Day 1: Reykjavík  – Núpstaðarskógar valley.

Meeting point is at Harpa Concert Hall.  From there we take the Sterna bus number 12 at 7:30am. At the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur you will have time for lunch (not included) before we start our drive into Núpsstaðarskógar valley.There we change into the transport that will take us over the rivers and into the valley with its rich covering of Arctic birch. 

Day 2: Núpsá canyon- Tvílitihylur waterfalls- Sléttur plains

We start our hike from the valley bottom. After a short climb we come to the magnificent waterfalls of Tvílitihylur, we head up along the neatly sculpted canyons of the lower part of Núpsá river. A short climb leads us up to the deeper part of the canyons with walls up to 200 m high. Camping is on the Sléttur lava plains.

Day 3: Sléttur –Grænalón lagoon-Skeiðarárjökull

Crossing plains pink with Arctic River Beauty flowers we start to climb the hills towards Grænalón glacier lagoon. After ascending the Eggjar hills, the view opens over the lagoon where it lies between the mountains with floating icebergs. Our campsite is north of the lake, with a spectacular view over the enormous glacier tongue of Skeiðarárjökull, streaming down towards the plains and covering almost 1600 km².

Day 4: Skeiðarárjökull  crossing - Norðurdalur

This day is devoted to the crossing of Skeiðarárjökull, from Grænafjall Mountain to Norðurdalur valley, an area surrounded by ice and high mountain ridges. Almost a whole day is required to traverse the 15-km of ice, before standing again on solid ground in the hinterland of the Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park. Waiting for us is magnificent camping with views over the several glacial lakes with floating icebergs and colored rhyolite mountains in the background.

Day 5: Morsárdalur – Skaftafell National park – Reykjavik

After some climbing to a narrow mountain ridge, one is able to admire the view to the yellowish rhyolite valley of Kjós at the other side as well as to Iceland’s highest mountain the Hvannadalshnúkur. Descending into the valley of Morsárdalur, the vegetation becomes progressively more abundant. The beautiful Arctic birch forest of Bæjarstaðarskógur welcomes us before we continue to the main camp site of the national park in Skaftafell. Here we catch a bus back to Reykjavík where the tour ends in the evening.  

Boots and clothing

• Hiking Boots –The boots should be of leather (or leather and synthetic) with high cut to give sufficient ankle support. Preferably the sole should be soft but robust. Gore-Tex or alternative waterproof membrane is a preferable extra.
• Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
• Long Johns (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
• Light wool sweater or fleece (2nd layer).
• Warm jacket/sweater – Wool or fleece (3rd layer).
• Trousers (2nd layer) – Strong and light material that dries quickly. Wind resistant and water repelling preferable.
• Rain Jacket or an Anorak with hood – Preferably waterproof and breathable material (Gore-Tex or equivalents).
• Rain trousers – Waterproof and breathable material.
• Liner Gloves – Wool or synthetic (polypropylene / polyester).
• Mittens – Wool or synthetic (optionally waterproof). Two pairs if no Liner Gloves.
• Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs for thermal and blister prevention.
• Hat or Balaclava – Wool or synthetic.

Other gear

• Backpack – (woman size: 50-60 litres - man size: 60-75 litres).
• River shoes – Old pair of light sneakers do nicely to ford the rivers. Open sandals are not sufficient for the purpose. Optional are neoprene sock for higher comfort.
• Sleeping bag – Down or fibre. Aim for light weight and warm bags. We recommend goose down with high “fill power” or top of the line synthetic bags.
• Insulation mattress – A foam mattress (11 mm) will do, but newer light weight airmattresses insulate as well and are more comfortable.
• Towel – A light weight and packable one.
• Toothbrush.
• Sunglasses – Big enough to cover the eyes and with sufficient UV-protection.
• Sun protection.
• Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
• Water container – f.ex. plastic bottle (pet plastic).

Optional gear

• Walking Poles.
• Gaiters – Calf or knee height and wide enough for your boots.
• Neoprene socks – A preferable item on trips where we have to cross many rivers.
• Pen knife.
• Sun/rain Hat or a Cap.
• Thermal mat (for lunch breakes).