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2025
2026

Wed 29 Jul - Sun 02 Aug 2026

OVERVIEW

What to expect

ITINERARY

What you will do

COSTS

Ways to pay

ESSENTIAL INFO

All you need to know

Your challenge day by day

Day 1, Wed 29 Jul 2026

International departure from London

It’s a short flight to Keflavik and then a four-hour transfer to your starting point. Drive through lunar-style landscapes, passing by Hekla – Iceland’s most famous active volcano. Your campsite is at Landmannalaugar, in the heart of southern Iceland’s thermal area. After dinner is the opportunity to bathe in the hot springs, perfect for a good nights’ sleep. (D)

Accommodation: Camping

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Day 2, Thu 30 Jul 2026

Landmannalaugar to Álftavatn (approx. 10–11hrs)

It’s a tough day, navigating through snow and mud which moves and slips underneath your feet. Near your highest point of 3,600ft you’ll pass Storihver, a large hot spring. After a deserved lunch, walk through glistening black opsidium rock fields with views over valleys, glaciers and snowfields. 

Follow the Jokultungur Ridge, descend over the scree and cross one final river before reaching the Álftavatn Valley and setting up camp.  (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Camping

2

Day 3, Fri 31 Jul 2026

Álftavatn to Emstrur (approx. 7-8hrs)

Leave the incredible rhyolite landscape and head into the glacial areas and fast running streams of the Myradalsjokull Icecap. Here is probably the most intrepid part of the trip, wading through ice-cold streams in Bláfjallakvisi. 

Heading down to the oasis at Hvangngil, the trek then follows through desert-like passes to your home for the night, the Emstrur Hut. You will be camping next to a stream here. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Camping

3

Day 4, Sat 01 Aug 2026

Emstrur and Thorsmörk, then transport to Reykjavik (approx. 6-7hrs)

Your final days trekking offers amazing views of the Markarfljót gorge and the bridged Ljorsa fissure, as well as river crossings. 

Your awe-inspiring 58km trek climaxes with a steep drop into Thorsmörk, surrounded by giant glaciers and raging rivers. After some time to reflect on your achievement and take the obligatory photos, head back to Iceland’s capital Reykjavík where the celebrations can begin in style. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Hotel

4

Day 5, Sun 02 Aug 2026

Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon and return to UK

Enjoy exploring Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, the world’s most northerly capital, with a visit to the mineral rich, geothermal pool at the Blue Lagoon before departing back to London. (B)

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Important information

B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary; however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that may occur. In all such circumstances, your expedition leader will have the final say.

Should you suffer from vertigo, it is worth considering that on most mountain treks there will be occasional exposure to sheer drops. Therefore you should discuss the particular itinerary of your choice with a member of our team.

 

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We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate

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