Luxury Iceland's Glaciers, Coast & Ice Walk 6D5N, Fully Guided

Level 2, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 244m (800ft).

Meet your Trip Leaders at 8am at the Eagle Air head office located at 101 Reykjavík, Iceland located directly behind the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Natura (Nautholsvegur 52). Arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear, additional layers and anything else you may want for today's hike and zodiac tour (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

After we meet in Reykjavk, the northernmost capital in the world, we'll take a picturesque flight to Iceland's southeastern shore, where, on a clear day, you can see the country's many hot springs and glaciers from above. Vatnajökull, Europe's greatest ice cap, is close to where we touch down. The Vatnajökull ice cap is home to stunning scenery shaped by water and ice, as well as other natural processes like volcanoes and geysers. Vatnajökull is 8 percent (about 3,200 square miles) of the country and is up to 3,000 feet thick in spots. Soon after our arrival, journey on a quick shuttle to Vatnajökull National Park's Hoffellsjökull, where we'll embark on our first hike. You'll come across lengthy canyons, stunning waterfalls, and wilderness as well as pristine white glaciers tumbling down to black beaches. This pristine protected region and World Heritage site has been shaped by thousands of years of volcanic eruptions, glacial runoff and rushing rivers and abounds with black volcanic rock and waterfalls. Marvel at a wide range of alpine flora and fauna, including a number of endemic bird species, unusual lichens, and expansive floral meadows. Your view of the Hoffellsjökull Lagoon is just one of the many jaw-dropping vistas you'll admire throughout your Icelandic adventure.

The next stop on our shuttle tour is the magnificent Fjallsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Bundle up in thermal jackets, board our private zodiac boats and take to the water. Have your camera ready to capture the spectacular scene of floating white, black and blue icebergs, sculpted by wind and water. We pull up close to the towering wall of Öraefajoökull Glacier to learn more about this incredible landscape.

Back on land, a shuttle will take you to the Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon, where we will be staying for the next two nights. Unwind in your spacious ensuite rooms boasting large panoramic windows offering sweeping views of the lagoon and sea or rejuvenate in the dry sauna.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 214m (700ft).
Level 3, Approx. 9.6km (6 miles), Elevation gain: 305m (1000ft).

This morning get ready to explore the secluded Cape of Ingólfshöfdi, one of the lushest areas of Iceland which is situated at the end of a black-sand marsh peninsula. We travel about 4 miles along shallow shimmering waters and sand flats by a tractor-pulled hay cart to a remote and spectacular seabird sanctuary. With our local friend and guide leading the way, climb a sand dune and walk the headlands to steep rocky cliffs teeming with thousands of nesting seabirds. Keep your eyes peeled for puffins (here between April and August), kittiwakes and arctic terns. Leaving Ingólfshöfdi Nature Reserve it's a quick shuttle to venture into Skaftafell National Park (set within larger Vatnajökull National Park). The area abounds with birch forests, vibrant heaths and stunning waterfalls.

Surrounded by wildflowers, glaciers, mountains and views out to the coast, we set off on our afternoon hike, which begins with a climb to a grassy plateau. Make your way through purple dwarf fireweed to several impressive waterfalls, including Svartifoss (Black Falls), a gorgeous cascade that plunges from a cliff made of black hexagonal basalt columns. Continue across the highlands to view the glacier of Skaftafellsjökull in its grandeur as it carves through the mountain. Glaciers and the Skeidarársandur alluvial plain seem to be in arm's reach. After a full day of exploration, you're free to dine at your leisure in our hotel's restaurant

This morning we shuttle back to Skaftafell for an unforgettable glacier walk. After walking to the glacier's edge, we strap on crampons and make our way up diverse valleys and ridges, marveling at fantastic ice formations, water cauldrons and deep crevasses. We follow the glacier tongue up the deep valley among the summits of Hvannadalshnúkur and Hrútsfjall, where jagged ice peaks and deep moulins await our discovery. Then we shuttle westward to Hotel Rangá, stopping along the way to see the black-sand beaches and bird cliffs of the southern coast. Take in the sea stacks and black cliffs of columnar basalt—striking natural architecture formed by the sudden cooling of lava flows exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for common guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and the occasional sea puffin, all of whom call this bird sanctuary home. Tonight enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Hotel Rangá.

Tonight, enjoy the tranquil oasis of Hotel Rangá, a log cabin-style establishment located on the scenic EystriRangá River. Soak in the one of the three outdoor geothermal hot tubs or relax in the lounge before enjoying a farm-fresh supper with regional favorites.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 31m (100ft).
Level 1, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 122m (400ft).

After breakfast this morning, we catch a shuttle to the ferry port and set sail for the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), a collection of 15 islands plus cliffs and skerries. The Westman Islands are home to the largest puffin colony in the Atlantic, so there's a good chance you'll see some lovely puffins. Later, our voyage offers breathtaking vistas of the south coast behind us and the islands in front of us. Keep an eye out for dolphins, minke whales, and other marine mammals. We land on Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island. (Note that it is possible for our ferry ride to be a bit choppy; if you are prone to seasickness, carry medication.)

Your seabird watching adventure begins with a hike along Heimaklettur, the island's tallest peak. A walking trail, complete with ladders and chains, leads up to the summit. From the peak, you may take in a breathtaking panorama of the island, the archipelago, and the mainland, including the famed Eyjafjallajökull volcano. After that, you can begin your hike down the heart-shaped island's passing through lush fields near the foot of Mount Helgafell and eventually reaching Eldfell, a volcano that was produced during the infamous eruption of 1973. Over 200 meters in altitude, hiking up the vibrant Eldfell is the quickest and easiest mountain in the area. On foot, you can reach the peak in about 15 minutes through any of the available routes. You'll be greeted by a plethora of beautiful views, including colorful volcanic rocks. Once you've taken in the scenery, keep descending down the volcano to reach the newest lava field on the island. As you make your way around the town, dodging the massive lava outcrops, keep an eye out for the signposts that indicate the former locations of various structures.

Continue along the new lava barrier, taking in the wonderful perspective of the city, then proceed to the ancient coastline district to see the Danish fort of Skansinn and the Norwegian-gifted wooden Stave church. From here, we stroll into town, passing cafés and stores on our way to a neighborhood bistro. Then, we hire a boat to return to the mainland, and take a shuttle to our hotel. Tonight, dinner is at your heart’s desire. When considering what to order, keep in mind that our hotel is situated on the banks of the salmon-stocked Eystri-Rangá. A nearby smokehouse imparts exquisite flavor to area cuisine; this is as local as it gets!

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3.2km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 31m (200ft).
Level 1, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 214m (700ft).
Level 2, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 305m (1000ft).

Get on our exclusive all-terrain "super jeeps" and discover a rugged route that winds past waterfalls and canyons, not far from the erupting Katla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes. Our journey takes us to one of Iceland's most beautiful spots, a protected region between the Tindfjalla and Eyjafjalla Glaciers called Thórsmörk (literally "the forest of Thor," the god of thunder). This paradisiacal location, also known as the Land of Fire and Ice due to its volcanic and geological activity, never ceases to amaze you! You may find anything from swirling lava fields and waterfalls to geysers and icebergs as big as humans. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feel the raw power of nature and an unforgettable experience. Later, with the help of our local mountain guides, we explore the area and learn more about this one-of-a-kind setting, which is characterized by untouched valleys and ice fields. The Thórsmörk Valley is shielded from the weather by the surrounding mountains and glaciers, making it an ideal place for a wide variety of flora and fauna, including colorful wildflowers, lush mosses and ferns, and a thriving birch forest. It's a lush green paradise cut through with rushing glacial rivers and surrounded by breathtaking caverns and snowy mountains. After a fun day exploring the wilderness, we take a super jeep back to the hotel, driving across frozen rivers and past lunar landscapes on the way back.

Located close to the geothermal Nesjavellir Valley, our hotel, the ION Adventure Hotel, offers breathtaking views of steaming rivers and Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland. Relax in this award winning eco conscious sanctuary with a refreshing dip on the geothermal pool or enjoy views of this secluded valley from the hotel’s Northern Lights Bar. This evening, gather together for a celebratory affair at the hotel to toast the amazing week we've had.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3.2km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 122m (400ft).
Level 1, Approx. 6.4km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 305m (1000ft).
Level 2, Approx. 8.04km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 305m (1000ft).

We start our hike in the Hengill geothermal hiking region this morning from the hotel through a breathtaking valley. After a brief downhill stretch where we pass one of Iceland's most significant geothermal plants, we'll begin a slow ascent into a scenic gorge. Hike across the valley and then back toward the hotel, stopping to see the mud pots and the lake and the hills of Thingvellir National Park. You can sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, and if you didn't get a chance to use the sauna or geothermal hot tub yesterday, here is your chance.

Once we've eaten lunch back at the hotel, we'll take a shuttle to Hotel Reykjavik Natura and then the Keflavk airport, where our adventure will come to a close.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.