse-riding and even sea kayaking are options for the active. Or those wanting a little time to themselves can explore the small city centre, or relax in one of Reykjavik's many public outdoor swimming pools - geothermally heated of course! The most famous geo-thermal pool is the Blue Lagoon (30 mins drive from Reykjavik), and this can be visited as part of an organised excursion.

Day 14
Early transfer to the airport for the flight to London.