Travel Guides

Altitude illness occurs due to changed pressure and oxygen levels. As the altitude increases the pressure levels drop and as a result oxygen levels drop accordingly. Altitude illness may kick in when reaching 3,000 meters and above as a result of the body being unable to adapt to the new pressure and oxygen levels.

Hverfjall volcano is a very popular Icelandic attraction that goes by two names; Icelanders can’t seem to decide between Hverfjall or Hverfell. However, the more common moniker is Hverfjall. The almost perfect circular shape of Hverfjall is part of what makes it such a must-see volcano in Iceland. Oh – and the fact that you can walk the whole way around its circumference! You want to give it a go on your next Iceland trip if you are into volcanoes.

Despite being one of the smaller ice caps of Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull volcano is one of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland and the world. This is thanks to its most recent eruption in 2010 that resulted in the evacuation of 800 people, caused electrical storms and earthquakes and grounded flights across Europe. Fortunately, another nearest volcano, Katla, that shares its geology did not erupt this time around. Historically speaking, when Eyjafjallajökull erupts Katla often follows suit. Eyjafjallajökull is a stratovolcano that is completely covered by an ice cap that covers 100 square km. The volcano is 1651m tall and has a partially open crater of just under 4km in diameter with three main peaks. Eyjafjallajökull is found in Southern Iceland and is a great diversion for anyone driving the south shore road on their Iceland trip. The south of Iceland is easily accessibly via road. Let's find out what we can do on and around this magnificent volcano.

For every trekking season below we list the average temperatures in Kathmandu, which lies at an altitude of 1300 m. If wanting to calculate the potential temperatures during your trek then please note that for every 100 meters of ascend the temperature will fall 0.5 degrees. Thus, when doing for example the trek to Everest Base Camp and reaching Kala Patthar which lies at an altitude of 5,400 m, then the temperature will have fallen additionally 27 degrees, compared with sea level. Please also note that the below are average temperatures only and therefore lower temperatures are possible, and, additionally the chill factor may make it considerably colder. Please therefore always choose equipment which can cope with sufficiently low temperatures during the season in which you're trekking. (Equipment lists provided further below also).

It can be said that Iceland owes its very existence to the majestic volcanoes that cover the land of fire and ice. The American and the Eurasian tectonic plates split Iceland down the middle from South to North, meaning that the spreading process of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge can be witnessed on land. In total, Iceland has around 130 volcanoes, with 30 of them being active. If you didn’t already think Iceland was a land of mystery and power, read on to find out about 10 of their most impressive volcanoes in Iceland.

There’s nothing quite as powerful and awe-inspiring as a volcano. A quiet beast that suddenly erupts into life, affecting everything from its immediate surroundings to countries on the other side of the world. For those wanting to witness the quiet power of a volcano, Iceland is the place to go. With approximately 130 volcanoes, 30 of which are still active, Iceland has numerous amazing volcanoes. Getting up close and personal with these natural wonders has never been easier - or more fun. Many Iceland tours are available that offer plenty of things to do. For adventurous tourists that wish to experience the beauty of volcanos, here’s our pick of the best!

Aptly called the “Land of Fire and Ice,” Iceland is a country that fascinates visitors with diverse attractions, each equally enchanting in its own right. Whether it be the active Mount Hekla volcano, the picturesque terrains leading to the Thorsmork Valley, or the enchanting allure of the Vatnajokull Glacier, a trip to Iceland unravels the wonders of nature in its rawest form. Explore the glacial ice caves, hike through world-renowned routes such as the Laugavegur trail, and embark on an Iceland Northern Lights trip — there are endless destinations and attractions to look forward to in this Nordic country. Here are our top 13 things to do in Iceland.

Iceland is an absolute paradise on earth, a treat for nature and adventure lovers. Whether its glaciers tours, ice cave tours, amazing volcanoes, or beautiful waterfalls, this heavenly destination is simply waiting to be explored. In this article we’ll be exploring what to see and visit in Iceland, i.e. must-visit destinations and attractions in Iceland. If you're looking for more, please see our Things to do in Iceland article for more information. Make sure you get the best of Iceland by adding these other-worldly experiences into your itinerary, for many are activities that simply cannot be found anywhere else on the planet.

Iceland has the perfect climate for waterfalls. The many glaciers Iceland and their glacier rivers, plus frequent snow and rain, all feed each of the beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, making them arguably some of the most picturesque in the world. Iceland is home to hundreds of waterfalls, so here’s our pick of the top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland (listed in no particular order).

The best time and season to see Northern Lights in Iceland is from late September to the beginning of April. One of the most popular destinations in Iceland to witness the Northern Lights is undoubtedly its capital city, Reykjavik. This city is believed to be the first official colony on Iceland back from when it was first settled, just before the turn of the first millennium.Reykjavik hasn’t looked back, and has continued to grow and be a beacon of numerous breathtaking tourist sights and rich national culture. Reykjavik boasts a great opportunity to witness the northern lights.

As the largest national park in Western Europe, Vatnajökull is made up of smaller parks such as Skaftafell in the south and Jökulsárgljúfur in the north. As a result, the terrain varies vastly. It’s namesake, Vatnajökull glacier, is the largest glacier in Europe to be found outside of the Arctic circle. As well as the glaciers immense bulk, Vatnajökull’s landscape encompasses active volcanoes, powerful glacial rivers, mountains, canyons, waterfalls, wetlands and lush woodland. Since it’s creation in 2008, Vatnajökull National Park has grown to cover almost 14,000km2. That equates to 14% of Iceland as a whole. So if you want to see the best of what a trip to Iceland has to offer, you want to see Vatnajökull National Park!Highlights Vatnajökull glacier is the highlight of the Vatnajökull National Park. Covering 8% of Iceland, it’s hard to miss. Subglacial lakes and hidden active volcanoes add to the mystery. Hvannadalshnúkur is the highest point in Iceland. Hiking there is challenging, but the view from the peak is worth it. Skaftafell National Park, nestled within Vatnajökull, offers a lush landscape with a more temperate climate and stunning scenery. Dettifoss is Europe’s answer to the Grand Canyon. An immensely powerful waterfall that hurtles into a vast gorge, seeing Dettifoss is an awe inspiring experience that truly makes you feel your size. Ásbyrgi is a gigantic, horseshoe shaped canyon steeped in Norse mythology. Lowlights Only lowlands are accessible year round. Including Jökulsárgljúfur, Skaftafell, Heinaberg, Hjallanes and Hoffell. Highlands are only accessible by 4x4 during the summer months and early autumn. Sudden changes in weather can become dangerous in remote areas. The park is still improving its road system. Though much progress has already been made.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis as the scientific term goes, are one of the most captivating natural beauties one can witness in life. They were originally named after Aurora, the Greek goddess of dawn. And when witnessing them in person, one can definitely understand how they came to be associated with divine connotations.If you have never seen the northern lights in person or through image; picture a dark night sky with lengthy trails of neon green, blue, and violet blending together in a wonderful symphony. Ordinary rainbows are perhaps the closest natural phenomenon to this wonder, and a comparison to them really does not do the northern lights justice. They are definitely a sight that is necessary to witness at least once in everyone’s life.

Skaftafell National Park, one of Iceland's national parks, is truly a landscape forged from fire and ice over centuries with many volcanic eruptions, glaciers and rivers. Like much of Iceland’s beautifully unchanged scenery, the terrain of Skaftafell National Park continues to instill a sense of awe and wonderment in all who travel there. Now included in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell National Park has been enlarged twice since it was officially founded in 1967.The protected area of Skaftafell accounts for 4807 km2 of the total terrain of Vatnajökull National Park (13,600 km²). A mountainous landscape that is home to volcanoes, waterfalls, rivers, glaciers and woods, Skaftafell’s creation took place over thousands of years. The result is a stunningly wild sweep of Nordic vistas carved by eruptions and erosion. Highlights Skaftafell benefits from a pleasant climate. Visit in summer and experience the natural phenomenon of the midnight sun. Sightseeing flights are available from the small Skaftafell runway. Get a true bird’s eye view of the vast terrain. Get a new perspective on life by coming face-to-face with the awesome magnitude of a glacier. Get up close and personal with the local wildlife including puffins and arctic foxes. Witness water cascading from a jet black basalt lava wall at Svartifoss waterfall. Lowlights Tourism has doubled in the last few years. During peak seasons, Skaftafell will be crowded with thousands of visitors. Skaftafell National Park receives little snow. However, rain, harsh wind and ice can make trails hazardous during winter. Winter is a popular time to visit Skaftafell as the landscape changes completely. However, fewer daylight hours also set a limit on the activity.

The Laugavegur Trail in Iceland could be compared, in popularity, to that of the Appalachian Trail on the east coast of The United States or the Pacific Coast Trail on the west coast, though not nearly as long. However, lengthy or not, Laugavegur is visited by thousands of hikers each year with all levels of experience. Some aim to complete the entire 49-mile trail while others want nothing more than to take in a few of the trails' breathtaking sights. At the end of the day, simply spending one minute on the trail would be a minute well spent. The rolling landscape is forever changing because of the geothermal activity below the surface of the trail. Hills move and crumble, landslides occur regularly, ice melts and creates small stream like paths into larger creeks and rivers and what was once a lush meadow is now a steaming hot spring. Whatever the reason for visiting Laugavegur, the experience is sure to be different from anything you have ever experienced.The best time to visit the trail is during the months of June through September because that is when the entire trails usually experiences its best weather. In the winter months, some of the trail may be closed off or dangerous to cross because of ice melts, snow, and sketchy weather.

Stretching more than 300 kilometres or 190 miles, the Golden Circle in Southern Iceland is the most popular tourist routes. The name Golden Circle, or “gullni hringurinn” in Icelandic, refers to the circular route that loops all the way from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, to the country’s southern uplands and back.The gold part of the name originates from one of the most notable stops along the route, the Gullfoss waterfall, which means Golden waterfall. In addition to Gullfoss, there are two main attractions along the route; the Thingvellir National Park and the geothermal area in Haukadalur, which is comprised of the two geysers Geysir and Strokkur. Other notable stops along the route include the Kerid volcanic crater, the town of Hveragerdi, and the Skalholt cathedral. While all areas in Iceland are famous for being beautiful, The Golden Circle region covers a large part of the tours in Iceland, travel-related activities, and some of the most scenic highlights in the whole country. Below we enlist eight important landmarks and attractions in the Golden Circle (not in any particular order).