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Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour

Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour

Ice Caves, Mythical Waterfalls & Geothermal Pools

From $5,199 - $5,549 pp dbl. occ. | 6 days / 5 nights

(+$800 for sgl. occ.)

It's different in Iceland. Untamed. Dramatic. Wild. Milky geothermal lagoons, bubbling mud pots and vents of steam rising out of otherworldly terrain. Jagged volcanoes topped with glistening white glaciers. Rugged coastal cliffs and black-sand beaches reflect the midnight sun. It's a surreal cinematic landscape unlike anywhere else in the world.

Highlights

Jump between two continents at Thingvellir National Park, a geologic marvel and the only World Heritage site on the Icelandic mainland
Behold the Snæfellsjökull Peninsula, a unparalleled wonderland of volcanic peaks, lava flows, sheer cliffs, beaches and sea stacks
Discover remote and marvelous Húsafell, a hidden gem of untouched beauty with magnificent ravines and the impressive Langifoss waterfall
Witness and bask in the magical and ethereal glow of the Midnight Sun, one of the most alluring natural spectacles on Earth

Iceland

Start/End Reykjavík

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Climb to a steaming valley and be awed by the aqua hot pools in this extraordinary alpine setting | Journey through the Hengill geothermal area and witness lava fields crisscrossed with warm tributaries and dotted with bubbling hot mud pots | Walk through remarkable Thingvellir National Park, where tectonic plates come together in a unique way | Hike near Hvalfjördur, a majestic fjord flanked by volcanic mountains and verdant valleys | Feast your eyes on thundering Glymur Waterfall | Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, our elegant Nordic oasis is also carbon neutral.

Days 3-4 Explore the magnificent landscape near Húsafell | Hike through unique forests, lava formations and deep ravines | Stand in awe of the sweeping views of the mighty Langjökull Glacier | Venture through the otherworldly shimmering blue-ice tunnels and caves beneath Iceland's second-largest glacier | Walk the rim of Grábrók crater | Amble on the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula with its beautiful moss-covered mountains and sparkling waterfalls—seen in Game of Thrones!

Days 5-6 Walk between jagged cliffs, lava outcrops, sea stacks, black-sand beaches and the ocean as you explore the stunning coastline near Hellnar and Arnastapi | If it's a clear day, you can even view the Snæfellsjökull Glacier | Join an optional morning horseback excursion through pastures and by the sea.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room or tent, bike rental and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip cost and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private Trips	Custom Trips
126+ days	$200**	$600	30%
95-125	$200**	30%	50%
61-95 days	30%	50%	75%
31-60 days	60%	75%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%	100%

** Rather than paying the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Backroads trip with no expiration date.

Bike Cancellation Policies: If you are renting a Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, eBike or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty—except Private or Custom Trips.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement and a completed Personal Information forms prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. You may also complete your forms online. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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Private Trip
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C Classic Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.

Private Trip Pricing

10 or more Guests: from $5,199 pp dbl occ

9 Guests: from $5,699 pp dbl occ

8 Guests: from $5,899 pp dbl occ
2-7 Guests: Give us a call or reach out here!

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020 June

8+ 6/1–6/6

8+ 6/8–6/13

8+ 6/14–6/19

6/21–6/26

2020 July

8+ 7/20–7/25

8+ 7/26–7/31

2020 August

8+ 8/2–8/7

8+ 8/3–8/8

8/16–8/21

8+ 8/24–8/29

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020
Jun
Jul
Aug

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $5,199 - $5,549 pp dbl. occ.
6 days / 5 nights

(+$800 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

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Premiere Hotels

ION Adventure Hotel

Nesjavellir (1 night)

Hotel Húsafell

Húsafell (2 nights)

Hótel Búdir

Snæfellsnes (2 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 1-3

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Iceland

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

View more photos

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Hotels

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

ION Adventure Hotel

Nesjavellir (1 night)

This sleek, modern and award-winning hotel sits amid geothermal pools, near the shore of Lake Thingvallavatn. (pool, spa)

Hotel Húsafell

Húsafell (2 nights)

Surrounded by some of Iceland's most iconic scenery, 100 percent of this green hotel's energy comes from hydroelectricity and geothermally heated springs. (pool)

Hótel Búdir

Snæfellsnes (2 nights)

This simple yet sophisticated hotel is set at the edge of Snæfellsjökull National Park and boasts expansive views of the mountains, sprawling lava fields and black sand beaches.

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-3

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1	3	600	3	900	6	1000
2	2*	700	3*	500
			3	700
			4	400
3	4	500			6	1000
4	3*	200	5*	500
5	4*	100	5*	300	8	400
6	5*	300
6	Optional Horseback Riding (1.5 Hours)

Note: The terrain on this trip includes a mix of well-maintained paths, rolling headland walks and rugged mountain trails. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary in order to access the best hiking routes.

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Climate & Itinerary Changes

The combination of Iceland's prolific waterfalls, vast ice fields, vibrant green landscape and warm ocean currents makes this island like no other place in the world. The island's climate can be as surprising as its terrain, with weather patterns and microclimates that can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet, rain and snow all in the same day (or hour!). Please be sure to bring warm layers and waterproof gear for every day of the trip. In addition, the fluctuating weather might result in mid-trip itinerary changes, but rest assured your Backroads Leaders are always prepared to make necessary adjustments to ensure a great trip while keeping safety the top priority.

Accommodations & Meals

Luxury Iceland style usually means modern, simple and nicely appointed buildings that prioritize location and views over plush amenities or landscaping. Please note that, due to the remoteness of our properties, dinners tend toward a local buffet-style affair and limited-choice menus, which is simply a part of the cultural experience of Iceland.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Iceland

More Leaders to Support You

On our Iceland trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the trail—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.

Experts with Secrets to Share

In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our Iceland trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

Our Cultural Roots Run Deep

Thanks to our extensive connections in Iceland, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politic—and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.

The Best Leaders in Iceland

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Iceland, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

A Variety of Routes Each Day

In Iceland you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.

In Europe Since 1988

Backroads has been welcoming active travelers to Europe since before the Berlin Wall came down. Today it's virtually our second home. We know the perfect roads and trails, the most scenic valleys and hilltop towns, the hidden churches and gem-like museums, the up-and-coming vintners and celebrated chefs—and, of course, all the best places to stay.

We've Set the Standard

For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Backroads Photo Gallery

Guest Photo Gallery

Videos

Our Expert Leaders

The Backroads Experience

Why Walking & Hiking Trips?

Featured Blog Story

Iceland Travel Guide

With spectacular waterfalls, hot springs like the Blue Lagoon and a sea rich with Viking lore, Iceland should be called the land of fire and ice, and water!

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour