TTExperience #15: Land of Ice and Fire with Timetravels!

Iceland! Just the name opens up images of magical landscapes, right?

It's always been on top of my bucket list, but I wasn't fully ready, set, and go.
Well, now it's not just a dream anymore!

May rolled around and there it was - the perfect chance to explore Iceland with the awesome Timetravels club.
Spontaneous? You bet! One minute I was dreaming of Iceland, the next I was booking a flight! All within just a month. Little did I know, this decision would lead to one of the most memorable adventures of my life!

Get ready to travel with us to the Land of Fire and Ice!

Preparation

I am not the kind to prepare for my trip seriously in advance, but Iceland is a whole different story. I did tons of research and binge-watched many YouTube videos for tips on what to bring, what to wear, and how to survive Iceland's capricious “princessy” weather.

A few days before the trip, our guide Nico sent us a packing list:

wind/waterproof jacket
wool socks/stockings
wind/waterproof mountain trousers
shirt or light sweater of wool or fleece
waterproof boots, if you have them (especially if you want to do some hiking)
rucksack 🎒

While I agree with most of the points, I found number 5 (waterproof boots) to be a must, not optional, whether you go hiking or not. You will be walking under magical waterfalls, on uneven and soggy terrains, not to mention having fun in the rainy weather!

If you are joining the white-water rafting activity in Iceland (which you must!), layers and proper socks are very important. You will be in the water and wouldn’t want to have your feet frozen after the activity.

Moreover, you could consider:

Gloves
Scarves
Beanie
Swimsuit, flip-flops, quick-dry towel (for visiting lagoons and hot springs). Towels are available for rent at some swimming facilities.
Reusable water bottle (to refill as you go) and reusable shopping bag
Power bank for your devices. You will take a lot of pictures!
GoPro if you are joining rafting (optional)
and more to check in this suggested packing list

No matter when you visit Iceland, you can experience all four seasons in a single day. So, be sure to pack clothing for every type of weather!

Accommodation

As we moved around Iceland during the trip, we changed accommodations several times. Depending on the availability, we will be assigned to different types of rooms.

Please note that the accommodations are not always the same on all trips, but similar qualities will be provided.

1. Reykjavik (Day 1 and Day 6)

Hostel name: Loft Hi Hostel

I travelled with my other five friends, so we were lucky to get a six-bed dorm together.

The room has:

A private bathroom + WC
Bedlinen included
A guest kitchen on the reception floor, where you can cook your meals
No breakfast and no towels. So better bring your own and plan your breakfast.

2. Laugarvatn (Day 2 and Day 3)

Hostel name: Heradsskolinn

In this hostel:

Bedlinen and towels included
There's only a microwave in the kitchen, no place for cooking
Here, you have the option to place your order at their restaurant in advance - the dishes are around 20€ on average

2. Stykkishólmur (Day 4 and Day 5)

Hostel name: Sjavarborg

In this hostel:

Bedlinen and towels included
A guest kitchen on the reception floor, where you can cook your meals. The kitchen is well equipped, nevertheless, a bit small so our group took turns using it.

Itinerary

All the information below is valid until May 2024, when the trip happened. There might be a change of information in future trips.

Day 1 - Arrival - Checkin - Reykjavik City tour

Transportation from the airport

After a three-hour flight, we finally landed in Reykjavik. The excitement of touching down in Iceland was incredible. From the airport, we had two main options to get to the city:

Public transport + 15 minutes walk - roughly 15€/person & 1h30min
Flybus to bus station + 15 minutes walk - roughly 25€/person & 50 min

(May 2024 information)

We decided to go by public transport, eager to get a taste of local life right away. Also, we were not in a rush to opt for the Flybus. Iceland is an expensive country, so save every penny while you can.

The bus stop was a bit hidden, so here's the map for you:

The public bus stop from Keflavík Airport

We took bus 55 to BSÍ Bus Terminal and a 15-minute walk to Loft Hi hostel, where we spent the night. It’s possible to take another bus (bus 1) from the stop if you have a lot of luggage to carry.

If you arrive at the hostel before 15.00, it is possible to leave your luggage free of charge.

The whole journey from Finland took almost 5 hours, it felt like an adventure from start to finish. We couldn't wait to see what Iceland had in store for us next.

The city walking tour

After settling in, we joined a city walk tour that lasted about an hour. Our guide, Nico was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, sharing fascinating insights about Iceland, Reykjavik, and their rich history.

As we strolled the charming streets, our guide pointed out landmarks and shared stories that brought the city to life. We learned about Reykjavik's origins, from a small settlement to the vibrant capital it is today. Nico explained how the town got its name, "Smoky Bay", due to the steam rising from the hot springs in the area.

Reykjavik's adorable street with Hallgrimskirkja church view

By the end of the tour, we felt a deeper connection to Reykjavik and a greater appreciation for its history and culture. It was the perfect introduction to our Icelandic adventure, and we couldn't wait to explore on our own.

Wonder what kind of things you could do in Reykjavik? Stay tuned to our upcoming post!

Read more: A perfect evening in Reykjavik (upcoming)

Day 2 - Road trip - South Coast excursion

Perhaps I was too excited, I woke up super early for the day's adventure. We quickly grabbed some breakfast in the guest kitchen and were ready already by 8:15.

Tips for today’s road trip:

You should have a backpack that you can keep with you on the bus where you have:

snacks, packed lunch (there will be also a place where to buy warm lunch in Vik)
rain and wind jacket and trousers (you will need it 😉)
a change of clothing in case you get wet (or at least to have this accessible in the luggage)

Make sure you have everything you need for the day!

Now the trip begins!

The city slowly faded into the distance, replaced by mountains, wide-open fields, rivers and majestic waterfalls along the way. Such typical treats from Iceland! It rained for a bit but then stopped, making the landscape even more enchanting.

Along the way, our guide mentioned an interesting fact: you can tell the wind direction by looking at the Icelandic horses. They always face their behinds to the source direction of the wind, never their faces.

Soon we reached the first stop.

1. Skógafoss

Our first major stop after a 2-hour ride was Skógafoss, a powerful waterfall standing 60 meters tall. Despite the rain, we climbed the steps to see it from above. I was amazed by its power and beauty. You will somehow get wet depending on the wind and mist, but this is when your waterproof gears come into play.

Skógafoss from below

Stairs to the top of the waterfall

From the top of the waterfall

2. Sólheimajökull

With less than a 30-minute drive, we are approaching Sólheimajökull - a glacier on Iceland's southern coast. The bus parked outside and we walked 500 meters towards it to get closer to its icy face. The weather was clear, giving us a good view of its icy surface stretching far away.

Sólheimajökull

Timetravels team

Fun fact: Despite its apparent stillness, Sólheimajökull is in constant motion, shaping the land over time with its slow but powerful movement.

3. Vik - Reynisfjara black sand beach

In Vík, a small town known for its picturesque views, it started raining again. We had to have our lunch standing inside, but luckily there was a microwave in the mall to warm up our food. Despite the rain, the charm of Vík was undeniable. We then took the short drive to Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach. The rain continued, creating a dramatic atmosphere as we wandered near the basalt rocks with powerful waves crashing against the shore.

The gloomy & mysterious Reynisfjara

Despite its beauty, you need to be extra careful when walking along the beach. Why? You can find out here: The black sand beach.

4. Seljalandsfoss waterfall

After a 50-minute drive, we arrived at Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

This waterfall in Iceland is unique because you can walk behind it, experiencing the rush of water from a different perspective. It was my first time walking under a waterfall, and I was glad I had geared up to stay dry along the pouring water.

Under the waterfall

Suddenly, the sun broke through the clouds, revealing a rainbow over the marvellous scenery. It was extraordinary to witness the colourful waterfall with its beauty up close.

5. Kerið Crater Lake

As we finished up the stops, we decided to head to Kerið Crater Lake, our last stop of the day. During this time, it started raining heavily. Nevertheless, we still managed to explore both the upper/lower parts of the crater and admire the lake's blue-green waters despite the grey sky. Imagine how beautiful it could get with the sunset!

Under the crater

The day finishes in Laugarvatn, a village surrounded by magical misty hills where we stayed for two nights. Laugarvatn itself felt like something out of a fairy tale, with its cosy houses among rolling hills covered in mist, which danced gently in the wind.

Laugarvatn at sunset

This evening, we started to get to know each other as we had dinner together. We chatted, shared stories, and looked forward to another day of adventure.

End of day 2.

(To be continued)

Feedback from our Spring 2024 travellers:

“Such a perfect program! Not boring, not too much, just perfect! Loved the South Coast, but also the West Coast, ahhh I wanna go back!”

"The itinerary was very well planned and covered a lot of sights. The time allowed to spend at each location was perfect. Travel time/sightseeing ratio was well balanced."