6 Day - South coast, eastfjords and Öræfajökull
390.000 ISK
Stand on the top of Iceland, and see its best spots on the way
This tour is the same as our classic 5 day south coast trip, but with one extra day where we attempt to climb the highest mountain in Iceland, Öræfajökull/Hvannadalshnjúkur.
This climb does not require any steep or difficult climbing but does require good level of fitness, since the hike goes from 100m elevation to over 2100m and covering a distance of 20km round trip.
The mountain sits very close to the coast so we sometimes have to turn back from 1600-1800m due to weather, even in the summer. During late season (August and September) there is also a chance of turning back or having to climb a different neighbouring peak due to crevasses opening up.
- Season: June - September
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Start time: 09:00
- Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
- Area: South coast, eastfjords and Öræfajökull
- Type: Multi-day tour
- Meeting point: Downtown Reykjavík by Bus stop Nr.8
- Age limit: 16
- Group size: 1-7
- Tags: Glacier, Glacier Walk, Ice cave tour, Family friendly
Stand on the top of Iceland, and see its best spots on the way
This tour is operated by our friends at Off The Beaten Path.
Book your tour via email, [email protected]
This plan is dependent on the weather, we often have to do days 2-5 in different order depending on the weather.
Day 1
- Driving the South Coast
- We start by meeting up in downtown Reykjavík by bus stop Nr. 8. After a short briefing we drive down to the south coast, stopping at the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss, and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. From there we stop by some less visited canyons and waterfalls before finishing the day by checking in and having dinner at our guesthouse, where we stay for the next 5 nights.
Bus stop nr 8 location: Bus stop nr.8
Where we will drive on day 1
Day 2
- Exploring and hiking in the East fjords
- Now it’s time to head further east to explore the east fjords. While the landscape of the south coast is an ever changing mix of lava fields and active volcanos the east is a much older part of Iceland, and so the landscape looks very different. Here you will see fjords, eroded by glaciers, steep mountains and even forests, something you will not find along the south coast. Here we also visit some waterfalls and beaches.
Where we will drive on day 2
Day 3
- Skaftafell the heart of Vatnajökull glacier and highest mountain in Iceland
- We head for the area of Skaftafell where we will spend a full day exploring one of the glaciers, with a visit to a blue ice cave. The glaciers are very much an ever changing place and so your guide will pick the best glacier with the best cave depending on how they form each season. But when you have a full day to explore we are always able to find something good to visit.
- On the way back we will visit the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and Diamond beach before returning to our guesthouse.
Where we will drive on day 3
Day 4
- Hiking and Kayaking in the south east
- We start our second day by hiking and exploring the area next to our guesthouse, which has a beautiful secluded canyon.
- After that we head over to Vestrahorn where we hike around what might be the most dramatic Beach and bay Iceland has to offer.
- We then end the day by heading over to one of many glaciers in the area, where we spend the evening kayaking. Surrounded the many icebergs in the glacier’s lagoon.
- These places are all within an hours drive from our guesthouse.
Where we will drive on day 4
Day 5
- Hiking to the top of Iceland
- After the easy day before now is the time for the big day, hiking the tallest mountain in Iceland, Öræfajökull!
- This will be a long day where we test our fitness but on a clear day it will reward us with the best view in all of Iceland!
Where we will drive on day 5
Day 6
- Driving back to Reykjavík through the highlands, hiking in the Landmannalaugar region
- Now it’s time to pack our bags and head back to Reykjavík. For the way back we travel through the incredible area of Fjallabak and Landmannalaugar nature reserve, there we will go on one of the many incredible hikes the area has to offer, expect about 4 hours of hiking with around 500m of elevation gain. This area is only accessible in the summer but is a must see during this time of year.
- After that we finnish the drive all the way back to the city of Reykjavík.
Where we will drive on day 6
What’s included?
- Each person can bring one large and one small suitcase/backpack
- Breakfast and dinner for days 2-5 is included in the tour, locally sourced from Iceland
- 5 nights in our private guesthouse in South east Iceland
What’s not included?
- Dinner in Restaurants on day 1 and 6 and lunch that we can buy from supermarkets on the way
THE OFF THE BEATEN PATH MEETING POINT is located at Bus stop nr.8 Downtown Reykjavík, next to Hallgrímskirkja church. We recommend being there at least 15 minutes before departure time. You will find the meeting point on Google Maps here
