After my somewhat ambiguous announcement last week I have now received confirmation from Malcolm Blackburn at Chapel that the trip they are organising to Iceland and to which we are invited is in May 2015 not this month!

We have an opportunity to take 6 of the 12 places available. Details of the trip, which will be with Wildlife and Wilderness, are yet to be finalised, but at present the likely cost is £1500 based on two people sharing and the outline itinerary as follows:

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Manchester – Arrive Keflavik, meeting and explore Reykjanes peninsula. Drive to Reykjavik and overnight at hotel Frón ( a small 3* hotel in the city centre on the main shopping thoroughfare – I’ve stayed here and it is comfortable for just a night in the city).

Day 2 Drive to Thingvellir (ancient parliament site and the location of the rift valley), to Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall – this circuit is known as the Golden Circle. Overnight near Thorsmork for 2 nights.

Day 3 Explore Thorsmörk Canyon and other locations under Eyjafjallajokull

Day 4 Drive the south coast to Vik etc. and across the sands to near Skaftafell and Ingolfshöfði.

Day 5 Skaftafell – Ingolfhöfði – Jökulsárlón – Overnight in the area for 2 nights.

Day 6 Explore Jökulsárlón and Höfn

Day 7 : Drive back to Reykjavík – Overnight at Hotel Frón.

Day 8 : Airport transfer for departure.

Note that it may be possible to depart southeast Iceland on the last day and drive direct to the airport (approx. 6 or 7 hours) but this is dependent on the flight timings.

 

Cost

The cost would be from £1460 per person based on 2 persons sharing a room. A single supplement of £240 would apply. We may also be able to get triple rooms if people were interested.

 

The cost includes

International airfares and airport taxes on Icelandair from Manchester to Keflavik (note the reason for the “from” price is dependent on availability of the lowest fare seats, a quick look suggests that you will not get these on a Saturday or Sunday but would, for instance, on a Friday.)

Accommodation on a twin share bed and breakfast basis with private bathroom facilities except at one location. Small country hotels in general – probably about 3* in standard.

Private driver and minibus for 13+ persons, some of the drivers are keen photographers but not professionals and would know locations for photography so we will try and get one of these for you.

Accommodation and food for the driver

Tour to Ingolfhöfði (for puffins etc. and this is usually done by the farmer by tractor and trailer but is a well known excursion!)

Taxes

 

The cost excludes

Passport,  visa (not required for UK nationals), insurance, medication

Meals not included in the itinerary: lunches and dinners

Items of personal expenditure

Any additional activities

Tips

Wildlife and Wilderness is run by a guy called Steve Banner, who was a member at Chapel before he moved away, and come highly recommended.

If you are interested please let me know and / or  feel free to contact Malcolm direct at mblackburn@redseats.net.

If folk are interested I will arrange for Malcolm to come to our Club meeting on 16th September when he can present the proposal in more detail.