ICELAND
FLOWERS, ICE & FIRE
The primaeval volcanic landscapes of Myvatn and Jokulsargljufur National Parks, complete with extinct volcanoes, geysers and mud and sulphur springs, provide an awesome arena for this superb wilderness and wildlife holiday.
Myvatn is one of Europe's supreme birdwatching sites with no less than 10,000 pairs of waterfowl nesting around the lake. The stunning Harlequin Duck and rare Barrow's Goldeneye will be seen here to the background of melancholy calls of Great Northern Divers. Birch groves and bogs are home to dense populations of waders and a delightful show of arctic-alpine flowers featuring Trailing Azalea, Snow Gentian and both Coralroot and Northern Green Orchids. Jokulsargljufur's majestic canyon is home to Gyr Falcon and Arctic Fox, and Europe's largest waterfall, the stupendous Dettifoss. Snow Buntings and Ptarmigan share pristine snow-capped mountains with Saxifrages, the Blue Heath and glorious displays of Cassiope hypnoides. Many Razorbills, Guillemots and Brünnich's Guillemots breed on bird stacks at Londrangar and adorning gravels below Snaefellsnes's icecap are delicate Arctic Poppy and gorgeous Arctic Riverbeauty. A combination of sparkling scenery and often fabulously clear light make this holiday a photographer's dream - and there's virtually twenty four hours of daylight to enjoy it with!
INFORMATION
Focus
Birds, Flowers and Volcanic and Geothermal Landscapes.
Leaders
Terry Underhill , Local Leader
Walking
Very easy. No more than three or four miles in any one day, although there will be the opportunity to do more if you wish!
Included in the Price
All flights. All transport, accommodation, and all meals in Iceland. Services of your leaders. Please Note; drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.
Group Size
Minimum is 5 and the maximum is 15. Only one leader will accompany a group of 8 or less.
Accommodation
We start at the Hotel Framnes in Grundarfjördur. This will provide us with a comfortable base from which to explore the fabulous wilderness of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula before moving to Myvatn where we stay at the delightful Hotel Reykjahlio, situated right on the shore of the lake itself. In Akureyri we’ll be at the pleasant Hotel Ongulstadir which overlooks the braided marshes of the Eyjafjordur Valley some 10km south of town. For the first and last nights of the tour we’ll stay at a small hotel in Reykjavik. Rooms at these hotels are of a good standard and all have en suite facilities.
Climate
Akureyri and Myvatn are the driest areas in Iceland. This doesn’t mean that you won’t experience rain though! On the frequent sunny days temperatures reach around 20°C and on cloudy ones around 15°C. Expect some windy days too.
How To Book
Download a booking form (or contact us and we will send one to you)from the Booking Information section. Complete and send to us. You will be sent confirmation of your place and about twelve weeks before departure a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you. Bird and flower checklists are available for this holiday.
