Explore Wild Iceland: Backpacking & Glacier Hiking Tour

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 4 days of trekking and glacier hiking in Iceland’s Highlands
  • Transport to the start of the hike from the base and back
  • All meals during the adventure
  • Tents, stove, and fuel
  • All technical glacier travel gear
  • All scrambling/climbing gear

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to the meeting point
  • Accommodation before and after the tour—if applicable
  • Some personal backpacking equipment (backpack, sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner)
  • Guide gratuities — optional

To participate in this backpacking and glacier hiking adventure in Iceland, a reasonable level of fitness and solid hiking experience are required. You should be capable of carrying a backpack weighing between 20-30 lbs (10 to 15 kg) and hiking for approximately 6 to 8 hours per day, often in rugged and sometimes in exposed terrain. While speed is not crucial (it’s not a rush!), maintaining a steady pace with regular breaks is essential. It’s recommended to prepare by going on hikes of similar duration in hilly terrain, while carrying a weighted backpack to build endurance. Additionally, engaging in general exercise will contribute to your overall fitness level.

While prior experience with glacier hiking and scrambling and the use of glacier travel and scrambling/climbing gear is not necessary, having an adventurous spirit and a willingness to learn are key. You’ll have the guidance and support of an experienced guide throughout the journey, who will teach you new skills and ensure your safety and enjoyment. So, while a good level of mountain fitness is essential, enthusiasm and a readiness to embrace new challenges are equally important aspects of participation.

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

• • Backpack (+50L)
  • Sleeping bag liner and pillow case
  • Hiking boots with good ankle support
  • Walking poles
  • Water bottles (2L capacity in total)
  • Hiking jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Hiking pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Wool or synthetic base-layer top (2 pieces)
  • Mid layer or fleece
  • Warm down jacket
  • Thick hiking socks (2 pairs)
  • Underwear
  • Gloves
  • Warm Hat and buff
  • Head lamp (not needed in June and July)
  • Sunglasses
  • Personal hygiene kit (sunscreen, lip balm, hand disinfectant, insect repellant, bite cream etc.)
  • Blister kit (blister plasters or tape)
  • Personal medication (Inhalers, insulin, painkillers etc)
  • Pair of crocs or light trainers (optional) for walking around camp and river crossing
  • Mobile phone/camera
  • Towel (optional)

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.

The food provided during the backpacking and glacier hiking adventure in Iceland is carefully selected to ensure both sustenance and enjoyment throughout the journey.

For breakfast, Real Turmat or similar field meals are provided, typically consisting of muesli or porridge. However, if you have dietary preferences or restrictions, your guide can accommodate alternative options upon request.

Lunch starts immediately following breakfast and continues until dinner! Each day, a savory and a sweet trail mix are provided, containing nuts, dried berries, dried mango, jerky, Polish-style snack sausages, gummies, and chili rice crackers. Additionally, there are tortilla wraps with various fillings such as cheddar, hummus, and pesto, which you can prepare the evening before.

Dinner consists of quality dried meals, usually Real Turmat freeze-dried field meals (700 kcal) or similar options. To begin, a cup of soup is served for rehydration and comfort, along with crackers and cheese. Dessert options vary but are always enjoyed after dinner.

Special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free preferences can be accommodated. Simply inform your guide in advance by leaving a note during booking, and they will ensure suitable meal options are provided for you.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
  • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate.
  • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

Trekking and a glacier hike in Iceland’s Highlands 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 14 or older 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.

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.

You will meet your guide at the visitor carpark in Skaftafell in the morning of Day 1. To get here, you can either rent a car or take a connecting bus from Reykjavik.

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!

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