DAY 5:

Today you’ll travel along the south coast of Iceland towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur and into the highlands. The craters in Laki, called Lakagígar, were formed in one of the world's largest mixed eruptions in recorded history. This continuous series of eruptions emitted a vast quantity of lava and substantial amounts of volcanic ash from a fissure stretching 25 km across the area west of the Vatnajökull ice cap. The craters are regarded as a globally unique phenomenon and are a protected natural monument. Laki is a very remote location and one of the most unique and fragile places within the Vatnajökull National Park. The hike will last for around two hours.

Overnight stay at Hotel Skaftafell.

DAY 6:

Today will be action-packed. You’ll start with a moderate 3.5 hour glacier hike in the majestic surroundings of Svínafellsjökull. The glacier is hemmed in by some of Iceland’s most spectacular peaks. You’ll climb the Svínafellsjökull glacier tongue up to the deep glacier valley between the summits of Hvannadalshnjúkur and Hrútsfjall. An experienced glacier guide will lead you safely through the glacial wonderland of strangely shaped ridges, deep crevasses, huge water cauldrons and different ice formations. In the afternoon you’ll visit the famous glacier lagoon for a ride on a Zodiac adventure cruise, sailing between the icebergs of all shapes and sizes, which float in the clear blue water. After the Zodiac experience there is time to go down to the black sand beach to take a closer look at the icebergs that have floated all the way from the glacier lagoon into the Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight stay at Hotel Skaftafell.

DAY 7:

Skaftafell is part of the Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. The area nestles under the slopes of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier and is dominated by Iceland’s highest peak Mount Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,110 meters). This area used to be one of the most isolated communities in Iceland because of the ice cap to the north, the harbourless sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the wild glacial rivers in the barren sands to the east and the west. The landscape has been formed through thousands of years by different influences of fire, ice and water. Your group will hike up to the waterfall Svartifoss (Black Fall), which is surrounded by black basalt columns, and from there to Sjónsker (View Cliff) where you’ll have a magnificent view of Mount Hvannadalshnjúkur and the area that was flooded during an eruption under the ice cap in 1996. You’ll cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls and stroll along the black lava beach and bird cliffs near the village of Vík. Here you’ll stop at Skógafoss waterfall before returning to Reykjavik in the afternoon.

Overnight at Guesthouse Borgartún in Reykjavík.

DAY 8:

After breakfast, your shuttle bus transfer will return you to Keflavik Airport in time for your departing flight.