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