Iceland 2009
Volcanoes & Black Desert Tour… “to Hell & beyond”
7 Day Tour (5 Days Riding)
July 14th to 20th 2010
Proposed Itinerary to include riding the Sprengisandur
I'm starting to put this second tour together now - fine details to be agreed with group, but here is my proposal.
The whole point of this trip is to be able to ride the Sprengisandur; a challenging interior route running diagonally through the interior of Iceland. It is not possible to ride this route any earlier in the year due to it being blocked by snow. This adventure tour needs an extra day’s riding compared to the “Longest Day “ tour in June.
This is a wilderness tour involving extended riding on highland gravel roads and includes some river crossings and black sand riding. We don’t just ride through the interior – we stay in there, overnight, so a tolerance for roughie-toughie camping is essential. Even in the height of Summer, conditions can still be harsh, so be prepared.
We are followed by our 4x4 support vehicle, which carries our camping gear, tools, spares, food & drink and extra fuel.
For a little respite, we’re including a night in the northern city of Akureyri for a little R&R and civilisation for one night. For a small surcharge we’ll consider staying in a comfy warm hotel just for this one night J
Wednesday14th July
Arrive Keflavik airport and transfer to Reykjavik via a pleasant stop at The Blue Lagoon. Stay at Hafnafjordur on the outskirts of Reykjavik.
Thursday 15th July (Ride)
Ride from Reykjavik to Geysir & Gulfoss, have lunch, then pick up gravel roads and skirt around the north side of Mount Hekla, Iceland’s largest active volcano. Continue to our wilderness base of Landmannalaugar. Set up camp for the night near hot springs. A total of 6-8 hours riding.
Friday 16th July (Ride)
Ride dirt roads from Landmannalaugar to Askja – the Caldera of a volcano. We camp in this desolate but beautiful spot for the night.
Saturday 17th July (Ride)
Ride “The Black Desert” roads of the Sprengisandur to reach the northern city of Akureyri to stay the night in a hotel or bunkhouse! (The smaller whaling town of Husavik would be an alternative). Detours around Lake Myvatn or the grand waterfall of Dettifoss are possible.
As it’s the weekend, enjoy a night on the town and a real bed to come back to. We’re way up north at this point!
Sunday 18th July (Ride)
Ride alternative gravel roads back through the interior, over a vast plateau and down between 2 icecaps, to make camp at Hveravellir for the night. Once again, relax in a scorching hot tub at midnight, admire the steaming geysers, and look out to the distant shining glaciers.
Monday 19th July (Ride)
Ride from Hveravellir back to Reykjavik. Hand back bikes.
(possibility of late flight out of Kefavik?) Final meal at Viking Pub?
Tuesday 20th July
Fly out of Keflavik back to UK.
Summary
7 day Tour (6? Depending on flight times)
7 nights (6?), mainly camping, but consider a budget hotel where possible (in Akureyri)
5 days’ riding (= 5 days bike rental)
Cost per guest on a 7 day, 6 night trip
Includes 5 days’ bike rental, 6 nights’ camping accommodation, 4x4 support vehicle & driver £875 per rider
Extras
Bike fuel (1500km?) £100-120
Airport Transfers? (approx £25 per head)
Supplement to cover one night in a hotel on Saturday night if this what group wants. (£35 each? In twin rooms)
Food – on kitty system (£10-12 per day? Up to £100 total)
Bike Tours UK is working with Riding Iceland & Biking Viking to provide these tours. Routes are a combination of my own rides over there and the established tours that Biking Viking already provide.
My aim is to provide a high level of adventure, at an affordable price, made possible by camping in wild places instead of staying in hotels in the more established tourist areas.
Bill Roughton
Bike Tours UK
0115 846 2993
December 2009.
| 
)
