Willen Hospice Iceland Trek 2025

12th Mar 2025 - 17th Mar 2025

6 days/Iceland /Moderate to Challenging

Overview

Join Willen Hospice as they spend three days trekking through the other-worldly landscapes of Iceland.

Discover active volcanoes and vast lava fields, bubbling mud pools, hot springs and more. We will be hiking to Iceland’s youngest volcano, Gelgingaldir and neighbouring Fagradaslsfjall before exploring the ethereal peaks of the Mount Hengill heritage site – scaling the impressive Vörðuskeggi Peak with spectacular views over Lake Þingvellir, and Eyjafjallajökull and the distant Westman Islands. Our adventures will also see us trek along the fault lines between Europe and America.

Don’t forget to keep your eyes to the skies while you are there and you might be lucky enough to experience Lady Aurora herself!

NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and may be subject to flight surcharges.

This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain over consecutive days.

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The minimum age is 18. It may be possible to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit. The ideal candidate would be fit, healthy and determined, open to adventure and adaptable to unexpected changes.

You will be accompanied by local guides who have an excellent knowledge of culture and hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be accompanied by a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.

This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain over consecutive days.

You will stay in a hotel for the duration of the trip. A single-occupancy hotel room may be possible subject to availability and payment of a single supplement.

Temperatures can typically peak to around 4°C during the day and drop to around -2°C at night however you must be prepared for variations to this which are out of our control. Weather during the adventure will be dry with light winds and rain is possible. Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate but climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. The guides will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.

You will be provided with plenty of hearty Icelandic meals which typically include fish and lamb and will keep your energy levels high for each day of discovery. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary requirements or preferences.

This is not a ‘hunting for the Northern Lights’ trek. However, between September and April Iceland is treated to a magnificent natural display of aurora borealis. While we cannot guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights on this adventure, there is a very high chance that there will be solar activity in the area at this time of year. This trek will be exploring the very best Iceland has to offer – if you are lucky enough to see the lights while you are there this is a bonus!

You can download the kit list for this trip here

Itinerary

Day 1 (Wednesday 12 March 2025):

UK – Reykjavik
Depart for Reykjavik and transfer to a hotel on the southern coast of Iceland.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 (Thursday 13 March 2025):

Gelgingaldir – Fagradaslsfjall – Seltun
Today we will drive for an hour along the South Shore Road on the Reykjanes peninsula.
We will be taking a hike up to Iceland’s youngest volcano, Geldingadalir, before walking to neighbouring Fagradalsfjall Volcano and the surrounding lava fields. We spend the day hiking in this area and you will be able to explore the devastating yet beautiful aftermath of recent volcanic eruptions. On the way back to our hotel we will stop at Seltún Geothermal Area and visit the bubbling pools of mud, fumaroles, and hot springs.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx.14km/6 hours

Day 3 (Friday 14 March 2025):

Hengill – Mt Vörðuskeggi
After a hearty breakfast we will drive up to the Mt Hengill area before our hike up to
Vörðuskeggi Peak (805m). From the top we can enjoy stunning views of Lake Þingvellir and Langjökull to the north, and Eyjafjallajökull and the distant Westman Islands to the West. We will then trek up to Mt Skeggi the highest peak in the Hengill heritage site.
We will return to our hotel tonight for dinner and a well-earned jacuzzi.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx. 13-14km / 8 hours

Day 4 (Saturday 15 March 2025):

Þingellir National Park – Reykjavik
A short drive brings us to the National Park of Thingvellir where we will hike along the fault lines that divides America and Europe. After the hike we drive to Reykjavik for your celebration dinner in town.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx. 10km/ 4 hours

Day 5 (Sunday 16 March 2025):

Reykjavik
Today is a free day to explore Reykjavik at your leisure. There is an optional trip to the famous Blue Lagoon for an addition cost if you wish.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Day 6 (Monday 17 March 2025):

Reykjavik
After breakfast we will tranfer to the airport for our flight home.
Meals: Breakfast

N.B. This itinerary may change due to weather, the ability of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep to the itinerary but we cannot be held responsible for changes outside of our control. In all circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest health and safety.

Costs & How to pay

Registration fee: £385
and then either…

Sponsorship: £4,100

or

Flexi: £2,050* trip costs and fundraise £2,050 for Willen Hospice

or

Self Fund: £2,050* trip costs and fundraise a suggested amount of £2,050 for Willen Hospice.

NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and may be subject to flight surcharges.

SPONSORSHIP

This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.

A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
A minimum of £3,280 must be paid to the charity by 18 December 2024.
The remaining £820 should be fundraised by the trip date.

FLEXI

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.

A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
Fundraise towards your costs of £2,050 with 80% (£1,640) of fundraising achieved by 18 December 2024 with the remaining £410 due by the trip date. Raise an additional £2,050 for Willen Hospice.

SELF FUND