Trekking the Laugavegur in Iceland. 5 days hike
in the interior of Iceland.
Trip difficulty: 3+ out of 5 possible.
Landmannalaugar-Þórsmörk
Full comfort, jeep assisted hike in breathtaking nature.
Laugavegur hiking trail is the most popular route
through the Icelandic wilderness. There are very few places in the world
that offer such diverse landscapes and scenic views. On the trek there
are colorful mountains, huge and rugged glaciers, screaming hot springs,
rivers of every shape and size, peaceful lakes, narrow ridges, immense
waterfalls, deep canyons and panoramic views of the North Atlantic
Ocean.
This trek truly has it all!
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Price: 135.990 ISK per person. Minimum 4 people.
Special 2012 offer!! 120.000 ISK per person for minimum 6 persons on the 18th of June, 25th of June, 27th of August, 3rd of September and 10th of September.
Guaranteed departures for 2012 on the:
-18th of June (12 places left) International departure, special offer: 120.000 ISK per person.
-25th of June (12 places left) International departure, special offer: 120.000 ISK per person.
-2nd of July (12 places left) International departure.
-9th of July (12 places left) International departure.
-16th of July (12 places left) German/International departure.
-23rd of July (12 places left) International departure.
-30th of July (12 places left) German/International departure.
-6th of August (12 places left) International departure.
-13th of August (12 places left) International departure.
-20th of August (12 places left) International departure.
-27th of August (12 places left) International departure, special offer: 120.000 ISK per person
-3rd of September (12 places left) International departure, special offer: 120.000 ISK per person
-10th of September (12 places left) International departure, special offer. 120.000 ISK per person
More departures will be added as more people sign up for these dates.
Private departures available up on request.
Rough itinerary:
Day 1: Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar
Day 2: Landmannalaugar - Álftavatn
Day 3: Álftavatn - Emstrur (Botnar)
Day 4: Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk
Day 5: Þórsmörk – Reykjavík
See detailed itinerary below.
Included in price: Guiding, transfer from/to
Reykjavík by bus, jeep transfer for food and equipment between
campsites, food for 5 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner the
last day), tents & cooking gear.
Minimum: 4 persons. 6 persons on the special offer dates. Maximum: 12
persons.
Age limit: 12 years
Bring with you: warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and
pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking boots are a vital!
Sleeping bag
and mattress can be rented from us if you let us know in advance.
We can book accommodation for your nights in Reykjavík before and after the trip.
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1
The trip starts with a transfer from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar from
the BSÍ bus terminal at 8:30am. We will transfer you there from your
accommodation in Reykjavík by mini van half an hour before. The journey
is scenic and on the way we’ll drive past Mt. Hekla, the most active
volcano in Iceland. It last erupted in the year 2000 so we’re holding
our breath and soon expecting a new and powerful burst from this
mountain, which has been called the gateway to hell. We will arrive to
Landmannalaugar (approx. 600 m above sea level) through Dómadalur route
and spend an afternoon exploring the area and relaxing in the naturally
warm river that runs beside the campsite.
Day 2
First section: Landmannalaugar - Álftavatn
Distance: 24 km
Estimated travelling time: 8-10 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~900 m
We start our Laugarvegur journey early morning in Landmannalaugar. From
the mountain hut by the campsite we stroll through the rough lava field
of Laugahraun. From there on up the beautiful hills by the colorful
mountain Brennisteinsalda and onto a plateau. The colors in this part
are out of this world. Ancient rivers and streams mark the land so we
will be going in and out of small gullies quite a lot. At this point we
have reached a rather high altitude and therefore you can expect snow
piles that we’ll have to traverse. At Hrafntinnusker there is a mountain
hut where we can have lunch if the weather is bad. Lots of obsidian
scattered around gives the place mystic appearance. When the weather
permits the view from the hut is amazing. Above 1000 m there is nothing
much but bare rocks and wasteland, the immense Icelandic highland
desert. Along the hills of Reykjafjöll we continue walking through
gullies until we get to Jökultungur. There are some changes in the
landscape and we face dark tuff mountains and glaciers. We also start to
see some stubborn plants scattered around. We decent down some steep
slopes into a green oasis, which is a pleasant contrast after the rough
landscapes behind us. From there the walk to a campsite at the northern
shore of lake Álftavatn is easy.
Day 3
Second section: Álftavatn-Emstrur (Botnar)
Distance: 15 km
Estimated travelling time: 6-7 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~40 m
After yesterdays long journey this is going to be an easy and pleasant
day. We cross Brattháls hill and head east for Hvanngil gorge. There we
have to cross Bratthálskvísl River on foot. Soon after that we get to
Kaldaklofskvísl that we cross via bridge. From there we head for the hut
and campsite of Emstrur and on our way we cross the river of
Bláfjallakvísl. Yeah, we’re sure going to give our feet a refreshing
wash today. We cross between two sandy hills and soon after that we’ll
see our destination for the night. If people are up for a nice evening
walk after dinner we can take a peek at the unbelievable
Markarfjlótsgljúfur canyon. The canyon is 200 meters deep and through it
flows the powerful Markarfjót River.
Day 4
Third section: Emstrur (Botnar) - Þórsmörk
Distance: 15 km
Estimated traveling time: 6-7 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~300 m
The day starts with a crooked path down to Syðri Emstruá River which
we’ll cross on a bridge. While crossing the river we’ll have to be very
careful, as this is one of the riskiest places on the way. After our
heroic crossing we’ll head south to an area called Almenningar. The
landscape now starts to change once again and we’ll be seeing peaceful
streams covered in arctic birch and flowers. More refreshing river
crossing, a bit more demanding than before (Þröngá) is necessary but
that’s fine because we’ll be experts by then. On the other side of this
river we have left Almenningar behind and entered Þórsmörk valley. From
there we have a 40 min walk to Langidalur hut in Þórsmörk and from there
on to Básar hut where we’ll spend the night. This part is wonderful as
vegetation has spread over the area and Þórsmörk is undeniably one of
the pearls of Icelandic nature.
Day 5
Our last day is more flexible. You can sleep in and relax your tired
bones and muscles after the 56km long hike, enjoying the magnificent
Þórsmörk valley, named after Thor the Norse God of Thunder. We will take
the bus back to Reykjavík in the afternoon getting us there around
dinner time where you will end up at the BSÍ bus terminal, before taken
by our mini van back to your accommodation in Reykjavík. We can however
recommend hiking around to further experience this glacier valley,
cornered in by three glaciers, offering a unique composition of
glaciers, rocks and wood. Our guide will take you hiking in the area for
a short half day, aiming for some 500m high mountains for a
breathtaking view of the whole area and the glaciers.
Disclaimer:
All hiking trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its
participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for
accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there
own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all
trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an
inherit risk.