Eldgja Canyon Trek: Discover Iceland’s Highlands

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • A 4-day Eldgja Canyon trek in the Icelandic Highlands
    • All transportation during the adventure (including pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavik)
    • Accommodation (sleeping bags in dormitory-style rooms) in mountain huts (3 nights)
    • Luggage transfers between mountain huts
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Facility fee in Landmannalaugar
    • South Coast tour with a Black Sand Beach stop during your ride back to Reykjavík

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Reykjavik
    • Accommodation in Reykjavik before and after the tour
    • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
    • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To join this guided Eldgja Canyon hiking trip in Iceland’s Highlands, participants should have experience with full-day hikes (up to 8 hours). The longest distance covered during this Iceland hiking tour will be 11.2 miles (18 km), with elevation gains of up to 2,000 ft (600 m). Most people who regularly hike should be able to participate in this tour. You don’t need to have experience with multi-day hiking tours for this Iceland hiking adventure, but we recommend maintaining an active lifestyle and hiking regularly in weeks leading up to the trip.

  It’s important to be aware that Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, which may pose challenges during hiking activities. Furthermore, keep in mind that you’ll need to carry a daypack containing essentials like water, lunch, and other items during your hikes.

  However, rest assured that throughout your journey, you’ll have a knowledgeable guide accompanying you every step of the way. They’ll provide encouragement, set an appropriate pace, and assess the fitness level of the group, ensuring necessary breaks are taken. Your guide’s presence will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Daypack large enough to fit everything you may need in a day (25-40 L)
    • Travel sack for your baggage that is transported between cabins
    • Sleeping bag and travel pillow
    • Waterproof hiking boots
    • Wading shoes for crossing rivers
    • Sport shoes — to wear when not hiking
    • Water bottle (1-2L)
    • Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
    • Two sets of shirts
    • Wool or fleece thermal mid layer
    • Hiking pants
    • Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket
    • Wool hat and gloves
    • Hiking socks (2 to 3 pairs)
    • Swimwear and towel
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunscreen and aftersun lotion
    • Health supplies and prescription medicine

  Bring comfortable clothes appropriate for the season. We suggest checking the weather forecast and being prepared for different conditions—weather is pretty volatile in Iceland even in the summer and especially at higher elevations. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• What will the accommodation and meals be like?

  During the Eldgja Canyon hiking tour, accommodation will be in sleeping bag setups in mountain huts. While the first two huts have water toilets but no showers, the last night will be spent at the more luxurious Hólaskjól Highland Centre, offering access to good showers.

  Breakfast will be provided at the huts before trekking activities, and participants will prepare their own lunch and snacks after breakfasts. Dinners will be cooked by the entire group—fresh fish for the first dinner and traditional Icelandic meat soup for the second. At Hólaskjól Highland Center, there will be a barbecue featuring Icelandic lamb meat. Special dietary needs like vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options can be accommodated, just let your guide in advance! While alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included, participants are welcome to bring some for the tour.

  The first meal included in the price is dinner on the first day, while the last is breakfast on the last day. Participants should bring their own lunch pack for the first day, while lunch or snacks can be purchased at a restaurant in Vík Village on the way back to Reykjavík on the last day.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 15:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate.
    • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

  Eldgja Canyon trek can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors as young as 14 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Reykjavik, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport. From there, we suggest taking a 40-minute bus ride to the city. There is a line connecting the airport and the city after each arrival.

  Participants are recommended to arrive in the city one day before the tour, especially if flying from afar. Your guide will pick you up either at your hotel or at one of Reykjavik’s bus stations in the morning (8.30am) of Day 1 and take you on a scenic ride to the Landmannalaugar.

• Safety measures in the Highlands, iceland

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the trails, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in the Highlands, Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s foreign travel advice.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• On recent volcanic activity in Iceland

  Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice,” has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.

  However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.

  Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.

  First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.
  Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland are operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.

  And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.

  In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
  https://safetravel.is/
  https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info

  Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
  https://youtu.be/QA3-BXYuYrw?feature=shared

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 20% non-refundable deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 months (30 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to fourteen (14) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of ninety percent (90%) of the tour price (not including the deposit).
    • For cancellations seven (7) to fourteen (14) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total tour price (not including the deposit).
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund.

  Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you can rest assured you’ve booked your dream adventure in time.

  • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you. This can be done by the end of the year.
  • Another 20% needs to be paid by the end of this year.
  • The remaining balance is due 1 months (30 days) prior to departure.