5 day trekking tour on the famous Laugavegur trek in Iceland
Tour details:
| Trip difficulty: |
3.5 out of 5 - Challenging |
| Location: |
Southern Highlands
|
| Duration: |
5 days
|
| Minimum participants: |
4
|
Maximum participants:
|
12
|
| Minimum age: |
16 |
| Language: |
English
German (selected departures)
|
| What to
bring: |
warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking boots are a vital! Sleeping bag and mattress can be rented from us if you let us know in advance. Please request gear list!
|
| What is
included: |
Guiding, transfer from/to Reykjavík by bus, jeep transfer for food and equipment between campsites, food for 5 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner the last day), tents & cooking gear.
|
| Price: |
ISK 129.990 |
Departures 2010:
| Date: |
Language: |
Guaranteed:
|
Spaces left:
|
28th June
|
English |
no (4 to guarantee)
|
12 |
12th July
|
English |
yes
|
8
|
19th July
|
German |
no (2 to guarantee)
|
10 |
02nd August
|
German
|
no (2 to guarantee)
|
10
|
26th July
|
English
|
no (3 to guarantee)
|
9
|
09th August
|
English
|
yes
|
fully booked
|
18th August
|
English
|
yes
|
8
|
Tour description:
The famous Laugavegur trekking tour takes you from Landmannalaugar into the glacier valley Þórsmörk. This tour has full comfort. It is a 5 day jeep assisted hike in breathtaking nature.
Laugavegur hiking trail is the most popular route through the Icelandic wilderness. There are very few places in the world that offer such diverse landscapes and scenic views. On the trek there are colorful mountains, huge and rugged glaciers, screaming hot springs, rivers of every shape and size, peaceful lakes, narrow ridges, immense waterfalls, deep canyons and panoramic views of the North Atlantic Ocean.
This trek truly has it all!
Rough itinerary:
Day 1: Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar
Day 2: Landmannalaugar - Álftavatn
Day 3: Álftavatn - Emstrur (Botnar)
Day 4: Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk
Day 5: Þórsmörk – Reykjavík
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1
The trip starts with a transfer from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar from
the BSÍ bus terminal at 8:30am. We will transfer you there from your
accommodation in Reykjavík by mini van half an hour before. The journey
is scenic and on the way we’ll drive past Mt. Hekla, the most active
volcano in Iceland. It last erupted in the year 2000 so we’re holding
our breath and soon expecting a new and powerful burst from this
mountain, which has been called the gateway to hell. We will arrive to
Landmannalaugar (approx. 600 m above sea level) through Dómadalur route
and spend an afternoon exploring the area and relaxing in the naturally
warm river that runs beside the campsite.
Day 2
First section: Landmannalaugar - Álftavatn
Distance: 24 km
Estimated travelling time: 8-10 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~900 m
We start our Laugarvegur journey early morning in Landmannalaugar. From
the mountain hut by the campsite we stroll through the rough lava field
of Laugahraun. From there on up the beautiful hills by the colorful
mountain Brennisteinsalda and onto a plateau. The colors in this part
are out of this world. Ancient rivers and streams mark the land so we
will be going in and out of small gullies quite a lot. At this point we
have reached a rather high altitude and therefore you can expect snow
piles that we’ll have to traverse. At Hrafntinnusker there is a mountain
hut where we can have lunch if the weather is bad. Lots of obsidian
scattered around gives the place mystic appearance. When the weather
permits the view from the hut is amazing. Above 1000 m there is nothing
much but bare rocks and wasteland, the immense Icelandic highland
desert. Along the hills of Reykjafjöll we continue walking through
gullies until we get to Jökultungur. There are some changes in the
landscape and we face dark tuff mountains and glaciers. We also start to
see some stubborn plants scattered around. We decent down some steep
slopes into a green oasis, which is a pleasant contrast after the rough
landscapes behind us. From there the walk to a campsite at the northern
shore of lake Álftavatn is easy.
Day 3
Second section: Álftavatn-Emstrur (Botnar)
Distance: 15 km
Estimated travelling time: 6-7 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~40 m
After yesterdays long journey this is going to be an easy and pleasant
day. We cross Brattháls hill and head east for Hvanngil gorge. There we
have to cross Bratthálskvísl River on foot. Soon after that we get to
Kaldaklofskvísl that we cross via bridge. From there we head for the hut
and campsite of Emstrur and on our way we cross the river of
Bláfjallakvísl. Yeah, we’re sure going to give our feet a refreshing
wash today. We cross between two sandy hills and soon after that we’ll
see our destination for the night. If people are up for a nice evening
walk after dinner we can take a peek at the unbelievable
Markarfjlótsgljúfur canyon. The canyon is 200 meters deep and through it
flows the powerful Markarfjót River.
Day 4
Third section: Emstrur (Botnar) - Þórsmörk
Distance: 15 km
Estimated traveling time: 6-7 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~300 m
The day starts with a crooked path down to Syðri Emstruá River which
we’ll cross on a bridge. While crossing the river we’ll have to be very
careful, as this is one of the riskiest places on the way. After our
heroic crossing we’ll head south to an area called Almenningar. The
landscape now starts to change once again and we’ll be seeing peaceful
streams covered in arctic birch and flowers. More refreshing river
crossing, a bit more demanding than before (Þröngá) is necessary but
that’s fine because we’ll be experts by then. On the other side of this
river we have left Almenningar behind and entered Þórsmörk valley. From
there we have a 40 min walk to Langidalur hut in Þórsmörk and from there
on to Básar hut where we’ll spend the night. This part is wonderful as
vegetation has spread over the area and Þórsmörk is undeniably one of
the pearls of Icelandic nature.
Day 5
Our last day is more flexible. You can sleep in and relax your tired
bones and muscles after the 56km long hike, enjoying the magnificent
Þórsmörk valley, named after Thor the Norse God of Thunder. We will take
the bus back to Reykjavík in the afternoon getting us there around
dinner time where you will end up at the BSÍ bus terminal, before taken
by our mini van back to your accommodation in Reykjavík. We can however
recommend hiking around to further experience this glacier valley,
cornered in by three glaciers, offering a unique composition of
glaciers, rocks and wood. Our guide will take you hiking in the area for
a short half day, aiming for some 500m high mountains for a
breathtaking view of the whole area and the glaciers.
Disclaimer:
All trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants.
Arctic DMC does not assume any responsibility for accidents
which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own
actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all
trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an
inherit risk.