Wonders of Iceland 2018 1
Itinerary Estimated Driving: 2 hours 80km Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavik (1 night), (Meals included: Day 2: Þórsmörk Like nowhere else on Earth, Iceland offers wide open landscapes and great walking through ever-changing scenery. This is a land of glaciers, waterfalls, spectacular geysers and long summer days where you ll encounter tales of Viking exploration, mythical sagas and splendid arctic wildlife. We leave Reykjavík, heading to Þórsmörk valley, a popular hiking area in the south with various gorges, smaller glaciers and protected birch forests. The drive to Þórsmörk from Reykjavík takes approximately 2-2½ hours. Day 1: To Reykjavik We are met at the airport by our local guide and transferred to the Blue Lagoon where we ll have time to enjoy this experience. Please have your swimming costume in your hand luggage as we transfer straight from the airport, towels are provided. If you have booked our no-flight package, you will be met at the hotel prior to travelling to the airport to meet the group flight. After a lunch break we ll spend the rest of the day walking some of the numerous paths in this stunning area. We continue to a moss green gorge called Stakkholtsgjá, with a stroll to discover its waterfalls. The rest of the day will be spent walking some of the numerous paths in this stunning area. The route will be chosen according to the weather on the day. 2
Estimated driving: 4 hours, 220km, some on gravel roads. Today s walks total approx 4 hours, often broken into two walks of 3 miles/5 km (2-2½ hours) and 1 mile/1½ km (approx 1 hour). Accommodation: Hótel Hvolsvöllur (2 nights) Estimated Driving: 5 hours, 235km. Day 4: South shore to Skaftafell Travelling east we stop at the dramatic seashore of Reynisfjara. (18 July and 8 Aug groups will stay at the Stracta Hotel Hella) Day 3: Landmannalaugar After driving through the black volcanic sand of Iceland s most active volcano Hekla and the green valley of Dómadalur, we arrive in Landmannalaugar. This volcanic zone is an iridescent mixture of colourful rhyolite and black obsidian stones. Walking here we re treated to a feast of colour contrasts, topped off by the possibility of relaxing in a natural hot spring at the end of our walk (4 miles/6½km, 3-4 hours). We leave Landmannalaugar and on our way back to Hvolsvöllur we stop at an explosion crater (maar) in scenic surroundings of the highlands (1½ miles/2km, approx 40 mins). We continue along the south coast passing Vík and the black sandy plains south of Mýrdalsjökull. In the morning we stop at the visitor centre in Þorvaldseyri for an informative insight into the lives of people in the area during the 2010 eruption in Eyjafjallajökull. Later on we stop at the dramatic seashore of Reynisfjara. Before arriving at Kirkjubæjarklaustur we take a short walk alongside the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon admiring its impressive formations. Depending on the time, before checking in to the hotel we might take a walk across the moraine behind the hotel for a view of the glacier that is the highest peak of Iceland. (Distance 1.5miles/ 2.5km) Estimated Driving: 3 hours, 260km. Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (3 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, 3
Day 5: Glacier Lagoon & Skaftafell Today we go east to Glacier Lagoon, Jökulsarlon and Breidarlon, some of Iceland s most spectacular sights. Day 6: Skaftafell National Park We spend today walking in Skaftafell National Park, the largest national park in Europe, with an incredible collection of peaks, glaciers, moors, mountains, forest, glacial rivers, and sandy plains. There is a range of walks; the programme will be decided on the day, taking into account the weather and the fitness of the group. Part of today will take in Svartifoss (black waterfall) with its beautiful formations of basalt columns. Today s walks total 7-8 hours, 10 miles/16km. Found at the foot of Europe s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, the lagoons offer the spectacular sight of icebergs and natural ice sculptures. Some of these sights will seem familiar; they have been the locations for many films including James Bond s Die Another Day. There are optional boat tours available (payable locally), that wind through the waters between the icebergs. We enjoy a walking tour around the Breidarlon glacier and discover the wilderness desert of Öræfasveit. It is also possible to arrange a bird watching tour to Ingolfshofdi cap, on a wagon pulled by tractor (this is payable locally). One walk of 1½ miles/2½ km, 1½ hours and another of 4 miles/6½ km, 2-3 hours. Estimated Driving: 2 hours, 135km. (Please note, days 5 and 6 may be operated in reverse order) Estimated Driving: 10-15 mins, 20km. Day 7: South shore to Selfoss We leave Skaftafell and head west to Skogar to admire the grandiose Skogar waterfall and to visit the museum. The waterfall, Skogarfoss, is a truly spectacular sight: its 62m high cascades drop almost vertically off the plateau. There is a staircase next to the falls which leads to the top for dramatic views across to the coast and a close-up experience of the thundering water. Skogarfoss (½ mile/1km, 30 mins) 4
Estimated Driving: 4 hours, 295km. Accommodation: Hotel Selfoss (1 night) Day 8: Golden Circle to Borgarnes Today we visit some of Iceland s most popular sights. Our first stop is the mighty Gullfoss (the golden waterfall). In a land full of spectacular waterfalls, this is possibly the most beautiful. We walk around Gulfoss, where the Hvita River tumbles into this 32m double cascade (1 mile/1½km, 40 mins). world s first democratic parliament in 930AD. The general assembly was always held outside so there are no buildings from that time to be seen, but it is easy to see why they chose to set up the parliament in this dramatic natural setting. Thingvellir sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates. It is easy to see, and walk through, the divide of the plates. Tonight we reach the Snæfellsnes peninsula. (3 miles/ 5km, 2 hours). Estimated Driving: 4 hours, 240km. Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykholt (2 nights) Day 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Travelling on, we arrive at Geysir, the original hot spring spout after which all other geysers around the world are named. The Great Geysir used to gush 80m into the air until the hole was clogged with silica in the 1950s. Fortunately, the nearby Strokkur spouts to a height of about 25m and erupts reliably at seven minute intervals. The area around Geysir and Strokkur is surrounded by many other small and colourful hot springs and steam vents, where water emerges from the ground at around 100 C. (1¼ miles/2km, 40 mins). Today we enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Snæfellsnes National Park, dominated by the Snæfellsjökull glacier. The area was made famous by Jules Verne as the setting for Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Established in 2001, this is the only national park in Iceland that includes both beaches and a glacier. Walks will be chosen according to the weather and visibility from the numerous trails in the area. We then return to the hotel in the late afternoon for time to relax. Estimated Driving: 5 hours, 410km. Our final stop is Thingvellir (parliament fields), where the Vikings set up the 5
Day 10: Borgarfjordur & Hvalfjordur (Meals included: breakfast) Beginning our day at Grabrok, we visit the must-see waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, before driving along Hvalfjordur (fjord of the whales), to begin our last walk of the tour in the richly vegetated valley Botnsdalur in Hvalfjordur. Two short walks of under 1½ miles/2km. We return to Reykjavik for our final evening. Estimated Driving: 4 hours, 230km Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavik (1 night) Day 11: Departure Today is free to explore, before we transfer to the airport for our flight home. Estimated Driving: 1 hour, 50km. 6
Accommodation We stay in comfortable 3-star hotels, making use of some of the excellent facilities of the Fosshotel chain of hotels that are located around Iceland. All hotels feature comfortable rooms, welcoming dining and lounge areas and are well set up for walking and outdoor groups. They also enjoy wonderful locations surrounded by the stunning Icelandic scenery and national parks. On arrival in Iceland we spend our first night in the Fosshotel Reykjavik, the largest hotel in Iceland. Opened in 2015, the 4-star hotel is located a short distance from Laugavegur, the main shopping street. It affords wonderful views over the bay and city of Reykjavik. http://www.fosshotel.is/hotels/fosshote l-in-reykjavik/fosshotel-reykjavik/ Our next two evenings are in Hvolsvollur, at the Hotel Hvolsvollur. Rooms are very spacious, comfortable and the location is an excellent base for our walking. www.hotelhvolsvollur.is (18 July and 8 Aug groups will stay at the Stracta Hotel Hella, designed in typical Nordic style, with outdoor hottub and sauna) http://www.stractahotels.is/en/hella/h ome Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is our base for the next 3 nights. This 4 star hotel opened in June 2016, ideally located between Skaftafell and Jokulssarlon glacier lagoon. The deluxe rooms have a contemporary design and a bay window to enjoy the view. In the evening relax in the lounge bar and enjoy traditional Icelandic food in the restaurant. http://www.fosshotel.is/hotels/fosshote l-in-the-south-east/fosshotel-glacierlagoon/ On to Selfoss, for one night at the modern, 4-star Hotel Selfoss, www.hotelselfoss.is before continuing to the Snæfellsness Peninsula, and Fosshotel Reykholt (3 nights). www.fosshotels.is The 4 July group will stay at Hotel A, Reykholt. http://www.hotela.is/ Our final evening takes us back to the Fosshotel Reykjavik, in Reykjavik. 7
Before your holiday We hope you find this information comprehensive if not please visit our website for more details or contact us. All details correct at time of writing (Revised April 2017). Passport and visa requirements are subject to change; please check with your consulate before you travel. We would advise that you check your government s travel advisory before travelling. For UK travellers, please check www.fco.gov.uk In all instances during your holiday, your first point of contact should be your HF Holidays leader or local leader. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as follows: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Tel +44 (0)345 470 7558 or +44(0)20 8732 1250 ( from overseas) Fri - Mon 7pm - 9am Tel +44 (0)7918 737777 Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call 0871 360 2750 and quote HX031 or book online at www.holidayextras.co.uk/hfholidays Suggested Kit List Please try to keep luggage to a minimum as you will need to carry it yourself at airports and between your transport and your hotel. Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Walking socks Lightweight fleece Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Shorts Long trousers and long-sleeved light coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun your clothing should ideally be pretreated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Warm fleece, hat and gloves Sun hat Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and lip protection Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Lightweight survival bag Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Soap and hand sanitizer gel Insect repellent Universal adaptor plug Universal sink plug Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, plasters, blister kit, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets 8
Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form Optional: trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars. Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. Please note that your HF Holidays leader reserves the right to refuse to take any guest on a walk should they consider that a lack of suitable clothing/footwear may affect safety. Baggage allowance 1 piece checked-in luggage (max 23kg). Please check details of your airline s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked. Passports & visas Passports must be valid for the duration of your stay. Visas are not required for UK, Australian, Canadian & US passport holders. Other countries should consult the embassy for advice. Travel insurance If arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. Health advice This is subject to change and we would highly recommend that you consult your doctor before travelling. For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk Tetanus vaccination is recommended. Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or overthe-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country s embassy/ consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution: Keep your medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription too If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country that you re visiting Dietary requirements Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel. Travel tips for a comfortable flight We ve put together a few simple tips to help make your flight as comfortable as possible, ensuring you begin your holiday in tip-top shape. Move about. Change position and avoid crossing your legs. Immobility poses the greatest risk in the development of clotting disorders. Get out of your seat and walk around as regularly as possible to improve circulation 9
No pills. Unless advised by your doctor, do not take sleeping tablets on the flight; this will reduce your mobility and make you feel sluggish Protect your ears. If you experience discomfort due to the cabin pressure changes, suck a sweet, chew, or hold your nostrils and gently blow through your nose; this should equalise the pressure. If you still experience problems, speak to a member of the cabin crew Drink plenty. Ask a member of the cabin crew if you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks as these will dehydrate you. Instead, try to drink plenty of fruit juices or water Eat light. Avoid heavy meals and foods air expands at altitude and heavy meals will result in that bloated feeling Moisturise. Your skin, especially your lips and nostrils, may feel dry so moisturising creams may help. If you wear contact lenses, always carry your glasses with you, as your eyes may feel dryer than usual Stay loose. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes Flight socks are recommended to help prevent DVT on longhaul flights Lost/damaged luggage If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport. They will assess the damage and in some cases the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if settlement cannot be reached. In many cases baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport. HF Holidays with-flight guests For those travelling on our HF Holidays group flight, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim, when you arrive at your destination. Your leader or local leader will assemble the group in the arrivals hall. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. Independent travellers If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group. If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel, please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0)20 8732 1271. They will have a list of the relevant transfer costs. Safety on your holiday Once you have made your booking, you will receive a pre-holiday questionnaire where we ask for details of next of kin, and insurance details. We need to have this from you at least 4 weeks before travel. 10
Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor If you become separated from the group, please stay where you are, the leader will retrace their steps to find you Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services on 112. Please then call our emergency number (see page 8) and let us know there is a problem. Tipping Tips are not included in your holiday price as this is not permitted in Iceland. Allow 30 per person. Local currency & money matters Icelandic Krona (kr). Credit and debit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels. Some cash is useful for small purchases. There are ATMs across much of the country. Traveller s cheques are not advised. Suggested reading and maps Lonely Planet Iceland 2015 Edward Hancox Iceland, Defrosted 2013 Maps can be obtained in advance from The Mapshop www.themapshop.co.uk Electricity 220V, round 2 pin plugs Group size Maximum group size will be 22, plus local guide/s Time difference Same time as GMT/UTC Climate All our tours depart in the summer months when we hope to have some warm sunny days, although rain can fall at any time. Being close to the Arctic Circle, the weather can be unpredictable and changeable within the course of a day. During the summer months we will have long hours of daylight, up to midnight and longer in high summer. Midges will be present. HF Holidays Ltd, Catalyst House, Centennial Court, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SY, UK 11