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With each country's diverse history, archeology, culture and languages make it very appealling and rewarding to visit - and visit more than once - many times. You now have the opportunity to experience many different travel styles. Take guided or self-guided trips through Italy, France, Germany. Take the Eurorail from Zurich to Munich, walk the Danube Canal. Whether you want to stay in a villa in France, bike the Loire Valley or take a guided walk through Tuscany.
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ICELANDIC VOLCANO TREK

Trip code:

 ex-iv

Trip length:

 8 days

Group size:

 Maximum 14.

Transportation:

 Bus transfers/On foot during 6-day trek.

Trip Overview

Mount Hekla is Iceland's most active volcano and, though little-known outside Iceland, the spectacular Fjallabak 'Behind the Mountains' region is one of the best wilderness and trekking areas in Europe. Our route in the southern Icelandic Highlands is varied, traversing lava fields, hot springs and passing between enormous glaciers. Luggage and equipment is transported by support vehicle. We begin with a drive to the northern foot of Mount Hekla (1491m) and hike across huge lava fields and black ash to Landmannahellir, on the edge of a blue mountain lake (590m). Next, we have a slow climb up to the colourful plateau of Hranftinnusker where innumerable obsidian stones glitter. Walking among countless hot springs and steam vents that rise from the earth, we reach our camp near Austurdalir, north of Laufafell (1164m). We spend a day exploring the huge plateau and head to the south of Laufafell.Then, crossing numerous clear streams, we hike on to our next hut at Hvanngils to join the famous'Laugavegur' trail that runs south. Crossing an arid desert of black sand, we walk alongside the awesome Myrdalsjokull glacier. Once we meet the powerful Markarfljot glacial river, we follow this to the forested valley of Thorsmork, 'the Woods of Thor', the Nordic god. Our last hike takes us through the high pass of Fimmvorduhals (1116m), between the seracs (tower-shaped glacial masses, split by crevasses) of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, to the coast and the beautiful Skogafoss waterfall. On a clear day we may be treated to an extraordinary view of the ocean and the Westman Islands archipelago. Finally, we return to Reykjavik.

Itinerary & Departure Dates

Day 1 Join Reykjavik.
Day 2 Drive to Mount Hekla area; trek to Landmannahelir (6hrs).
Day 3 Trek to Hranftinnusker Plateau (5-6hrs).
Day 4 Explore Hranftinnusker Plateau (6-8hrs, depending on local
conditions).
Day 5 Trek to Hvanngils (6-7hrs).
Day 6 Trek to Thorsmork valley (7-8hrs).

Day 7 Trek to Skogar via Fimmvorduhals (8hrs); drive to Reykjavik.
Day 8 End Reykjavik. Itinerary may vary according to local weather conditions.

Look below for departure dates.

Accommodations

Guesthouse BB (2 nights); Mountain Huts/Camping FB (5nights).

Meals

2 Breakfasts, 5 days full board.

Departure Dates

Jul 30 - Aug 13
Aug 6 - Aug 20
Aug 13 - Aug 27
Aug 20 - Sep 3
Aug 27 - Sep 10
Please contact us for 2005 departures.

Please contact us for a detailed trip dossier, free brochure, availability and prices.