Co-Ed Hiking Tour of Thorsmork for Over-50s

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced female hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Transportation to and from the trailhead
    • Three days of hiking
    • Accommodations in a cozy mountain hut for the duration of the trip
    • All meals during the trip (vegetarians and those with allergies can be accommodated)
    • Evening yoga sessions

  Note: Some special dietary requirements can be accommodated. The lack of space and facilities in the huts make it difficult for your guide to prepare numerous dishes daily. We can cater to vegetarians and those with food allergies.

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Reykjavik
    • Accommodations before and after the trip
    • Trip insurance
• How fit do I need to be?

  The best thing about this Thorsmork hiking tour is that it was created with people above the age of 50 in mind. While you will be hiking for 2-6 hours a day, your guide will choose relatively easy trails, enabling people of all age groups and fitness levels to enjoy Iceland’s wilderness! The changes in elevation won’t be that significant, and even the steeper sections of the tour will be well-marked and accessible, often with man-made steps. However, keep in mind that the weather in summer can be surprisingly warm and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

• What do I need to bring?

  Clothing, footwear, and things to carry in your backpack (large enough to carry all the items listed below):

  • • Waterproof cover for your daypack
    • Waterproof hiking boots (with padded ankle and good arch support, well broken in, suitable for rocky terrain)
    • Waterproof jacket & waterproof pants
    • Hiking pants or leggings
    • Base layer — thermal top or t-shirt (merino wool, polyester, silk)
    • Mid layer — breathable that retains body heat (wool, goose down, fleece)
    • Buff or face covering
    • Warm hat
    • Hiking socks
    • Gaiters (optional for those hiking in June month)
    • Sunhat
    • Waterproof gloves or mittens
    • Breathable & waterproof jacket and waterproof pants (no plastic ponchos)
    • Sunglasses
    • Water bottle or water bladder
    • Sunscreen
    • River crossing shoes
    • Fresh food and snacks (provided by Viking Women every day)
    • Extra fleece sweater or down jacket to put on when we stop for breaks
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Hiking poles (optional)
    • Camera (optional)

  In your luggage:

  • • Sleeping bag (doesn’t have to be in your luggage, just attached to it somehow)
    • Travel pillow (optional)
    • Underwear and socks
    • Extra clothes for the trail
    • Extra clothes for the huts
    • Medicine
    • Hygiene and beauty products
    • Towel
    • Headlamp or a flashlight (for those doing the hike in August – September)
    • Powerbank to charge your devices
    • Earplugs and a sleeping mask
    • Swimsuit (if hot pools or pools are part of the itinerary)
    • Cash or a debit/credit card

  Your main luggage will stay at the hut. Everything needed for the day’s trek must be in your daypack. Your guide advises you not to bring massive luggage, as the huts don’t have much room to spread out our stuff. There are luggage lockers at four centrally located places in Reykjavik where you can store your extra luggage.

  For your own well-being and safety, we strongly suggest following the advice of this equipment list. This includes having good quality rain gear, tops, and bottoms. Cotton clothing is not appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity—nor are jeans and cotton t-shirts. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 16:1.
    • The cost is per person and doesn’t change as your group grows.
    • This tour requires a minimum of 8 people to run.

  Hiking in Thorsmork can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • This tour was designed for hikers aged 50 or above.
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Thorsmork, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport 45 minutes away from Reykjavik. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Reykjavik.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavik or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, we partnered up with Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their insurance packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s insurance. If you need any help or require more information, 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3-BXYuYrw

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the 2024 dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Secure your early bird spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

  • • 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 any time in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  In the event that the minimum number of people to confirm the trip is not reached, your guide can cancel the departure at most 2 months before the start of the trip. In that case, 90% of the total amount is refundable. Please note the dates for this year and next year are expected to reach the minimum number of people soon, and the likelihood of trip not happening is very low.