ICELAND TREK FAQ

Your questions answered for our ICeland Trek

Visualize the experience

highlights

Experience Iceland Trek

  • Trek otherworldly landscapes
  • Volcanoes, glaciers, & canyons
  • lava fields & ash deserts
  • Camp in the Valley of Thor
  • gear is transported (only need daypack)
We've been going to Iceland for years & are so excited to give you the most authentic Iceland experience you'll find. An expert Iceland guide & trip leader will take you off the beaten path to discover Iceland’s best kept secrets -- and all you need to carry is a daypack.

Have a question about the Under30Experiences Iceland Trek?

What are the accommodations like?

Soak in the Icelandic wilderness for 4 nights as you sleep in tents alongside some of the most untouched natural landscapes in the world.

While you're trekking, sleep next to pristine Icelandic valleys, volcanoes, and glacial rivers.

After a long few days of trekking enjoy the comforts of our Icelandic Base Camp with beautiful views of nature from the hot tub. Cap off this epic adventure with a good night sleep in a comfortable dorm style room.

*Solo travelers will be paired with another person of the same gender, unless otherwise specified.

Do I need to carry all of my own gear?

No! This is a “supported” trek.

That means a guide will be driving between campsites transporting any gear you don’t take with you for the day. This guide will also transport all the food, kitchen supplies, tents, sleeping bags, and everyone’s extra duffel.

So you get to really take in all the sights and sounds of this amazing journey without being weighed down.

Where do we leave the stuff that we don’t bring on the trail? 

You will have the chance to repack the night before the trek, and leave behind anything you won’t need.

Your extra belongings will be safe at Base Camp for the duration of the hike. We trust everyone we work with, but feel free to bring a luggage lock if that makes you feel safer.

What is the physical activity level of this trip?

High. This trip is for those who enjoy being physically challenged and reaping the rewards. It includes intense physical activities and participants should expect to be active 6-8 hours most days. Participants should have an active lifestyle. If you don’t have an active lifestyle, and want to participate, you should start training.

You can expect to be hiking anywhere from 10 - 17 miles in a day. The terrain isn’t necessarily the the most strenuous, but hiking long distances over consecutive days takes its toll!

What camping gear is provided?

To make it easy on you, we provide so many camping essentials to make the trek even more enjoyable (and your packing much easier).

Included in the cost of the trip, we provide the following during the trek: a two person tent, foam sleeping pad, inflatable sleeping pad, and all kitchen gear.

*There’s also an option to rent a sleeping bag for the week for a price of 5.500 ISK (~$55 USD).

How much should I budget for food and activities?

All meals are included on this trip. If you’re arriving early or staying late, be aware that the average cost of a meal in Iceland is between $20-$30 (on the low end).

If you’re interested in souvenir shopping, plan accordingly. Only you know your spending habits.

What is the bathroom situation on the trail?

For a good portion of the hike, we’ll have to dig our own toilets. Your guides will go over the proper leave-no-trace protocols for going to the bathroom in nature.

There may be some “pit toilets” along the way, and in Thorsmork you’ll have flushing toilets.

How long is the hike?

Expect to hike approximately 55 miles over the course of the week. You will be hiking between 10 - 17 miles per day.

Can I still go to the Blue Lagoon? If so, how?

On the final day of the trip, we can make a stop at the Blue Lagoon on our way to the airport to drop off any travelers who would like to visit. Make sure you pre-book a shuttle to the airport so that once you are done enjoying the Blue Lagoon you can hop on and head to the airport.

As we ask everyone to book their flights for 3:00PM or later, please book your Blue Lagoon ticket for 1:00PM or later.

See the Blue Lagoon website for more details.

The Blue Lagoon is near the airport, so you could visit the lagoon and still make it to an evening departing flight.

Why are there only a few dates offered for this trip?

Due to weather patterns and trail conditions, this trek can only be offered between July and September as the trail is closed during the rest of the year.

What type of transportation will we be taking?

-Private ground transportation to and from the airport, and from the end of the trail back to basecamp.
-Super Jeep from basecamp to the beginning of the trail

What type of weather should I expect?

The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable, and can change quickly. It’s possible to experience all four seasons in an hour. Icelanders like to say “If you don’t like the weather in Iceland, just wait 5 minutes!”

It’s safe to expect rain, wind, and some cold temperatures throughout your trip.
The average* temperatures in May, June, & July range from highs of 51-55°F to lows of 43-47°F.

*These are average temperatures so keep in mind that it can still drop to below freezing at night, and may get up into the 60s°F during the day

What type of luggage is best?

We recommend bringing a 60L duffel bag, and a 35-60L daypack with waist straps. The duffel will be transported by super jeep between the campsites, and the daypack will be with you at all times.

-We recommend a duffel and not a large backpack or wheeled suitcase because duffels are easiest to transport between campsites, fit everything you need, and are easy to pack and unpack while we’re camping.

-The size of the backpack depends on how much stuff you want to take with you every day. On the trail you’ll be carrying extra layers, camera, water, first aid kit, and food.

What do I need to pack?

There are a few “Musts” that we DEFINITELY recommend bringing with you:

-Rule #1: NO COTTON!
-Layers, layers, layers
-Waterproof hiking boots (above the ankle) & wool socks
-Waterproof rain jacket and rain pants (full side zip recommended)
-An eye mask for sleeping (the sun doesn’t set)
-Down or synthetic insulated “puffy jacket”

Do your best to pack light, and remember that you’ll probably end up wearing the same clothes for multiple days.

To see what else we recommend, check out our Packing List here.

Can I bring my own gear?

If you want to! Feel free to bring your own sleeping bag or pad. We recommend a sleeping bag that’s rated for at least 0°C, but even lower is better.

*Remember that sleeping bag ratings are usually “survival” ratings and not comfort ratings.

Is there a place to charge my phone or camera along the trail?  

No. If that is something you want to do, then we recommend bringing a fully charged power bank or a portable solar charger.

How much elevation gain is there?

Most of the days are what we call “Icelandic Flat.” You can expect to climb and descend a few hundred feet each day, but you’ll maintain an average elevation of around 1300-1600 feet.

The last day is the most difficult, and has the most elevation of the whole trek. You’ll ascend over 3000 feet of elevation over the first third of the day, before gradually descending back to sea level after lunch.

What languages are spoken in Iceland?

The official language of Iceland is Icelandic, but the majority of people speak great English. It is quite easy to get around Iceland speaking English.

Do you have last-minute deals?

Yes! When travelers take advantage of our “Switch Your Trip” program last minute slots open up on sold out trips. Visit our Trips On Sale page for the latest last-minute deals.

Sign up to the list to be notified.

Have a question that's not on this list?

Feel free to reach out to our all-star customer service team at info@under30experiences.com or by calling 1 (888) 839-2086.

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