Grand Tour Of Iceland Iceland Summary Iceland is an exceptional country, its horizons and people have been sculpted and moulded by the epic natural forces that combine here. We circumnavigate the country to experience the natural wonders of its incredible geology. The huge natural forces at work here need little introduction and have left the land dotted with fissures, powerful volcanoes, geysers and lava flows, old and new, that make Iceland an unforgettable destination. From the waterspouts and glaciers of southern Iceland to the volcanic landscape of the north, this trip allows us to see first‐hand the raw power and beauty of Mother Nature at work. 16 15 DAYS 15 DAYS AVD MIN AGE FLIGHT INC. LAND ONLY TRIP CODE At a glance Travel by specialist overland vehicle Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs 14 nights farms, hotels and simple guesthouses All breakfasts,11 lunches and 8 dinners included Highlights Reykjavik, all Three National Parks World Heritage sites: Thingvellir, Skaftafell and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula Europe's largest ice cap ‐ Vatnajokull, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, the stunning Eastern Fjords Volcanic landscapes; rifts, lava flows, basalt columns, psuedo craters, pitch‐ black deserts and green valleys 24 hour daylight for departures in June Transfer to meet any flight Iceland • Grand Tour Of Iceland Page 1 a major fault line it is the best place in Iceland to see the continental drift ‐ the movement of the Eurasion and North Amercian tectonic plates. Here they are literally pulling the earth apart as they inch away from each other causing the land between to subside. Not surprisingly the area abounds with waterfalls, immense fissures and the largest lake in the country. We then carry on to see the world famous geysers. The most reliable eruption comes every 5‐10 minutes from one called 'Strokkur'; the 30‐metre jet of water and steam is spectacular. To round off the day we drive a short distance on to Gullfoss, a huge dramatic waterfall located in a 70m deep canyon of River Hvita (White River). Standard Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 3 ‐ Waterfalls and Volcanoes This trip is graded level 1, leisurely. Much of this trip is touring by small bus, with plenty of stops to visit the highlights detailed in the itinerary, and optional walks and activities. We use a comfortable bus, ruggedly built to Icelandic standards and able to cope with most types of terrain, including fording glacial rivers. Some roads in Iceland are paved, particularly around the towns, but many of the country roads are graded gravel and can be dusty and rough. Accommodation in Iceland is expensive and often very basic. Those well‐travelled clients will find the comparison with similarly priced accommodations in mainland Europe to be disappointing. However, we source good quality guesthouses and hotels on the itinerary to provide the best possible value for our groups. The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the type of accommodation normally used and which meals are included. Please see the Accommodation section below for further information. Day 1 ‐ Start Reykjavik Our trip begins with a briefing at our hotel at 1830. Depending on your arrival time you may wish to visit to one of the public hot tubs. Remember to bring your towel and swimsuit in hand luggage. Standard Hotel Day 2 ‐ Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss Today we drive inland to the Thingvellir World Heritage Area, where the world's first 'democratic parliament' meeting took place ‐ the area became Iceland's first National Park in 1928 and a World Heritage area in 2004. Sitting right on top of We head eastwards to the foot of the infamous Eyjafjallajokull Ice Cap; this area was heavily affected by ash fall during the eruption of 2010 and a great deal of ice was melted by the boiling lava. The glacier feeds many beautiful waterfalls and we visit two of them. Seljalandsfoss (60m high) and Skogafoss, one of Iceland's most majestic waterfalls, 60m high, falling in a 25m wide sheet. Continuing east, we cross the black flood‐plain of Solheimasandur, before reaching the green valley of Myrdalur and continuing to Dyrholaey. This dramatic 120‐metre high promontory is the southernmost point in Iceland. It is rich in birdlife, and a nesting site for Puffins and Arctic terns. If we are lucky we might see whales and seals from the promontory on calm days. We continue further east to our accommodation in Vik, Iceland's southernmost town. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 4 ‐ Skaftafell and Jokusarlon Glacial Lagoon We begin with an excursion into Skaftafell on the edge of Europe's largest ice cap, Vatnajokull. Here we have the option to climb the low hills overlooking the ice where we will be rewarded with vistas of the contrasting landscapes of mountainous icy peaks, volcanic floodplains and the distant Atlantic shore. Leaving the area we travel east to one of Iceland's most famous highlights ‐ the Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon where thousands of icebergs are separating from the country's largest glacier and are floating in the pale green sea‐level lagoon. We take a walk beside the lagoon for excellent views. We then continue further east with the steep mountains of Vatnajokull on one side and the exposed south coast on the other. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 5 ‐ The Eastern Fjords A day of scenic driving, with a number of stops as we travel through Fjord country. We start by crossing the Almannaskard Pass and leave the flat south coast as we climb into the alpine landscape of the Eastern Fjords. This stunning mountain region has been sculpted as much by glaciers as volcanic activity. The spectacular road winds from one fjord to another, passing a few farms in each fjord where there is enough flat land for hayfields. The birdlife is rich and in late summer thousands of moulting whooper swans feed in the sheltered lagoon of Alftafjordur (Swan fjord). We then continue to the town of Egilsstadir. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Iceland • Grand Tour Of Iceland Day 6 ‐ Dettifoss Waterfall and Asbyrgi Canyon Heading inland and west we pass through the starkly contrasting desert scenery of the North East Highlands and follow the track that takes us north to the enormous Dettifoss Waterfall. This is Europe's most powerful waterfall, bizarrely set in an arid area of sand and rock formations. Further north is the Asbyrgi Canyon; a phenomenal dry canyon thought to have been carved out in a single day by an immense flood wave caused by an eruption underneath the Vatnajokull Ice Cap. We walk into Asbyrgi to have a closer look at the strange lava‐cliffs and view the nesting fulmars. We continue west to our guesthouse, which stands on the north border of the inland lava field, where countless springs and crystal clear streams flow from subterranean channels to the lowland of Axarfjordur. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 7 ‐ Tjornes Peninsula and Husavik From Skulagardur we drive west to the steep 'fracture zone' of the eastern Tjornes Peninsula. West of Tjornes is the lively fishing village Husavik at the east side of Skjalfandi Bay. Here we have the possibility to go on an optional 3‐hour whale‐watching tour aboard old oak fishing boats that have been rebuilt for this purpose, a fantastic experience. Most commonly sighted whales are Minke (seen on 92% of trips) and white beaked Dolphins (seen on 85% of trips) but with luck we may see others such as Humpbacks (29%) and even the giant Blue Whale though these truly are a rare sight. Those not whale‐ spotting have plenty to do around this photogenic and lively town with museums to visit, sod roof architecture to see and short walks in the surrounding hills. Husavik has a number of museums including a fascinating whale museum and museum of natural history. From Husavik we continue towards Lake Myvatn and our base for the night. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Page 2 the driest place in Iceland. We explore the pseudo craters of Skutustadir, the mysterious lava towers and arcs of Dimmuborgir and climb (optional) the 160 metre high crater Hverfjall which was formed in a steam explosion some 2500 years ago. After the crater traverse we head to the Godafoss Waterfall en route to Akureyri. On arrival in Akureyri we take a sightseeing tour around this interesting town, nicknamed the Capital of the North. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch) Day 9 ‐ Akureyri A free day in Akureyri. Akureyri is a town of some 17,000 inhabitants and is the biggest town outside the capital. It is the cultural, commercial and educational centre for northern Iceland and is 60 km south of the Arctic Circle. This northerly town is remarkably green and has the northernmost botanical garden in the world. For those who want an active day there are many optional activities available that can all be booked locally through our guide. Basic Hotel (Breakfast) Day 10 ‐ Snaefellsness Peninsula An early start as we have a long drive (5‐6 hrs) west to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, our base for the next two nights. Along the way we visit a reconstructed Viking house once home to Eirik the Red and his son Leif Eiriksson ‐ the two most famous travelling Vikings. The 'Eirikstadir' gives an interesting insight to way of life for the early settlers and an introduction to the historic tradition of the 'Icelandic Sagas'. Snaefellsnes is perhaps best known for the volcano 'Snaefellsjokull'. Jules Verne, in his classic 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', describes this as the start point for the characters' descent. New Age followers consider this area to be one of the earth's seven major energy centres. We head to our accommodation, located on the southern side of the peninsula, with great views over Snaefellsjokull. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 8 ‐ Myvatn and Krafla Day 11 ‐ Snaefellsness N.P We spend the morning exploring the fascinating geology around Lake Myvatn. Sitting on the mid‐Atlantic ridge it displays some interesting geology in the form of countless small crater‐like islands. Furthermore its position in the rain shadow of the Vatnajokull Ice Cap makes it statistically The exposed coast of the west side of Snaefellsnes is the goal for today, and this area has recently been designated a National Park. We visit sea cliffs swarming with birds, sites of old shipwrecks in the black basaltic sand. We Iceland • Grand Tour Of Iceland Page 3 learn about the old cod‐fishing methods from open boats in the bountiful seas, and towering above us is the volcano ‐ Snaefellsjokull. The day ends in the warm mineral water of Lysuholl swimming pool. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) to the itinerary, as space is limited we may move to alternative accommodation according to availability. In rural areas of Iceland, where hotel accommodation is scarce, there are a number of 'seasonal hotels'. Day 12 ‐ Eldborg Crater and Reykjavik These may be day schools, boarding schools or social centres that offer good standard tourist accommodation for the summer months only. Heading back towards Reykjavik a short journey brings us close to Eldborg Crater, an interesting 1‐2 hour walk from the road. Climbing to its low rim gives excellent views on a clear day. We aim to be in Reykjavik around mid‐afternoon. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch) Day 13 ‐ Reykjanes Peninsula A tour of the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula. Here two tectonic plates meet to form the North Atlantic Ridge. In the middle of one of the 'fissure swarms' is the famous Blue Lagoon where we enjoy a soak in the thermal waters, mud, and steam. We visit the fishing village Grindavik on the south coast of Reykjanes, before continuing to the dramatic landscape of the south‐westernmost tip of the peninsula where the first lighthouse in Iceland was built, and now the site of the most recent geothermal power station. We explore the hot springs, including one of the largest mud pools in the country. Travelling further along the southern coast of the peninsula we take in the Krisuvik hot spring area and lake Kleifarvatn. Basic Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch) Day 14 ‐ Free day in Reykjavik A free day for further optional activities or exploring Reykjavik on your own. The town centre is within walking distance of the hotel, and there are plenty of cafés to sit in and relax. There are a number of activities and excursions available from Reykjavik, the guide will explain these during the tour, and we strongly suggest you book these (through your guide) before your return to Reykjavik. Possibilities include further whale watching and horse riding. The evening offers the chance to sample the city's busy nightlife. Standard Hotel (Breakfast) Single Accommodation A limited number of single rooms are available, at a supplement on a strictly first come first served basis. Please contact our sales team for details. Key to Accommodation We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description. Standard Hotel, Lodge or Gite ‐ reasonable quality standard accommodation in single, twin or double rooms, the vast majority with en suite facilities. Some properties have added amenities such as Wi‐Fi, but facilities are generally simpler and meet 2/3 star standards. These properties are chosen for their value, location or character. Basic Hotel ‐ could also be a Lodge, Teahouse, Gite, Mountain Hut, Homestay or Village House. Facilities are often communal and may be limited depending on location. North American and Western Europe standards are often higher than Central or Eastern Europe, or in destinations outside of Europe. Rooming could be dorm with bunk beds, or one large shared sleeping area. Bed linen is not always provided while running water, flushing toilets and electricity may be inconsistent or non‐existent in the remotest areas. Day 15 ‐ End Reykjavik Food Our trip ends in Reykjavik. Should you wish to extend your stay please speak to a member of our sales team about post tour accommodation. (Breakfast) For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon and will arrive in the UK the same day. All breakfasts, 11 lunches and 8 dinners are included. Breakfasts are mainly continental style, lunches are generally picnics and the main meal of the day is usually local fish or lamb specialities, plus European standards such as pasta, chicken etc. Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements can be catered for, but may get a little less variety in the meals provided. Please advise us of any special requirements at the time of booking. Transport This tour is based on a mixture of hotels and simple guesthouses. As with everything in Iceland accommodation is very expensive, so we have tried to choose places with prices that allow us to keep the holiday affordable. Starting out in a comfortable Reykjavik hotel with en suite facilities, the accommodation on this trip consists of twin rooms, although single rooms are also available. You will however, be required to share facilities on 4 nights. While we pre‐book all accommodation according We use a comfortable bus designed to cope with the rigours of the terrain we encounter. Airport transfers are on the Flybus Service. Iceland • Grand Tour Of Iceland Page 4 we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Iceland is on the northern edge of the temperate zone, meaning it has cool summers. Daytime temperatures in the summer months can be anything from 10º to 20ºC, though in 2008 they reached 25ºC and could equally drop close to zero. As we are in a mountain area you must be prepared for some days of poor weather with strong winds and rain, but usually the weather is quite pleasant, though cool. There is constant daylight, but not midnight sun, in May, June and July. 15 days, normally start Reykjavik Sun, end Reykjavik Sun We offer a transfer to meet any international flight arriving into Keflavik Airport. All clients will receive a voucher for a Flybus transfer to the start hotel. Flybus offer coach transfers to meet every flight arriving into Keflavik International airport and make stops at various city hotels including our start hotel. You will receive further details in your Final Joining Instructions. 15 days, normally depart London Sun, return Sun Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Icelandair (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. This tour has been designed to both operate in a way that minimises our impact on the environment that we visit and to maximise the benefit that our clients Iceland • Grand Tour Of Iceland can have on the host community. We have a long‐term relationship with our local partner, assisting with local staff training in all aspects of their jobs, thereby investing in the people to help improve their knowledge and future prospects. We spend 14 nights in a mixture of farms, hotels and simple guesthouses. Small, locally owned lodgings are used wherever possible, meaning that the community benefits from a rise in employment and income generated. In rural areas of Iceland, there are also a number of 'seasonal hotels', which could include day schools, boarding schools or social centres that offer accommodation. Guides generally purchase snacks and picnic provisions from local shops along the way, which supports small businesses in the area. Clients are reminded to avoid whale meat if they encounter it. Iceland has a rich history and interesting culture which we are keen to promote by including a range of small villages and towns on our route. For example, in Husavik it is possible for clients to visit a variety of cultural sites, including a fascinating whale museum and a natural history museum. Page 5 Insurance ‐ are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. Local Time GMT Iceland stays on Greenwich Mean Time and is thus one hour behind British time in summer. Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 6 and 16 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: www.exodus.co.uk/responsible‐travel Currency Information Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. The national currency of Iceland is the Iceland Krona (ISK), with an exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 170 to the UK£ and 123 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques There are ATM's in Reykjavik and in the small settlements such as Vik, and Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Visa and mastercards are widely accepted. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Please allow for the following extra expenses. No visa required for British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up‐to‐ date information. Lunches/Dinners in Akureyri and Reykjavik are not included. We suggest you allow from £25‐40 (US$40‐65) for main meals with a drink. Less for lunches and snacks. For small snacks and drink stops en‐route allow about £50 (US$80) in total. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) During our tour there are several opportunities for optional activities, approximate prices are: Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon approx 20GBP (US$40) Day 8. Whale watching from Husavik trip costs approx £50 (US$80) and takes about 3 hours. Days 10 & 14. Riding the unique Iceland horse allow £55 (approx. US$90) with transfer from guesthouse. Apart from the Blue Lagoon entrance fees to swimming pools / thermal baths are not included. The usual price for swimming Iceland • Grand Tour Of Iceland Page 6 pools and thermal baths is about £2 (US$3.20). Allow about £20 (US$30) for this and any other optional visit to museums etc that the leader may suggest, or add to the itinerary. In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. Essential Equipment and Clothing To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? Warm jacket waterproof jacket warm hat and gloves as well as sun hat walking boots day sack swim wear towel water bottle eye mask (24 hour daylight). Alcohol is expensive in Iceland: if you want to enjoy an evening drink, you are advised to buy it in the duty free shop, on arrival in Iceland. Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Maps The Rough Guide Map Iceland ‐ Rough Guides Ltd, ISBN 1843533103 http://www.exodus.co.uk/community In booking this trip you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone's ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people's enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to section 16 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0)1582 640 045. Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write‐ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www.exodus.co.uk/about‐exodus/essential‐information? Iceland • Grand Tour Of Iceland Page 7 Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA ‐ The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons ‐ climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice Service advises British tourists on the potential dangers they might experience when travelling overseas. We liaise closely with them and adhere to their travel advice. For up‐to‐date advice on all countries, please visit www.gov.uk/foreign‐travel‐advice. Should there be any change to advice prior to or during travel, we may have to cancel or curtail a tour at short notice, or re‐route an itinerary part way through. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up‐to‐date prices can be found on the Exodus website. © Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email. 2. Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you're ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Edition No. TW 01 2017
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