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Iceland: Land of the Northern Lights Trek (Autumn 2024)

20th Nov 2024 - 25th Nov 2024

6 days/Iceland /Moderate to Challenging

Overview

Explore the other-wordly landscapes of Iceland, land of the Northern Lights. Spend three days trekking across fields of geothermal activity with bubbling mud pools and hot springs, the peaks of the Mount Hengill heritage site and the fault lines between Europe and America. Keep your eyes to the skies and you might be lucky to experience Lady Aurora herself!

You don’t have to fundraise to join an open challenge but you can support a charity of your choice if you wish. See the costs tab for more details.

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NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and may be subject to flight surcharges.

This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain over consecutive days,

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.

This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain over consecutive days.

Temperatures can typically peak to around 6°C during the day and drop to around 1°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 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 or preferences.

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.

You will stay in a hotel for the duration of the trip. A single-occupancy hotel room may be possible subject to availability and payment of a single supplement.

This trek does not take place in an area of high altitude.

The tour manager for this trip is …

Rudy

Itinerary

Land of the Northern Lights Itinerary

Day 1 (Wednesday 20 November 2024):

London – Reykjavik
Depart London for Reykjavik and transfer to a hotel on the southern coast of Iceland.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 (Thursday 21 November 2024):

Nesjavellir – Reykjadalur – Hveragerdi
After breakfast 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 hot springs called Reykjadalur where those brave enough can dip into a natural hot river. We continue down to the car park near Hveragerði where our bus waits us. Short drive back to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx.14km

Day 3 (Friday 22 November 2024):

Hengill – Mt. Vorduskeggi
After a good breakfast we drive up to the Mt. Hengill area. From there we will hike up to Vörðuskeggi Peak (805m). From the top you will enjoy views of Lake Þingvellir and Langjökull to the north and Eyjafjallajökull and the distant Westman Islands. From there we will hike up to Mt. Skeggi the highest peak in Hengill heritage site. We will then return to our hotel for dinner and a jacuzzi!
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx. 13-14km

Day 4 (Saturday 23 November 2024):

Pingellir National Park – Reykjavik
A short drive brings us to the National Park of Thingvellir 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

Day 5 (Sunday 24 November 2024):

Reykjavik 
Today is free for you to explore Reykjavik or take an optional excursion to visit the Blue Lagoon (payable separately).
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6 (Monday 25 November 2024):

Reykjavik – London
Today we take the flight home back to London.
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 of health and safety.

Costs & How to pay

Registration fee: £350
and then either…

Self-funded: £1800

or

Sponsorship: £3600

or 

Flexi: £1800 trip costs and £1800 sponsorship for a charity* of your choice

NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and may be subject to flight surcharges.

SELF-FUNDED

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves. There is no sponsorship required although if you wish to raise sponsorship for a charity you are welcome to do so.

  • A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
  • Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel 10 weeks prior to departure.
  • You are welcome to fundraise separately for any charity of your choice but this is not mandatory. Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

SPONSORSHIP

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.

  • A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
  • The minimum sponsorship must be paid to the charity 12 weeks prior to departure.
  • The amount the charity receives is at least 50% of the minimum sponsorship total.

FLEXI

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.

  • A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
  • Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel 12 weeks prior to departure.
  • Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

*If your chosen charity is not on this list, please seek permission to fundraise for them by taking part in this challenge before making your booking.

What's included

  • Return flights from London (inc. current taxes and fuel surcharges),
  • Transfers and transport in Iceland
  • Accommodation in hotels (5 nights)
  • Meals as specified
  • Local guides
  • Different Travel UK tour manager

What's not included

  • Lunch on Day 5
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips (£50-60pp)
  • Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, souvenirs etc.)
  • Vaccinations

Have a question?

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.