ZEALOUS ICELAND
LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL + SOUTH COAST
OVERVIEW
Explore the breathtaking landscapes in the Land of Fire and Ice. Hike the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls with fellow adventurous travelers, certified local guides, and awesome trip leaders. Begin amongst steaming rhyolite mountains and finish at Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. Discover the beauty of Iceland’s south coast, relax in natural hot springs, tölt with an Icelandic horse, and kayak along Europe’s largest glacier. Experience Iceland.
HIKE THE HIGHLANDS
Trek through volcanoes, snowfields, and waterfalls.
MEET MAJESTIC HORSES
Take a scenic Icelandic horse ride on a family-owned farm.
VISIT HEIMAEY ISLAND
Ferry to the Westman Islands and you’ll likely spot a puffin or two.
TRIP DETAILS
YOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1
Meet in Reykjavík, Iceland’s colorful capital city. Kick off your epic adventure with a walking tour of the city. Explore different areas and learn about Iceland’s unique history and culture. You’ll head to the southern region for dinner — toast to new experiences with your fellow explorers.
Arrive in Reykjavík (KEF)
City walking tour & welcome dinner
Accommodation near Hella
DAY 2
After breakfast, you’ll visit a family-owned farm and get friendly with gentle Icelandic horses. Learn about this rare breed’s gaits on a scenic riding tour. In the afternoon, we’ll dip our toes in a natural hot spring before initial prepping for our backpacking trek.
Horseback riding tour
Relax in natural hot springs
Accommodation near Hella
DAY 3
After breakfast, you’ll finish packing for the trek before a leisurely lunch. The adventure begins with a 2-hr drive to our starting point, Landmannalaugar. Take a short hike amongst colorful steaming geothermal fields before a nice soak in the natural hot springs nearby. Then it’s time for dinner & sleep!
Relax in the natural hot springs
Short day hike amongst the rhyolite mountains
Tent camping @ Landmannalaugar
DAY 4
After breakfast & coffee, you’ll start nice & early. It’s going to be a long day, but quite scenic too! The first half is uphill towards Hrafntinnusker Hut for lunch. Then it’s mostly downhill until we reach the serene Lake Alftavatn. You’ll be treated to a hearty meal at the tiny restaurant in the middle of nowhere.
Cross hard-packed snow fields
Distance: 24 km
Tent camping @ Alftavatn
DAY 5
After making breakfast, you’ll hike towards relatively flat terrain. You’ll cross dusty dark lava fields surrounded by dramatic jagged mountains. On the way to Emstrur, you’ll cross frigid glacier-fed rivers by foot & bridge. You’ll arrive to camp mid-day to relax before making dinner.
Cross lava fields & cold rivers
Distance: 15 km
Tent camping @ Emstrur
DAY 6
The final section of the Laugavegur Trail leads us to Þorsmork, or Thorsmork, named after Thor, the god of thunder and lightning. Most of the day will follow along a river with lush vegetation, quite different from the previous day’s terrain & landscape. You’ll have a relaxing evening with dinner at the restaurant.
One more adrenaline-filled icy river crossing
Distance: 15 km
Tent camping @ Thorsmork
DAY 7
Set out on the magical Fimmvörðuháls Trail. It’s challenging and unlike any other hike in the world. The trail passes 2 glaciers & 26 waterfalls along the way and concludes at the impressive Skógafoss waterfall. We’ll celebrate our accomplishment over dinner & drinks before sleeping in a nice cozy bed.
Waterfalls, waterfalls, and waterfalls
Distance: 25 km
Accommodation near Hella
DAY 8
In contrast, today will be quite leisurely as we explore iconic sites of Iceland’s south coast. Hop aboard the ferry to Heimaey Island to see the quaint town and maybe even a cute puffin! Embrace the stunning black sand at Reynisfjara Beach and end the day with dinner in the town of Vík.
Ferry to Heimaey Island
Unique black sand at Reynisfjara Beach
Accommodation in Vík
DAY 9
Rise & shine! After breakfast, you’ll head to the Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon. It’s time to put on our drysuits for an awesome kayaking tour in the icy glacier lagoon with some time to explore Diamond Beach afterwards. You’ll swing by a local spot for a quick lunch before heading back to the hotel for our farewell dinner!
Glacier lagoon kayak adventure
Explore by Diamond Beach
Accommodation in Vík
DAY 10
Closing time, it’s time to leave this magical island. After breakfast, we’ll slowly make our way back to Reykjavik to catch our flights home. There will be plenty of time to exchange contact info and pics with your new adventure friends. And you’ll already start planning your Zealous trip 2.0.
Transportation
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION:
✦ Arrival pick-up from Reykjavík airport (KEF)
✦ All other private group transports
✦ Round-trip ferry to/from Heimaey
✦ Departure drop-off at airport (KEF) or downtown Reykjavík
Food
INCLUDED MEALS:
➜ Included: (1) one alcoholic drink on us
We're happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets.
Please inform us at the time of booking.
Accommodations
INCLUDED ACCOMMODATIONS ➜ BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:
✦ 3 nights near Hella at boutique accommodations
✦ 4 nights camping in the Highlands
❖ Tent
❖ Sleeping pad
❖ Sleeping bag
✦ 2 nights in Vík at boutique accommodations
Potential limited availability for single occupancy for an additional fee
Activities
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES:
✦ City walking tour in downtown Reykjavik
✦ Horseback riding at family-owned farm
✦ Entrance fee to natural hot springs
✦ Awesome English-speaking licensed guide for trek
✦ Ferry to island off the south coast
✦ Kayaking in glacier lagoon
✦ Fun, friendly, logistical jedi trip leaders
And you'll meet other fun travelers like yourself 😎
Not Included
NOT INCLUDED IN TRIP PRICE:
✘ Flights
✘ Mandatory trip insurance
✘ Some meals as outlined above
✘ Alcoholic drinks as outlined above
✘ Personal and/or incidental expenses
✘ 50-65L backpack
GETTING TO THE AREA
This is the simplified version:
➤ Arrival flight ➜ Reykjavik (KEF).
Flight must arrive by TBD. Your epic adventure starts here!
➤ Departure flight ➜ Reykjavik (KEF).
Flight must depart after 2:00pm.
Travelers will receive detailed version after booking.
SAMPLE PACKING LIST
REQUIRED
Backpack ➜ at least 50L
Hiking footwear
Hiking socks
Hiking pants or leggings
Long-sleeve hiking shirts
Baselayers for sleeping
Rain pants
Rain jacket / shell
Synthetic midlayer
Beanie
Lightweight gloves
Water bottle / bladder
Headlamp
Microfiber towel
Packable daypack ➜ 10-20L
RECOMMENDED
Crocs or light camp sandals
Neck buff
Headband
Windbreaker
Sunglasses
Portable charger
Type-C plug adaptor
Earplugs
Sunscreen & lip balm
Lightweight camp pillow
Liner socks
3-4 ziplock baggies
PROVIDED
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Trekking poles
Tent
Camp mut & utensil
Travelers will receive a more detailed item-by-item gear list after booking, in addition to personalized pre-departure guidance from our trip specialists. We are happy to help you find the right gear for your safety and comfort on the trail. Because blisters suck.
Located on Reykjanes Peninsula, Mt. Fagradalsfjall erupted on March 19, 2021 after a nearly 800 year hiatus.
11% of Iceland is covered by ice. South Iceland is home to Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull.
The Land of Fire & Ice is also sprinkled with an estimated 10,000 waterfalls, although there’s no official count.
Icelandic horses unique DNA gives them the ability to have two extra gaits, tölt and flying pace.
NOT-QUITE FINE PRINT
✦ Outdoor adventure travel can be unpredictable. Iceland can be unpredictable. Our top priority is to provide a rewarding yet safe experience. We'll do our best to adhere to the intended itinerary. Certain circumstances (i.e. unsafe weather conditions) may result in slight changes to the itinerary. We believe spontaneity is often a good thing.
✦ Travelers must have a valid passport with an expiration date at least 6 months after your return flight.
✦ Travelers are required to have trip insurance. Proof of coverage must be received no later than 30 days prior to trip departure. We suggest purchasing trip insurance as soon as you book your Zealous trip. Our top recommendation is World Nomads.
✦ Packing light is the way to go. Along with your hiking pack, we recommend a medium-sized bag for non-trekking items, ideally a carry-on duffel or equivalent. During the trek, this bag may be stored at our in-town accommodation. One bag per person is included. Additionally, the packable daypack can double as your go-to bag for day tours or wandering around town.
✦ IMPORTANT: Please do not book flights until receiving the go-ahead email from a trip specialist to ensure the minimum number of participants are confirmed. We are happy to provide flight recommendations.
PAYMENT POLICY
- ❖ At time of booking ➜ risk-free deposit!
- ✓ Transferable deposit due to reserve spot.
- ✓ Deposit is 100% refundable for any reason within 7 days.
- ❖ If not paying in full, a payment plan will be created after booking.
- ✓ Payments will be split into 3-4 installments.
- ❖ Final payment will be due between 30-45 days from trip start.
CANCELATION POLICY
- ❖ 120 day or more before trip start date:
- ✓ Payment(s) are 100% refundable.
- ✓ Deposit is 100% refundable.
- ❖ 90 to 119 days before trip start date:
- ✓ Payment(s) are 100% refundable.
- ✓ Deposit is 100% transferable to a future trip.
- ❖ 60 to 89 days before trip start date:
- ✓ Payment(s) are 100% transferable to a future trip.
- ✓ Deposit is 100% transferable to a future trip.
- ❖ 0 to 59 days before trip start date:
- ✓ Payment(s) are not refundable or transferable.
- ✓ Deposit is 100% transferable to future trip.
Travelers will receive additional details after booking.
$3,500
$450 refundable deposit
2024: Aug 2-11