Lost Fjords

What's Included

Included:



Boat ride to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

All food

Tents

Professional guide



Not included:



Travel to and from Ísafjorður prior to and after the trip

Food on the first day until the trip departs

Personal medical insurance

Personal equipment and clothing

What's Not Included

• Insurance

• International Travel

Requirements

Remember that everything you bring you will have to carry on your back for the entire hike. Try to pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need.



Please note that we provide the tents. We use two person tents and therefore you are expected to share with one other person. If you would like a tent to yourself then you can rent a 1 person tent. Please select this option during the booking process.



Warm outdoor clothing including hiking pants and warm upper layers. Please avoid cotton as it keeps you cold when wet and takes a very long time to dry.

Waterproof jacket and pants.

Hiking boots. Please use waterproof high-top hiking boots, which provide ankle support.

Hat and gloves.

Backpack. It needs to be around 50-60L. Big enough to carry all of your belongings, including your sleeping bag and your share of the food.

Sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C. Down is best since it packs smaller than synthetic.

Sleeping mattress. A thin inflatable one is best as it easily fits inside the backpack.

Personal medical kit i.e. band aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, seasickness tablets etc. Don't forget your personal medication, which you may need (e.g. Asthma inhaler, even if you don’t always need it).

Sun glasses.

Sunscreen and after sun cream.

Binoculars are nice to have for watching wildlife. (Optional).

Water bottle.

Don't forget your camera!

Text on ticket

LOST FJORDS

FACT SHEET

THANK YOU FOR BOOKING WITH BOREA ADVENTURES ICELAND

A sparsely populated North Atlantic island, Iceland is famous for its waterfalls, hot springs, geysers and active volcanoes. An island of untamed natural forces, proud people, stunning nature and dramatic scenery, Iceland offers an abundance of outdoor activities for all. 

Iceland’s history began eleven hundred years ago when Norse settlers arrived to discover an island of mysterious highlands, fire spouting mountains, ice caps and endless fjords. Such landscapes invited a rich folklore, whilst the great Sagas record the stories of gods, kings and a Viking’s way of life. At the turn of last century, little had changed, the people worked the lands and seas much the same as their forefathers. 600 years of Danish rule, natural disasters, diseases and famine made the Icelanders' way of living very hard. With improvements to their fishing techniques and trade, the Icelanders have now come to enjoy some of the highest living standards in the world. 

The Westfjords of Iceland are one of the most remote parts of the country with endless outdoor pursuits available whether in the mountains, sheltered fjords or bays. The Westfjords are geologically the oldest part of Iceland, around 16 million years old but still very young compared to most parts of the world. Borea’s favorite areas are the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve with its rich history and unspoilt landscapes. There are no roads in the nature reserve and the only way venture there is by boat. Due to its remote location, it is very possible to stay there for days without meeting a single soul.

TRIP PROFILE
The Hornstrandir nature reserve is a place of magnificent untouched beauty and wildlife. The sheer basalt mountains stretch from the sea to the sky chaotically divided by deep fjords, secluded alcoves and valleys.

At the coastline, the relentless power of the ocean has molded towering sea cliffs, richly populated by birds. Many of the alcoves and scurries of the coast are home to an abundance of seals. Inland the crawling glaciers of the last ice age have hewn ancient mountain passes and lakes into the rugged peninsula and there the Arctic Fox wanders in its natural environment.

The Lost Fjords trip is a full-on backpacking trip where we are self-sufficient, carrying our equipment and sleeping in our own tents along the way.

ITINERARY
Pre-departure meeting
We meet at our office in Aðalstræti 17  (downtown main street) the day before departure at 17:00, where we will answer any questions and make final preparations.

Day 1
We depart from the harbour in Ísafjorður on our passenger ferry at 9:00. We make our way to the abandoned village of Hesteyri. We have now left the modern world behind and are entering a wonderland of sounds, from soothing streams to the whisper of the waves by the beach. We start our hike in Hesteyri and head for Hesteyrarskarð mountain pass. From there we start to make our way down the other side to sea level.
Overnight at Látrar.

Day 2
From Aðalvík we have the option of a big detour to the top of Straumnesfjall mountain to explore an abandoned radar station built in 1953 by the American army. They quickly figured out this was a pretty harsh place to live, so they abandoned the station in 1960. They might also have gotten tired of not seeing any enemies, ever. We will then head over to Fljótavík. To get to our destination we need to cross Atlastaðaós river, which can get a bit tricky as it is sensitive to sea tides, so we need to aim to be there at low tide.
Overnight at Atlastaðir.

Day 3 
We will start the day hiking along the green banks of Fljótsvatn lake. The lake is beautiful and the mountain range on our left-hand side is impressive. We need to cross a few mountain passes to get across the mountain range separating us from our next destination, Hloðuvík.
Overnight at Búðir with an optional evening walk to Hælavík.

Day 4 
Today we head up a steep slope to the mountain ridge Skálakambur and follow a route marked with cairns towards the steep Atlaskarð (327 m) mountain pass. We will go around Mt. Kollur and from there start making our way towards Hofn in Hornvík, the heart of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. This is a place of dramatic natural beauty and should not be missed out by anyone traveling in this area. It is necessary to spend more than one day at this awe-inspiring place so we will put up camp there for two nights.

Day 5
Nothing compares to the beauty of Hornvík, surrounding are two of Iceland's largest bird cliffs. Like the entire Hornstrandir area, Hornvík is very remote and is only accessible by boat or by foot. We hike to Hornbjarg cliff where thousands of birds can be seen and the massive sculptures of mother nature make human beings feel very small and vulnerable. Many visitors state that the hike to Hornbjarg was the highlight of their Hornstrandir trip. At the end of the day we head back to Hornvík where we spend the night.

Day 6 

Today we will pack our tents and gear, hit the trail and cross yet another mountain pass to get to Veiðileysufjorður fjord. After crossing the mountain range, we descend down to the coast again, following the beach for a while until we get to Meleyri. From there we will get picked up by a boat that will take us to Ísafjorður, back to civilization after almost a week in the wild. For those eager to wash off their hiking dust, a visit to Ísafjorður swimming pool is ideal. Others can relax, go out, eat and just enjoy the town.

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change depending on the weather, conditions and the ability of the group.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Included:
· Boat ride to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
· All food
· Tents
· Professional guide

Not included:
· Travel to and from Ísafjorður prior to and after the trip
· Food on the first day until the trip departs
· Personal medical insurance
· Personal equipment and clothing

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Remember that everything you bring you will have to carry on your back for the entire hike. Try to pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need.

Please note that we provide the tents. We use two person tents and therefore you are expected to share with one other person. If you would like a tent to yourself then you can rent a 1 person tent. Please select this option during the booking process.

· Warm outdoor clothing including hiking pants and warm upper layers. Please avoid cotton as it keeps you cold when wet and takes a very long time to dry.
· Waterproof jacket and pants.
· Hiking boots. Please use waterproof high-top hiking boots, which provide ankle support.
· Hat and gloves.
· Backpack. It needs to be around 50-60L. Big enough to carry all of your belongings, including your sleeping bag and your share of the food.
· Sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C. Down is best since it packs smaller than synthetic.
· Sleeping mattress. A thin inflatable one is best as it easily fits inside the backpack.
· Personal medical kit i.e. band aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, seasickness tablets etc. Don't forget your personal medication, which you may need (e.g. Asthma inhaler, even if you don’t always need it).
· Sun glasses.
· Sunscreen and after sun cream.
· Binoculars are nice to have for watching wildlife. (Optional).
· Water bottle.
· Don't forget your camera!

TRAVELING TO ÍSAFJORÐUR
Ísafjorður is much closer than you'd think, and it's not even that expensive to get here!
Now there are many airlines with scheduled flights into Iceland. As far as we can see there are direct flights to Iceland from the following cities during the summer months and many of them the whole year: Alicante, Amsterdam, Baltimore, Barcelona, Basel, Bergen, Berlin, Boston, Copenhagen, Eindhoven, Frankfurt, Friedrichshafen, Glasgow, Gothenburg, Halifax, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Munchen, Denver, New York, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, Zurich. There are a few websites that may help you search for cheap airfares into the country. Check the Travelsupermarket and the Icelandic search engine Dohop.
You arrive in Keflavik International Airport about 40 minutes away from the capital city of Reykjavik. From the domestic airport in Reykjavik there are 2-3 daily 40 minute flights to Isafjordur. You can take the Fly-Bus between the airports and most of the time you can continue same day. Check out Air Icelandfor schedules and special offers. You can also rent a car and drive to Isafjordur. The drive, over mountain passes and through fjords is an adventure itself. It´s about 440-500 km depending on which route you take. A new road via Arnkotludalur opened in 2009 which completes the asphalted pathway the whole way, and kills the old myth of bad roads in the Westfjords! The drive will normally take you 5-6 hours. For accommodation in Reykjavik there are many options of hotels and guesthouses that we can book for groups. Please ask us for individual bookings. 

We strongly recommend that you spend a few extra days visiting the West Fjords and other parts of Iceland. We're happy to help you arranging few days in the area or give you good tips about exciting things to do while in Iceland.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSFER
Borea can help you sort out accommodation in Reykjavík and Ísafjorður before or after the trip. We only cooperate with guesthouses and hotels with good reputation. We can also book a transfer for you from/to Keflavik international airport if you are traveling in a group. Otherwise Flybus is the best option.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELERS
When you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely be a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone’s travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be somewhere at a certain time, ensure that you don’t keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. 

Please note that due to privacy reasons we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

GROUP LEADER
From your arrival in Ísafjorður you are accompanied by knowledgeable outdoor adventure specialists. Borea only hires qualified and experienced staff with a passion for adventure and a good knowledge of the area we travel in.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
We believe strongly in low impact or even positive impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimise the negative aspects of tourism on local cultures and environments that we visit, and highlight the positive aspects.

OUR PHILOSOPHY
Borea Adventures is a small company, owned and operated by people who love being outdoors and enjoy the nature and culture of the North Atlantic. We like to share our experience by giving people access to these areas through safe and fun filled adventure holidays.
Borea Adventures adheres to the principles of low impact, sustainable tourism. Our trips are “silent”, as we try not to use any motorized vehicles. We like to encourage physical activity to suit any level of ability from easy sailing and hiking through to exhilarating action sports. 
We rely on local knowledge and respect local culture. We take great pride in using only guides with a thorough knowledge of the local nature and history. For our mouth watering cuisine we use primarily ingredients from the areas we travel in.
Our priority is to guarantee our guests enjoyable wilderness experiences in perfect harmony with the environment that supports us.

BOREA ADVENTURES NEWSLETTER
Our newsletter is your way of staying abreast of travel trends and emerging travel product. Sign up now to not miss out on great travel deals and exciting news about travel and expeditions in the North Atlantic region. Please visit www.BoreaAdventures.com for further information and follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/Borea.Adventures.

Welcome to Iceland!

Borea Adventures  ::  Aðalstræti 17  ::  400 Ísafjorður  ::  ICELAND

www.boreaadventures.com 

Text on ticket

LOST FJORDS

FACT SHEET

THANK YOU FOR BOOKING WITH BOREA ADVENTURES ICELAND

A sparsely populated North Atlantic island, Iceland is famous for its waterfalls, hot springs, geysers and active volcanoes. An island of untamed natural forces, proud people, stunning nature and dramatic scenery, Iceland offers an abundance of outdoor activities for all. 

Iceland’s history began eleven hundred years ago when Norse settlers arrived to discover an island of mysterious highlands, fire spouting mountains, ice caps and endless fjords. Such landscapes invited a rich folklore, whilst the great Sagas record the stories of gods, kings and a Viking’s way of life. At the turn of last century, little had changed, the people worked the lands and seas much the same as their forefathers. 600 years of Danish rule, natural disasters, diseases and famine made the Icelanders' way of living very hard. With improvements to their fishing techniques and trade, the Icelanders have now come to enjoy some of the highest living standards in the world. 

The Westfjords of Iceland are one of the most remote parts of the country with endless outdoor pursuits available whether in the mountains, sheltered fjords or bays. The Westfjords are geologically the oldest part of Iceland, around 16 million years old but still very young compared to most parts of the world. Borea’s favorite areas are the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve with its rich history and unspoilt landscapes. There are no roads in the nature reserve and the only way venture there is by boat. Due to its remote location, it is very possible to stay there for days without meeting a single soul.

TRIP PROFILE
The Hornstrandir nature reserve is a place of magnificent untouched beauty and wildlife. The sheer basalt mountains stretch from the sea to the sky chaotically divided by deep fjords, secluded alcoves and valleys.

At the coastline, the relentless power of the ocean has molded towering sea cliffs, richly populated by birds. Many of the alcoves and scurries of the coast are home to an abundance of seals. Inland the crawling glaciers of the last ice age have hewn ancient mountain passes and lakes into the rugged peninsula and there the Arctic Fox wanders in its natural environment.

The Lost Fjords trip is a full-on backpacking trip where we are self-sufficient, carrying our equipment and sleeping in our own tents along the way.

ITINERARY
Pre-departure meeting
We meet at our office in Aðalstræti 17  (downtown main street) the day before departure at 17:00, where we will answer any questions and make final preparations.

Day 1
We depart from the harbour in Ísafjorður on our passenger ferry at 9:00. We make our way to the abandoned village of Hesteyri. We have now left the modern world behind and are entering a wonderland of sounds, from soothing streams to the whisper of the waves by the beach. We start our hike in Hesteyri and head for Hesteyrarskarð mountain pass. From there we start to make our way down the other side to sea level.
Overnight at Látrar.

Day 2
From Aðalvík we have the option of a big detour to the top of Straumnesfjall mountain to explore an abandoned radar station built in 1953 by the American army. They quickly figured out this was a pretty harsh place to live, so they abandoned the station in 1960. They might also have gotten tired of not seeing any enemies, ever. We will then head over to Fljótavík. To get to our destination we need to cross Atlastaðaós river, which can get a bit tricky as it is sensitive to sea tides, so we need to aim to be there at low tide.
Overnight at Atlastaðir.

Day 3 
We will start the day hiking along the green banks of Fljótsvatn lake. The lake is beautiful and the mountain range on our left-hand side is impressive. We need to cross a few mountain passes to get across the mountain range separating us from our next destination, Hloðuvík.
Overnight at Búðir with an optional evening walk to Hælavík.

Day 4 
Today we head up a steep slope to the mountain ridge Skálakambur and follow a route marked with cairns towards the steep Atlaskarð (327 m) mountain pass. We will go around Mt. Kollur and from there start making our way towards Hofn in Hornvík, the heart of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. This is a place of dramatic natural beauty and should not be missed out by anyone traveling in this area. It is necessary to spend more than one day at this awe-inspiring place so we will put up camp there for two nights.

Day 5
Nothing compares to the beauty of Hornvík, surrounding are two of Iceland's largest bird cliffs. Like the entire Hornstrandir area, Hornvík is very remote and is only accessible by boat or by foot. We hike to Hornbjarg cliff where thousands of birds can be seen and the massive sculptures of mother nature make human beings feel very small and vulnerable. Many visitors state that the hike to Hornbjarg was the highlight of their Hornstrandir trip. At the end of the day we head back to Hornvík where we spend the night.

Day 6 

Today we will pack our tents and gear, hit the trail and cross yet another mountain pass to get to Veiðileysufjorður fjord. After crossing the mountain range, we descend down to the coast again, following the beach for a while until we get to Meleyri. From there we will get picked up by a boat that will take us to Ísafjorður, back to civilization after almost a week in the wild. For those eager to wash off their hiking dust, a visit to Ísafjorður swimming pool is ideal. Others can relax, go out, eat and just enjoy the town.

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change depending on the weather, conditions and the ability of the group.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Included:
· Boat ride to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
· All food
· Tents
· Professional guide

Not included:
· Travel to and from Ísafjorður prior to and after the trip
· Food on the first day until the trip departs
· Personal medical insurance
· Personal equipment and clothing

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Remember that everything you bring you will have to carry on your back for the entire hike. Try to pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need.

Please note that we provide the tents. We use two person tents and therefore you are expected to share with one other person. If you would like a tent to yourself then you can rent a 1 person tent. Please select this option during the booking process.

· Warm outdoor clothing including hiking pants and warm upper layers. Please avoid cotton as it keeps you cold when wet and takes a very long time to dry.
· Waterproof jacket and pants.
· Hiking boots. Please use waterproof high-top hiking boots, which provide ankle support.
· Hat and gloves.
· Backpack. It needs to be around 50-60L. Big enough to carry all of your belongings, including your sleeping bag and your share of the food.
· Sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C. Down is best since it packs smaller than synthetic.
· Sleeping mattress. A thin inflatable one is best as it easily fits inside the backpack.
· Personal medical kit i.e. band aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, seasickness tablets etc. Don't forget your personal medication, which you may need (e.g. Asthma inhaler, even if you don’t always need it).
· Sun glasses.
· Sunscreen and after sun cream.
· Binoculars are nice to have for watching wildlife. (Optional).
· Water bottle.
· Don't forget your camera!

TRAVELING TO ÍSAFJORÐUR
Ísafjorður is much closer than you'd think, and it's not even that expensive to get here!
Now there are many airlines with scheduled flights into Iceland. As far as we can see there are direct flights to Iceland from the following cities during the summer months and many of them the whole year: Alicante, Amsterdam, Baltimore, Barcelona, Basel, Bergen, Berlin, Boston, Copenhagen, Eindhoven, Frankfurt, Friedrichshafen, Glasgow, Gothenburg, Halifax, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Munchen, Denver, New York, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, Zurich. There are a few websites that may help you search for cheap airfares into the country. Check the Travelsupermarket and the Icelandic search engine Dohop.
You arrive in Keflavik International Airport about 40 minutes away from the capital city of Reykjavik. From the domestic airport in Reykjavik there are 2-3 daily 40 minute flights to Isafjordur. You can take the Fly-Bus between the airports and most of the time you can continue same day. Check out Air Icelandfor schedules and special offers. You can also rent a car and drive to Isafjordur. The drive, over mountain passes and through fjords is an adventure itself. It´s about 440-500 km depending on which route you take. A new road via Arnkotludalur opened in 2009 which completes the asphalted pathway the whole way, and kills the old myth of bad roads in the Westfjords! The drive will normally take you 5-6 hours. For accommodation in Reykjavik there are many options of hotels and guesthouses that we can book for groups. Please ask us for individual bookings. 

We strongly recommend that you spend a few extra days visiting the West Fjords and other parts of Iceland. We're happy to help you arranging few days in the area or give you good tips about exciting things to do while in Iceland.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSFER
Borea can help you sort out accommodation in Reykjavík and Ísafjorður before or after the trip. We only cooperate with guesthouses and hotels with good reputation. We can also book a transfer for you from/to Keflavik international airport if you are traveling in a group. Otherwise Flybus is the best option.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELERS
When you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely be a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone’s travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be somewhere at a certain time, ensure that you don’t keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. 

Please note that due to privacy reasons we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

GROUP LEADER
From your arrival in Ísafjorður you are accompanied by knowledgeable outdoor adventure specialists. Borea only hires qualified and experienced staff with a passion for adventure and a good knowledge of the area we travel in.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
We believe strongly in low impact or even positive impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimise the negative aspects of tourism on local cultures and environments that we visit, and highlight the positive aspects.

OUR PHILOSOPHY
Borea Adventures is a small company, owned and operated by people who love being outdoors and enjoy the nature and culture of the North Atlantic. We like to share our experience by giving people access to these areas through safe and fun filled adventure holidays.
Borea Adventures adheres to the principles of low impact, sustainable tourism. Our trips are “silent”, as we try not to use any motorized vehicles. We like to encourage physical activity to suit any level of ability from easy sailing and hiking through to exhilarating action sports. 
We rely on local knowledge and respect local culture. We take great pride in using only guides with a thorough knowledge of the local nature and history. For our mouth watering cuisine we use primarily ingredients from the areas we travel in.
Our priority is to guarantee our guests enjoyable wilderness experiences in perfect harmony with the environment that supports us.

BOREA ADVENTURES NEWSLETTER
Our newsletter is your way of staying abreast of travel trends and emerging travel product. Sign up now to not miss out on great travel deals and exciting news about travel and expeditions in the North Atlantic region. Please visit www.BoreaAdventures.com for further information and follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/Borea.Adventures.

Welcome to Iceland!

Borea Adventures  ::  Aðalstræti 17  ::  400 Ísafjorður  ::  ICELAND

www.boreaadventures.com