ICELAND ALLROAD EXPERIENCE Fire & Ice 1
Conquering Hekla was just one of the many adventures of the Iceland Experience. Brilliant riding, stunning views and everything neatly organized by Chris and Anna, I can t think of a better way to spend my summer holidays! Ellen / The Netherlands 2
4-6 welcome 8-9 travel Information 10 general Route 11 Itinerary 13 Riding skills / Off-road 14 Accommodation & food 15 which type of motorcycle? 16 transport to Iceland 17 Iceland 19 tour package 26 Contact 3
welcome to EXPLORE360! Hi! Welcome to Explore360! My name is Chris, living in Sweden since 2011 and together with Anna my wife, I am running Explore360. I would like to share my two biggest passions with you: travelling and driving a motorcycle: an unbeatable combination that has led me to far-out corners of this world and more than 40 countries the last ten years. The feeling of freedom and really being in the present when my bike, the road and environment are in harmony with each other, is what I enjoy most. Motorbike travelling means to me: experiencing a wide variety of scenery, cultures, lifestyles and adventure, and off course to have fun and to go for a ride. In this brochure I would like to inform you what the Iceland Experience is all about and share the experience that I had in this extraordinary country. Breath-taking scenery, great roads, a pervasive culture and the instant feeling that this is a country that moves your senses in all possible ways. Just awesome! At last I would like to share some ideas, which we believe in here at Explore360, to give you a never-to-forget experience. 4 4
our concept We believe in having a genuine experience with a healthy dose of adventure. By exploring breath-taking landscapes, great roads and maybe being a bit out of your comfort-zone or undergoing a culture shock, but simply always having a good time and fun will give you a once in a lifetime experience! We believe that motorbike travelling is for everybody! It doesn t discriminate age, gender, sexual orientation or type of bike and so on. You only need a flexible, open-minded attitude and the rest will follow! We strive to make every Iceland Experience a unique one! So no itinerary will be exactly the same. In this way it will also stay fun and exiting for us. We believe in small intimate groups who want to have fun and a great time together. Not only while driving but also when not driving! We believe in having a support vehicle ( 5 participants). This gives you the opportunity to drive your motorbike in most free way possible and enjoy it to the max! We believe in stimulating the local economy by making use of additional local guides and small local businesses and accommodations to stay. We believe in creating a safety-net for our customers. That s why Explore360 has lodged security with the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency ( Kammarkollegiet ). So you are protected under the Swedish law. 5
Join us on this extraordinary journey. An experience of a lifetime! Would you like to have a unique and exiting off-road experience on two wheels? Iceland is one of the best countries in the world for riding your adventure-bike. Driving is challenging and offers a lot of variety through breath taking nature! Leave the tarmac behind and explore not only the more known highlights but also the desolate highlands of inner Iceland. Driving a motorbike through Iceland is like an expedition through different landscapes, which are truly unique in Europe. It s an exciting motorbike trip where you will experience different aspects of great nature. On your own bike you ll be driving on gravel roads as much as possible, crossing the inhospitable and deserted highlands of Iceland. An overwhelming environment that is dominated by glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, black lava dessert, wild rivers, hot springs and rainbow coloured mountains. Will you continue even though the tarmac ends? Do you have a positive attitude and are looking forward to an adventurous trip through one of the most extraordinary countries in Europe? Do you like to share your experience with others and help each other out when the going gets tough? You are aware that Icelandic weather conditions can quickly change which is part of our adventure. This trip demands an open mind, flexibility, endurance and team spirit because we help each other when it s needed. It s recommended to have some experience driving on gravel roads or you have been to an off-road course like a BMW enduro course in Germany (Hechlingen) or Off-Road Skills (ORS) in Wales. But for sure you don t need to be an off-road/ enduro expert to participate on this tour! 6
The landscape is desolate, barren and stunning! Iceland gave me challenges, adventure and driving pleasure which I never experienced on a motorcycle before! Jens Mårtensson / SWEDEN 7
Travel information Date: Duration: Participants: Pillion: Motorcycle: Transport own MC: Support-vehicle: See our website (www.explore360.nu) for the exact dates. 13 days Min. 5 and max. 11 motorbikes (max. 1 person in the support vehicle). On this tour it s possible to bring a pillion (drive two-up). Possibly are not all roads are suitable (depending on the rider s skills). We have limited place in our support vehicle (1) for those who want to bring their partner. Rental bike: BMW GS (650 Sertau, 650 GS/700 GS, 800 GS, 1200 GS/LC). Prices see page 15. Own: Dual-sport bike/all-road motorbikes like Tiger 800XC, BMW GS, Yamaha Ténéré, ktm 990, Honda Transalp, Africa twin, etc. Your bike will be shipped by sea in a sealed container from uk, Sweden, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark or Germany to Iceland and back. A 4WD car incl. an experienced chauffeur, transport of food, luggage and extra gasoline and with a trailer in case a bike brakes down. 8
Insurance: Accommodation: Food: Clothing: Equipment: Transport- (own bike) and medical / travel insurance is mandatory, - and cancellation insurance is highly recommended. At guesthouses and hostels, twin-rooms. Up in the Highlands we ll stay in basic cabins/mountain huts: with rooms of four up to 12. Only during our stay in Reykjavik is a single room available (at extra costs). while staying in cabins and mountain huts we create a common kitty for food and drinks and we will prepare dinner & breakfast ourselves. Breakfast is included when staying in guesthouses/ hostels. A full motorcycle suit (with knee and back protection, and gloves), hard (enduro) boots and helmet are mandatory. we strongly recommend to bring a camel-bag to carry water supply with you on your back. After you ve booked the Iceland Experience, you ll receive a detailed list with what to bring. 9
General route We will cross Iceland two times through its interior and its desolate lava-desserts and snow capped glaciers to experience all sides that Iceland has to offer. This is only possible by a 4WD car or an adventure motorbike. From the green rolling hills in the North, the fairy-tale coloured Rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar to the many impressive waterfalls, like Dettifoss, Gullfoss and Godafoss. We stay often in simple mountain cabins, and many of them are on really special places, but there will be no camping. Regardless the choice of routes we will of course see some of the highlights which Iceland is known for like Vatnajökull, Dettifoss, Reykavik, Geysir, Gullfoss, lake Myvatn and whale-watching in Husavik. The roads we will drive offer a great variety, they can be challenging sometimes but lead us to some extraordinary scenery! The majority will be on good well-prepared gravel roads but the road surface can be from tarmac to stones and lava sand. The rivers that runs through Iceland s interior are mostly not bridged which means we ll have to drive trough them. Depending on the water level it will be a small or a big challenge, but always a special experience. We ll help eachother when needed, it s all part of the adventure! We ll have a support vehicle where we can take your luggage, food, extra gasoline, 1st aid equipment and tools along in it. Meaning more fun while riding! You can drive your own tempo, take an alternative route (when available) or drive together with the tour guide, that s up to you. We ll adjust our tempo to you and during the day we will have enough time to take pictures and coffee brakes while we enjoy the magnificent views. 10
Itinerary DaY FROm - to: ACCOmmodation: KM. off- ROAD rivers* Adventure Comfort Days 1 Home - Reykjavik Guesthouse/hostel - - - 2 Reykjavik Sellfoss Cabin 220 30% 0 3 Selfoss - Vik Cabins (basic) 190 40% 0 4 Vik - Laki Mountain hut (basic) 185 70% 4 Level riding Culture shock Price 5 Laki - Landmannahellir Cabin (basic) 170 85% 12 6 Landmannalaugar - Nýidalur Cabin (basic) 185 95% 3 7 Nýidalur - Myvatn Guesthouse 140 95% 2 8 Myvatn (resting day) Guesthouse (100) (0%) 0 9 Myvatn - Laugafell Cabin (basic) 165 75% 2 10 Laugafell - Kjölur Cabin 190 95% 4 11 Kjölur - Geyser Cabin 180 75% (2) 12 Geyser Reykjavik Guesthouse/hostel 150 50% 0 13 Keflavik airport - home - - - - *amount of river crossings/day. Places, routes and distances are preliminary and can be adjusted according to weather conditions, customer s wishes/capabilities and requirements. 11
REQUIREMENTS Intermediate level Off-road / gravel riding experience required. Previous participation in an off-road training is recommended. Conditions Please bring your complete motorcycling gear (helmet, motorcycling boots, gloves, goggles, motorcycling suit with protectors, back protector and protecting hard (enduro) boots). Sorry, no rental of motorcycling gear possible. 12
RIDING SKILLS / Off-road On all our trips are fun and safety our main goals. With the classification 1 track up to 3 tracks, we would like to give you an indication to evaluate your off-road riding skills, for the tour required. Self-evaluation is not easy but the final decision is made by you only. Don`t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or you need suggestions for an off-road course. We are also at your disposal for further questions about the trip or special information about the routes. = Off-road beginners Driving on asphalt, even on passes with narrow switchbacks are no problem for you. The off-road part is mostly under 30 % of the total distance. The tour is easily manageable also for beginners. Recommendation: If you have no off-road and /or gravel riding experience at all, we recommend a 1- or 2 day training course. After that training course it is much easier for you to evaluate your skills and to figure out whether you have fun riding off-road tracks. = Intermediate off-road riders Driving on asphalt as well as on gravel, passes with narrow switchbacks (paved and gravel) are no problem for you. Off-road (gravel) riding experience is mandatory. The off-road part is mostly over 30 % of the total distance. Challenging sections with bigger stones, steep climbs/descents and/or sand are possible. Recommendation: This tour is not applicable for participants without any off-road/ gravel riding experiences. You are experienced with off-road/ gravel riding, and/or have had a 1- or 2-day training course. = Advanced off-road riders This tour is suitable for drivers with advanced off-road experience and good fitness. The daily routes can be pretty long. The tour consist mostly of off-road parts including demanding and difficult routes with single-tracks, sand, big stones, mud and water crossings Recommendation: This tour is not recommended for participants without any offroad experiences. You must have an extensive experience with off-road / gravel riding and/or have had an advanced off-road course. 13
AccommODAtion & food During the Iceland Experience we ll stay at different types of accommodation, which will include hostels, guesthouses, cabins and mountain-huts. Because there are no hotels, gasoline stations or restaurants in Iceland s interior we ll bring our own sleeping bags and food to cook ourselves (breakfast, lunch and dinner). When staying in hostel and guesthouses breakfast is included. The mountain cabins are well equipped but basic (we sleep all in one room/loft and showers and toilet are often in a different building). Some of them have a hot-spring (natural warm water well) where you can relax and enjoy after a long day in the saddle. When staying in a hostel or guesthouse, breakfast is included (4 x). 14
Which type of motorcycle? We ride the Iceland Experience on a rental (BMW GS) or on your own motorcycle. Adventure / all-road bikes like Tiger 800XC, BMW GS (all types), Yamaha Ténéré, KTM 1190/990, Honda Transalp, Africa Twin, etc. are very suitable for this trip. If you re unsure whether your bike is suitable, just ask us! Rental motorcycles. We make use of BMW GS motorcycles. This great all-rounder is perfect on tarmac and can handle the tougher sections in the Highlands without a problem. Rental prices (incl off-road tires) for 11 days: BMW 700 GS: SEK 18.900 / 1.900 BMW 800 GS: SEK 23.900/ 2.400 BMW 1200 gs SEK 28.500 / 2.850 Own motorcycles. The age of your motorcycle is not that important. It should be in a good technical state, with appropriate tires (TKC 80, Karoo 3, Heidenau K60 Scout or likewise). We ship your bike to Reykjavik from: - Hamburg / Germany - Rotterdam / The Netherlands - Immingham / UK - Aarhus / Denmark - Fredrikstad / Norway - Halmstad / Sweden 15 10
Transport to Iceland You can fly directly from many international airports in Europe and the USA to Keflavik International airport, which is lying 50 km. from Reykjavik, Iceland s capital. You are responsible for booking your flight ticket yourself. Make sure that you arrive latest on day 1 (arrival day). There are good means of transport between the airport and Reykjavik (airport coach). 16 10
ICELAND Iceland is volcanic and the landscape varies enormously and has astonishing views! It is not a coincidence that so many films like Prometheus, Tomb Raider, Die Another Day, and Batman Begins have been shot in this magical place. With a surface of 103,000 km2 and only 319,000 inhabitants, of whom 200,000 live in Reykjavik and its surroundings, there is plenty of room to explore this enchanting country. Europe s largest glacier is on Iceland: Vatnajökull, which measures 8100 km2, and also Europe s largest waterfall, Dettifoss (in volume). We will combine fantastic motorcycle riding with these magnificent nature experiences! Iceland has only a short motorbike season, which starts in July and ends in early September. Not only in terms of temperature, but also with regard to the likelihood of gravel roads in the highlands are open and passable. Summer in Iceland means long days and short nights. Rain, strong winds and even snow could be part of our adventure when we drive in the mountains in the interior of Iceland. With active volcanoes, massive glaciers, vast lava deserts, countless waterfalls, exquisite scenery and fantastic off-road paths, Iceland has everything the adventurous motorcyclist wishes for! 17 9
Gasoline There are enough gas stations along the coast (ring-road no. 1), but not in the interior of Iceland. Because of this, we ll bring extra gasoline in our support vehicle. Gasoline costs an average of 1,50 per litre (Sep 2017). Mobile phone / Internet You have coverage virtually all over Iceland (depending on the operator). Some of the hostels, guesthouses have Wi-Fi (not in the interior of Iceland). It s possible to buy a pre-paid card with 3G/4G connection. Payments in Iceland/ATMs You can pay with credit card almost everywhere (VISA, MasterCard) and nearly every village has an ATM. Currency: 1000 ISK is approximately 7,9 / $ 9,4 (December 2017). 18
tour package when / See the calendar on our website for the exact dates (www.explore360.nu) Price / Price rider: SEK 39.900 (incl.transport own bike)*. A limited amount (1) can join this tour in the support-vehicle (SEK 24.900). Rental bikes (11 days): BMW 700 GS: sek 18.900 / 1.900 BMW 800 GS: S sek 23.900 / 2.400 BMW 1200 GS: S sek 28.500 / 2.850 Included: 13 days holiday 11 days adventure riding Transport of your motorbike by sea-container Accommodation in guesthouses, hostel, cabins and mountain huts Experienced MC-guide on Iceland 4 WD support-vehicle (for luggage, food, gasoline, spare-parts etc.) Emergency equipment: repair-kit for punctures, tools, 1st Aid kit. SPOT-(GPS)emergency system and satelite phone Jerry cans for extra fuel Meals as described above Guided tour on a glacier Not included: Flight tickets Transport from Keflavik Airport - Reykjavik by aiport coach (ca. 30) Food (besides mentioned above). Gasoline Additional excursions/entry fees like whale watching, visiting the blue lagoon, etc. Travel-insurance (mandatory), transport- and cancellation insurance (recommended) Transport to/from the harbor in country of origin (when riding your own bike) It is your responsibility to: Arrange your personal travel-insurance, (European) health-insurance, etc. Check if your motorbike insurance covers Iceland (including recoverycosts) Make sure you have got a valid motorcycle driver s license and a valid passport Make sure you are in a good physical state and do not overestimate your own (riding) capacities Follow the (local) traffic rules, laws and regulations as well the tour leader s instructions. Maintain your own equipment and motorcycle. Explore360 will whenever possible help, but cannot be held responsible for any costs for recovery and such. All prices are per person and are subject to change depending on accommodations, shipping and applicable taxes, currency changes or VAT. 19
Taste of iceland 20
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Iceland is not just a country. For many reasons I have left some of myself up there, and when it all happens in a group of wonderful people with the same attitude, then you return home feeling richer inside. Jes Buus / Denmark 23
Explore360 2016 (Pictures by / Kyle Johnson, Stefan Jonsson, Jes Buus & Chris WILTHUIS Wilthuis) 24
Explore360 Motorcycle Adventures Brochure / design by Laya www.designbylaya.com Chris Wilthuis M: + 46 (0) 72 015 05 70 E: info@explore360.nu W: www.explore360.nu F: facebook.com/explore360degrees 25