Iceland Break West
Short trip to Iceland on selected dates from September 2012 to May 2013
Take a break and discover the West of Iceland: The Borgarfjord - district and the beautiful Snaefellsnes - peninsula will be visited on this guided trip. Overnight stays in a cozy cottage on the northern side of Fjord Hvalfördur on a typical Icelandic farm. You are very welcome to help with the daily work on the farm! According to time in year you will get to know different traditional Icelandic habits - the gathering of sheep, preparation of typical icelandic food or taking part in a local Þorrablót (Viking midwinter festival) - there are a lot of things to do! A perfect farm stay in beautiful surrounding and a perfect winter break in Iceland, wich promises relaxation and adventure!
Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon and Hvalfjördur
Flight from selected airport to Keflavik/Iceland. We meet and greet you at Keflavik international airport in the afternoon and start the tour with a visit to the unique Blue Lagoon (entrance included). After relaxing in this warm and healing water we head to the west of Iceland. We pass the capital Reykjavík and drive through the “fjord of whales” Hvalfjörður. The base for your stay in Iceland will be at a summerhouse in the hills above the farm Bjarteyjarsandur. Bjarteyjarsandur is located on the northern side of the fjord and you can enjoy magnificent views from the summerhouses over the fjord. This location is also perfect for watching the stars and the northern lights in the right conditions.
Day 2: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
This day will be dedicated to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, which extends westwards from the Icelandic mainland. The peninsula is a place of natural beauty and has a colourful history. At the tip of the peninsula the glacier Snæfellsjökull rises, 1,445 metres high. The glacier is a symmetrical volcanic cone, which has exerted great influence over the centuries. For example in Jules Verne‘s Journey to the Centre of the Earth, the heroes descend through the crater of Snæfellsjökull and in Halldór Laxness‘ novel Christianity at Glacier, the glacier plays a leading role. We visit Arnarstapi fishing village and walk along the cliffy coastline and the magnificent lava formations. We also visit the charming village Stykkishólmur and take a walk with the guide to discover the old restored wooden houses that the village is known for. Close by is also the home of Mr. Hildibrandur a local shark farmer in Bjarnarhöfn. We visit his farm and explore his small museum and church. Along with tasting some shark and the Icelandic snaps Brennivín. On our way back we visit the smallest nature pool in Iceland (1x1 m). The brave ones can have a try and dip into this unique nature bath!
Day 3: A day on the Farm
After an early breakfast a fun morning at the farm awaits you as it is time to put on some rubber boots and an overall and assist the farmers during their morning duties. The local farmers and your hosts Arnheiður and Guðmundur will teach you the right work methods.
The final program of the day is depending on which month you are travelling in, as each month has its own theme:
September Theme: Take part in a sheep round-up and a round-up dance, mussel picking with the farmers. November Theme: Take part in sheep shearing and traditional blood sausage making.
Day 4: Hike at Hvalfjördur and Borgarfjord District
On the last day at Bjarteyjarsandur we go for a hike in the surroundings of the farm. Depending on conditions we have the option to hike up to Glymur waterfall, explore the old whaling station or the old barracks at Miðsandur in Hvalfjörður. The name Hvalfjörður is derived from the large number of whales which could be found and caught there. Until the 1980s, one of the biggest whaling stations in Iceland was located in this fjord. During World War II, a naval base of the British and American navies could be found in this fjord. One of the piers built by the United States Navy was later used by the Hvalur whaling company, until commercial whaling was shut down in the 1980s. Around lunchtime it is time to say goodbye to the hosts at Bjarteyjarsandur and visit the main sights around Borgarfjörður. We visit places like hot spring Deildartunguhver, stunning waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafossar, we drive through Reykholt Saga settings and visit the goat farmer at Háafell. We arrive to Reykjavík just in time for dinner and you will be treated at the home of your tour guide for a goodbye meal. Transfer to accommodation in Reykjavík when the evening is over.
Day 5: Departure
Shuttle transfer to Keflavik International Airport and individual flight back to the UK.
January Theme: Take part in a local Þorrablót (Viking midwinter festival). It's the custom during the Þorri weeks to eat the traditional Icelandic food that was produced in the days when making use of every part of the animal was necessary to avoid starvation.
May Theme: Take part in lambing season, which is one of the most demanding and rewarding time during year for the sheep farmers.
