"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.
2009 Guided dates: Jun 28-Jul 5; Jul 20-27; or start a new date.
Self guided: You choose your own dates.
Tour starts: Guesthouse Anna www.guesthouseanna.is, noon day one for 3.5 hr transfer to Sauđárkrókur. Optional flights to Sauđárkrókur from Reykjavik are available.
Tour finishs: Guesthouse Anna www.guesthouseanna.is, 16:00 day eight. Optional flights to Reykjavik from Akureyri, are approximately ~$100.
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 Guesthouse Anna for the 3.5 hours drive to Sauđárkrókur. Along the way you will visit still-active Vidimyri church, a stunning example of 17th century Icelandic architecture, and the Glaumbear Farmstead, dwarf sod houses, eventual home of Snorri Thorfinnson – the first Viking born in North America at Newfoundland’s L’Anse aux Meadows. In Sauđárkrókur, 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. Optional flights are available from Reykjavik to Sauđárkrókur through Air Iceland: www.airiceland.is
Hotel Tindastoll, Sauđárkrókur
Day 2: 62 km/40 mi. From Sauđárkrókur, ride through a river valley known for its horses and ethereal blue light. Picnic in the mountain-nestled village of Holar, seat of the bishop from 1106-1801 and the last stronghold of the Catholic Church during the Reformation. You can visit the cathedral, restored to its original state. Afternoon ride along the coast of Skagafjordur to Hofsos, where you can visit the Icelandic American Heritage museum. Transfer back to Tindastoll at day's end. Same lodging.
Day 3: 89 km/55 mi. Follow the coast around the Tröllaskagi Peninsula – Peninsula of Trolls – to lunch in Siglufjörđur, a small fishing town once known as the herring centre of Iceland. A visit to the Herring Era Museum will give insight into the boom that hit this region during the 20th century. Later, views of Grimsey Island increase the beauty of the ride. Brimnes Hotel & Cabins, Ólafsfjörđur.
Day 4: 43 km/28 mi. An easier 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. Hotel Kea, Akureyri.
Day 5: 94 km/60 mi. Follow the Eyjafjörđur coast from Akureyri toward Laufas, where a well-preserved farm building depicts past daily life. Lunch at Storutjarnir, or Iceland’s most spectacular waterfall, Godafoss – Falls of the Gods. Follow the salmon-rich river valley to the coast at Husavik – locally proclaimed the whale-watching capital of Europe, and home of an interesting whale information centre. Kaldbaks-kot, near Husavik.
Day 6: 65 km/42 mi. Today’s ride takes you past a small geyser, large greenhouses, and along a lava river valley with pseudocraters – formed by cooling lava bubbles instead of by extraterrestrial impact - toward Lake Myvatn, where the best summer weather in Iceland helps one appreciate its myriad islands, ducks, and pretty vistas. Hotel Reykjahlid, Reykjahlid.
Day 7: 35 km/23 mi. morning ride around Lake Myvatn, and afternoon van ride to the Jokulsargljufur Canyon National Park. Today is a day to enjoy the unique Myvatn surroundings. After a morning circumnavigation of the lake on your bike, the afternoon can be spent visiting outlying attractions with your 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. Same lodging.
Day 8: Transfer to Reykjavik. This is an approximate six-hour drive. Optional flights from Akureyri are available to Reykjavik through Air Iceland: www.airiceland.is
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$ 3995 (USD$ 3595) 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$ 3245) p.p. dbl. occ. (7 nights, 7 breakfasts, luggage handling, maps & route notes, taxes)
Bike rental: Mountain with smooth tires: $195
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Iceland
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
National Parks
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