Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Iceland Eastern Fjords Hiking
Day 1 Arrive in Iceland
40-minute private bus transfer
After an early morning arrival at the airport, your MT Sobek trip leader will transfer you to the hotel, where you start the day with breakfast. Take the rest of today to relax and explore the capital city. Tonight, meet up with the rest of the group for a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavik
(B, D)
Day 2 Fly to Egilsstadir & Hike to Lodmundarfjordur
1-hour flight transfer
5–6 hours/8 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain/loss
After breakfast, transfer to the Reykjavik domestic airport for an awe-inspiring flight over the highlands to Egilsstadir in eastern Iceland, departing at 9.15am (subject to change). The 60-minute flight includes spectacular views of Mount Hekla, the Vatnajokull ice cap, and Mount Askja. From Egilsstadir, drive to the deep fjord harboring the coastal village of Seydisfjordur, to begin the hike. Set out over green mountains and plateaus down to the uninhabited Lodmundarfjordur, which was, for many years, one of the most isolated and inaccessible communities in Iceland. Luggage will be delivered by four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Accommodation: Loðmundarfjorður Hut
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Hike from Lodmundarfjordur to Husavik
4–5 hours/8.5 miles hiking with 1,400' elevation gain/loss
Take a morning walk to the old chapel at the foot of the beautiful fjord, then along the north seashore of Lodmundarfjordur and down to Husavik (House Bay). Loðmundarfjorður fjord is an impressive valley that was once home to 100 people at the turn of the 20th century, thanks to rich farmlands and accessible fishing grounds. The hike leads through the massive Loðmundarskriður, formed thousands of years ago when the adjacent mountain literally burst forth.
Accommodation: Husavik Mountain Hut
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Walk from Husavik to Breidavik
4–5 hours/8.5 miles hiking including two passes at 1,000' and 1,500'
Today walk from Husavik to Breidavik over an impressive pass at the foot of 1,200-ft Mount Hvitserkur — an odd formation of white rhyolite with basalt intrusions. Descend toward Breidavik (Wide Bay), a majestic place with coastal marsh, black sandy beaches, and scattered Siberian driftwood. Curious seals often come around to observe hikers.
Accommodation: Breiðavik Mountain Hut
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Walk from Breidavik to Bakkagerdi
6 hours/8–10 miles hiking two passes at 1,000' and one pass at 1,300'
From Breidavik, set out across the massive pastel rhyolite mountains that, depending on the way the sun catches them, turn from pink to blue to ochre. Continue the hike via Brunavik (Brown Bay) downhill to Borgarfjordur Eystri, a small picturesque inlet that faces the open sea, featuring shores dotted with charming, small houses.
Accommodation: Hotel Blabjorg
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Hike in the Dyrfjoll Mountains & Head to Lake Lagarfljot
1.5 hour private van transfer
6 hours/8.5 miles hiking two passes at 300' and 1,000'
Today hike in the Dyrfjoll Mountains, a perfect complement to the Borgarfjordur fjord. Have a short transfer to the trailhead just below the majestic faces of the Dyrfjoll cliffs, reaching the Storud (Big Rocky Ground), an enormous chaos of large boulders intersected by a glacial river. After marveling at this spectacular setting, continue the hike along the foothills of the mountains, meeting up with the bus for the scenic drive to Lake Lagarfljot — and on to the Hotel Hallormsstadur for the overnight.
Accommodation: Hotel Hallormsstaður
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Take In the Village of Djupivogur & Head to Hofn
3.5-hour private van transfer
2 hours/3 miles hiking with 100' gain
Today transfer to the Hengifoss Waterfall, where you enjoy a walk and picnic lunch before continuing south again. Drive over the Oxi pass down to Berufjorður fjord, stopping shortly at Djupivogur village for a short walk along this picturesque harbor. Then continue west past the Lonsvik lagoon, a gathering place for thousands of wild swans and a destination for many migratory birds. After the walk, enjoy the scenic drive that passes the Cape of Whales and the imposing glacial masses as the Vatnajokull ice cap flows down from the mountains.
Accommodation: Hotel Hofn
(B, L, D)
Day 8 Cruise on Jokulsarlon Lagoon & Hike Skaftafell National Park
30-minute boat cruise & 3.5-hour private van transfer
2-mile/1-hour easy hike
Today drive along the south coast enjoying views of the immense Oræfajokull glacier as it crawls across black sand. Take a 30-minute cruise among the black and blue icebergs of the Jokulsarlon lagoon. Continue westward and arrive in the Skaftafell National Park, the location of today's short hike to Svartifoss (The Black Waterfall), a famed waterfall in a horseshoe-shaped gorge. Continuing west again, come to the endless Eldhraun lava field covered with thick carpets of silvery moss.
Accommodation: Hotel Katla
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Panoramic Glacier Hike & Farewell Dinner
3.5-hour private van transfer
5 hours/8.5 miles walking with 2,400' elevation loss
Today's last hike of the trip is a scenic one and all downhill too! Start the day with an exciting glacier truck ride up to the starting point at 2,400 feet. From there you'll make an 8.5-mile descent, enjoying amazing views of the famous Eyjafjallajökull and Sólheimajökull glaciers, as well as the Katla volcano. The glacier-sculpted landscapes of the south coast here are truly spectacular, and you'll see everything from dazzling glaciers to black-sand beaches — you many even spot some sheep. Arrive in Reykjavik in the late afternoon and check into the hotel before your farewell dinner with the group.
Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavik
(B, L, D)
Day 10 Soak in the Blue Lagoon & Depart from Reykjavik
45-minute private van transfer
After breakfast, enjoy a little time for shopping or exploring before departing Reykjavik at 11am, transferring 45 minutes south to the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Located in a lava field, the lagoon holds six million liters of geothermal seawater, which is renewed every 40 hours. Soak in the steamy mineral waters, or get a natural massage under the powerful waterfalls, before showering up and transferring back to the Reykjavik-Keflavik Airport for departure flights home (please schedule flights after 4:40pm).
Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavik
(B)
