All-Women Hiking in Iceland: A Festive Winter Retreat

Things to know

• What's included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • Experienced, local guides dedicated to creating a meaningful experience
    • Guided hikes that challenge and inspire
    • Accommodation that balances comfort with nature’s embrace (more info above)
    • All-women winter hiking tour, either a 7-day Christmas adventure in Iceland or 7-day New Year’s adventure in Iceland
    • Entrances to hot pools
    • Thrilling snowmobile adventure
    • Guided glacier walk and ice climbing experience
    • City walking tour
    • Transportation for all activities
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • All scheduled activities and entrances

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Iceland
    • Accommodations prior to and after the tour
    • Some meals (detailed in the itinerary)
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  These Iceland Northern Light package holidays are beginner-friendly! These will be exciting and festive tours, giving you the opportunity to explore Iceland’s natural wonders as well as its culture and traditions during Christmas and New Year’s time. You will walk a couple of hours a day, one day you’ll even go on a glacier hike (and possibly ice climb!), but it’s all suitable for beginners.

• What do I need to bring?

  This is a list of things we recommend you carry in your daypack (around a 25-40L bag):

  • • A warm hat, sunhat and gloves
    • Waterproof jacket and waterproof pants
    • Sunglasses
    • Water bottle or water bladder
    • Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
    • Extra fleece sweater or down jacket
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Camera — optional

  This is what your luggage should contain:

  • • 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
    • Powerbank to charge your devices
    • Earplugs and a sleeping mask
    • Cash or a debit/credit card

  What to wear on the trail:

  • • Good hiking boots that are waterproof
    • Hiking pants or leggings
    • Thermal top or lightweight T-shirt
    • Hiking socks
    • Mid layer
    • A buff — optional
    • Gaiters

  Your main luggage will be transported by transport vehicle. Everything needed for the day’s trek must be in your daypack. You are allowed to take one piece of luggage on the tour.

  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 far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For these Iceland Northern Lights package holidays, the maximum group size is 16.
    • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
    • Single supplement is available at an additional cost and may be added to your booking upon checkout.

  Iceland Northern Lights package holidays can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Reykjavik, the starting point of your Iceland Northern Lights package holidays, fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF). From there, you have a 45-minute drive to Reykjavik by bus or a cab. Buses leave the airport every hour, 24/7, so you don’t have to worry about getting delayed.

  You’ll meet your guide and your group on Day 1 of the tour! It’s recommended that you either pick an early-morning flight so you get to seize the day or spend the night in Reykjavik a night prior to your adventure.

• Safety measures in 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 mountain, 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. 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/ and 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

  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.