A3) The Wondrous World of  River Jökla 
and Kringilsárrani “Peninsula”

5 days backpacking + provisions by car

 Departure: 16th July 2006

Sauðá – Jökla – Rauðaflúð – Sauðafellsalda – Kringilsá – Brúarjökull – Kringilsárrani – Hraukar 
 Töfrafoss – Stuðlagátt – Laugavalladalur – Hafrahvammar – Kárahnjúkar

-- Itinerary--

DAY 1: (daypack)
EGILSSTAÐIR – SAUÐÁ – JÖKLA –TRÖLLAGILSLÆKUR – RAUÐAFLÚÐ – SAUÐAFELLSALDA
Departure by car from Egilsstaðir airport at 09:15. En route to Kárahnjúkar-area to Sauðá river, where the walk starts. We will follow Sauðá downstream to Jökla river. From there we will head south, following Jökla upstream, by its canyons and grown banks, to look at the impressive columnar basalt formations and nests of pink footed geese. We will see the „red“ rapids in Jökla, called „Rauðuflúðir“. Our route will take us through a grown area to our camp for the night in Sauðafellsalda hill.

DAY 2 (full backpack)
ÞORLÁKSMÝRAR – BRÚARJÖKULL – KRINGISLÁRRANI
We will march to the terminal moraines to the west of Kringilsá river up to Brúarjökull glacier. We will lunch before scaling the glacier. If the sun is out, is advisable to use sun lotion and a have a pair of sunglasses handy. From the glacier we will go on to the preserved area of Kringilsárrani peninsula. We will camp for two nights in the vicinity of tarns on Kringilsárrani.

DAY 3: (daypack)
KRINGILSÁRRANI – SANCTUARY
We will get to know the unique sanctuary of Kringilsárrani. We will spend the day enjoying serenity, natural beauty and a surprisingly varied fauna. We will take a look at the geology of Brúarjökull glacier the  sediments and moraines of which probably offer the most visible, best-known history of any outlet-glacier in the world. We will inspect the feeding area of reindeer and the pink-footed geese, rare highland vegetation, canyons, rapids, waterfalls, sediment terraces, terminal moraines and other glacial vestiges.

DAY 4: (full backpack)
KRINGILSÁRRANI – TÖFRAFOSS – ÁRMÓT KRINGILSÁR OG JÖKLU – SAUÐAFELL – LAUGAVALLADALUR
We will march due north on Kringilsárrani by Hraukar moraines to Töfrafoss waterfall, which we will be able to admire from its east bank. We will take our lunch break before continuing up to where Jökla river and Kringilsá river meet. Awaiting us there will be the tow-ferry made by farmer Guðmundur á Vaði. After crossing the river, we will march on to meet Sibbi by Sauðafell. He will take us up to Laugavalladalur valley where we will camp for the last night. In the valley one can take a mountain bath. We will put up a party tent and prepare for BBQ and fun, red wine and a leg of lamb.

DAY 5: (daypack)
LAUGAVALLADALUR – EGILSSTAÐIR
We will enjoy the unique Laugavalladalur valley. We will see the greatest river canyons in Iceland, Hafrahvammagljúfur. We will make a short stop by the site of the planned Kárahnjúkavirkjunar dam (protest stand for those who feel like it). From there the car will take us to Egilsstaðir village in time for our late-afternoon flight.

Our journey starts at Egilsstaðir village, where passengers will be picked up at 9:00. By the end of the journey they will be dropped off at the same place in time for the late-afternoon flight.

They journey is a blend of backpacking and travel by car with provisions carried by car.
a)	the provisions, tents and such will be transported by car or left at campsite. It is therefore only necessary to carry light daypacks, with food and protective clothing.
b)	 2 days backpacking with a full load. 

Some of the day-journeys are short while others are longer. Our pace however will be comfortable and rather slow. The elevation is not great.

NB. This trip can be prolonged, see A1

NB: the last evening’s BBQ is included, as well as breakfast and nourriture the last day.
NB! Food is not provided by Augnablik in this treck, hikers bring their own food.

Price: IKR 29.000

Included in the package: guided tour, provisions and travel by car. Last evening’s BBQ in Laugavalladalur valley, breakfast and camping food the day after. Yoga sessions in the mornings and eveings.

Guides: Ásta Arnardóttir og Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir
Driver: Sigurbjörn Árnason
Yoga teacher: Ásta Arnardóttir

Note that the outlined itinerary is subject to change, at the discretion of the guides.

Bookings: Þuríður Einarsdóttir: augnablik@this.is
Tel:  (354) 8644012

Confirmation fee IKR 5.000 payable into Augnablik account 0306-26-883 SSN. 670793-2499. Please remember to state full name. Confirmation fee non-reimbursable. 
Introductory meeting to be announced.