Iceland & Greenland A NORDIC SUMMER Highlights Explore the geological wonders of Geysir geothermal area, lava flows of Snaefellsjokull & Thingvellir National Parks Taste Viking sushi on a boat tour of Breidafjordur Bay & watch the icebergs from Jokulsarlon lagoon Cross the northern farmlands to visit waterfalls, craters, mud-pools & lava forests near Lake Myvatn Witness Europe s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss & explore the craters of the Krafla volcano system Visit the basalt columns & black sands of Reynisfjara beach Walk with a qualified glacier guide on Solheimajokull glacier Fly to Kulusuk & Ammassalik islands off Greenland s SE coast to meet local children, sled dogs & enjoy Inuit drum dancing The elemental power of glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, waterfalls and wind will awaken our senses on this Arctic adventure. Our circular journey of Iceland begins in Reykjavik before visiting the Golden Circle of World Heritage listed Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area & Gullfoss waterfall on the Hvita River. After walking up to the perfect crater of Eldborg, we explore the Snaefellsnes peninsula and national park known for its glaciers and caves to the mythical underworld. A boat tour of Breidafjordur Bay is followed by a journey across the northern farmlands. Staying in a country hotel, we experience the traditional ways of life at the folk museum before visiting the northern capital of Akureyri. Near Lake Myvatn, we visit waterfalls, craters, mud-pools and lava forests. On the eastern side of Iceland, we admire the powerful Dettifoss waterfall and enjoy a hike through basalt formations to more waterfalls. From the eastern fjords, we travel to the southern lagoons and sand-plains to visit the magical oasis of Landmannalaugar where the colours of the rhyolite mountains are simply mind blowing. Before returning to Reykjavik, we experience dramatic icescapes up close with a walk on Solheimajokull glacier. We then spend four days in Kulusuk and Tasiilaq on Greenland s SE coast. Here we will have an opportunity to mingle with the locals, meet some sled dogs and enjoy a traditional Inuit drum dance. DETAILS Price: Twinshare / person (ex Reykjavik) Advanced Early Bird: A$11,950 until 25/11/2016 Early Bird: A$12,150 until 28/04/2017 Regular: A$12,450 Single Supplement: A$1,930 Note: For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate, but if this is not possible the sole-use surcharge will apply. Minimum Group size: 12 guests Special Interest: Wildlife, Geology, Culture, History Photo courtesy of Janet Greenfield Photo courtesy of Janet Greenfield For bookings call 1300 197 201 visit www.parktours.com.au or email info@parktours.com.au 1
WALK RATING Easy to Moderate: 2-8km per walking day. Age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience, and anyone of reasonable fitness should be able to join this tour. We reserve the right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions and group fitness. INCLUSIONS 15 nights twin share accommodation hotel accommodation with private facilities Meals include - 15 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 10 Dinners Private Bus transport National Park and museum entry fees Internal Domestic Flight: Reykjavik - Kulusuk - Reykjavik Helicopter Flight: Kulusuk - Tasiilaq Kulusuk Boat Cruises in Jokulsarlon, Ammassalik & Breidafjordur Bay Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides Basic group tips where required Pre-departure material including background & personalised A-Z tour information and destination tour companion EXCLUSIONS Airport transfers Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour Heavy or excess baggage Travel insurance Passport & visa expenses Personal expenses e.g. drinks (water, alcohol, tea & coffee), laundry, telephone, or optional tours / excursions TOUR LEADER Local Icelandic guide Dagny Indrioadottir led our 2015 & 2016 Iceland & Greenland tours. She is passionate about introducing visitors to Iceland and has experience leading hiking, mountain climbing, cross country skiing and bird watching tours on and off for the last 20 years. She has a degree in Folkloristics and Gender Studies. Dagny is an avid outdoors enthusiast with a special interest in birds. FAQ S How & when to book? Our biggest message to you is BOOK EARLY!! Many tours book out very quickly so the moral of the story is the early bird catches the worm! To qualify for any of the early bird prices, you simply need to send a completed booking form and deposit of A$400 per person per tour, by the early bird dates listed at the front of the tour itinerary. We offer A$500 discount per person if you book by the Advanced Early Bird date and A$300 discount per person if you book by the Early Bird date. If your deposit arrives after any of the early bird dates, the tour balance will be at the regular price. To place your booking, simply visit www.parktours.com.au to pay your deposit and book online, or complete a Tour Booking Form, and post / fax / email it to us with your deposit. Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in contact with regular mailings (see below). What information and contact can I expect? When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to confirm your booking. Once the tour has been confirmed to depart, a comprehensive information pack will be sent to you, including a Tour A-Z, suggested packing list, medical questionnaire, balance of payment invoice, and pre / post accommodation options. We can assist you with flight arrangements but please don t book flights until our office contacts you to confirm that your tour has been confirmed to depart. The final mailing is sent out approximately three weeks before departure and includes final tour documents, address list for family and friends, meeting points, and any final travel information. What is the group size? We specialise in small group travel with an average group size of around 10-20 guests. Please see the front page for details on the minimum group size for this particular tour. All tours need a minimum number of passengers to operate at the price listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge. How fit do I have to be? When you are assessing your ability and agility to participate, age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience. Please read the tour walk rating and the day by day walking descriptions in the itinerary to determine if the tour is suitable for your fitness. If you have any queries, we are happy to put you in touch with either the tour coordinator or tour leader to discuss your fitness in more detail. What gear and equipment do I need to take? Because we focus on half and full day walks, returning to our accommodation in the afternoon, you don t need to carry any more than a daypack with rain wear, sunscreen, drinking water, camera and lunch. A few tours include an overnight hike where you will need to carry personal gear for the journey. We recommend hiking boots on most of our tours as they offer good ankle support and grip. A detailed packing list is included with your tour s information pack. For bookings call 1300 197 201 visit www.parktours.com.au or email info@parktours.com.au 2
TOUR Day 1 Sat 26 Aug Reykjavik Your tour begins in the capital of Reykjavik in south-western Iceland, our base for tonight. Its latitude at 64 08 N, makes it the world s northernmost capital of a sovereign state and a popular tourist destination. With a population of around 120,000, Reykjavik is the heart of Iceland s cultural, economic and governmental activity. Upon arrival we suggest you use Flybus shuttle to transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik. Please meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby at 6.30pm for a tour briefing and introductions before going to a local restaurant for a group welcome dinner. Meals: D Walks: None Day 2 Sun 27 Aug Thingvellir National Park After breakfast, we drive the short distance to the Hellisheidarvirkjun Power Plant where we will learn how the geothermal forces are harnessed to provide hot water and electricity for Reykjavik. After a guided tour at the plant we head to World Heritage listed Thingvellir National Park which features a rift valley and part of the Mid Atlantic Ridge. Dividing the Euroasian and North American tectonic plates, most of the Mid Atlantic Ridge is underwater and is technically the longest mountain range in the world. Much of island s geology is due to its location on the Mid Atlantic Ridge which crosses the country from the southwest to the northeast. Here we also find an extraordinary natural amphitheatre which was the site of Iceland s first parliament, the Althingi, convened in 930. After exploring the area on foot, we continue on an unsealed dramatic road to the Kaldidalur valley in the barren interior highlands. The valley allows access to a series of glaciers, the Langjokull ice cap (Iceland s second biggest glacier) and, in clear weather, Eiriksjokull, Okjokull and Porisjokull. After travelling to the other side of Kaldidalur, we arrive in the Husafell valley, our overnight base near the Hraunfossar waterfalls. Walks: Walks are on easy trails. 2-3hr / 4-5km, ascent 50m / descent 10m Day 3 Mon 28 Aug Glaumbaer & Skagafjordur Valley We start the day with time at the Deildartunguhver Hot Springs before arriving at the Grabrok crater for a short stroll. This provides magnificent views over the surrounding lava fields in the Borgarfjordur valley. We continue through the valley and across the Holtavorduheidi pass to the northern farmlands and fjords. After a lunch stop en route, we visit Glaumbaer Museum in the Skagafjordur valley which features the architecture and heritage from the 19 th century. Tonight is spent in our comfortable country hotel with views over the wide fjord. Walks: Easy to moderate walks, along sheep trails & through lava fields. 2-3hr / 4km, ascent 100m / descent 100m Day 4 Tue 29 Aug Akureyri, Godafoss waterfall & Lake Myvatn This morning we drive further east, stopping at the northern capital Akureyri for a short walk through the pedestrian zone. While Akureyri is a small city, it is Iceland s second largest urban area and an important port and fishing centre. The region has a relatively mild climate and the town s ice-free harbour has played a significant role in its history. From Akureyri we continue east to the spectacular Godafoss waterfall. This Waterfall of the Gods derives its name from when the chieftain, Thorgeir of Ljosvatn, threw his statues of Norse gods into the falls to demonstrate his conversion to the Christian faith. Continuing to the western side of Lake Myvatn, we hike to the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the lava forest of Dimmuborgir, where a maze of rock towers, castles and caves resemble a giant s playground. Besides the incredible volcanic and For bookings call 1300 197 201 visit www.parktours.com.au or email info@parktours.com.au 3
TOUR continued... geothermal features, Lake Myvatn is famous for its abundant bird life and has one of the largest concentrations of breeding ducks in the world. We continue along the lakeshore to the village of Reynihlid, our base for the next two nights. Meals: B, D Walks: Easy walks on trails. 3-4hr / 8km, ascent 150m / descent 150m Day 5 Wed 30 Aug Dettifoss, Krafla volcano & Leirhnjukur craters We start the day with a drive to Europe s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, located on the second longest river in Iceland which drains the Vatnajokull glacier. On our way back to Lake Myvatn we stop to explore the wonders of the Krafla volcano system, in particular the Leirhnjukur crater / lava field. Krafla is a double caldera volcano where the outer caldera is visible, and the inner crater is filled with lava-fields. The calderas are dissected by the Eastern Icelandic Rift Zone and are part of the Mid Atlantic Ridge. Thirty years after the last eruptions, the ground here is still smoking and hot to the touch. We have ample time to explore the lava fields and the craters before visiting nearby Hverarond, where mud-pools and solfataras show us yet another aspect of the geothermal forces. We return to Reynihlid in the early afternoon where you have the option to visit Jardbodin, the local natural baths. Walks: Easy walks on trails. 3-5hr / 4-5km, ascent 50m / descent 50m Day 6 Thu 31 Aug The Highland Track Today we cross the highland track, Spregisandur which lies between the icecaps Vatnajokull and Hofsjokull. In the past, this was the main thoroughfare between the north and the south highlands, however these days the track is only open in summer. The drive will take most of the day, but there will be stops en route to stretch the legs and take a look at the small patches of vegetation in this highland desert. In earlier times, when people were more superstitious and believed in ghosts, giants, elves and outlaws, the few who dared use this route rode as fast as possible and sometimes exhausted their horses. The word for exhaust in Icelandic is sprengja. On arrival in the southern highlands we check into our comfortable hotel for the night. Walks: Short strolls Day 7 Fri 01 Sep Southern Highlands We continue our journey in the southern highlands to the oasis of Landmannalaugar. Here the mountains have shaded everything from light yellow to dark orange, brown and deep red hues due to the rhyolite rock in this area. After exploring the craters and lava fields and even dipping into the local natural pool, we continue on the Fjallabak mountain track to Eldgha. This canyon was created in a major eruption in the 10 th century. Our day ends with a drive to the small town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur where we will spend the next two nights. Walks: Easy walks on trails. 3-4hr / 5-6km, ascent 250m / descent 250m Day 8 Sat 02 Sep Vatnajokull National Park and glacier Today we journey east to Vatnajokull National Park and the large glacial lake of Jokulsarlon on the edge of the park. A boat ride among the icebergs brings us closer to the Vatnajokull glacier. Due to glacial melt, the size of the lake has increased fourfold since the 1970s and it recently became the deepest lake in Iceland at over 248m. After the boat ride we continue our journey to Skaftafell, the southern hiking paradise of Vatnajokull National Park. Here we will go for a glacier walk on one of the outlet glaciers, Svinaferllsjokull. Fully qualified guides take us onto the glacier and lead us on an easy walk into the magnificent icescape For bookings call 1300 197 201 visit www.parktours.com.au or email info@parktours.com.au 4
TOUR continued... of crevasses and cauldrons. Our afternoon hike gives us a sense of the dramatic outlet glaciers and rivers draining off the vast Vatnajokull ice cap. Walks: Easy walk on glacier, 1-2hr. Skaftafell walk 2-3hr / 4-5km ascent 300m / descent 300m Day 9 Sun 03 Sep South coast waterfalls and geothermal area Today we enjoy a visit to the southernmost village of Vik and nearby Reynisfjara beach with its black volcanic sand and surrounding basalt columns. We continue to the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls in the foothills of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier. Skogafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 25m and a drop of 60m. Due to the amount of spray from the waterfall, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland s most famous photogenic waterfalls and it is possible to walk behind the cascade at its base. We then head inland to the Gullfoss waterfall and the geyser geothermal area where we visit a greenhouse farm to learn how the geothermal energy is put to use in horticulture. We have time to visit the Gullfoss waterfall, spectacular geysers and a number of hot springs. We arrive in Reykjavik in the afternoon and check into our hotel for the night. Walks: Various easy walks en route on the beach and to waterfalls. 2 hr / 2-3km, ascent 50m / descent 50m Day 10 Mon 04 Sep Tasiilaq Greenland This morning we take a two hour flight from Reykjavik s domestic airport to Kulusuk in Greenland. As the time difference is two hours, we will arrive at the same time we left Iceland. From the airport we take a 10 minute helicopter flight to the small town of Tasiilaq on Ammassalik Island, 100km south of the Arctic Circle. With 2000 inhabitants, Tasiilaq is the largest town in east Greenland and one of the most isolated settlements in the world. Small colourful wooden houses are scattered on the mountainside, beside an almost circular fjord. In 1894 a Danish mission and trade station was established here and nearly all the houses were built in the first decade of Tasiilaq s history. While it is now a modern community with growing service industries, the traditional Inuit culture is present in local society. Traditional hunting and fishing is still very much a part of daily life, making an interesting co-existence of new and old culture. We settle in to our hotel in Ammassalik for the next two nights. The rest of the afternoon is free. You might like to visit the old museum or take a walk and meet some of the local children and sled dogs. Back at our hotel we enjoy a traditional drum dance demonstration performed by a local artist. Walks: Easy walks around town. 1-2hr / 2-3km, ascent 50m / descent 50m Day 11 Tue 05 Sep Ammassalik, Greenland We have a full day to experience a real arctic adventure with a boat excursion to the pristine icy wilderness of ocean and fjords of the Ammassalik area. The scenery of the surrounding mountains and icebergs is nothing short of spectacular. We will sail up the Sermiliik fjord and have the Greenland ice cap in sight as well as the icebergs slowly floating south towards the Denmark Strait. Our destination is the ruins of the settlement Ikateq where we will get out of the boats and go for an easy walk to get a feel for our stunning surroundings. If conditions allow we will also disembark at a magical white sand beach where we will go for another walk. We may see some of the local folk going about their daily business and we will stop along the way for lunch. After For bookings call 1300 197 201 visit www.parktours.com.au or email info@parktours.com.au 5
TOUR continued... our adventurous day out we return to Tasiilaq and have the rest of the afternoon to further explore the town. Walks: Boat excursion: 5-6hr. Moderate walks 1-2hr / 2km, ascent 150m / descent 150m Day 12 Wed 06 Sep Kulusuk, Greenland In the morning we take a helicopter back to Kulusuk. The town is situated on a small rocky island between jagged mountains, extensive fjords and is almost always surrounded by icebergs glittering in the sea. The little settlement is also an excellent example of life in the Ammassalik region. In the afternoon we walk down to the village and visit the local church built in 1908. After a Danish sailing vessel ran aground nearby, the church was constructed from the vessel s timbers by the crew. While wandering the village, we may meet up with some of the local people and if we are lucky see how they work the seals that have been caught. Walks: Easy walks, 1-2hr / 2-3km Day 13 Thu 07 Sep Kulusuk Reykjavik - Snaefellsnes peninsula In the morning, we take a short walk to the north of Kulusuk to see some of the larger icebergs that have become wedged in the shallow waters. After viewing the icebergs we travel back to the village and after lunch take the flight back to Reykjavik. On arrival, we drive two hours to the Snaefellsnes peninsula north of Reykjavik and check into our hotel in the lovely town of Stykkisholmur. Walks: Easy walks, 1-2hr / 2-3km Day 14 Fri 08 Sep Breidafjordur Bay - Snaefellsjokull National Park This morning we make our way down to the harbour where we board a boat for an excursion on Breidafjordur Bay. The two and a half hour tour reveals the beauty of the bay and we also have the opportunity to taste fresh Viking sushi. We continue west towards the Snaefellsjokull National Park which is dominated by the Snaefells glacier covering the summit crater. Like many other volcanoes in Iceland, it is still active but the last eruption occurred 1900 years ago. The glacier itself is the fabled entrance to the centre of the earth. We explore the Vatnshellir cave and visit the beach at Djupalonssandur before arriving at our comfortable hotel in Hellnar, a small hamlet on the coast. Walks: Easy to moderate walks along sheep trails and through lava fields. 2-3hr / 5km, ascent 50m / descent 50m Day 15 Sat 09 Sep Arnarstapi Eldborg Reykjavik We start this morning with a walk along the rugged coastline to the small hamlet of Arnarstapi. After exploring the small harbour, our next stop is at the picture perfect crater Eldborg for a hike to the crater rim. After our final hike, we continue the drive back to Reykjavik and check into the hotel for our last night in Iceland. Tonight we come together for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: B, D Walks: Easy to moderate walks along sheep trails and through lava fields. 5-6hr / 8km, ascent 100m / descent 100m Day 16 Sun 10 Sep Tour end Our tour ends after breakfast. We suggest using FlyBus transfers to Reykjavik airport depending on your flight departure. Meals: B Walks: None For bookings call 1300 197 201 visit www.parktours.com.au or email info@parktours.com.au 6
REDISCOVER EXPERIENCE CONNECT WHY TRAVEL WITH US? InterNATIONAL PARKtours have been leading small group walking holidays since 1975. Our like-minded guests bond easily and often create reunions, celebrations and friendships, many of them life-long. Our tours are active with regular half and full day walks. Aside from walking, we also spend time meeting local people, tasting regional food and immersing ourselves in the culture and history of a destination. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the likes, dislikes and agility of our travellers, and changing situations such as weather and unforeseen circumstances. In most locations, we stay 2-3 nights and sometimes longer. This allows us to slow down, unpack our bags and enjoy the local atmosphere at different times of the day. Accommodation is comfortable, unique plus locally owned and operated where possible. Our guides are dedicated, informative people who share their passion and knowledge on local history, culture, wildlife & topography. Our journeys are designed to safeguard the ecosystems; benefit the communities we visit and contribute to the sustainability of destinations. Travel is a chance to change your perspective. Nature always provides a new view if we take the time to look. IPT offers great value for money with their programmes. There is minimum spending money needed once on tour and there are no hidden extras along the way. Judy & Peter Hughes Disclaimer of Liability Although international PARKtours has prepared the Information contained in this itinerary with all due care and updates the Information regularly, international PARKtours does not warrant or represent that the Information is free from errors or omission. Whilst the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice and international PARKtours is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user. Itinerary Updated: October 14, 2016 12:21 PM Responsible Travel For your protection, we are allied members of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. Your payments are kept in a trust account until required for payment of your tour. We are accredited with ATAS, a national accreditation scheme, endorsing travel agents who have met strict financial and customer service criteria. We also have advanced accreditation with Ecotourism Australia and are members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Serendipity of travel Our guides will work 24/7 on your behalf to make sure that we are doing all we can to ensure your enjoyment. We have planned an intimate adventure, but adventure cannot be guaranteed. If indeed it could then it would lose its appeal. Though we do the best we can to plan a smooth journey, sometimes things change at short notice. Some things may take longer than anticipated, transport and accommodation arrangements may alter, and you may experience occasional shortcomings and be frustrated by the manana attitude; at other times you will be amazed by local efficiency. Tour itineraries may need to be modified but this is done so with your needs in mind and to provide the best tour experience. So, be flexible, surprised and delighted with the serendipity that comes from being open to the unexpected. Your enjoyment of this journey is ultimately up to you. T 1300 197 201 T +61 7 5533 3583 F +61 7 5533 3683 28 Timbarra Drive Beechmont QLD 4211 Australia info@parktours.com.au www.parktours.com.au