From 75,000 ISK
Staying at Wilderness Center in the east fjords of Iceland offers you much more than just an overnight stay! Located in a remote part of the Eastern region of Iceland the Wilderness Centre offers a unique experience which transcends any regular farm holiday.
This Living With Locals Tour offers a compelling mix of action, history and great, homemade food in an authentic environment. Enjoy bathing in hot springs, experience magnificent nature, stargaze and search for the northern lights, get to know the friendly Icelandic horses, sleep in a museum and have fun getting pulled across a glacier river in a cable box!
The day to day | Day 1
The tour starts with a scenic drive over the mountains and along the Lagarfljót lake, home of a famous river monster Lagafljótsormurinn. Listen to stories of the mystical nature of the lake. Once at the Wilderness Center, you will be guided through the unique wilderness museum, created by a group of artists, filmmakers and historians bringing the regions rich history to life. For lunch you’ll enjoy local food made in the homely kitchen. Then your local guide takes you to a picturesque abandoned farm full of stories and traces of the past. Those who dare can experience the adventure of crossing the glacier river in a renovated cable-box.
Next up are light refreshments before soaking in the hot spring and relaxing in the sauna at the Wilderness Center where the view over the peaceful valley is a delightful treat. As an appetiser before dinner you visit a traditional turf smoke hut and taste the local smoked meat.
After dinner you visit the Wilderness stargazing station. Located in reconstructed ruins of an old sheep stable, made from stones and turf. This location offers a wonderful view of clear skies and the authenticity and peaceful atmosphere is guaranteed to leave no visitor untouched. Try the great telescope for stargazing through the open roof and be inspired by stories about how the distant stars have made great impact on many lives, for example guiding travellers. Since the stargazing is through an open roof, wool blankets, sheepskins, a campfire and hot chocolate will keep you warm. A combination that is hard to beat! Unless perhaps the northern lights will be out dancing?
Authentic Iceland. Winter Stay. Living with Locals. Wilderness Center. Hidden Iceland
The day to day | Day 2
After breakfast you go and visit the Wilderness Center’s neighbour at the last active farm in Iceland that still keeps all the sheep in traditional houses built from turf and stones. Watch quirky and interesting old silent film clips about the wilderness before a local lunch that awaits at the Wilderness Center.
After lunch, you drive out of the valley with your local guide making interesting stops like being introduced to the friendly and unique Icelandic horse and scouting for reindeer. Then learn about the nature and environment at the Vatnajökull National Park Visitor Center.
The next destination is Hengifoss waterfall. It is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland, measuring 128 m falling from the plateau into a magnificent gorge. There is a colourful rock formations surrounding the waterfall, showing different layers from volcanic eruptions in the Tertiary period when Iceland was formed. It takes 40-60 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the waterfall. On the way is another astonishing waterfall called Litlanesfoss. It is crowned by exceptional high basalt columns making it totally unique and photogenic.
Finally, you will be driven back, enjoying the scenery on the way while passing historic places, elf dwellings and beautiful nature. Until the guides get you safely back “home”.
Please not that this itinerary may have minor changes due to winter weather conditions.
Icelandic Horse by Brendan Bannister
Authentic Iceland. Winter Stay. Living with Locals. Wilderness Center. Hidden Iceland
Authentic Iceland. Winter Stay. Living with Locals. Wilderness Center. Hidden Iceland
Operates: October, November, December 1-18, February, March, April and upon request
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Group size: Min 2 / Max16
Minimum age: No age limit
Language: English
Location: Wilderness Center / Óbyggðasetur Íslands, Norðurdalur in Fljótsdalur
701 Egilsstaðir
Pick up: Egilsstaðir/Seyðisfjörður Ferry Port
Drop off: We return our guests to Egilsstaðir/Seyðisfjörður Ferry Port at the end of day 2
Departing from: Egilsstaðir/Seyðisfjörður
Total tour price: 75,000 ISK per person
What’s included?
• Fully guided tour
• Drive to and from ferry port /airport
• All transport on the tour
• Lunch, refreshments and dinner (wilderness feast) on Day 1
• Breakfast, lunch and refreshments on Day 2
• Accommodation in a unique environment, double room with shared facilities*
• Use of bath house, stone hot spring, sauna and relaxation room
• Free access to all events and exhibitions during the tour
GOOD TO KNOW
To make the most out of your stay in the Wilderness Center it is recommended that you book accommodation in Egilsstaðir or the surrounding area for the nights before and after the tour.
*Rooms can be upgraded to have private facilities upon request.
This tour is operated by our partners from Wilderness Center
