Fire and Ice INSEAD 93 25 Year Reunion A Nordic Adventure to the Island of Geysers and Glaciers Jun 24-28, 2018
Iceland Welcome to the lands of ancient mystery. To an encounter with unspeakable majesty. Step out and explore that spark in your soul that yearns for adventure and join us for an excursion across glacial fields, volcanoes and the unique and often moonlike landscapes of Iceland. On horseback, snow mobile or on foot we venture into the open, self drive from stage to stage in specially equipped Land Rovers, or hike and climb through dreamlike scenery to discover the forces of fire and ice in thundering waterfalls and steaming geysers. From design hotels in eclectic Reykjavik where we experience the fine and fashionable Nordic life style to private expeditions and a fully loaded arctic camp built exclusively for us, this Iceland adventure has it all. A magic experience of true nordic luxury.
The journey at a glance June 24 Arrival in Iceland, Skalakot Lodge Transfer from Keflavik Airport to lunch in Reykjavik and on to Skàlakot for a relaxed hike, welcome reception and dinner. June 25 Glaciers, waterfalls and hot springs, Skalakot Lodge Snow mobiling to the top of Eyjafjallajokull glacier. Ride Icelandic horses to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. At dusk dip in a secret hot pool. June 26 Super Jeeps, Ice climbing, wilderness camp Continue offroad in self drive Land Rovers to Skogafoss waterfall; continue to Solheimajokull for Ice hiking/climbing; after lunch visit Reynisfjara Black Lava beach. Drive to Thorsmorsk for Viking Dinner and wilderness camping. June 27 Geysir - Gullfoss waterfall and caving Sand Hotel Visit Geysir hot spring, Gullfoss waterfall and Lava caves, with lunch at Greenhouses and farewell dinner and overnight in Reykjavik. June 28 Departure to Airport Early breakfast at the Hotel, transfer to the Airport for flight to Paris for INSEAD Reunion.
The stages of our journey Arrival in Iceland, Skàlakot Lodge June 24 Our team will welcome you at Keflavik international airport and take you directly to our brand new lodge in Skàlakot about an hour and thirty minutes to the south-east from Reykjavik, embedded in South Iceland s panoramic scenery. We will have time for a relaxed and scenic hike and officially start our adventure in the evening with a welcome reception and dinner at the lodge. The next morning we head out after an early breakfast for our first day of adventure.
June 25 Icelandic Horses - Glacier Volcanoes - Snowmobiles - Hot springs After breakfast we set out to the snowmobile base camp to reach the summit of the glacier on snowmobiles at 1611 m elevation. After a private lunch on the ice cap we depart to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. At dusk we then dip into a secret hot pool only known by the guides in the mountains. Snowmobiles: The snowmobile tour is a scenic glacier fun ride to explore the wilderness and breathtaking view across South Iceland. The tour starts with a short briefing and dressing up at the main base. The snowmobile ride takes you to the top of Eyjafjallajokull glacier. Everything we need for a safe and comfortable ride is provided. The guides will go through safety procedures and hand out special clothing and helmets. Driving a snowmobile is easy you either step on the accelerator or the brakes. Difficulty: No special skills are required. Driver license and people in generally good health.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Seljalandsfoss is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the southern region of Iceland, drops 60 m (197 ft) and is part of the Seljalands River that has its origin in the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajokull. A small cave invites us to walk in behind of the waterfall. Icelandic Horses Brought to Iceland by the Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Icelandic Horse is one of the oldest breeds of horse in the world. While other horses have the walk, trot, canter and gallop, the Icelandic horse can tolt - an ambling gait known as the 5th gear - and will take us on the tour to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Difficulty: No special skills are required.
The secret pool: There is having a swim, and then there is having a dip in a deserted pool nestled in one of Iceland's most picturesque valleys. The hidden pool is one of Iceland s best kept secrets, and is filled with hot spring water which trickles down from Eyjafjallajokull, which consists of a volcano completely covered by an ice cap. Built at the beginning of the 20th century to teach locals how to swim, the tranquil pool is now a protected site, and is free for adventurers to find and experience
June 26 Super Jeeps - Lava Beaches - Ice Hiking - Wilderness Camp We take the wheel and depart after breakfast in specially equipped Land Rovers to the Skogafoss waterfalls on the South Coast. We continue on to the Solhaimajokull ice cap for our ice hiking /climbing experience. After lunch in a small glacier hut we drive to the Black Lava Beaches of Reynisfjara and on to Thorsmorsk for another highlight of this adventure: our private and fully loaded wilderness camp where we will enjoy campfire atmosphere and a Viking dinner. Super Jeeps: Going off-road in the Icelandic Super Jeep Defenders. Easy to drive after a brief introduction with your guide leading the way across rivers and rugged terrain. Skogafoss: The Skogafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. According to legend, the first Viking settlers in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. The legend continues that locals found the chest years later, but were only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again. The ring was allegedly given to the local church.
Ice hike /climb: The walk from our base to the glacier takes about 15-20 minutes and takes us through varied landscape, formed by the glacier over thousands of years. On the way it s possible to see how rapidly the glacier has melted over the last 15 years. After the safety briefing and a lesson in ice walking we start our trek across amazing terrain, over crevasses, sink holes and ice ridges, experiencing the unique glacier environment. Reynisfjara Black Lava Beach: The world-famous Reynisfjara shore, near the village Vik in Myrdalur on Iceland's South Coast, is the most impressive black-sand beach in Iceland. Reynisfjara is a black pebble beach and features an amazing cliff of regular basalt columns resembling a rocky step pyramid, which is called Hálsanef. Out in the sea are the spectacularly shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar.
The area has a rich birdlife, including puffins, fulmars and guillemots. The waves at Reynisfjara are especially strong and unpredictable, and fatal accidents have occurred at this beach, so people are advised to take extra care when visiting the area. According to folklore, two trolls attempted to drag a ship to land but were turned to stone as daylight broke, turning them into the Reynisdrangar stacks, clearly visible from the beach. Thorsmork: Nestled between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindafjallajökull is Þórsmörk (Thor's Valley), a nature reserve in the southern Icelandic highlands. Þórsmörk is one of Iceland's most popular hiking destinations. Strictly speaking, it is a valley and a mountain range between the Krossá, Þröngá, and Markarfljót rivers. Locals, however, often use the name "Þórsmörk" when referring to a much larger region that is composed of the area between Þórsmörk and the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano.
Wilderness camp: Fully loaded Arctic Camp with furnished tents and service. Open fire-pits and Viking dresses around for the themed evening dinner.
June 27 Geysir - Gullfoss waterfall - Greenhouses - Lava Caves Sand Hotel First stop today is the Geysir that lended its name to all the geysers in the world. We pass by thew impressive Gullfoss waterfall and stop for lunch at the Fridheimar Greenhouses. It is then caving in the afternoon in the spectacular Lava Caves, before we head back to Reykjavik, check into our hotel and enjoy some leisure time before our farewell dinner at the Grillmarket Restaurant. Geysir: Research shows that Geysir has been active for approximately 10,000 years. The oldest accounts of hot springs at Haukadalur date back to 1294, when earthquakes in the area caused significant changes in local neighboring landscape creating several new hot springs. Gullfoss waterfall: Truly spectacular! The wide Hvítá rushes southward, and about a kilometer above the falls it turns sharply to the right, flows down into a wide curved three-step "staircase" and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 meters or 36 feet, and 21 meters or 69 feet) into a crevice 32 meters (105 ft) deep. The crevice, about 20 meters (66 ft) wide and 2.5 kilometers (1.6 mi) in length, extends perpendicular to the flow of the river. The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 140 cubic meters per second in the summer and 80 cubic meters per second in the winter. The highest flood measured was 2,000 cubic meters per second.
Lava caves: The total length of the tunnel is 1360 m, the main tunnel being 900 m long. The tunnel is up to 30 m wide with headroom up to 10 m high, making it one of the most expansive lava tunnels in Iceland. Near the entrance of the tunnel the ceiling has caved in creating three beautiful columns of light inside the tunnel. At the end of Raufarhólshellir the tunnel branches into three smaller tunnels where magnificent lava falls and formations are clearly visible.
June 28 Departure to the Airport The flight to Paris for the INSEAD Reunion leaves early. So do we from the Hotel, with a private transfer out after our magic fire and ice adventure! Price 4.250 per person sharing (min. 10 pax) Inclusions - 2 nights at Skalakot Lodge - 1 night Wilderness Camping - 1 night at Sands Hotel Reykjavik - Acitivities as indicated in detailed itinerary including driver/guide - All meals / water included in cars all day Not included - International flights - All alcohol and drinks