Iceland Highlands Trekking
Laugavegur Hike & More!
July 23 – 31, 2024
Join us for a grand adventure exploring a part of Iceland not many visitors get to experience!
Enjoy 2 days exploring Reykjavik and 6 days adventuring through the picturesque Icelandic highlands on a hiking trip you’ll never forget! Named one of the most beautiful hikes in the world by National Geographic, the Laugavegur trail is a 34-mile trek with looming glaciers, hidden waterfalls, majestic canyons, inviting thermal springs, and black sand deserts dotted with huge shards of obsidian. You'll sleep under the midnight sun as you trek from hut to hut on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Day 1:
ARRIVE IN REYKJAVÍK
Welcome to Iceland, the land of fire and ice! Meet at the Keflavik airport (KEF), the main airport in Iceland, at 10 a.m. Your trip leader will be there to meet you. Together we will head to Reykjavik and check into our hotel for the next two evenings.
The rest of today is yours to explore the world's northernmost capital city, Reykajvik. Admire the city's colorful and unique architecture, indulge in traditional cuisine, visit a one-of-a-kind museum, head out for a whale watching tour, climb to the top of the ,Hallgimskirkja church, shop till you drop or find your own way to explore today.
Tonight you will have the choice to dine with the group or enjoy dinner at the place of your choice. From fine dining to hot dogs to local breweries, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from within walking distance of your hotel. After enjoying a delicious dinner out, we will head back to the hotel to get some rest for our big week ahead!
Day 2:
HORSES, WATERFALLS & HIDDEN GEMS
Today wake up leisurely and enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet at the hotel. Today our group adventure will take us into the Icelandic countryside where we will visit some of Iceland's hidden gems.
Our adventure today begins with a visit to an Icelandic horse farm where you will learn what makes the Icelandic horse unique and have the opportunity to interact with the horses and take photos. For lunch we will stop at local bakery to enjoy. In the afternoon we will spend time exploring two stunning waterfalls in the area followed by a dip in a traditional Icelandic swimming pool.
After a full day of adventure, we will head back to our hotel in Reykjavik. The rest of the evening is yours to meander through the streets, stop in local shops and enjoy dinner at a place of your choice.
Day 3:
REYKJAVÍK - LANDMANNALAUGAr - Hrafntinnusker
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before meeting your trekking guide for the week. Make sure to be dressed ready to hit the trail!
We will make our way to Hella town where we will meet our luggage transporter to drop all of our big luggage. We will continue the journey to the highlands passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area.
Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we will have time to enjoy lunch, use the bathrooms and take a short rest before we begin our hike to Hrafntinnusker hut, our accommodations for the evening. Upon arrival we will settle in and relax as dinner is prepared for you by your trip host and guide.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hours
Altitude value: 470 m (1540´)
Day 4:
Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn
Day four begins with breakfast at the hut before we journey towards Álftavatn, an obsidian desert that grants an otherworldly sight. Then follow the beautiful Reykjafjoll Mountains, famed for their snowy peaks and majestic views of the surrounding area.
From Hrafntinnusker we descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Up there we enjoy fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon we arrive at Álftavatn hut where we stay the night.
Distance: 12 km (7,5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Altitude value: -490 m (1690´)
Day 5:
ÁLFTAVATN - EMSTRUR
Wake up and enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hut before we head out on our hike. Today we pass at the foot of the green iconic volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, we enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer.
Before arriving at the Botnar hut (Emstrur) where we will stay the night, we will visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon boasting a view of almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 40 m (130 ft)
Tonight we will be staying at a stunning resort surrounded by beautiful mountains and Iceland's unique nature. The evening is yours to enjoy a spa treatment, massage or relax with a book under Iceland's long summer sun.
Day 6:
EMSTRUR - ÞÓRSMÖRK
After getting your morning started with a breakfast and cup of coffee, we head out to experience more of this amazing place! Today we continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. As our hike is coming to an end for the day, we descend into Þórsmörk’s (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers.
Our accommodation will be in a simply magnificent location to spend a night, beneath the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. You can now celebrate your completion of the world famous Laugavegur Trail!
Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)
Day 7:
EXPLORE ÞÓRSMÖRK
Today wake up and take in the magic of this place as you enjoy coffee and breakfast. Our hike will be weather dependent but we plan to explore part of the Fimmvörðuháls trail.
This hike has been one of Icelander's favorites for many centuries. Fimm means five and vörður means cairns. Icelanders used to mark paths using cairns so they knew they were going the correct way. We will continue on this Viking path until we reach two new volcanic craters Magni and Móði formed by the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. Here we will enjoy lunch and then head back to camp for a delicious dinner and board games.
Distance: 18 km (11.4 mi)
Walking Time: 7 - 8 hours
Descent: 800 m (2624 ft)
Day 8:
ÞÓRSMÖRK - REYKJAVÍK
Wake up and enjoy your breakfast with view. This is our last morning on the trail. Before heading to Reykjavik, we will spend some time exploring Þórsmörk, visiting the Sönghellir cave (Song cave) and climbing up the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where a magnificent view can be enjoyed.
After a morning of adventure, we will take the afternoon bus to Reykjavík. Arrival at Reykjavik BSI bus terminal where the trip ends at 19:20. Once we arrive in Reykjavik, we will head back to our hotel for our final evening together. Tonight dinner is your choice; you can join the group or explore restaurant of your choice. Those who would like to dine together will Hllemmur food court where there are plenty of options for everyone to enjoy their post-trek meal.
Day 9:
SKY LAGOON & THEN GOOD-BYES!...OR EXTEND YOUR TRIP TO EXPLORE THE RING ROAD!
Sadly today is our last day in this beautiful country. After enjoying your morning breakfast, we will grab our bags and head towards the airport.
Before boarding your afternoon flight, you will have the chance to relax at the Sky Lagoon. Enjoy their 7-step ritual service while relaxing in a gorgeous hot pool overlooking the ocean.
We plan to be at the airport by 1 pm in order for you to catch an afternoon or evening flight back home or you can continue on exploring Iceland's Ring Road with us!
Ready to Book?
Ready to Book?
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$3,395 USD per person. Double occupancy in the 3-star hotel in downtown Reykjavik which includes a twin bed in a shared room and shared accommodations in mountain huts during the trek. $495 deposit due at booking with payment plan. Deposit is non-refundable once the trip is confirmed.
Single accommodations are not available on this trip. The mountain hut rooms are assigned by the warden upon the group’s arrival at camp, and that although this is a women’s only trip, our group may be sharing a room with other individuals and it may be mixed gender.
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• An experienced, local female hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area.
• Accommodations include five nights in cozy mountain huts and three nights double occupancy in a 3-star hotel in downtown Reykjavik.
• Hidden Gems of Iceland guided day tour visiting an Icelandic horse farm, waterfalls, & traditional Icelandic swimming pool.
• Sky-Lagoon 7-Step Ritual experience (includes transportation)
• Meals included 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners (not included 3 lunches and 3 dinners)
• Transportation to and from the international airport (KEF) to Reykjavik at designated times
• Transportation to and from the Laugavegur trailhead
• Free time to explore Reykjavik museums, restaurants and gift shops- Luggage transport from hut to hut during trek in Super Jeep
• Guided hiking trip exploring waterfalls, glacier fed lakes, hot springs soak and EPIC views!
• Pre-travel checklists, packing list and support
• Small group; maximum of 14 women plus your 2 trip hosts and guide.
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• International flights to/from Iceland
• Airport transfers outside of designated times or locations as noted above
• Alcohol, speciality beverages and meals as noted (3 lunches and 3 dinners)
• Any other additional excursions and activities not included above
• Visas and entry requirements if applicable
• Travel insurance (required)
• Guide Tips - the value of the tip is up to you.
• Medical expenses, immunizations, and any Covid-19 required testing if applicable
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please share any food allergies/sensitivities at the time of booking or reach out to share with the trip host. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.
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This trip requires a minimum number of ladies to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private WhatsApp group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support.
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Please see our Terms of Service.
*Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description.
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Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.
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Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
If you purchase a Travel Select plan within 15 days of your initial trip deposit made (and insure your full trip cost), you would have two added eligible benefits for no additional premium: financial default and the pre-existing conditions waiver.
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Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.