"Iceland is another planet, a primeval near-arctic island of glacial mists and intermittent volcanic eruptions made temperate by the Gulf Stream. The modern world doesn't have many places as strange and beautiful as this, and over the past decade Iceland has captured the imagination of adventurous travelers, approaching a mythical status alongside places like Patagonia and New Zealand. In fact, when I returned from Iceland, I felt like a minor celebrity. Everyone I knew demanded a thorough debriefing: Was Iceland as great as they'd heard? Should they plan their trip right now? Iceland, where a scant 300,000 people live in coastal towns and hamlets (the interior is uninhabitable), is still marvelously unspoiled."
(Joseph Hooper, Departures Magazine, January/February 2005)
The long fjords and river valleys flanked by alpine mountains make this a collection of outstanding rides. The midnight sun, a drier climate, and shelter from prevailing winds produce more fertility than expected; the vegetation includes flourishing botanical gardens in Akureyri and trees like nowhere else in Iceland. Akureyri – the gem of the north at the end of Eyjafjordur, is also known for the blonde beauty of its people.
On the way from there to Lake Myvatn we stop in the European whale watching capital, Husavik, for an night in guesthouses just outside town, with views of snow-capped mountains across the fjord. The approach to the lake takes you through marshland peppered with small lakes and ponds, which attract more birds than anywhere else in Iceland, and can make the approach to Myvatn very memorable. The ride around the lake itself is particularly interesting because of the many green pseudo craters and islands. On day seven, you can visit Jokulsar Canyon National Park and Dettifoss – the biggest waterfall in Europe. The route back to Reykjavik will take you across Iceland’s interior – a mountain and desert road between huge glaciers – a fitting end to this fantastic adventure.
Tour Highlights: Turf houses, fresh fish, sunlight 24 hours a day, amazing geology, mountian vistas, and awesome fjords. 2007 Groups: Jul 8-15. Custom groups any time. Self guided: You choose your own dates. Tour starts/finish: Reykjavik, Iceland. Route Notes: 35-95 km/day on mainly paved with occasional gravel roads, with some climbs and descents, and less level riding than in South Iceland.
Iceland scored big in Conde Nast Traveler's 2004 Hot List of the hottest tables, bars and hotels in the world. Hotel Budir in Snaefellsnes and 101 Hotel in Reykjavik were judged to be two of the best in the world. The bar at 101 Hotel also received an award as one of the global hotbeds of nightlife. Iceland is not just for late-night action though - Sjavarkjallarinn, (The Seafood Cellar), in Reykjavik was rated as one of the world's Hot Tables by the magazine for its Viking history and Asian-influenced food.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Noon pickup in Reykjavik at hotel Loftleidir, at the airbus terminal, for the 3.5 hours drive to Varmahlid in Skagafjordur, North Iceland where our tour starts from. You can test your bikes, visit the nearby geothermal heated swimming pool, or stretch your legs on the back of an Icelandic horse before dinner. Lodging: Hotel Tindastoll, Sauarkrokur.
Day 2: 62 km (road 75 and then road 76). From Varmahlid, ride through a river valley known for its horses and an ethereal blue light, stopping at Glaumbear Farmstead to enjoy the sod dwarfhouses, where the first Viking born in North America, Snorri Thorfinnson – probably an inhabitant of Newfoundland’s L’Anse aux Meadows – lived upon his return to Iceland. Follow the coast of Skagafjordur to Hofsos, where you can visit the Icelandic American Heritage museum if you are inclined. Lodging: Gistiheimilið Sunnuberg, Skagafjordur.
Day 3: 89 km total, van support part of the road. Follow the coast around the Tröllaskagi Peninsula – Peninsula of Trolls – to a lunch stop at a gastronomic guesthouse where “slow cuisine” is the mantra. Further along, views of Grimsey Island heighten the beauty of the ride. Finish with a transfer through Olafsfordur Tunnel to Dalvik, on the shore of Eyjafjordur. Lodging: Brimnes Hotel & Cabins,
Ólafsfjörður.
Day 4: 43 km. An easy ride along the coast toward Akureyri, acknowledged as the home of some of the world’s most beautiful people, and known by golfers for the Arctic Open Championship. Visit the botanical gardens, old houses, and relative abundance of restaurants and bars, where the fun is heightened by the location near the Arctic Circle. Lodging: Hotel Edda, Akureyi.
Day 5: 94 km (Road #1 and then road 85). Choose between the paved road over Vikurskard pass (350m.) or the gravel road around it (which adds 18km). Stop for lunch at Storutjarnir or perhaps Iceland’s most spectacular waterfall, Goafoss – Fall of the Gods. After lunch picnic, follow the valley of a salmon-rich river, then the coast to Husavik – locally proclaimed the whale-watching capital of Europe, and home of an interesting whale information center. Lodging: Kaldbaks-kot, near Husavik.
Day 6: 65 km (Road 85 then road 845 and then road 1). Today’s ride takes you past a small geyser, large greenhouses, and along a lava river valley with pseudo craters – formed as lava bubbles and cools rather than by impact - toward Lake Myvatn, where the best summer weather in Iceland helps one appreciate its myriad islands, ducks, and pretty vistas. Lodging: Hotel Reykjahlid, Reykjahlid.
Day 7: Morning ride around the Lake. 35 km. Van ride to the National Park Jokulsargljufur canyon in the afternoon. A day to enjoy the unique Myvatn surroundings. After a morning circumnavigation on your bike, the afternoon can be spent visiting outlying attractions with your Icelandic guide, or taking an optional sightseeing flight to oversee Iceland’s dramatic interior, including Askja – the world’s biggest caldera – where US astronauts trained for moon landings. Lodging: same as day 6.
Day 8: Transfer to Reykjavik via the interior desert of Iceland. Arrival time in Reykjavik by approximately 18.00.
Testimonials:
"What a fascinating country. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our trip. The north is beautiful and much greener than I have expected. Even the weather turned out to be better, cool but not too cold. The scenery made up for it big time. There were many highlights - watching the midnight sun, standing on the continental rift, biking through the candera area, pseudo craters, waterfalls, geysers and hot springs and driving through the interior, finding a little oasis in the middle of nowhere. Thanks to all of you for making this happen. It is a great tour and amazing country with lots to offer."
(Trudene & Derrick, ON)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Guided Cost: C$ 4495 (USD$ 3995) p.p. dbl. occ. (7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners, van & guide support, maps & route notes, taxes)
- Self-Guided Cost: C$ 3495 (USD$ 3095) p.p. dbl. occ. (7 nights, 7 breakfasts, luggage handling, maps & route notes, taxes)
- Bike Rental: Light hybrid/mountain C$ 225 (US$ 195)
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Iceland
Bicycle Touring
Hiking & Trekking
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