DURATION
5 nights
LOCATION
Iceland
ANNUAL LEAVE
1 week off work
SEASON
May-Jun
GROUP SIZE
Up to 12 people
MEETING POINT
Reykjavík accommodation
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Hotel
DIFFICULTY
Tough
Three epic peaks, almost as tough to summit as they are to pronounce. Huge ascents to test your limit, but no climbing experience is needed
Learn how to use ice axes, ropes and crampons as you clamber to Vörðuskeggi Peak (805m) and climb the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano (1651m)
Tackle a lung-busting ascent in the Vatnajökull National Park to the snow-encrusted summit of Iceland's highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m)
Wonder at Iceland's classic sights between summits - spectacular geysers, thundering waterfalls and the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
Day 1
Welcome to Reykjavik
Head to Iceland’s capital Reykjavik. After checking into your guesthouse, set off and explore the city’s huge array of quaint bars, cafes, art museums and churches.
Day 2
Vörðuskeggi Peak and classic Iceland sights
Hiking
7-8hrs · 13.5km · 735m up · 740m down
Your guides will pick you up at your accommodation in Reykjavik at 08:00 and drive you east, to the Hengill volcano massif. Get stuck into the challenge straight away with a climb up Vörðuskeggi Peak (805m). From the top you can see Lake Þingvellir and Langjökull to the north, as well as Eyjafjallajökull and the distant Westman Islands. Later in the day, you'll catch some of Iceland's famous sights - the geothermal area at Geysir and the waterfall of Gullfoss - before driving to your hotel in the area of Flúðir.
Day 3
Summit Eyjafjallajökull
Hiking
9-11hrs · 17km · 1600m up · 1600m down
Fuel up on breakfast at the hotel before setting off to climb the infamous Eyjafjallajökull - best known for erupting in 2010 and causing enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe for several days. It is a 1651m high stratovolcano with a magnificent view from the top. The ascent is a doozy - expect around 1600m of elevation and 9-12 hours of pure Icelandic wilderness hiking and climbing.
Day 4
Explore Iceland's south coast
Take a day away from the peaks and rest the legs a little, as you explore the beautiful south coast. Head to the black beach of Reynisfjara, the picturesque village of Vík and into Skaftafell National Park to see the stunning glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón. Enjoy dinner and an early night at your hotel - the trip's biggest challenge awaits you tomorrow...
Day 5
Iceland's highest peak
Hiking
12-14hrs · 22km · 2040m up · 2040m down
Today is the big one as you make the ascent of Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m) - Iceland’s highest peak. Make no mistake, this is a seriously tough summit: with 2000m of ascent, it can take 12-14 hours (though there are plenty of daylight hours this far north in summer). Your guides will assist with the technical sections and show you how to safely use ice axes and ropes when needed - you will have had ample tuition and preparation on the previous days. The peak of Hvannadalshnúkur is on the north-western rim of the Öræfajökull volcano and promises an unforgettable ascent, with breathtaking panoramic views. Celebrate your achievement back at the hotel with a well-earned beer and dinner, before you collapse into bed.
Day 6
Back to Reykjavik
With three successful ascents under your belt, make your way back westward along the scenic south coast of Iceland, passing beneath Eyjafjallajökull and stopping to visit the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, as well as the waterfalls at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. You'll arrive back in Reykjavík in the late afternoon, where you'll bid your guides farewell.
Included
Guides
Local, expert mountaineering guides
Accommodation
5 nights in cosy 3-star hotels
Meals
All breakfasts are included
Transfers
Pick up and drop off at your accommodation in Reykjavik, and everything in between
Equipment
All your climbing equipment
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Some meals as described
Visas where required
Day 1
Departure day
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 5
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
You'll fuel up each morning with breakfast buffets at the hotels, where cereals, fruit, pastries, bread, cheese, meats, jams, tea and coffee are on offer.
You'll need to buy a packed lunch each day to take out on the summits with you - your host will arrange this either at local shops/cafes/bakeries, or from the hotels. You'll need to budget £15-20 ($18-25) for a good-sized lunch. Dinners will be taken at each of the hotels on the trip, where there are various options on the menu. Hotel Flúðir has particularly good food, with traditional Icelandic dishes made using organic produce. You should budget £20-25 ($25-31) for dinners.
Due to the tough nature of this trip, we recommend you bring a good supply of your favourite hiking snacks, protein or energy bars to supplement your meals.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Reykjavik
On your first night of the trip you'll stay in one of a selection of 3* star hotels dotted around the centre of Reykjavik. Depending on availability it'll be either the Hotel Leifur Eiriksson, or one of the Fosshotel Baron, Fosshotel Lind or Fosshotel Raudará. They are all similarly located, a stone's throw from bars and cafes in the heart of Reykjavik. You'll stay in twin-share rooms as standard, with private bathrooms.
Hotel Flúðir
You'll spend one night at Hotel Flúðir, a short drive away from Geysir and Gulfoss Waterfall. This modern Icelandic hotel has comfortable twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms. It has a restaurant which serves traditional Icelandic food made from organic produce, as well as a lobby bar to relax in.
Hotel Skógafoss
You'll spend one night at Hotel Skógafoss, right next to the iconic waterfall of the same name and at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, which you'll have summited earlier in the day. The hotel has a restaurant, lounge and bar where you can rest and refuel after your summit exploits. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Hotel Skaftafell
Your base for nights four and five is the Hotel Skaftafell. Located in an incredible spot, the hotel has stunning views of Hvannadalshnjukur as well as the largest glacier in Europe - Vatnajökull. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Reykjavik accommodation
Flexible - arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Reykjavik (your accommodation or the bus station)
17:00 on Day 6
Transfers
Your adventure starts at your hotel in downtown Reykjavik. When you arrive at Keflavik Airport you'll need to hop on one of the frequent Flybus services operated in connection with all arriving flights at Keflavik Airport. You can buy a ticket in advance on the Flybus website or at the Flybus desk in the Keflavik terminal - tickets cost £20/€24/$27 each way. The bus is very easy to find right outside the arrival terminal - just look for signs for Flybus. Your host will provide details on where you need to get off the bus and how to find your hotel in the pre-departure information you are sent prior to travelling to Iceland.
On Day 6 your host will drop you at your Reykjavik accommodation if you are staying on in Iceland, or at the central bus station if you are taking the Flybus straight to the airport (for any late evening flights departing after 8pm).
Travel options
There are regular flights to Iceland from airports across the UK, Europe and North America.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Ice axes
- Harness
- Ropes
- Crampons
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Day backpack for extra clothes and lunch pack during the day, 30 – 40L
- Waterproof liner for daypack
CLOTHES
- Down jacket with hood
- Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood
- Waterproof and windproof trousers
- Breathable wicking layers
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Thermals (merino best)
- Warm hat
- Gloves - 2 pairs, waterproof
- Gaiters – calf or knee height and wide enough for your boots
- Socks, woollen or synthetic, 4-5 pairs
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots (worn-in) with good ankle support and water resistance, i.e Goretex
- Sandals
OTHER
- Hiking poles
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Suncream
- Thermal mat (for lunch breaks on the snow)
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle x2 litre and/or bladder x2 litre
- Lunch box
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
Double/Twin Room
Payable Before Departure
Double/Twin Room
… Per Night
Single Room
Payable Before Departure
Single Room
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
… Per Person
If you’re looking for adventure combined with stunning scenery - sign up now. Iceland absolutely blew us away with its endless lava fields, black sandy beaches, icebergs, geysers, waterfalls and breathtaking mountains. We had the trip of a lifetime.
What an amazing trip. The scenery in Iceland is absolutely stunning. Guides were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Accommodation and food were excellent. Unfortunately we were not able to climb the highest mountain due to really bad weather but the 2nd peak was a decent challenge and we put in a few extra hikes. Overall an epic adventure.
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We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 127kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
You'll need to be very fit with some experience of big trekking days with elevation gain and loss in the thousands of metres. You won't need any technical mountaineering or climbing experience, as your guides will lead you through any sections that require ice axes, ropes and harnesses. There will be crevasses to deal with and steep inclines over icy ground. Bring along a keen love of adventure as well as strong fitness levels and trekking experience. Iceland's weather is notoriously fickle, so the conditions will play a part.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Iceland. Bring along a bladder and/or water bottles to carry water with you on the summit days.
As the old Icelandic saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” Icelandic weather is famously fickle so you’ll need to prepare for anything - from balmy all-day sunshine in the mid-twenties, to wind, rain - and everything in between! This is all part of the adventure, but be sure to pack good waterproofs in case the rain gods come calling. At the higher altitudes you'll be reaching on this trip, the temperatures drop down to near freezing at times and the snow cover increases.
The first summit of the trip can be replaced by a hike to the Fagradalsfjall eruption in case of an active eruption taking place in the area. The summit of Hvannadalshnúkur on Day 4 will depend on weather conditions: if the weather is not good, your host will change the itinerary to attempt another similar summit in the area in and around Vatnajökull National Park.
There are four centrally located places in Reykjavik where you can store luggage. Speak to your host about the options, or you can pre-book here.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
No. You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you, and then a small day sack to carry personal items during each summit day.
Whilst most of our trips are exclusive to Much Better Adventures, due to the nature of this destination and the design of the trip, this particular host also sells this adventure via other channels. This means that it’s possible that your group may consist of people who haven't booked through the Much Better Adventures website. But rest assured, anyone booking this trip is in search of an active, outdoors adventure, just as you are!
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
