Expats – Iceland Roadtrip in Summer
Join us in exploring Iceland- The land of Ice and Fire featuring breathtaking natural wonders, including waterfalls, glaciers & more.
When and where
Date and time
August 29 · 4:30pm – September 2 · 4am GMT
Location
Reykjavik BSI Bus Terminal Vatnsmýrarvegur 10 101 Reykjavík Iceland
About this event
WHY GO?
Iceland is known for its breathtaking natural wonders, including waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, and hot springs. Iceland is one of the most geologically active places on earth, with its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge resulting in constant volcanic and geothermal activity. This has led to the formation of unique geological features, such as glaciers, hot springs, geysers, and lava fields.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MANY HIGHLIGHTS?
Skogafoss is located on the Skoga River in southern Iceland, about 150 km (93 miles) east of Reykjavik. It is 60 meters (197 feet) tall and 25 meters (82 feet) wide, making it one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland.
According to legend, a Viking settler named Thrasi hid a treasure chest behind the waterfall, which has never been found. Some locals believe that on sunny days, a rainbow can be seen stretching across the waterfall, indicating the location of the hidden treasure.
Visitors can climb up a staircase alongside the waterfall for a breathtaking view from the top.
Strokkur is a famous geyser located in the geothermal area of Haukadalur in southwestern Iceland. The Haukadalur valley is known for its geothermal activity, and Strokkur is just one of several geysers in the area.
Visitors can see bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and other geothermal features, as well as enjoy the nearby hot springs and geothermal pools. Strokkur is a hot spring geyser that erupts every few minutes, shooting a column of hot water and steam up to 40 meters (131 feet) into the air. The eruptions can be seen from a safe distance
Reynisfjara Beach is one of the few black sand beaches in the world, created by the erosion of volcanic rock over millions of years. The contrast of the black sand against the white foam of the waves is truly breathtaking and makes for stunning photographs.
The beach is also home to impressive basalt columns, created by volcanic activity and formed into hexagonal shapes. These columns can be found in cliffs and caves surrounding the beach. Reynisfjara is surrounded by stunning scenery, including the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, which are large basalt columns rising out of the sea, and the Dyrhólaey peninsula, which offers stunning views over the coastline.
Icelandic favourites
- Puffins: Puffins in Iceland nest in colonies on rocky cliffs and steep slopes along the coast. They can be found in various locations around Iceland, including on the Westman Islands, Dyrhólaey, and Látrabjarg. Puffins are easily recognizable with their colorful beaks and distinctive black and white plumage. During the breeding season, their beaks are brightly colored, with orange, yellow, and blue hues.
- Skyr: Skyr is a type of dairy product that has been a staple of Icelandic cuisine for centuries. It is similar to yogurt, but it is technically a type of cheese, as it is made from cultured skim milk. Skyr has been a part of Icelandic cuisine for over a thousand years, with records of it being consumed by Viking settlers in the 9th century.
- Icelandic horses: Icelandic horses are believed to have been brought to Iceland by Viking settlers over 1,000 years ago. They were originally used as work horses for farming, transportation, and as a means of warfare. They are small in stature, standing at an average of 13-14 hands high. They have a thick, double coat of fur that helps protect them from Iceland’s harsh climate. Icelandic horses come in a variety of colors, including black, chestnut, and gray. Icelandic horses are known for their friendly and gentle demeanor, as well as their unique gaits. They have two additional gaits, in addition to the standard walk, trot, and canter, called the tölt and the flying pace. The tölt is a smooth and comfortable four-beat gait, while the flying pace is a fast two-beat gait.
TRIP DETAILS
Start & End Date: Wed, 30 Aug – Sunday morning, 3 Sep
Meeting location & time: Meet your guide in Reykjavík Bus Terminal (BSI Terminal) at 4:30 pm.
Finishing location & time: Keflavik international airport at 4:00 AM.
Note: You can organize an airport shuttle (through Flybus) and get off at BSI Terminal from where we can organize to pick you up as mentioned above. For early arrivals, if possible we can try to organize an early accommodation check-in. Also same with departures if you need to leave earlier or later than mentioned above, then you will will need to organize an airport shuttle.
Hiking difficulty: Intermediate – We will generally be driving to the various locations with 2 longer hikes >>> 17km (Skofgafoss – 26 waterfalls) and 10km (Reykjadalur Hot Springs). Note: We will be driving around 250 – 350 km every day during this trip.
Price: Starting from 895 euros (before any discounts are applied).
Buy your ticket online
What is included ?
- Community leader & guide for the entire duration (Guides speak English & German)
- 4 x nights shared accommodation in Reykjavik. Note: Refer to Add-On’s for accommodation upgrade options
- Transportation for the entire trip starting from the meeting location to the finishing location. Note: We will be driving you in cars / vans for this entire trip.
- Organizing amazing food places (participants will be paying for their own food).
- Guided hikes.
- Guided tour of Reykjavik.
- Entrance to Crater lake.
- Access to a WhatsApp Group dedicated for this trip where you can connect with other confirmed participants.
- Access to a Google Photos album dedicated to the trip where you can share all your amazing pics & videos.
Other Things of Note:
- Other Payment Options: Payment by bank transfer is possible, please whatsapp or email us on [email protected] for more details.
- Clothing: We will get close to a lot of waterfalls, so please bring waterproof clothes. In general different layers of clothes are advised since weather in Iceland can change quickly. Please bring your swimwear and ideally an extra towel.
Optional Add-On (More details on this closer to the trip date):
- Sky Lagoon
- Whale watching
How to get to Reykjavik / Iceland?
- Flying is the fastest way to reach Iceland (Keflavik airport), with direct flights from most European cities.
Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik
WHAT IS THE PLAN?
Day 0 – Meet & Greet and Exploring Reykjavik: Based on your arrival time, we will explore Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city, that has plenty to offer visitors including visiting:
- Hallgrimskirkja: This iconic church is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmarks. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the city.
- Harpa Concert Hall: This stunning glass building is home to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and hosts concerts and events throughout the year. The building itself is a work of art and a must-see for architecture lovers.
- Sun Voyager: The Sun voyager is a striking and iconic sculpture located on the waterfront in Reykjavik, Iceland. It was created by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason and completed in 1990. The sculpture is made of stainless steel and resembles a Viking ship, with its bow pointing towards the ocean.
Day 1 – Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a popular tourist route in Iceland, which includes three main attractions: Kerið Crater, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. Kerið is a caldera, which means it formed when a volcanic cone collapsed inward during an eruption. What makes Kerið particularly remarkable is the presence of a lake within the crater itself. The lake is approximately 7-14 meters deep and contains strikingly blue-green water.
The contrasting colors of the lake, the red volcanic rocks, and the surrounding green moss-covered slopes create a picturesque sight. We will also visit Strokkur – the powerful Geysir erupting hot water and steam into the air, and admire the stunning beauty of the Gullfoss waterfall (which gives the Golden Circle its name since gul means gold).
- Reykjadalur hike (around 10km) – The hike to Reykjadalur takes you through picturesque landscapes, including rolling hills, volcanic terrain, and geothermal areas. The trail is considered a moderate hike suitable for most fitness levels. Reykjadalur translates to “Steam Valley” in English, and the main attraction of the hike is the opportunity to soak in the natural hot springs along the trail.
Note: Remember to pack a bathing suit / swim shorts
Day 2 – South of Iceland
The south of Iceland is home to some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders, including the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, the beautiful Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, and the stunning views of Dyrhólaey lighthouse. These unique landscapes are truly breathtaking and provide endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
- Skógafoss waterfall hike (around 17km): The Skógafoss hike involves ascending a staircase located next to the waterfall, which consists of approximately 527 steps. The stairs lead to a higher viewpoint where you can admire panoramic views of the waterfall, the surrounding landscapes, and the Skógá River. The Skógafoss hike offers captivating views of the Skógá River, the lush greenery of the surrounding hills, and the contrasting black sand plains as well as a total of 26 waterfalls. The landscapes along the trail showcase the natural beauty and ruggedness of Iceland, providing ample opportunities for photography and enjoying the outdoors.
Day 3 – Snæfellsnes peninsula – miniature Iceland:
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is known for its rugged, natural beauty. It is home to the iconic Snæfellsjökull glacier, which inspired Jules Verne’s famous novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” The peninsula is also home to dramatic lava fields, volcanic craters, hot springs, waterfalls, and black sand beaches.
Gatklettur, also known as the “Arch Rock,” is a unique rock formation located in the southern coast of Iceland, near the town of Arnarstapi, which we are going to visit on our roadtrip.
One of the biggest highlights of this day will be Kirkjufellfoss waterfall and its surrounding area that offer stunning views of the mountain Kirkjufell, which is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. The combination of the waterfall and the mountain makes for a beautiful and unique landscape.
Lóndrangar is part of the Snæfellsjökull National Park, which is a protected nature reserve in Iceland. The Lóndrangar formation is made up of two volcanic rock pillars that rise from the sea to a height of about 75 meters. The pillars were formed by a volcanic eruption and are now home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins and guillemots.
Day 4 – Head back home: We will be leaving early in the morning to the airport and say our goodbye’s and head back home
Skógafoss
WHO IS THE COMMUNITY GUIDE FOR THIS TRIP?
Tom here and I will be leading & driving you on this amazing roadtrip. A bit about me, I am originally from the UK but have been living in Berlin for over 15 years now. I grew up in a family that loved to go on hikes in the Scottish countryside so from early on I started to appreciate the countryside and all it’s wonderful surprises. I love to be in nature and hiking for me is a way of reconnecting with life and myself. I am very much looking forward to getting out there and guiding in some of the most beautiful places Europe and the world has to offer!
Icelandic horses
HOW DO I CONTACT YOU FOR ANY QUERIES / CONCERNS?
- WHATSAPP: Reach out to us directly by clicking here: https://ExpatsTravelTogether.com/Questions
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TRANSACTION FEES?
Transaction fees apply only when you use the ticketing system available on this page (EventBrite). If you prefer to avoid these fees, we offer the option of paying via bank transfer. To arrange a bank transfer or if you have any questions, please reach out to us directly by clicking here: https://ExpatsTravelTogether.com/Questions
WHAT ARE YOUR REVIEW'S LIKE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS?
To go through our amazing reviews by participants, please click on the links below:
WHAT IS NEXT?
- WhatsApp Group: In the ticket confirmation page, you will find a link to a whatsapp group dedicated to this event. This group is where you can connect with trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch.
- Trip Briefing: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to a detailed trip briefing document providing details on what to expect, how to prepare etc.
- Google Photos Album: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to the shared google photos album where you can upload & view all shared photos & videos from the trip.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
- Free cancellation up to 7 full days before the start of the trip. After that, cancel up to 5 days before the trip to get a 50% refund.
- If the event is cancelled on our end, you will get a full refund.
- Please note that the program, as well as the venue is subject to change due to extreme weather conditions, as well as to the characteristics and size of the group.
- Urbanature Travel (UNT) needs a minimum of 5 participants for this trip to take place, else we may cancel this trip.
- UNT reserves the right to cancel the trip, modify the route, change the accommodation or re-schedule hikes and without prior notice.
- UNT is not responsible for any loss, theft, damage or personal injury that occurs during the trip.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
Organized by Urbanature Travel
Welcome my fellow travellers! We are looking to provide you with options to travel to amazing places with our like-minded community guides. Our trips would involve a mash-up of urban exploring and comfortable nature trails & hikes planned & designed by us to ensure that you have a great time & have a more holistic experience.
Looking forward to seeing you on our trips!!!
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
- Free cancellation up to 14 full days before the start of the trip. After that, cancel up to 7 days before the trip to get a 50% refund.
- If the event is cancelled on our end, you will get a full refund.
- Please note that the program, as well as the venue is subject to change due to extreme weather conditions, as well as to the characteristics and size of the group.
- Urbanature Travel (UNT) needs a minimum of 5 participants for this trip to take place, else we may cancel this trip.
- UNT reserves the right to cancel the trip, modify the route, change the accommodation or re-schedule hikes and without prior notice.
- UNT is not responsible for any loss, theft, damage or personal injury that occurs during the trip.
Check out a few pics from our previous Iceland trip in spring below.
