Multi Trip: 2 Day Super Jeep Self Drive Expedition to the Valley of Thor in South Iceland, Overnight in a Remote Mountain Hut, Lava Caving & Glacier Hiking on Sólheimajökull Glacier
Trip difficulty 3 out of 5 possible. Rated: Challenging
-Activities included:
Get ready for two days of exploring the Icelandic outdoors, discovering dramatic landscapes and wild, untouched nature in one the unique Icelandic monster-jeeps.
Your expert super-jeep guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Reykjavik and before the tour starts he will pass you on the comands and teach you all the tricks to dominate the Icelandic Super Jeeps, and will give you a short briefing on the adventures that lie ahead. We then load up our luggage and board the specially modified 4x4 off-road vehicle that is ready for us outside.
Our first stop is the lava caves in the Blue Mountains, just outside Reykjavík. There we will walk and crawl through the ancient lava field and learn about the way Iceland was formed and it continues to take shape before our very eyes. We then power onwards down from the mountains to the south shore before we take a turn to the north in the legendary valley of the Thundergod, Þórsmörk! The trail is one of Iceland most famous off road tracks and we will drive over several rivers, and even cross a glacier lagoon at the Gígjökull outlet glacier. We will have packed lunch outside at the Seljalandsfoss, the 60 meter high waterfall that you can walk behind and see from the inside – out! Just 15 minutes from our chalet we will stop at the Stakkholtsgjá Canyon and go for an unforgettable hike into the narrow, spectacular river bed. We will then relax and enjoy an Icelandic lamb BBQ dinner in the quite, highland setting of Þórsmörk valley. Þórsmörk is framed in by high mountains and three glaciers, the Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull glaciers, all tower above the valley and guard it. This is guaranteed to be one of the most impressive places you will ever visit. Our night is spent in a cozy sleeping bag accommodation in the Básar Chalets.
Our second day of adventures starts with a drive out from Þórsmörk and down to the highway, the first stop is Skógar Waterfall followed by an adventurous off road trip on the black sand beach endlessly pounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and formed by the Sólheimajökull outlet glacier over the millennia’s. From the beaches we will drive up along the Jökulsá Glacier River to the before mentioned Sólheimajökull glacier. There we will strap on crampons (spikes for the soles of our shoes) and go for a glacier walk on the blue ice, your guide will tell you all about the Icelandic glaciers and the changes they suffer these days. Your guide will also teach you the basic ice climbing skills and if you are brave enough you can try your luck with ice climbing up a glacier wall.
On our way home to Reykjavík we will have an optional stop in the small town of Eyrarbakki and dine at one of the local sea food restaurants, a great way to sample the local cuisine and chat about Iceland in general.
We should be back in Reykjavík in the late evening.
You can add one of our great value multi adventure tours to your super jeep tour for an unbeatable Iceland vacation.
PLEASE NOTE: Driving a modified 4x4 super jeep can be very demanding and dangerous, especially in icy and wet conditions. Therefore the guide has full authority to take over the driving should he evaluate it necessary.
Off-road driving means driving dirt roads and mountain passes. Due to extreme winter conditions these roads are often hard to drive or even impassable. In such cases the guide has full authority to alter the itinerary.
Drivers have to be over 25 years old and hold a valid drivers license. All our super jeeps are with manual transmission therefore you have to be comfortable with driving a stick shift.
Disclaimer:
All winter and off-road trips are undertaken on the responsibility
of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any
responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be
traced to there own actions. Participants may have to sign a waiver
before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor
activities carry an inherit risk.
Rent hiking shoes for 1000 ISK per day.
Rent a waterproof jacket for 1000 ISK per day.
Rent waterproof pants for 1000 ISK per day.
SPECIAL OFFER: To get the Thursday special offer,
attach the coupon "SUPERJEEP2DAY" when you go to checkout.
Guaranteed departures:
Everyday from 16th of September to 14th of May for a minimum of 2 persons.
Please note: for Christmas and New Years we have different availability for the 24th-26th of December and 31st of December - 1st of January. Please contact our office for further information or click
here for our holiday schedule.
Pick-up from Reykjavík, two day self drive super jeep tour, caving,
glacier hiking, all meals (except breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 2) and
one night in a mountain hut (sleeping bag included).
Very very warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, warm gloves, warm socks, warm sweater, warm undergarments and good hiking shoes. (Note: hiking shoes, waterproof jacket and pants can be rented if you let us know in advance).
Click here to see a full equipment list.
2 days, 1 night.
12 years.
2 persons.
Disclaimer:
All winter and off-road trips are undertaken on the responsibility
of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any
responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be
traced to there own actions. Participants may have to sign a waiver
before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor
activities carry an inherit risk.
How do I book and what information do you need from me?
There are three ways in which you can pay for the trips that you book with us.
1. You can pay through the internet, through our booking website. This is by far the easiest, safest and fastest way to reserve and pay for your adventure. If you choose this way then you will receive a voucher via e-mail which you will need to print and bring along on your trips. If you are going on a multi day trip then you will receive one voucher for all of the trips via e-mail and we will make you separate vouchers for each of your trips, which will be waiting your arrival in Iceland at our office at Laugavegur 11.
2. You can pay via phone, the phone number is +354 562 7000. If you choose to pay through phone then your vouchers will be waiting for you when you come to Iceland, either at our office at Laugavegur 11 or at your hotel.
3. Sometimes you can pay when you arrive to start your trip, but this is only possible in special circumstance.
Please Note: However you pay, you will always get a voucher:
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR VOUCHER ALONG FOR YOUR TRIP!
How much notice do I need for my booking?
We recommend that you book your trip with at least 2 days notice, but if you intend to visit Iceland in the summer season we recommend you book with as much notice as you can since our trips are very popular and they frequently sell out in high season.
What currency do you accept?
We only accept the Icelandic króna. Our website presents prices is ISK and in EURO, the EURO price is obtained by converting it with the currency exchange rate of the Icelandic Federal Bank. If you would like to calculate the price of our tours in some other currency you can do so here.
Do you do private departures?
Yes we arrange private trips and custom make super jeep tours all the time. Just contact our office and start the planning! You can email us here.
When is the U-Drive Golden summer edition available?
From the 1st of May to the 11th of September.
When is the U-Drive Golden winter edition available?
From the 12th of September to the 30th of April.
When is the U-Drive South Shore available?
All year round.
What is the difference between U-Drive Golden Summer and U-Drive Golden Winter?
The summer edition includes river rafting on Hvítá but the U-Drive Golden Winter includes lava caving.
Is is possible to book a U-Drive Golden with lava caving in summer?
Yes, as a private trip, please contact us to find out prices and availability.
What kind of jeeps do you use on self drive super jeep tours?
We use specially modified 4x4 self-drive vehicles which were especially designed for demanding terrain. They are Land Rover Defender or Land Rover Discovery and stand on huge 38" tires. They are equipped with a snorkel which draws air for the engine in from above the roof and enables us to drive across deep rivers with our getting water in the engine. Each car has a VHF radio which keeps all jeeps connected to the guide/guiding vehicle, so if you have question or the guide is giving instructions you will receive the crystal clear over the radio. Each car has GPS unit.
Each car also has a special off-road kit installed and its most important component is the air compressor. When we are driving in snow or sand we will take some of the air out of the tires this spreads the weight of the car more evenly and enables us to drive in terrain and conditions you would not believe possible. In some extreme cases we can let the air down to 2 psi (normal psi pressure is 20 psi). So the air compressor allows us to adjust the psi in our tires anywhere and and anytime, according to the conditions. The off road kit also includes a tow line, a hitch for the car and shovel.
Can there be several drivers on a self drive tour?
Yes, no problem you can have up to 5 different drivers in each car with out extra cost.
Will we get stuck on our super jeep tour?
Super jeep tours by definition can be demanding tours in demanding conditions. The jeeps are specially designed to get you where you are going but as in all tours that take place out in the wild Icelandic nature, nature has the last word. There is definitely a possibility that the jeeps will get stuck and that is simply a part of the program, part of the fun. Your guide has expert knowledge of the terrain and plenty of tricks up his sleeve to free the jeeps. On super jeep tours in summer but especially in winter you are almost guaranteed to run into some heavy terrain and difficult conditions so be prepared to grab a shovel and help out! It is like they say, when the going gets tough the tough get shoveling.. : )
What is the self risk amount on self drive super jeep tours?
Our self drive vehicles are rented to you and we then provide a guide to teach you how to drive a super jeep, guide you, tell you about Iceland and generally to help you out. How ever this is a rented car and rules and regulations are the same as for any rental car. If you damage your jeep during your trip the self risk amount is 2.500 Euro. Your guide can drive the car for you at anytime, but when you guide is driving he does so on your behalf and you are also responsible for damages that may incur while you guide drives your jeep for you. This only applies for SELF DRIVE SUPER JEEP TOURS. On driver guided tours Arctic Adventures or its partners (depending on the tour) is responsible for the super jeep.
What happens if I damage or crash the super jeep?
As stated above you will have to pay for any damage to the car up to the amount of 2.000 EUROs.
What happens if the car has a mechanical failure?
If you jeep breaks down then you are not liable for that damage unless the break down is directly caused by your driving (f.ex. if you drive to fast into a river and manage to get water in the engine).
Can I rent a self drive super jeep with out a guide, and travel around Iceland on my own?
Yes you can, please contact us for prices and conditions.
Where to your super jeep trips start?
On all standard trips we will pick you up in Reykjavík, if you are staying at one of the many hotels and guesthouses in downtown Reykjavík your pick up for your tour will be from the Cintamani Center which is our office. How ever if you are staying at one of the following hotels you will be picked up from there: Hotel Hilton Nordica, Hotel Cabin, Grand Hotel, Radisons SAS Saga, Hotel Loftleiðir and Parkinn Hotel. If you are unsure as to the location of your hotel and wether or not we will pick you up or you if you should meet us at our Center, then feel free to contact us and find out : )
Where is your Reykjavík Office located and when are you open?
Our office is at Laugavegur 11, the main shopping street in Reykjavík. There you can get all the information that you need, be it about the trips that you want to go to or just general information about Reykjavík. You can also book and pay for various day trips. Over the summer season (June-August) we are open from 08:00-21:00 Monday-Saturday and 10:00-18:00 on Sundays. All other times of year we are open 10:00-18:00 Mondays-Fridays, 11:00-16:00 Saturdays and closed on Sundays. But you can reach on our emergency cell phone line: +354-898-0410.
Check map below for location of our office:
View Arctic Adventures Headquarters in a larger map
Do I need a insurance before going on one of your trips?
We recommend that you have personal health insurance coverage when participating in adventure activities in Iceland, we actually recommend that when ever and where ever you travel you take out a good travel insurance..as world travelers our selves it has saved us money and aggravation many times..
What is the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is a name for the very popular sight seeing route that connects Reykjavík with Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs and Gullfoss Waterfall. We offer several Golden Circle trips that combine sightseeing with some of our adventure tours. Check out the Golden Grand Slam (which includes river rafting), the Golden Glacier Ride (which includes a snowmobile trip on Langjökull), the Treasure Island ( and the U-Drive Golden (which includes river rafting and a super jeep self drive trip).
Questions about the activities which are included on our super jeep trips.
How do Arctic Adventures, Arctic Rafting, the Glacier Guides, the Cintamani Center and Reykjavík Backpackers connect?
We are one family of companies that work together and share facilities (f.ex. we all have the same office in Reykjavík). We also share guides, vehicles and equipment in order to run an organized and professional operation. All of these companies are run by guides and adventures and owned by guides and adventurers.
How long have you been in business?
We have been in rafting on the Hvítá river since 1983 which makes us one of the longest running rafting operations in Europe. Since the late 1990s we have been adding more and more activities to our selection. So we are NOT a travel agency, we are an adventure operator, owned by guides and world travelers and run by guides and adventurers.
What is the minimum age for a participant on a your tours?
Each one of our tours have unique characteristics and different age limits, how ever you can generally assume that kids 10 years and older, with shoe size 35 EURO or larger can participate in our tours more easy going tours. On demanding tours we generally have a age limit of 18 years. On motorized activity tours participants that want to drive (f.ex. snowmobiles) you will need to be at least 17 years old and hold a valid driving license. Younger kids and those that would not like to drive can in most cases sit at the back of the quad or snowmobile. If you are going on a U-Drive Self Drive Super Jeep tour then all drivers have to be 25 years old.
Can I drink alcohol before or during your tours?
No absolutely not. The consumption of alcohol makes you more prone to hypothermia and makes you to unpredictable mistakes (as you probably know : ). It is therefore strictly prohibited, if we suspect that participants are intoxicated we will prohibit them from joining the tour.
What do I have to bring with me for my tour?
Each tour is different and you will need to bring different things. How ever there are certain things that you always have to bring with you. Remember this is ICEland and for you to have a pleasant experience here in the High North it is vital that you bring good outdoor clothing. No one should come to Iceland (it does no matter if you are coming in summer or winter) with out a good water and wind proof jacket and pants, good, sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes, a warm hat that breaks the wind, good warm gloves, good warm woolen or other thermal undergarments. Also if you are visiting Iceland in the winter time it is good to bring a down jacket and ski pants. In Iceland there is no such thing a bad weather, just bad equipment and not the right clothing.
When can I bring my camera along?
On all our trips that are NOT water based you can bring you camera along, and you should definitely bring one since Iceland is positively full of amazing, scenic views!
Here is short briefing on safety and insurance:
Ensuring the safety of all our participants is our first and foremost priority. However, due to the nature of outdoor and adventure activities, we are subject to the same environmental risks as in any wild natural environment. Should you wish to participate in one of our trips, we ask you to be prepared to sign a contract with us stipulating that you are fit to participate in such activities and assume all risks inherent in doing so.
If I am travelling solo, can I book a trip or is there always a minimum of 2 people?
There is a minimum of 2 people for most of our trips, we usually run the trips on the guaranteed departure dates. If you are interested in some trips and are traveling alone we can put you on waiting list and contact you if more people book the trip. Also in many cases, especially in summer time we already have a booking and you can join that group.