Ultimate Iceland and Greenland Trekking Tour

Ultimate Iceland and Greenland Trekking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Trek to Hrafntinnusker

Welcome to Iceland! Meet your guide and group at the Reykjavík bus station to depart for the trailhead. On the way, you can gaze out the window at the amazing landscapes that you’ll be exploring over the next week. Arrive at Landmannalaugar by noon, have lunch, then head onto the first section of the Laugavegur Trail. This area is in a geothermal hotspot, which you’ll notice as you pass several steaming hot springs. Your first mountain hut accommodation awaits in Hrafntinnusker. Set down your packs and relax as your guides prepare your first Icelandic dinner. Settle into your cozy dorm room for a good night’s sleep.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 12 km, 4–5 hours, 470 m of ascent/descent
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Trek to Álftavatn Lake

After you wake up, gather for breakfast with your group. Today’s route heads south through the gullies of Jökultungur, packed with hundreds of steaming mineral springs and mud pools. Continue on the path to an exceptional viewpoint to see the vast Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Arrive at the lakeside hut in Álftavatn by the late afternoon. Take some time this evening to meander around the lake. Then, find a secluded spot and watch a magical sunset. Rest well after dinner, and prepare for a big day tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 12 km, 4–5 hours, 490 m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Hike to Emstrur Region

Rise in time for sunrise, then enjoy a hearty breakfast. Heading south on the Laugavegur Trail, you enter into the enchanting black-sand deserts and see a striking green volcano. As you continue, the landscapes will change again as you come across the Emstrur region of rolling green hills with snowy peaks in the background. Before reaching your hut accommodation, stop at the Markafljót Canyon to visit this remarkable cave that cuts into the rock for 200 metres. Once you settle into the hut, have a delicious dinner, and maybe walk out to check out the stars when it gets dark.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 16 km, 6–7 hours, 40 m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Trek to Þórsmörk (Woods of Thor)

After breakfast, you’ll set out for another incredible day of hiking through Icelandic nature. Start the day exploring the valleys and gorges of Emstrur. Admire the changing scenery as you come upon birch forests and fields of colourful blossoms in Þórsmörk. Follow your guides to your hut accommodation for the night, feast on dinner, then hit the hay.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 17 km, 6–7 hours, 300 m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Return to Rekjavík

Your legs will get a break today. Start the day on an easy route exploring the nearby trails in Þórsmörk. Your group can choose from a few different options, including the Sönghellir Cave with fantastic acoustics, or hike to the summit of a nearby mountain for some final views of the Laugavegur Trail. In the afternoon, the group returns to Reykjavík for a night in the city before departing for Greenland tomorrow. Spend the night in a guesthouse in Reykjavík.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Reykjavík
Distance: 2–5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6 Fly to Greenland and Camp at Qinertivaq Fjord

In the late morning, you will be transferred to Reykjavík Airport to depart for Greenland. The flight is about 2 hours to Kulusuk Airport, and after landing, you’ll walk into the village of Kulusuk—a village with a population of about 300. Your group will depart on a speed boat through icy waters dotted with icebergs in the late afternoon. Once you reach the Qintertivaq Fjord, you’ll disembark and set up camp at the base of the fjord—a breathtaking campsite!
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: Walk: 1 hour; Boat: 1.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Trek to Trout Lake and Semilik Icefjord

Rise and shine for your first full day in Greenland. After a campsite breakfast prepared by your guides, start the hike towards Sun Gate Mountain near Trout Lake, seeing an ethereal reflection of the mountains in its waters. Continue through a narrow valley with tall granite peaks on both sides. Look out for arctic flora here, like willows, arctic craw berries, and native arctic flowers. Head into the Semilik Icefjord packed with icebergs varying in size—the scenery will take your breath away. Follow your guide to your campsite for the night and enjoy the divine beauty around you.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 17 km, 7 hours, 300 m of ascent, 300 m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Hike to Paarnakajiit Peninsula

Wake up to views of the impressive icefjord and begin the journey down a small path with precarious slopes. Come upon a tiny sandy beach dotted with small icebergs—not your regular beach vacation! Crossing over a river, you’ll follow your guide into the arctic tundra wetlands until reaching the Paarnakajiit peninsula. Set up camp in this remote location, where you are sure to witness a spectacular sunset as it lowers behind the sea of icebergs around you.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 14 km, 6–7 hours, 200 m of ascent, 200 m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 Trek to Amitsivartiva Narrow Fjord

After a hearty breakfast, begin today’s trek. First, you’ll hike near a narrow lake, then come upon a shallow fjord packed with small icebergs. Hiking across flat moorlands, you’ll eventually meet up with a river, leading you to a beautiful blue-green lake. Cross a narrow part of the river and continue walking until you arrive at Amitsivartiva Narrow Fjord to build camp and spend the night.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 12 km, 6 hours, 150 m of ascent, 150 m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 Visit Tiniteqilaaq Village and Return to Kulusuk

Fill up on breakfast, because your day starts with a climb! Hiking above the Sermilik Icefjord on a mountain ridge will give you outstanding views over the enormous icefjord to the west and jagged peaks to the east. The views continue to impress as you walk along the ridge, eventually coming upon the tiny village of Tiniteqilaaq. The guide will accompany you on a short visit to this village with only 200 inhabitants. After the visit, hop on a boat destined for Kulusuk and spend your last night of the tour in a cozy hostel. Perhaps your crew wants to share a beverage or two to celebrate the end of the tour—appreciate your last night together and all you’ve accomplished.
Overnight Location: Hostel in Kulusuk
Distance: 14 km, 7 hours, 500 m of ascent, 500 m of ascent/descent, 2 hours boat ride
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11 Fly to Reykjavík and Farewell

Have a final breakfast with your group in Kulusuk, then head to the airport for your return flight to Reyjavík. The tour ends at the Reykjavík airport, where you can bid farewell to your new friends and continue to the next leg of your journey, whether that’s home or elsewhere.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast