Iceland Intrepid Tour January 2019

 Our first stop was Ꝧingvellir National Park is Iceland’s most important spot as it was where the Viking settlers established the world’s first democratic parliament It was blanketed by snow but had a

Icelandic Horses

stark beauty. Then we visited the geo-thermal area and witnessed the geysir (an Icelandic word), very impressive then to the Golden waterfall, one of many waterfalls we would see on the trip. A little side trip to see the Icelandic horses which a very cute and quite small and not surprisingly have thick coats. We then arrived at a working farm to stay the night (Hotel Fljotshliᵭ).

Ꝧingvellir National Park

The next day we were on the move to and visited Skogafloss waterfall on the Skoga River in the Skaftafell National Park. On the way to the glacier lagoon we stopped at Dyrhόlaey which is a rocky plateau on the coast with a spectacular view of the sunrise. It was extremely windy that I felt that I could have been blown off the cliff. We then travelled through the Eldhraun lava field of the 1783 eruption of the volcano Laki which had a devastating effect across the countryside. We visited the Fjadrargljufur canyon. We then stopped at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with its many huge lumps of blue tinged ice broken off from the glacier at the coast. We then headed back to Vik I Mydral where we would stay the night, but on the way stopped at a small village church.

The following morning, we went to the black beach south shore and enjoyed another great sunrise over the Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks, then off to two more waterfalls one being Seijalandsfoss.

Glacial Lagoon

We then travelled to the Blue Lagoon a famous thermal pool to enjoy a relaxing time in the pools, though they were very crowded. From there we headed back to Reykjavik for an overnight stay.

In the morning we had a drive around the city, though we had explored on our first few days there. In the afternoon we flew to Akureyi, capital of the North, which was a charming town, the prominent Lutheran church is located at the centre of the city on a hill dominating the surrounds. It has 3200 pipe-organ, and a suspended ship hanging from the ceiling reflecting the old Nordic tradition giving offerings for the protection of their seafarers. There are many interesting features but the similarities in design to that of the Reykjavik cathedral are due to the fact it was the same designer for each. On our way to our hotel we stopped at the beautiful Goᵭafoss or waterfall of the Gods to fight with the wind. Before checking into our hotel, we walked around Skutustadir pseudo craters which resemble a true volcanic crater but has no actual vent from which lava has erupted.

Next morning, we explored Myvatn Lake area, walked in the Dimmuborgir lava field and Namaskard

Geo-thermal area

geo-thermal area which was extraordinary. In the afternoon we visited the small town of Husavik we decided not to go and wallow in another thermal pool. The town was extremely small and not much seemed open even though it was Thursday. We visited the Whale Museum which turned out to be extremely interesting.

The last day of the tour we drove back to Akureyri where we visited the Christmas Garden, the complex includes a building like a gingerbread house selling innumerable lollies and Christmas decorations, plus another building that sells handicrafts and local products. We flew back to Reykjavik in the afternoon and in the evening we all met again for our last dinner together.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and our guide Jurate was excellent.