Some landscapes deserve to be experienced from every angle. Above, beside, and within—this journey will surely acquaint you with Iceland in all of its rugged beauty.
The Icelandic highlands offer a magical and surprisingly varied palette of landscape for hikers and nature lovers. You will come face to face with black deserts, recent lava flows, numerous rivers (sometimes warm), volcanic craters, solfatara fields and multi coloured rhyolite mountains.
This tailor made hiking and -yoga adventure will take you to the nature reserve of “Fjallabak” one of the worlds most beautiful trekking areas, with the famous“Laugavegur” hiking trail.
We will frequent mountain tops and ridges that offers magnificent views of the bare and original nature. This volcanic region will constantly remind us of the origin of earth. It’s about meeting nature’s forces, her deep peace and silence upon her nevertheless ever vibrant energy, always in the presence of glaciers and majestic mountains, that are inaccessible most of the year. Not to forget the delicate and brave flora and fauna that thrives in these remote circumstances.
Ulrica Norberg, international master yoga teacher, author and lecturer along with Maria Söderholm, international adventure trip leader, will be your leaders in company with passionate and experienced local guides. This unique ultimate adventure expedition is a collaboration with the local Icelandic adventure tour company Alkemia.
Your accommodations will be as varied as the landscape, as you will enjoy your well-earned sleep in a modern hotel as well as in a mountain hut and in an eco/village. Our journey culminates with gratitude for new friends and wild places.
Yoga will be on the trail and in the eco village.
Meet your leaders
Maria Söderholm is a travel producer and global adventure/tour leader. She organizes and leads hiking trips and adventure travel experiences for groups and individuals around the world. She is ultimately driven by her passion for the great outdoors and connecting people with nature and themselves. She believes in the transformative power of travel and find the highest joy in leading people on adventures that inspire personal development.
Ulrica Norberg is a well experienced master yoga teacher, author and a dedicated hiker and outdoor passionista. In 2020 Ulrica released her book NOMAD about being one with nature and the healing aspects of hiking. One of her books is about Breath, and Ulrica will share her expertise around how we can use our mind and breath as we elevate.
Maria and Ulrica are both very experienced and they complete each other when collaborating. They share a deep love of nature and hiking, bringing an inspiring passion of the outdoors to every adventure they launch.
Are you still feeling inspired to join us in Iceland?
You’ll find a full itinerary below.
The Itinerary
August 2
Day 1: Arrival Day…
From the airport to an eco village. 150 km drive.
Driving from the airport we will cross the Reykjanes (smoky) peninsula, home of our currently active Geldingadalsgos eruption. We will continue for Hveragerdi and the valley of Reykjadalur. Easy hike to reach a hot river for a swim.
Lava fields and volcanic landscape is what meets the eye, until we reach the southern plains, home to thriving towns and villages and a budding agricultural area. We head straight to one of Europe’s oldest eco villages, founded in the 1940’s, built up around the anthroposophical approach of Rudolf Steiner.
We will spend the night at the eco village and enjoy dinner after yoga practice.
August 3
Day 2: From eco village to Landmannahellir. 100 kms drive / 12 km hike
Morning yoga practice and breakfast. We will drive to the Fjallabak nature reserve followed by a half day hike through deserts, canyons and lava fields. The area offers a beautiful view of Hekla, Iceland’s most active volcano, once considered to be the gateway of hell in medieval Europe. We’ll cross the stunning fissure vent of Valagjá, stumble through some relatively recent lava flows, cross our first river and walk past some tranquil crater lakes surrounded by green slopes, particularly characteristic for the area.
Arrival at our hut in Landmannahellir where we will stay the next three nights.
August 4
Day 3: Landmannahellir – Landmannalaugar. 16 km hike (6h/ +200-200)
We’ll keep hiking in a green mountainous landscape, by crater lakes, and then take some hight to reach the famous Torfajökull caldera and Landmannalaugar, with it’s well known warm river, possible to swim at the end of the day’s hike. Obsidian lava field, ranges of pastel multi coloured rhyolite mountains, green dale, stunning views. This is a hikers dream!
We will spend the night in our hut in Landmannahellir.
August 5
Day 4: Rauðifoss 15 km
We head for Rauðifoss (red waterfall) in the morning, exploring the landscape around with its volcanic formations and beautiful crater. Then we’ll follow the waterfall’s river, deep into the mountains, until we reach its source, red and blue like a dragon’s eye.
We will spend the night in our hut in Landmannahellir
August 6
Day 5: Landmannahellir to Dalakofi hut. 16 km (7h +800-300m)
We’ll climb up to the obsidian plateau of Hrafntinnusker reaching 1000 m before mid day. We’ll explore some magnificent geothermal areas on our way with mud pools and warm creeks and a multitude of colours and smells that will stimulate our senses in an unforgettable way. We’ll head towards Reykjadalir, smoky valley, to find our hut Dalakofi overlooking the valley and the source of the famous river Markárfljót. An incredible location at the feet of mount Laufafell.
We will spend the night in the mountain hut of Dalakofi.
August 7
Day 6: Laufafell. 10 km
Half day hike around Laufafell mountain along the gorgeous river canyon of Markárfljót. We are on the outskirts of the Torfajökull caldera, still enjoying the multi coloured mountains so characteristic for this region.
We will spend the night and have dinner in the eco village including yoga practice.
August 8
Day 7: Reykjavik
August 9
Day 8: Good Bye Iceland…
After breakfast, transfer and international flight if you choose to end your Iceland journey here.
Trek, itinerary and safety
Hiking level from moderate to challenging depending on the stages and the weather conditions. Stages require 5 to 7 hours of walk per day, from 10 km, close to 20km some day. (12.5miles). Terrain will be hilly, rough or mountainous (névés). The Altitude change ranges from 500m to 700m (1650 to 2300ft).
The itinerary can be modified according to weather conditions, and your guides are the only ones in charge.
Luggage: We ask our guests to bring a maximum of 12 to 15kg (26 to 33lbs) of gear for this trek, no rigid suitcase allowed. We also recommend you keep a backpack on you during the hike for your day gear and lunch. If you stay in Iceland after this trek there is a possibility to have some of your gear stored in Reykjavik.
Accommodation: Mountain huts (very good quality) and guesthouse. Double bedroom (or twin beds) fully made up beds in guesthouse or dormitories for the huts (comfortable and well equipped) in sleeping bag (not provided).
Transfers: Before and after the trek we use a private 4WD minibus, comfortably equipped for our group transfers on the Icelandic tracks.
Food: Mostly vegetarian cuisine using organic and quality products. We try to use local products as much as possible. Any allergies or specific diets must be stated clearly upon booking.
Participation: Members of the group are kindly asked to help the guide by taking part in the cooking and dishwashing at the accommodation.
Weather: According to the season and to the weather’s instability of these northern countries, we ask you to follow this gear list, for you own safety and pleasure.
We strive to find the best way to explore this region according to weather conditions and natural events. Spending time outdoors is an adventure, so we need to be prepared that the itinerary might change due to unexpected weather conditions or other unforeseen events.
Your Personal Gear
- Sleeping bag
- Soft bag (duffel bag) or backpack for your gear
- Waterproof day back pack 30-40l (8-10gal) for your picnic and day gear
- Sturdy (Gore-Tex) and comfortable hiking shoes
- Waterproof (Gore-Tex) jacket with hood
- Waterproof or insulated hiking pants
- Rain over-pants
- A few pairs of curly wool or synthetic socks
- Woolly jumper or thick fleece
- T-shirts (Merinos)
- Thin sweaters or shirts with long sleeves (Merinos or comfortable fabric)
- Underwear top and bottom (thermal insulation)
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Sunglasses
- Toiletry bag
- Hydrating sun lotion and lip balm
- Hiking sticks if you are used
- Sandals to cross rivers
- Water canteen
How to say yes to a journey of a lifetime…
Step 1: Learn all about the trip; the theme, the teachers, the venue, the location, our policies etc.
Step 2: Register online.
Step 3: You’ll get a confirmation email + 2 emails leading up to your trip preparing you for an amazing adventure.
Policies and terms – get clear before your purchase
We strive to maintain a balance between offering our programs to the widest range of participants and running a sustainable and thriving company so that we can continue to create and share our experiences with you.
By reserving your space through placing your deposit with us, you are agreeing to the stated policies in our Agreement. Please read in full and please note:
All prices are per person in Euro. All bookings include a deposit that is 30% of the total trip cost. Final payments are due 60 days before the start date of the trip to keep your spot secure.
Payment
Early bird until April 1, 2022: €2895
1st deposit: (30%) due upon reservation – non refundable: €868
2nd deposit and final payment: €2027
Full price after April 1, 2022: €3250
1st deposit: (30%) due upon reservation – non refundable: €975
2nd deposit and final payment: €2275
Included:
- 7 nights with 4 nights in hut (sleeping bag not provided) and 3 nights in twin
- All transfers from airport D1 to airport D8
- Local guides
- All meals from D1 dinner, to D8 breakfast included
- Yoga facilities in the eco-village
- Welcome gift – a healing lava stone bracelet from forUjewelry
Please let us know if you would like to extend your Iceland adventure with a few days in Reykjavik. We’ll connect you with our local partners in Iceland and they will be happy to assist you in every way possible.
Please note that there is an added administrative fee of 100 SEK if you choose to pay in SEK.
Additional transaction fees might be added to international payments.
You will receive payment information upon registration!
Airline tickets – please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Cancellation policy
If you wish to cancel your retreat you must notify us in writing. Once we’ve received your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following: If cancellation takes place more than 60 days prior to your departure date any payments made will be refunded minus your deposit.
Maria Söderholm reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary by our team, trip leaders, teachers or partners. In the rare case of a cancellation on the part of Maria Söderholm (due to political unrest, dangerous weather, or low sign-ups), we require all participants to purchase travel insurance and highly encourage them to purchase “cancel for any reason” to protect them against the rare chance of cancellation.
Maria Söderholm 