Day 4. Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón
Continue from Kirkjubæjarklaustur over Skeidarársandur, vast tracts of black sand desert, washed down by numerous torrential glacial rivers. Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe is to the north from here. In the afternoon of 21. May 2011, a sub-glacial eruption started in the Grímsvötn volcanic system underneath Vatnajökull Glacier. Later the same day, the eruption broke the ice cover of the glacier and started spewing volcanic ash into the air. The amount of ash fall was the greatest close to the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The eruption went on for about a week. It ceased on 28. May 2011. Stop at Skaftafell National Park, an oasis wedged between glacier and sand plains. Its natural beauty is a result of favorable weather conditions and the interaction of fire and ice. One of the many interesting hiking trails takes you to Svartifoss, one of Iceland’s most picturesque waterfalls, framed in by beautiful basalt columns that surround it. Continue to the Glacial Lagoon Jökulsarlón, where huge icebergs, true sculptures of nature, broken off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, float and grind together in the blue waters of the lagoon.
Highlights of the day:
Skaftafell National Park
Svartifoss waterfall
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Höfn
Overnight:
Höfn area
Recommended optional activity:
Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Crystal Ice Cave
Zodiac Boat Tour on the Glacier Lagoon
Glacier Lagoon Kayaking