Join the Adventure in Iceland!
Overview
What to expect on the trip?
Vacation Races: Global Adventures- the name says it all! We will be taking you on a week-long adventure that includes trail running, hiking, soaking in hot springs, visiting glaciers, seeing waterfalls and geysirs- more adventure than most people experience in a year.
Every day we will take you on a trail run through the varied terrain of Iceland. All runs will be around 5-10K in length and have some elevation gain. We use the term “trail run” loosely here, as lots of the time you will be hiking because it’s uphill, or because you just want to slow down and take in the scenery. After our runs each day, we will eat lunch together, followed by either free time in the afternoon or another adventure. We’ll end the day with dinner and more relaxing.
This trip will be limited to 100 adventurers
Trip Dates
We are offering two separate weeks for this adventure. The trip will be the same both weeks, just register for whichever week fits your schedule best. The two trip dates are:
June 13-20th, 2020 or June 20-27th, 2020
What's included?
This is an all-inclusive adventure! That means that ALL the details of planning your trip are taken care of for you by the Vacation Races Staff. Included in the trip are most meals, hotels, transportation within Iceland, park fees, and other adventures included in the itinerary below.
SWAG! Vacation Races always treats you right, but Global Adventures takes it up a notch. Apart from the awesome medal you'll get at the end of the week, you'll also get some great high quality gear and souvenirs that you'll cherish for years to come.
What's not included?
The main thing not included here is your airfare to and from Reykjavik, Iceland. All of your meals will be covered except for two dinners and one lunch, where you’ll get to explore the culinary options of Iceland on your own. Apart from that, the only thing you would be expected to cover is any souvenirs or additional food or drink.
Itinerary
Day 1, Saturday: Arrive in Reykjavik
You’ll arrive in Reykjavik by Saturday afternoon and either take a taxi or airport shuttle to our hotel in Reykjavik for the first night. We’ll check you in and get everyone oriented for what to expect throughout the week, as well as its your first chance to meet your fellow adventurers! Dinner is included the first night.
Day 2, Sunday: Burfell Volcano Run & Discover Reykjavik
Trail run: 8.8k; Elevation gain: 400 feet; point to point run
We’ll wake up, enjoy breakfast and then head straight to our first run of the week, which will give you a taste of what Iceland offers. Our run today takes you through a massive lava flow from the Burfell Volcano, culminating with a run around the rim of this (now dormant!) volcano. After our run and lunch, you’ll have the afternoon to explore the city of Reykjavik. Go visit the Hallgrimskirkja cathedral, take a stroll through the shops along Laugavegur, and enjoy the friendly vibe of this European capital.
Day 3, Monday: Reykjadalur Valley Hot River Run & Explore the Golden Circle
Trail run: 4k; Elevation gain: 800 feet; point to point run
Our second full day in the country will be exploding with excitement- literally! After breakfast, we will head to our run, which is a relatively short run up to the hot river in the Reykjadalur Valley. You’ve seen hot springs before, but have you ever soaked in an entire hot river? After our soak, we’ll head back to the bus to continue our tour of the Golden Circle. The three main sights in the golden circle are Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir (the original geyser), and Þingvellir National Park, where you walk down the canyon where the North American and Eurasian continents meet!
Day 4, Tuesday: 4x4 drive to the Þórsmörk Volcano Huts and Fimmvörðuháls Run
Trail run: 12.8k; Elevation gain: 2,000 feet; Point to point run/hike
We’ll wake up and board our 4x4 buses to head into the Icelandic hinterlands today! I promise you this will be the most exciting bus ride of your life as we traverse off road and forge several rivers on our way to the Þórsmörk Volcano Huts. Once we arrive, we’ll be off to our run/hike for the day which is perhaps the most spectacular of the week. Yes, this is a longer day, but we don’t expect anyone to go fast- just take your time and enjoy the views of the mountains, glaciers, and braided rivers all around! After our long hike, we’ll spend the afternoon enjoying the lodge to ourselves- relaxing in the sauna, playing Icelandic lawn games, or even sneaking a nap 
.
Day 5, Wednesday: Þórsmörk Run and Visit Skogafoss Waterfall & Reynisfjara Beach
Trail run: 5k; Elevation gain: 400 feet; Loop run
After a breakfast in the lodge, we’ll do one last run in Þórsmörk where you will be able to see more views of this incredible valley. We’ll then board the 4x4 busses and head back through the rivers, across the dirt roads, and take you back to the south coast, where we’ll continue on to the beautiful little costal town of Vik. On our way into town we’ll stop and visit the thundering Skogafoss Waterfall, where you can get as close and as wet as you like! We will then take you to see one of the most unique beaches you have ever seen- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Here the sand is made up of ground up lava and the cliffs are perfect octagonal columns of basalt. There are black sea stacks out in oceand and perfect cave where you can look out at the ocean and take it all in.
Day 6, Thursday: Vik Sea Cliff Run & Sólheimajökull Glacier Tour
Trail run: 5k; Elevation gain: 900 ft; Out and back run
We’re getting closer to the end of the week and we’ve saved the best sea views for last. Today we’ll run from the town of Vik, up along the towering sea cliffs above the ocean, where were will finish our run and spend some time enjoying the views. You may want to spend all day there, but eventually we’ll need to get back down because we have more adventuring to do! After lunch we’ll take you the Sólheimajökull Glacier, where we have guides ready to strap on some crampons, give you an ice axe, and take you hiking on this amazing glacier. Our guides are super knowledgeable and safety conscious- teaching all about glaciers as you explore.
Day 7, Friday: Blue Lagoon Run & Soak in the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa
Trail run: 8.7k; Elevation gain: 200 ft; Loop run
Our last day and final run of the trip! After leaving Vik in the morning, we’ll drive up to Keflavik for lunch, followed by afternoon spent at the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. But before you go into the healing blue waters of the spa, we get to run around the lagoon. Our course takes you across chunky lava fields, through bright blue ponds, and of course, through more 100 year old Icelandic moss than you’ve ever seen (but don’t touch it!). After finishing our last run, we’ll take you into the spa, where you’ll have a few hours to just relax and enjoy the Blue Lagoon in all its glory. Give yourself a complimentary silica facial. Drink a few drinks at the swim-up bar. Whatever you do, just soak in this last incredible experience at the end of your week in Iceland. After the Blue Lagoon, we’ll finish off our week with dinner and closing ceremonies.
Day 8, Saturday: Depart from Reykjavik
All good things must come to an end. You’re free to move on to your next adventure anytime on Saturday, whether that’s a flight back home or carrying on into Europe for more travel.
Looking forward to my adventure
Looking forward to my adventure with you guys next year 😁🎉
Pricing & Registration Details
Pricing and Deposit
$3,450 includes everything mentioned in the itinerary. Deposit of $500 is due at registration, after which the remaining $2,950 balance will be billed to you 6 months prior to the trip departure.
Making Payments: You can make payments anytime by logging into your profile on RegFox > Under your registration information, your outstanding balance will be displayed. Click "Make Payment". You will be able to use your card on file, or charge an amount to a different card.
Based on Double Occupancy
This pricing is based on double occupancy of all hotel rooms. If you register with a partner, you will be able to stay with them. If you register as solo adventurer, we will pair you with someone else of the same gender in a hotel room. Please note- during one night of this trip we will be staying in the Þórsmörk Volcano Huts, which are not individual hotel rooms, but either group cabins or glamping tents.
Single Occupancy Pricing
If you prefer to have your hotel room to yourself, the cost will be $800 extra ($4,250 total) to cover the additional hotel expense. Also- even if you pay for single occupancy, you will not have your own room when we stay in the Volcano Huts in Þórsmörk!
Cancellation and Transfer Policy
The deposit of $500 is refundable up to 6 months prior to the event (December 13th, 2019 or December 20th, 2019). After these dates, the deposit is non-refundable unless we are able to transfer your registration to another participant.
The remaining balance of $2,950 is due 6 months prior to the event. Once the event is 6 months out, all remaining balance is due. If you choose to cancel within 6 months of the event, there are 2 options available to you.
Option 1: Transfer your registration to another participant if you are able to find someone willing to take your place.
Option 2: Receive a refund. If you choose to receive a refund within 6 months of the event there will be a hotel fee of $800 applied, which covers the cost of the hotel where we must guarantee rooms.
Stunningly well organized race experience. Everything about the day was just beautiful and well executed. So inspirational and fun, I would like to come work for you. Of course, it didn't hurt that I won my age group so my opinion might be slightly biased. ;)
Yellowstone Half Marathon Runner
Can you tell me how many spots are left? I am seriously looking at this for the family! What an amazing way to see a country!
Iceland is sold out however we have a waitlist. It’s quite full as well but it doesn’t hurt to get on it.
Is there a way to find out where I stand on the list?
I am unsure if I should move forward on other adventures or try and hold out.
Hello Dallas,
You are the first on the list for the waitlist. Once we have an opening we will email those on the waitlist and open more registrations.
Is the June 20th trip already full?
Hi Deborah – The Iceland trip is sold out. Please email cherie@vacationraces.com for any questions, she handles the Global Adventures program and will be able to help you.
Do you have an idea of the time we will return to Reykjavik on the last day (Saturday). I’m registered (YAAY!) and I’m looking at flights right now.
I am verifying when we will be back in Reykjavik on Friday Night. So you should be able to leave anytime Saturday.
If you can wait to book your travel, I will confirm those details this next week.
Any news on this. I am looking into booking a flight soon.
We should be at the hotel around 7pm on Friday night
What is the hotel? I will arrive Friday and leave the following Sunday. It would be convenient to stay in the same hotel!
Hotel natura in Reykjavík
Are there pictures of the trucker vs runner’s hat anywhere? I’m on the wait list (fingers crossed that people drop out!). No idea how deep on the wait list we are…
They would be the same trucker hats and running hats we use for our other events. You can look on the Merchandise store to see examples of our events.
Will you or can you provide a gear/packing list?
Yes, we will be publishing a packing list a few months before the event.
Will those who registered be sent a more detailed itinerary at some point?
Yes we will be sending a race guide with a detailed itinerary. For now the itinerary is on the website. Is there a specific question you had?
If 3 of us want to room together is that option available? Is the price at all reduced?
Most vacation races offer military discounts…do you offer the same for these adventures?
Hello Risanovo,
Global Adventures does not offer the military discount however, we do honor the military policies.
Will there be transportation from the airport to the hotel?
Hello Laura, you will need to get yourself to the hotel from the airport via the shuttle bus or a taxi.