Scenic East Iceland
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Port
Seydisfjordur, Iceland
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Hiking,Local Sightseeing,14,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$269.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Leaving Seyðisfjörður, your coach follows the winding road uphill and over the impressive Fjarðarheiði mountain pass to Egilsstaðir -- a town of about 2,000 inhabitants and the commercial center of eastern Iceland.
Continue past Iceland's third-largest lake -- Lagarfljót -- whose bed lies 300 feet below sea level. The lake is famous for the mythical monster that resides in its deepest reaches.
Your journey continues to Hallormsstaður, one of the country's most successful government forestry stations set in the beautiful Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest. More than forty tree species from various parts of the world grow here. It is a favorite with Icelanders who seldom encounter trees among the typical landscape of stunted bushes and sweeping volcanic outfall. Take a short walk through the woods here.
Step inside the Snæfellsstofa Visitor Center for the area covering the east side of Vatnajökull National Park. Enjoy an interactive way to explore the nature of the area.
Not far away, Skriðuklaustur is an unusual building of basalt blocks with white cement. This is the former home of Gunnar Gunnarsson -- one of Iceland's greatest writers. Today the building is a residence for artists and writers, both Icelandic and foreign.
En route back to Seyðisfjörður, you will stop in Egilsstaðir for souvenir shopping in the local handicraft shops.
Notes:
Please realistically assess your physical fitness and ability prior to booking, as the walk is uphill, over unpaved, rough walking tracks with many steps. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Wear sturdy, non-skid walking shoes. Parents traveling with children under the age of 3 must rent a child's car seat from the tour operator; please see the Shore Excursions team on board. You cannot use your child's car seat from home in Iceland.