Iceland Three Volcanoes Challenge
2 – 7 November 2019
Join Team CMHC on a challenge of a lifetime and experience Iceland’s volcanic landscapes on this 6-day adventure as you take on three of the country’s most spectacular volcanoes.
This 6-day trip offers spectacular volcanic landscapes as you take on three of the country’s volcanoes; Hengill, Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. You will hike over lava fields created during previous eruptions, snow fields and vast glaciers as well as enjoying some of Iceland’s other diverse landscapes. You will have an introduction to glacier exploration skills including using crampons and an ice axe – no experience needed.
Join us for a challenge you’ll never forget and help Countess Mountbatten Hospice continue to care and support patients living with a terminal illness across South Central Hampshire.
ITINERARY
Day by day, here’s what you and your trekking partners will get up to on your adventure.
Day 1 – Saturday 2 Nov 2019: London-Reykjavik
Fly from London to Reykjavik and transfer to our guesthouse (approx 45 mins). In the evening we visit a local restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Day 2 – Sunday 3 Nov 2019 : Reykjavik – Hengill Volcano – Laugarvatn
Today we set off for the Hengill volcano, 30 km east of Reykjavík, where we attempt our first peak- Vörðu Skeggi (807 m), the highest point of this central volcano. From the summit you have great views over Þingvellir National Park, and if conditions are favourable you can see all the way to Iceland’s second biggest ice cap, Langjökull on the northerly horizon. Having accomplished our first summit we drive to Þingvellir and have some time to explore the area. We end the day with a drive through the small town of Laugarvatn and to the geothermal area of Geysir, before continuing to our hostel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3- Monday 4 Nov 2019: Laugarvatn – Hekla – Skógar
After breakfast we get ready for the 2nd summit of this challenge, the famous Hekla (1490 m), one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. The trail to the summit takes us through lava fields from different eruptions and the higher we get the more possibilities there are for encountering snow fields. There is not a crater on this volcano but a fissure that runs along the shoulder of the mountain, so it looks like an upturned boat seen from afar. If we have good weather conditions on the summit we will enjoy amazing views. Descending back to our vehicle we set off for the Skógar hostel which will be our base for the next 2 nights.
Day 4- Tuesday 5 Nov 2019: Sólheimajökull glacier exploration
Today we head to the Sólheimajökull glacier for a chance to try crampons and learn how they work, before the big climb tomorrow. This is an outlet glacier of the Myrdalsjökull ice cap and you will be introduced to some basic glaciology on this tour, as well as gaining insights into how the glacier affects its surroundings. After some hours on the ice we drive to the nearby Reynisfjara beach, a black sand beach with some majestic basaltic columns and puffins. Return to the hostel for the night and preparations for tomorrow’s climb.
Day 5- Wednesday 6 Nov 2019: Eyjafjallajökull Summit Climb
Today is the final summit of our challenge, and the biggest and toughest! Eyjafjallajökull is a glacier-covered volcano which is still active and the last eruption happened in 2010. The first part of the climb, the foothills of the mountain, is on terra firma, but once you reach the glacier you will rope up with your guide for safety. From the summit we’ll have splendid views over the crater that erupted in 2010 as well as the area to the north of the mountain. We descend along the same route where they may be an opportunity to take a dip in a nearby natural pool to ease the muscles at the end of the descent. We then drive back to Reykjavik for our last night in Iceland at our central guesthouse, stopping for dinner enroute.
Day 6- Thursday 7 Nov 2019: Reykjavik-London
There may be some time this morning to explore Reykjavik (subject to flight times) before our transfer to the airport for the flight back to London.
N.B. This itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, geological activity, the ability of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for changes that might occur outside of our control
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Register for Iceland Trek 2019
DOWNLOADABLE FORMS & CHALLENGE INFORMATION
Iceland Three Volcanoes Challenge Information
Medical Declaration Form – CMHC Iceland Trek
Registration Form – CMHC Iceland Trek – Three Volcanoes Challenge
WHATS INCLUDED
Return flights
Local transfers
Accommodation
All meals (excluding lunch on Day 1 & Day 6)
Different Travel Tour Manager
Experienced local tour guides
THE DIFFERENT TRAVEL COMPANY
This challenge is organised through The Different Travel Company who have been providing overseas charity challenges and adventure holidays since 2005. Their itineraries give you the best travel experience, designed by people with incredible local knowledge. As a Responsible Tourism company, they really care that their challenges are ethical, sustainable and responsible and as an ATOL registered tour operator (ATOL 6706) you can be assured that when you book, your money is protected.
