Iceland Hiking Adventure

Arrive in Iceland on or before DAY 1
Fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
Take the Flybus from KEF to Reykjavik (about a 45 min drive). The Flybus desk is located in the arrival hall (on your far right as you exit customs) of KEF. Here you can purchase tickets and get detailed information.
The first stop in Reykjavik will be the BSÍ – Reykjavik Excursions Bus Terminal. If you are staying in a hotel prior to the trip, ask the driver if there is a shuttle available to your hotel, or take a taxi from outside the terminal, a bus, or walk from the BSÍ to your hotel.
Click here for Flybus details. There is free wifi available on the Flybus but don't miss the spectacular and unusual landscape of the Reykjanes peninsula between the Keflavik airport and Reykjavik.
Large luggage lockers are available at the BSÍ, if you wish to leave your luggage for the day while you explore the city. The lockers are self-serve using a major credit or debit card.

Group Rendezvous Point:

Date: Day 1
Time: 5:45 PM
Location: Lobby of Exeter Hotel
- Tryggvagata 12, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you plan on arriving early, Wild Women Expeditions recommend staying at Exeter Hotel, your hotel accommodation for the first night of the tour or visit Reykjavik Hotels for a full listing of various accommodations in downtown Reykjavik.

DEPARTURES FROM ICELAND

After breakfast, your guide can plan a drop off either back in Reykjavik if you are extending your stay in Iceland (1 hr drive from last night hotel), or there will be group airport drop off at KEF (1.5 hr drive from last night hotel).
Plan your departure flight from KEF for anytime in the afternoon.
Allow 2 – 3 hours to get through the airport and to your gate.

Drop Off Point:

Date: Day 8
Time: 10:30 AM - 12 NOON
Drop off Locations:
- BSÍ – Reykjavik Excursions Bus Terminal
- Central downtown location in Reykjavik
- Keflavík International Airport (KEF)

RECOMMEDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you plan on departing later, Wild Women Expeditions recommends visiting Reykjavik Hotels for a full listing of various accommodations in downtown Reykjavik.

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passports:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Visa:

Generally not required for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

TIPPING

It is not customary to leave a tip in restaurants and bars in Iceland, as this is generally included in the cost of the meal/drink. Double check your bill or ask the server to be sure. Otherwise, 10%-20% could be added when it is not otherwise included.

Most participants tip guides in the range of $15– $25 USD per day, per guide. You will have one lead guide on this trip and several local activity guides:

Local activity guides include:

Glacier hike guide
Horseback riding guide

If tipping cash at local businesses, the local currency in Krona is preferred, but guide tips will also be accepted in CAD, USD or Euro.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

Our trip price is based on shared rooms, so we’ll pair you with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can request to share a room with your travel companion if you are traveling with someone.
Limited private room upgrades are available on request and subject to availability.

Laundry Service:

Most hotels will have a laundry service for a fee. If you wish to do a load of laundry during the trip, please let your guide know and she can help arrange this service at one of the hotels for you if possible. We recommend only doing laundry when you are staying more than one night at the same location.

Alternatively, there may be some free time to visit a laundromat, which may be more cost effective, if you prefer this option. Again, your guide can help facilitate.

Consider packing quick-dry underwear and merino wool socks and rinse these in your bathroom with multi-purpose soap, such as Dr. Bronners, and hang in the shower.

Potable Water:

Water is safe to drink out of the tap throughout Iceland.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay:

Day 1: Exeter Hotel - StandardRoom
Day 2-3: Highland Base - Deluxe Room
Day 4-5: Hotel Kanslarinn - Standard Room
Day 6-7: ION Adventure Hotel - Deluxe Room

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ICELAND

About:

Capital City: Reykjavik (the most northern capital in the world!)
Official Language: Icelandic, a North Germanic language derived from Old Norse. It has changed relatively little throughout the centuries. English is widely spoken and understood.
Time: Iceland is in the Greenwich Mean Time Zone (GMT). Daylight savings time is not observed.
Earthquakes: Iceland is a Nordic island country marking the juncture between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and is an active seismic zone, making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Iceland has around 130 volcanoes, with about 32 active systems including Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull, Grímsvötn, and Katla. The recent eruptions around the Fagradalsfjall area on the Reykjanes Peninsula have also gained attention.

Climate & Weather:

If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes. This little joke is often told about the Icelandic weather. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool, temperate maritime climate; refreshing summers and fairly mild winters.

The weather is also affected by the East Greenland polar current curving south-eastwards around the north and east coasts. As a result, sudden weather changes are common, and travelers should prepare accordingly.

Iceland Weather Website

Animals and Bugs:

There are about 380 species of flies in Iceland. Until recently, mosquitoes did not exist in Iceland and the only biting insect in Iceland is the black fly, an American species and the only one that bit people and other mammals, causing some swelling and itching. However, in October 2025 mosquitoes have been discovered in Iceland for the first time, ending its status as one of the world's last mosquito-free havens.

Iceland cannot boast of many species of wild animals compared to other countries and continents. The country has been isolated from the beginning, and is mainly the realm of the creatures of the sea, insects, and the avifauna (flying creatures – birds and bats). There are some mammals such as rodents, reindeer, mink, polar bears, Arctic foxes, rabbits, seals, and whales, but each species is limited in numbers and is very sensitive to disease. As such, there are strict laws and regulations concerning the import of animals and goods.

Phones & Mobile Service:

The code to call Iceland from overseas is +354, along with the seven-digit local number. Long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialing 00 or “+” plus the country code and the telephone number you wish to reach.

Four GSM service providers operate in Iceland: Siminn, Vodafone, TAL and Nova. Together they cover most of the island, including a large proportion of the unpopulated area of the country. All these companies sell prepaid GSM phone cards and offer GSM / GPRS service. You can purchase credit refill cards at most gas stations or convenience stores in Iceland, or top up online.

Cellular data is available throughout the trip with an International plan, portable wifi, or local sim card. While having the internet while out in the highlands is handy, also consider the joy of being unplugged for a few days!

Useful Numbers

Emergency Number: 112
Police: 444-1000
Medical Assistance: 1770
Dental Emergency: 575-0505
Information: 1819

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds, and cash to tip your guides (any currency is appreciated). Access to cash machines is limited once you start the trip. Visa and debit are accepted in most locations in Iceland.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

If you need to change currency, you will find a currency exchange counter at Keflavik Airport when you arrive in Iceland. You will have to show your passport in order to be able to exchange money.

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM):

One of the most convenient ways to get cash in króna is by using an ATM. You will often receive better exchange rates, even though you have to pay a service fee, as with most ATMs outside your bank network. Keep in mind that while access to ATMs is excellent in Reykjavik, there are few opportunities to access cash while on the trip itself.

Credit Cards:

These are widely accepted in Iceland. The major cards in Iceland are Europay/ Mastercard and Visa. Cash can be obtained at every bank branch as well as in all ATMs throughout the country. Please note that there might be a difference between the official currency exchange rate in Iceland and the exchange rate that the credit card companies charge.

Cash:

Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr., 1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00. Please check online for current exchange rates. You can easily change Canadian dollars for kronur at KEF. You will need cash (in any currency) for tipping your guides (see below for amounts).

Goods and Services Taxes:

Value Added Tax (VAT) is included in the price of goods in Iceland. When you leave the country, VAT is refunded on all purchases exceeding 6000 ISK upon request, subject to the conditions of regulations. VAT is included in the marked-up price and is collected in two brackets, 11%, and 24%, depending on the goods and services purchased. The VAT refund will be 20% (19.35%) for the higher bracket or 10% (9.91%), for the lower bracket. Maximum refund is 15% of the retail price. Learn how to submit a VAT refund request at the airport when you’re leaving Iceland.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Useful Websites:

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

Fitness Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, since this is a moderately challenging hiking trip (i.e. hiking up to 12 km per day and up to 400m elevation gain) and you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of hiking in Iceland.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Take every opportunity you can to be active.
- You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Join a local walking or running group.
- This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.
- If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.
Break in your hiking boots.
- Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.

Hydration.
- When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
Nutrition.
- Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!
Have fun!
- The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].

Iceland Hiking Adventure - Trip Details

What you need to know before you go!