A Highland Adventure

DAY 1: UK–REKJAVÍK

Scheduled flight to Reykjavík. Transfer to Hótel Leifur Eíriksson or Hotel Metropolitan for two nights.

DAY 2: REKJAVÍK

Day free for optional excursions (see pages 9, 10 & 11). The one to do is that known as the Golden Circle taking in Gullfoss, the famous block curtain waterfall fed from the Hvítá river and Geysir with its steaming fumeroles, and bubbling mud pits and Strokkur spouting impressively.

DAY 3: REKJAVÍK-SKAGAFJÖRUR

Collect car hire, drive out of town and under the Borgarfjörður and stop at Borgarnes with its interesting settlement centre before continuing through rolling farmland to Gauksmýri in the heart of the island’s horse breeding region. Overnight at Gauksmyri Horse Centre.

DAY 4: SKAGAFJÖRUR-MVATN

Drive through the Oxnadalsheiði pass lined with moss clad jagged peaks, past Góðafoss, a graceful block waterfall to the lush and surreal Lake Mývatn. Overnight at Hotel Reykjahlíð for 2 nights.

DAY 5: MYVATN

Day at leisure with options to hike at Dimmuborgir; enjoy the turquoise warm waters of the Nature Baths or drive out to Ásbýrgi Gorge, the Tjornes Peninsula and Dettifoss.

DAY 6: MYVATN-ALONG SPRENGISANDUR

To quote journalist Sankha Guha ‘an amazing journey with a sense of remoteness you usually have to go to the other side of the world for’. The Sprengisandur which is closed for all but 2 months of the year takes you right down through the mountainous heart of Iceland. Overnight at Hotel Highland.

DAY 7: HRAUNEYJAR-HELLA

Follow the road into Landmannalaugar with its sweeping mountainscapes of varying colour and hot springs round into Þórsmörk and extraordinary habitat that is home to more than 170 plant species nestled in a carpet of dwarf birch trees and then out along the Reykjanes peninsula. Overnight at Northern Lights Inn.

DAY 8: HELLA-UK

Drive to the airport, drop off hire car & return flight to UK.