Iceland Adventure Camp
A Natural Icelandic Adventure Tour - September 2004

Tour: IST 85

US Departure: Friday, 03 September 2004
Return date: Monday, 13 September 2004

Experience the wonders of the culture, people and nature of Iceland with David Silberkleit, America's Adventure Coach and author of A New Adventure Every Day (Sourcebooks, November 2002). If you liked the chapter full of natural adventures in his book, then this trip is for you. We worked closely with David to create an exceptional itinerary full of unique and exciting adventures with the people and natural splendor of Iceland. David will co-lead the trip and support the group to deepen their discovery of Iceland's natural wonders. His presence on this trip assures you that you will have an array of delightful adventures, with both the people and nature of Iceland that you'll never forget. For more information about David, visit http://www.everydayadventure.com.

Spend 10 days in Iceland in September 2004 enjoying glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, lava fields, black sandy beaches and the stark beauty of the interior of Iceland while you relax with the Icelanders in their homes and on their farms. This is a time for exploration and inspiration in a very welcoming foreign land.

We will travel to Iceland's geological wonders in south Iceland before heading north to the mystical Snæfellsnes peninsula and then onto the remote Western Fjords. We will meet local geologists, anthropologists, country politicians and experts in the lore of hidden people and elves. We'll learn about Iceland's great saga literature and its energizing geothermal waters.

The itinerary gives us enough science to keep us fascinated, yet not so much that it becomes overly technical. Fundamentally, we'll be looking for a strong connection with nature on each day of the trip. So whether we soak in a geothermal pool, kayak in a remote fjord, watch geysers erupt, or learn about puffins, we'll be seeking a deeper understanding of the peace that can be found in the natural world.

We have put together an array of interesting local speakers who will share the essence of Iceland. Most nights, we'll stay in comfortable inns. Others, we'll spend with different families on farms and at homes around the countryside.

This is not a whirlwind tour of Iceland that has you jumping in and out of tour buses. Instead, this trip will provoke ample time to savor the way that glacial ice reflects the light and to walk on a beach of lava rocks that have been eroded and polished by ocean waves.

Join us for an exploration of the true essence of the elemental Iceland, a world of fire and ice. Space is limited to 12, so register soon!

Itinerary:

Friday, September 03: We depart from US Icelandair gateway (New York - JFK, Boston - Logan, Baltimore - BWI or Minneapolis - MSP. Departures are in the late evening for an overnight flight on Icelandair.

Saturday, September 04: We arrive at Keflavík International Airport between 6:20 and 6:40 AM we gather and meet your local driver/guide. We will drive through one of Iceland's most dramatic and moonlike lavascapes to a serene lake front 13 kilometers beyond the rush of Reykjavík's streets at Elliðavatn. We will check into the lovely lake front guesthouse at Kríunes. Some will want to rest other have the option for an afternoon visit to Reykjavík. We will gather in the early evening just up the road from our guesthouse for a get together and buffet dinner at the home of our local Icelandic guide, his wife a renowned ceramist and their family.

Sunday, September 05: Today we head out into the country to see and experience Iceland's renowned Golden Circle - waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, the joining of the continental plates at Thingvellir. Then we head into the stark interior and visit one of Iceland's beautiful glaciers up close. We end our day at the country inn called the English Lodge at the entrance to the majestic Snaefellsnes peninsula. After a day of exploration, we settle in for a quiet evening and overnight at the inn.

Monday, September 06: After a buffet hot and cold breakfast we head west along the south shore of the peninsula in the direction of the Snæfellsjökull glacier at the western tip of the great peninsula. This glacier is the setting of the start of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. At lunchtime we will stop at Hellnar, a settlement situated between the mystical glacier and ocean shores alive with Orcas, seals and graceful sea birds. Enjoy lunch with Guðrún and Gulli, a lovely couple who have established eco community center at Brekkubær in Hellnar. After a wholesome lunch we will walk along the coast with Gulli as we learn about the hidden people and the energy lines of the coastline below the glacier. Later in the
afternoon we will visit Djúpalón, a beach strewn with millions of smooth, shiny lava stones. Today we include a visit to Bjarnarhöfn and the natural scientist Guðmundur Páll Ólafsson. We return in the later afternoon to our inn English Lodge.

Tuesday, September 07: After breakfast we check out and head to the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the direction of the port town of Stykkishólmur. We then board the local fjord ferry and head north to the island of Flatey (Flat Island) the sight of an 11th century literary monastery where a local will take us back in time. We continue on the ferry north to the south coast of Iceland's claw like Western Fjord's. Our destination is Flókalundur at the head of Vatnsfjörður. This historic site is where Raven Floki named the country in 860 AD. We overnight at Hotel Flókalundur for the next three nights.

Wednesday, September 08: Today we head to the western-most tip of Europe, a beautiful cliff teeming with bird life. During the day we enjoy easy hikes along the dramatic south coast of the Western Fjords and a trip to Rauðasandur, the beach of red sands and home to many seals. During the day it is possible to see puffin, eagles, falcons and many other bird species. A late afternoon dip in the hot springs near our accommodations caps off and invigorating day.

Thursday, September 09: We will enjoy a hike through the nature reserve Vatnsfjörður and to the ancient coal fossils in the gorge at Surtarbrandsgil. In the afternoon we will take a leisurely drive to the impressive Dynjandi waterfall. In the evening we enjoy a visit with the local Member of Parliament to chat about the worldview from this remote northwest corner of Iceland.

Friday, September 10: Today we head east and south into the Laxdæla Saga country and the birthplace of Leif the Lucky. We will learn more about the sagas and the lives of Erik the Red, Leif Eriksson and their family's escapades in Greenland and the New World. Tonight we will stay at a farm called Stóra Vatnshorn. We have an opportunity to discuss farm life in Iceland with the local farmer.

Saturday, September 11: After a relaxing morning, we head south the Hvalfjörður region. Hvalfjörður means whale fjord and this is the site of the old whaling station that operated in to the 1980's. We will enjoy the next two overnights at the lovely country accommodations Hotel Glymur.

Sunday, September 12: Today is a day of relaxation and options to hike to a great waterfall gorge, take a kayaking tour of the nearby fjord or take a horseback ride at a local horse farm.

Monday, September 13: This is our last day in Iceland. After breakfast and checkout, we will head south through Reykjavík to the world famous Blue Lagoon for a dip in the lagoon before heading to the international airport at Keflavík. We will check in at 2:45 PM and have time to visit the myriad of duty free stores before catching our US-bound flights between 4:35 and 4:45PM. Flights arrive in the US between 5:50 and 6:10 PM.

Important to know:

Minimum eight passengers, maximum 12 passengers.

Please note:

Included:
1. Round-trip flights from Icelandair's gateways in the US - Baltimore, Boston, Minneapolis, and New York.
2. All meals with the exception of the following meals breakfast and lunch on arrival day and lunch on departure day.
3. Blue Lagoon entrance fee.

The itinerary may be altered due to weather conditions.

Price:

$ 3880.00 per person - double room occupancy $ 4075.00 per person - single room occupancy ** Deduct $ 200.00 for sign up before 31 December 2003 ** Add $60 for Minneapolis departures

Deposit of $500.00 due within 5 days of booking.

50% of remainder is due on or before 01 April 2004

Final payment due on or before 15 July 2004

All major credit cards accepted. Personal checks should be made out to Iceland Saga Travel.

Cancellation on or before 15 March 2004 - full refund
Cancellation after 15 May but before 15 July 2004 - 50% refund
Cancellation on or after 15 July 2004 - No refund

Each participant will receive travel insurance information and applications upon receipt of the deposit payment.

Reservation Request Form (.PDF)