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The Wondrous World of River Jökla and Kringilsárrani “Peninsula”
The Highlands at Snæfell
5 days – provisions by car. Departure 3th August 2006 (B4)
Glúmsstaðasel – Jökulsá á Dal – Eyjabakkar – Snæfell – Sauðá -
Tröllagilslækur – Jökla – Rauðaflúð – Töfrafoss – Kringilsá –
Kringilsárrani - Hraukar – Hafrahvammar – Kárahnjúkar
-- Itinerary --
DAY 1:
EGILSSTAÐIR – FLJÓTSDALUR – GLÚMSTAÐASEL – FOSSARÖÐ JÖKULSÁR Á
FLJÓTSDAL – EYJABAKKAR – SNÆFELL
Departure by car from Egilsstaðir village at 09:15. En route to
Kárahnjúkar area via Fljótsdalur valley. Hike up by a series of
waterfalls in glacial river Jökla, altogether 15 falls and
numerous magnificent rapids. Visibility allowing, the King of
Icelandic mountains, Snæfell, and our destination, is in
magnificent view. Extra shoes for wading may come in handy as the
wetlands brooks and streams feeding Jökla are liable to grow in
the summer. Rendezvous with Sibbi, our driver, is planned before
marching on to our camp at the roots of Snæfell where we will stay
for two nights in the bosom of glaciers and mountains after a long
day’s journey.
DAY 2
EYJABAKKAR
This day is dedicated to the unique Eyjabakkar wetlands, formed by
the fine silt deposited by glacial river Jökulsá á Fljótsdal. An
unparalleled oasis of vegetation, 650m above sea level, habitat of
most of the known species of highland vegetation, some of them
very rare. We will take the direction of Eyjabakka-glacier and
will inspect Hraukar, magnificent examples of terminal moraines,
and the neighbouring tarns, in an area where reindeer and pink
footed geese feed and roam. We will trek on to our camp in the
neighbourhood of the planned site of Eyjabakkar dam. This is where
a group of artist and other lovers of nature enacted a performance
to protest against the destruction of the site.
DAY 3:
EYJABAKKAR - KÁRAHNJÚKAR – SAUÐÁ – JÖKLA – RAUÐAFLÚÐ –
SAUÐAFELLSALDA
Our driver Sibbi, will take us to Sauðá river. 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, where we will stay for
two nights.
DAY 4:
KRINGILSÁRRANI
We will walk to the junction of rivers Jökla and Kringilsá. There
we will see the magnificent canyons of Kringilsá, with itst raging
rapids. 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 which sediments and moraines
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 5: SAUÐAFELLSALDA – DIMMUGLJÚFUR – HAFRAHVAMMAGLJÚFUR -
KÁRAHNJÚKAR - EGILSSTAÐIR
The day starts with a drive with Sibbi to the greatest canyons in
Iceland. We will inspect the canyons of Dimmugljúfur and
Hafrahvammagljúfur. On our return journey we will stop by the
planned site of Kárahnjúkar dam, where those who want to can join
in. From there we will drive directly to Egilsstaðir in time for
our afternoon flight.
Our journey starts at Egilsstaðir airport, where passengers will
be picked up at 9:15. By the end of the journey they will be
dropped off at the same place in time for the late-afternoon
flight.
Full board including breakfast, hot evening meals and travelling
provisions. Tents and such will be transported by car. It is
therefore only necessary to carry light daypacks, with day
provisions and protective clothing.
Some of the day-journeys are short while others are longer. Our
pace however will be comfortable and not too difficult. The
elevation is not great except when we walk upstream by glacial
river, Jökulsá in Fljótsldalur, the first day, in which we cover
the greatest distance.
Price: IKR 42.000
Included in the package: guided tour, full board, transport of
luggage and travel by car. Yoga sessions in the mornings and
evenings.
Guides: Ásta Arnardóttir and Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir
Driver: Sigurbjörn Árnason
Catering: Brynhildur Þorgeirsdóttir
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-refundable.
Introductory meeting to be announced.
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