6 Day-South coast, eastfjords and Öræfajökull
Stand on the top of Iceland, and see its best spots on the way
Fot those who want a bit more adventure.
About the 6 day Iceland tour
This tour is the same as our classic 5 day south coast trip, but with one extra day where we attempt to climb the highest mountain in Iceland Öræfajökull/Hvannadalshnjúkur.
This climb does not require any steep or difficult climbing but does require a good level of fitness since the hike goes from 100m elevation to over 2100m and covering a distance of 20km round trip.
The mountain sits very close to the coast so we sometimes have to turn back from 1600-1800 m due to weather, even in the summer. During late season(July and August) there is also a chance of turning back or having to climb a different, neighboring peak, due to crevasses opening up.
General information
Avalability: June-August, one trip per month.
Pickup and Dropoff: Downtown Reykjavík, Bus stop nr.8 by Hallgrímskirkja
Level: Moderate/Hard This tour in quite relaxed for four out of the five days.However we are going to do one day of hiking with over 2000m of elevation gain, partly on a snowcovered glacier. The hike is not steep and is closer to hiking than climbing, but it requiers a good level of fitness
Group size: Up to 1:7
Accommodation: 5 nights in our private guesthouse in South east Iceland
Minimum age: 16
Luggage: Each person can bring one large and one small suitcase/backpack
Gear: We provide all the necessary gear for kayaking and glacier travel. You just need warm outdoor clothes, rain jacket and hiking boots.
Food: Breakfast and dinner for days 2-5 is included in the tour, locally sourced from Iceland
Not included: Dinner in Restaurants on day 1 and 6 and launch that we can buy from supermarkets on the way
Itinerary
This plan is dependent on the weather, we often have to do days 2-5 in different order depending on the weather.
Day 1
Driving the South cost
We start by meeting up in downtown Reykjavík at 9:00, by the bus stop nr. 8.
After a short briefing we travel through the incredible area of Fjallabak and Landmannalaugar nature reserve, there we will go on one of the many incredible hikes the area has to offer, expect about 4 hours of hiking with around 500m of elevation gain. After the hike we then enjoy this area's natural hot spring before setting off.
This area is only accessible in the summer but is a must see during this time of year. We will then finnish the drive to the south east, checking in and having dinner at our guesthouse, where we stay for the next 4 nights.
Bus stop nr 8 location:
Where we will drive on day 1
Day 2
Hiking and Kayaking in the south east
We start our second day by hiking and exploring the area next to our guesthouse, which has a beautiful secluded canion.
After that we head over to Vestrahorn where we hike around what might be the most dramatic beach and bay Iceland has to offer.
We then end the day by heading over to Heinabergsjökull, one of many glaciers in the area, where we spend the evening kayaking. Surrounded the many icebergs in the glacier's lagoon.
These places are all within an hours drive from our guesthouse.
Where we will drive on day 2
Day 3
Skaftafell the heart of Vatnajökull glacier and highest mountain in Iceland
We head for the area of Skaftafell where we will spend a full day exploring one of the glaciers, with a visit to a blue ice cave. The glaciers are very much an ever changing place and so your guide will pick the best glacier with the best cave, depending on how they form each season. But when you have a full day to explore we are always able to find something good to visit.
On the way back we will visit the Jöklusárlón glacial lagoon and Diamond beach before returnig to out guesthouse.
Where we will drive on day 3
Day 4
Exploring and hiking in the East fjords
Now it's time to head further east to explore the east fjords. While the landscape of the south coast is an ever changing mix of lava fields and active volcanos the east is a much older part of Iceland, and so the landscape looks very different. Here you will see fjords, eroded by glaciers, steep mountains and even forests, something you will not find along the south coast. Here we also visit some waterfalls and beaches.
Where we will drive on day 4
Day 5
Hiking to the top of Iceland
After the easy day before, now is the time for the big day, hiking the tallest mountain in Iceland. Öræfajökull!
This will be a long day where we test our fitness but on a clear day it will reward us with the best view in all of Iceland!
Where we will drive on day 5
Book here:
Before booking we ask you to call us or email so that we can make sure you have the physical requirements for the tour.
If you have any questions or run into any issues in the booking process don't hesitate to contact us.
Bookings can also be made with bank transfer.
Day 6
Driving back to Reykjavík through the highlands, hiking in the Landmannalaugar region
Now it's time to pack our bags and head back to Reykjavík.
For the way back we drive down to the south coast, stopping at the waterfalls of Seljalands- and skógarfoss and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara.
From there we stop by some less visited canyons and waterfalls.
After that we finnish the drive all the way back to the city of Reykjavík
Where we will drive on day 5.
Contact us:
info@offthebeatenpath.is
+354 866 9564 (phone or Whatsapp)
Off the beaten path
Hraunhól 4, 781 Hornafirði
SSN 711023-0540
VAT 150884
Qualifications:
All our guides are certified mountainguides through the AIMG, Association of Icelandic mountainguides
