Included: A local certified English-speaking guide 8-day adventure in Iceland’s winter wilderness A professional licensed driver Accommodation for 7 nights in a twin room A private 4×4 vehicle A private superjeep for accessing the Icelandic Highlands Vehicle fuel All breakfasts apart from Day 1 Pick-up and drop-off at Reykjavík 2-day activity in the Icelandic Highlands of Kerlingarfjöll Full-day ice cave and glacier hiking in Vatnajökull National Park Hot natural springs at Kerlingarfjöll Snowshoes, crampons, ice axes, harnesses and all the needed equipment Agency support 24/7 Not included: International flights Transfers from/to the airport Accommodation prior to and after the tour Breakfast on Day 1, lunches, and dinners Personal mountain gear Trip insurance with helicopter rescue coverage — mandatory Lockers in Reykjavík (in case of leaving the luggage that is not going to be used during the trip) Everything else not specified in “What’s Included”

How fit do I need to be?

Please be aware that this Iceland winter wilderness trip requires certain abilities to fully enjoy the experience. To ensure you’re ready to participate, please consider the following criteria: In general, good fitness level and being capable of hiking in snowy & icy terrain is necessary. You should be able to hike up to 12 km (7.5 miles) for multiple consecutive days. You should have the endurance to tackle elevation gains of over 700 meters (2,300 feet) . Previous experience on winter sports is not required but you need to be physically capable of hiking in snowy & icy terrain. The journey may present various challenges, both physically and mentally, and having a strong sense of determination is crucial to overcome obstacles and push through difficult moments. It is essential to maintain a positive mindset, stay motivated, and embrace the spirit of adventure—your expert, experienced guides are here to make this adventure go smoothly!

Accommodation and meals

During this 8-day adventure in Iceland’s winter wilderness, you’ll be staying at cozy, warm hotels . Whether nestled amidst the untamed wilderness or offering stunning views of Iceland’s natural wonders, each hotel on the itinerary (including the accommodation in Kerlingarfjöll) guarantees a delightful stay! Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings, savor delicious meals prepared with local flavors, and bask in the warmth of attentive hospitality. Breakfasts at the accommodation are included in the price of the trip—in case of special dietary requirements, please let us know upon booking and we can make arrangements. And while lunches and dinners aren’t included to the price, your guide will make sure to organize them. For dinners, you will either dine at the accommodation or enjoy meals in nearby restaurants, providing a cozy and convenient end to our days of exploring. Lunches will be more flexible and depend on the day’s itinerary. On some days, such as when you’re traveling along the scenic South Coast of Iceland, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at local restaurants or cafés for a meal. On other days, particularly when visiting more remote areas like the Icelandic Highlands or the ice caves, you will need to pack lunch from the accommodation or purchase it the day before to ensure you’re prepared for the adventure ahead.

What do I need to bring?

Suitcases are not allowed on this tour. Please bring a duffel back and a backpack for daily hikes. Ensure that all items fit securely within your duffel bag without anything protruding, keeping everything dry during the hike. The quantities listed for specific items are indicative and based on guides’ recommendations. Given Iceland’s harsh winter weather conditions, it is strongly advised to bring high-quality warm & waterproof mountain gear. Here’s a general list of personal gear you need to bring: Backpack for daily adventures Waterproof bag for clothes Rain cover for your backpack Swimsuit and towel — swimsuit only if you dare to try the natural hot springs Personal toiletries Personal first-aid kit (make sure to take all you need with you) Sunscreen and sunglasses Earplugs — recommended Headlamp + batteries Camera — optional Power bank Hiking poles — highly recommended Water bottle and thermos Here’s a list of clothing you need to bring: Waterproof hiking boots with a sturdy sole Warm clothes First layer: bottom / upper base layer (Merino wool recommended, 1-2 units) Second layer: fleece jacket (1-2) Third layer: down jacket (1) Waterproof jacket & pants (GoreTex recommended, 1) Hiking pants (1-2) Short sleeve t-shirts (3-5) Long sleeve t-shirts (1-2) Comfy footwear for accommodations Underwear and hiking socks Warm beanie Gloves / mittens Hiking buff Prior to the start of the route, the guide will do a comprehensive gear check with each traveler to ensure that everything necessary is brought. While your guide carries a first-aid kit, each traveler should carry their own necessities based on personal requirements, including any specific pathologies or risks. Please note that drones are strictly prohibited.

Is seeing Northern Lights guaranteed?

While the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, they can be observed in Iceland during the winter months. However, their visibility is dependent on several factors, including clear skies, solar activity, and luck. So, in short, your guides cannot guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights during your trip, but they always keep an eye on the forecast for each night and are ready for helping you to see them on the winter nights! You’re definitely coming at the right time if you’re joining this tour, as that’s the period where you have the highest chances of spotting Northern lights.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: You’ll be joining a group that usually consists of 7-12 people. Pricing is per person. It takes a minimum of 7 people for this tour to run. If you are an individual traveler, you are more than welcome to join! Hiking in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: Everybody over the age of 17 is welcome on this winter hiking adventure. If you have minors younger than 17, contact us prior to the booking.

Deposits and cancellation policy

Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the amount is paid the latest 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once you book, the cancellation policy stated below applies: If canceled within 48 hours of booking: 100% of the total tour price is refundable (including the deposit). If canceled before confirmation of the group: 100% of the total tour price is refundable (including the deposit). If canceled 59 days or more prior to the departure date: 50% of the total tour price is refundable. If canceled 30-58 days prior to the departure date: 25% of the total tour price is refundable. If canceled 0-29 days prior to the departure date: 0% of the total tour price is refundable. Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount. After booking, client will need to sign the travel agreement. If the client declines to sign the travel agreement, we interpret this as the traveler not accepting the general and specific terms and conditions of the trip. As a result, the Guide will be entitled to cancel the reservation at the client’s own risk and expense. In case the client needs to reschedule their multi-day tour , the following payment policies will apply: If the client wishes to transfer to another trip or reschedule for the same trip on a different date within the same year, the remaining 70% of the payment must be collected at the time of the client’s request for the change. If the client wishes to transfer to another trip or reschedule for the same trip on a different date in the following year, the remaining 70% of the payment must be collected 4 months prior to the start of the trip (7 months for “Expedition” categorized multi-day tours) & the client will need to cover the cost variance based on the updated price for the upcoming year. The guide expressly prohibits the occurrence of dual consecutive postponements, and clients are not permitted to request a second consecutive rescheduling of their travel arrangements. Early Bird booking Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. More about how Early Bird bookings work below: Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you. Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates. When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to the starting point of this tour in Reykjavík, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) . From there, you can take a bus, shuttle, or taxi to Reykjavík. You will meet your guide on Day 1 at BSÍ, Reykjavik’s Central Bus Station. You’ll hop into a private vehicle and drive to your first accommodation on the south coast of Iceland.

Safety measures during your trip

Trip insurance with helicopter rescue coverage is mandatory. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner ! Redpoint tailors their protection 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 protection. 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

Discover Iceland’s Winter Wilderness

As you cross miles upon miles of trails, rivers, and mountains, you’ll be awestruck by landscapes that defy the laws of nature. Azure ice caves, ethereal greens of northern lights, and snow-laden valleys swirl together, creating a palette of electric colors that will follow you along this winter hiking journey.

And while summer pulls in the majority of visitors, winter is the one unveiling Iceland’s unmatched raw power of nature. Welcome to some of Europe’s most wild terrain—clad in snow and ice, featuring warm hotels and soothing hot springs awaiting you at the end of the day. Discover the untamed, otherwise-inaccessible-in-wintertime parts of the South Coast and Highlands by joining this epic hiking adventure.

A person stading in a big ice cave in Iceland full of blue light

Super Jeeps take you to all parts of Iceland, and often let us see some of the most striking sunrises in winter.

A small snow-covered Icelandic village with aurora borealis above

Boundless terrain under the northern lights

Iceland is a land of glistening glaciers and roaring volcanoes, lying on the constantly active geologic border between North American and Euroasian tectonic plates. With the Arctic Circle pouring frigid air from the north and the driving warm Gulf Stream from the south, Iceland coalesces in a land of diverse and vivid landscapes—some of which only exist in the wintertime.

Covering almost 40,000 square miles, Iceland is a place where nature weaves a tapestry of spectacular landscapes, where 265 icy glaciers meet 130 fiery volcanoes. There’s no better place to forge your own path than in one of Europe’s largest untamed tracts. With black sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, geothermal wonders, and ice caves dotting this mystical land, even the most experienced adventurers will be delighted.

64°96′ N AND 19°02′ W
UNIQUE HIKING SITES
40,000 SQUARE MILES
OVER 256 GLACIERS
130 VOLCANOES

The location of Iceland on the full map of Central and North Europe.

Nature in its most untouched form

Access otherwise inaccessible places and snowshoe and climb to the furthest reaches of this volcanic island—the remote corners of Iceland are like portals to another world. Far removed from the crowds and urban areas, not many people get a chance to witness the beauty of these places, especially not when they’re covered in snow.

Energize your mind and soul as you scale the peaks of dormant volcanoes, climb pristine frozen waterfalls, and spend hours hiking in snow-carpeted lava fields. Revel in the ever-changing landscapes unfolding right before your eyes.

Unwind in the warmth and comfort of authentic accommodation

Leave your heavy backpacks at home. All you need is a daypack, your mountain boots, and a little admiration for the cold. After a day out exploring otherworldly landscapes, return to your accommodation, warm your toes and observe the starry skies dancing with spectral lights. Warning: this may be so cozy that you won’t want to venture out.

Enjoy long sunsets and sunrises, relax in steaming hot springs and spend cozy nights in hotels or guesthouses. With inviting facilities and common areas ideal for bonding with your group, you’ll feel like you’re on a big family trip!

EXPERIENCED GUIDES
MODERN FACILITIES
HISTORICAL GLACIERS
SNOWY LAVA FIELDS
HOT SPRINGS

A person stading next to a jeep on a beach in Iceland during golden hour

A cute arctic fox seeking refuge in Iceland’s winter wilderness.

A surreal experience awaits

WATCH THE WHOLE STORY IN OUR WEBINAR

Expect the unexpected in the Land of Ice and Fire

Witness the dance of the Valkyries

Explore glacier-formed canyons during the day, and bask in the glow of the northern lights at night. For Vikings, the lights represented the Valkyries who guided the souls of fallen warriors to Odin’s Valhalla. As their dance lights up the sky, enjoy the complete silence around you—the only thing you will hear is the breeze blowing through the frozen birch trees.

Winter season is your best chance to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland.

A dark night sky with green northern lights

ENTER A SUBGLACIAL REALM OF ICE CAVES

Only accessible during wintertime, ice caves of the mighty Vatnajökull glacier are an intricate labyrinth of frozen wonders presenting a surreal playground for explorers. Designed by nature’s genius—glacial movement, melting and refreezing of water, erosion of ice—these ice caves feature iridescent blue hues and otherworldly ice formations.

The interplay of light and ice creates unforgettable moments of vibrant colors, illuminating the translucent ice with ethereal radiance. Exploring these frozen-cathedral-looking ice caves is an experience for the books.

A couple stading in an ice cave, surrounded by eternal ice and snow

SAFELY NAVIGATE THE UNTAMED WILDERNESS

Due to Iceland’s ever-changing weather conditions, no plan is ever set in stone. As much as your guide will try to stick to the original itinerary, some changes are always possible. You’ll evade the tricky weather conditions with 4×4 durable trucks with massive tires modified to handle the Icelandic conditions.

These vehicles will provide safety and unparalleled flexibility. Amazing roads and trails to frozen waterfalls, volcanoes, secret canyons, and the wildest parts of Iceland are waiting for you!

A jeep in the middle of snowy meadow and a person outside the jeep pointing at something

Your guides

Albert Ojembarrena is an AIMG Mountain & Glacier Guide and the owner of Amarok Adventures. Alberto has guided adventure treks in Iceland, Greenland, South America, and Nepal and worked as a documentary and travel photographer for international magazines. He has lived in Iceland since 2015, traveling the country discovering hidden gems and loads of adventure off the beaten path — always with his camera in tow.

Mónica Fuentes is a Mountain guide certified by UIMLA. She is experienced in mountaineering, sport climbing, and skiing. Originally from Spain, Mónica shares her love for nature and the outdoors with clients all over the world. She knows her way around Iceland’s hidden gems, as well as all the best spots in Black Forest, Morocco, United States, Scotland, and Nepal.

Alberto Ojembarrena will guide you through the best hiking on the Faroe Islands.

Mónica Fuentes is a certified mountain guide who knows some of the best spots on the Faroe Islands.

It was hard choosing a company out of so many, but AMAROK rocked it! Monica and Alberto are just these kind of people you want to hang out with, plus they have those super cool Defenders (which are amazing for photography). Every place they will show you is gonna blow your mind, no matter the weather. It’s definately money well spent! Thank you so much guys, loved every minute of the trip 🙂

Iceland is an amazing place but very vast and it’s best to let the locals show you the really magical and secret spots. Amarok is the way to go and their skilled guides, Alberto and Monica, made our experience memorable and comfortable. You’ll get a sweat going and you’ll be rewarded with draw-dropping views and surprises along the way. I’d wholeheartedly say not to miss the chance!