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| Starts: Keflavik | Ends: Keflavik |
| Trip type: Other tours | Operator: KE Adventure |
| Feedback: No reviews yet | Itinerary: Fixed |
Trip Description:
Centre-based winter exploration of the Fjallabak
Cross country skiing at its best
Enjoy the Landmannalaugar hot springs at night
For experienced ski tourers and fit beginners
A unique winter landscape, perfect for ski touring
Just 3 hours drive from the Icelandic capital, Landmannalaugar lies at the centre of the volcanic wilderness that is the Fjallabak. Rugged peaks, narrow valleys, glaciers and hot springs make this one of Iceland's most fascinating areas and under its pristine winter snow cover it offers endless opportunities for ski touring. We begin this week of non-technical cross-country skiing with a level stage from Sigalda to our comfortable refuge base at Landmannalaugar. There will even be time for some practice, under the watchful eye of our experienced Icelandic guide, before setting out. For the rest of the week, we will ski loops away from our accommodation, starting with very easy terrain, the level valley runs where everyone can get comfortable with their skis. We will progress to slightly steeper slopes and more exhilarating ski touring on some of the low Fjallabak hills. Returning to Landmannalaugar each evening, we will be in the enviable position of being able to sample some of the world's greatest hot springs - without doubt one of the greatest assets of this holiday. Nighttime in the pool beneath the star-studded sky certainly leaves an everlasting impression. With its generally easy terrain and professional guiding, this is a winter holiday that works for both accomplished skiers and for fit newcomers. All ski equipment can be hired locally. Please note that we are selling this trip in conjunction with our partners at Allibert (France's leading independent adventure travel operator) and with our Icelandic ground agent. As a result, groups may have an interesting cosmopolitan mix.
Trip Guide
This tour demands a good level of fitness and a willingness to confront the Icelandic weather which can fairly be described as unpredictable. No prior experience in cross-country skiing is required. During the course of this ski touring holiday you will cover approximately 115 kilometers (71 miles). Averaging 20 kilometers (13 miles) per day on each of the 4 longer days with two shorter days in the middle, with slightly more demanding terrain. Our day-tours take us across flat plains, along narrow valleys, up and down gentle slopes with relatively straightforward skiing. The ascent is never more than 300 metres in one day and there are no steep descents. The area is well travelled in summer, but when winter pulls its white coat over the Fjallabak, access is limited to those who have the right vehicles. So, we might even have this frozen paradise all to ourselves. The guide will carry safety equipment including a snow shovel. Regular cross-country skiers will find this tour enjoyable and quite easy, whilst for those with little cross-country skiing experience, it will be tougher, but very rewarding. Debutants can expect to take a couple of days to get into the cross country rhythm.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Reykjavik. A single group transfer will be arranged, usually mid afternoon, from Keflavik Airport. KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight at a guesthouse. The guide will brief the group about the week ahead.
Day 2: Using rugged 4WD vehicles, we drive east and then north-east to Sigalda in the Fjallabak region on the only cleared road. Here, the skiing starts and after some basic instructions from our guide, we set off on the mostly flat 20 kilometre stage to the comfortable mountain hut at Landmannalaugar. The nearby hot springs are sheer bliss.
Day 3: After breakfast, we set out for a fun day on our skis. We will explore the area north of Landmannalaugar on a mostly flat 16 kilometre loop that takes us to the great crater of Ljotipollur and the imposing mountain of Kirkjufell, before returning to the hut.
Day 4: Today's 24 kilometre tour takes us into the hills behind our hut, passing the steam vents on the hill of Brennisteinsalda and the hot spring of Storihver, with its plume of vapour. Uphill to the ice caves at Hrafntinnusker, then easily downhill and back to Landmannalaugar.
Day 5: The great valley of the Jokulgil is on the agenda today and we include the hills of 'Hat' and 'Baldie' into our 15 kilometre loop. The views from each of these are not to be missed, extending to the distant icecap of Vatnajokull if the weather is clear.
Day 6: Heading out west from the hut, we ski to the canyons and hot springs of Vondugil, then ascend to the top of the viewpoint peak of Sudurnamur. Returning to Landmannalaugar after our 15 kilometre tour, the hot springs will be hard to resist.
Day 7: On this last day of skiing, we set out northwards on a 20 kilometre stage via the lava fields of Domadalur and the lake of Eskihlidarvatn. We meet our transport at Sigalda and drive back to our guesthouse in Reykjavik.
Day 8: KE Land Only package services end with breakfast at the hotel. There is a single group transfer to Keflavik Airport, usually at around lunchtime.
What's Included
A professional English speaking Icelandic guide
A single timed group transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik on Day 1 and a single timed group transfer from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport on Day 8
Guesthouse accommodation in Reykjavik for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis
Refuge accommodation at Landmannalaugar for 5 nights
All meals outside of Reykjavik
Overland transport as appropriate for the itinerary
What's Not Included
Travel insurance
Airport transfers (other than the designated group transfers on Day 1 and Day 8
Meals other than breakfasts when in Reykjavik
The cost of showers at the mountain huts
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc
