Women’s Great Hiking Voyage in Iceland

Things to know

• Covid measures in Iceland

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Six days of hiking and glacier exploration
    • Three days of sightseeing and easier walks around Iceland
    • Transportation for the duration of the tour
    • Transportation from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport after the tour
    • Accommodations for the duration of the tour
    • Food for the duration of the tour (lunch on days 7, 8, and 9 not included)
    • Glacier hiking equipment
    • Secret Lagoon and Blue Lagoon entrance fee

  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 Iceland
    • Transportation from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik
    • Sleeping bag (can be rented in Reykjavik)
    • Personal hiking and camping equipment
• How fit do I need to be?

  This moderate tour is meant for hikers with great fitness levels. You will be hiking for 7 days, covering up to 14 miles (24 km) a day on varied and sometimes glaciated terrain. Keep in mind, the weather can vary and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

  The trails are not paved, but in some places, paths have formed. Some trails are rocky but are easily accessible to anyone used to hiking in uneven terrain. Participants will need to cross rivers every day on the trail except on the first day. The water level in the rivers changes from time to time due to seasonal conditions. In some cases, you will be able to step from stone to stone to get to the other side. In other cases, you will need to take your shoes and socks off, put on river-crossing shoes and wade the rivers. Neoprene socks and sandals or neoprene shoes (beach shoes) are the best choice. Your guide will provide you with advice for river crossing, as well as help you to cross the river. Trekking poles might come in handy when wading rivers, as well as crossing with a partner.

• What do I need to bring?

  In your daypack – large enough to carry all the items listed below (around a 25-40L bag):

  • • A warm hat, sunhat, and gloves
    • Waterproof jacket and waterproof pants
    • Sunglasses
    • Water Bottle or water bladder
    • Sunscreen
    • River crossing shoes/sandals
    • Fresh food and snacks are provided by Viking Women every day
    • An extra fleece sweater or down jacket to put on when you 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
    • A bathing suit ( for those doing the 3 days on the trail adventure )
    • Cash or a debit/credit card
    • Personal first aid kit
    • Swimsuit for the pool in Landmannalaugar

  Your main luggage will be transported by transport vehicle, and you will not have access to it until you reach the huts in the afternoon. This also includes your sleeping bag. Everything needed for the day’s trek must be in your daypack. All technical glacier hiking equipment will be provided by your guide.

  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 max client-to-guide ratio is 16:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 8 participants for the tour to operate. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

  Hiking in Iceland 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.
    • Minors younger than 18 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 Iceland, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport, located 45 minutes from the city center. From there, the best and cheapest way is to take one of the public buses like Airport Direct or Flybus. Buses leave 35-40 minutes after the arrival of each flight, 24/7.
  Your guide will pick you up at your hotel on the morning of the tour.

• 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.