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5th Oct 2024 - 10th Oct 2024
6 days/Iceland /Moderate to Challenging
Join supporters of World Child Cancer as you spend three days trekking through the other-worldly landscapes of Iceland. Discover active volcanoes and vast lava fields, bubbling mud pools, hot springs and more. You will be hiking to Iceland’s youngest volcano, Gelgingaldir and neighbouring Fagradaslsfjall before exploring the ethereal peaks of the Mount Hengill heritage site – scaling the impressive Vörðuskeggi Peak with spectacular views over Lake Þingvellir, Eyjafjallajökull and the distant Westman Islands. Don’t forget to keep your eyes on the skies while you are there and you might be lucky enough to experience Lady Aurora herself!
NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and flight surcharges.
This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain on consecutive days.
The minimum age is 18. It may be possible to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit. The ideal candidate would be fit, healthy and determined, open to adventure and adaptable to unexpected changes.
If you do not already regularly exercise you should aim to start training (including plenty of hills) as early as possible. The best training is hill walking, which will prepare you for the type of terrain you will experience. Other activities which can complement hill walking include running, cycling, gym workouts, boot camps etc.
Building up your core and leg muscle strength is important so exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, planks and crunches will really enhance your training. These exercises can be done at home – no gym needed. You can download a number of free apps, which will help you train and track your progress, e.g. MapMyWalk, C25K (couch to 5k run), MyFitnessPal (for a variety of sports).
You must take your training seriously and arrive as fit as you can be, so you get the most out of this challenge.
You will be accompanied by local guides who have an excellent knowledge of culture and hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be accompanied by a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.
Temperatures can typically peak to around 3°C during the day and drop to around -2°C at night however you must be prepared for variations to this which are out of our control. Weather during the adventure will be dry with light winds and rain is possible.
Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate but climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. The guides will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.
You will stay in a hotel or similar for the duration of the trip. Travel to and from the airport and hotel will be by private minibus.
You will be provided with plenty of hearty Icelandic meals which typically include fish and lamb and will keep your energy levels high for each day of discovery. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary requirements.
This is not a ‘hunting for the Northern Lights’ trek. However, between September and April Iceland is treated to a magnificent natural display of aurora borealis. While we cannot guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights on this adventure, there is a very high chance that there will be solar activity in the area at this time of year. This trek will be exploring the very best Iceland has to offer – if you are lucky enough to see the lights while you are there this is a bonus!
The tour manager for this trip is …
Lee
UK – Reykjavik~
Depart for Reykjavik and transfer to a hotel on the southern coast of Iceland.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Gelgingaldir – Fagradaslsfjall – Seltun
We drive to Nesjavellir from where our day’s hike starts. We will hike across a field of geothermal activity with bubbling mud pools to Ölkelduháls. From there we continue down to the magical valley of Solfataras and the Reykjadalur hotsprings. Those brave enough can enjoy a dip in the naturally hot waters! We continue down to Hveragerði where our bus awaits for the short drive back to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx.14km/6 hours
Hengill – Mt Vörðuskeggi
After a hearty breakfast we will drive up to the Mt Hengill area before our hike up to Vörðuskeggi Peak (805m). From the top we can enjoy stunning views of Lake Þingvellir and Langjökull to the north, and Eyjafjallajökull and the distant Westman Islands to the West. We will then trek up to Mt Skeggi the highest peak in the Hengill heritage site. We will return to our hotel tonight for dinner and a well-earned jacuzzi.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx. 13-14km / 8 hours
Þingellir National Park – Reykjavik
A short drive brings us to the National Park of Þingellir where we will hike along the fault lines that divides America and Europe. After the hike we drive to Reykjavik for your celebration dinner in town and last night at a hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx. 10km/ 4 hours
Reykjavik
Today is a free day to explore Reykjavik at your leisure. There is an optional trip to the famous Blue Lagoon for an addition cost if you wish.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Reykjavik – UK
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. This itinerary may change due to weather, the ability of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep to the itinerary but we cannot be held responsible for changes outside of our control. In all circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest health and safety.
Registration fee: £350
and then either…
Sponsorship: £3600
or
Flexi: £1800 trip costs* plus £1,800 fundraising for World Child Cancer
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs* (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.
*Please note trip costs are based on the final group size and are subject to change.
NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and flight surcharges.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
