Summer 2014
Iceland
Incoming, DMC, Events, Luxury, FIT, Groups, City Breaks, Short & Long Tours
Fjallabak BikingTour RED HOT IN ICELAND
LAND OF LAVA Laki & Landmannalaugar
ICELAND BIKE TOURS
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CONTACT US We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns and accolades.
General Information travels@travels.is FIT/ Individuals booking@travels.is Groups sales@travels.is
TELEPHONE / FAX
Admin, Sales & Marketing +354-571-7400 Finance Office +354-551-9000 Fax +354-551-9003 USA/Canada 1-888-682-4110 UK 1-800-056-1912
ADDRESSES
Administration, Sales & marketing Sudurlandsbraut 46 108 Reykjavik Iceland
Finance Office Armuli 36 108 Reykjavik Iceland
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TABLE OF CONTENTS About Us...........................................................................................................................5 Our Guarantee...................................................................................................................5 General Information On Our Biking Tours............................................................................6 Laki and Landmannalaugar...............................................................................................7 Iceland Best Single Tracks.................................................................................................8 Land of Lava......................................................................................................................9 Fjallabak Bike Tours.......................................................................................................10 Red Hot in Iceland.............................................................................................................11 Map of Iceland............................................................................................................12-13
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ABOUT US Travel ehf is an incoming tour operator that assists you in organizing tours and activities for groups and individuals visiting Iceland. We organize everything from short meeting breaks to extreme, outdoor experiences lasting several days. We take care of all kind of service: Transport, Hotel accommodation, Booking of restaurants, Theatre tickets, Field trips, Guides and more.
OUR GUARANTEE Response on request for proposal within 48 hours Speed is one of the most important factors when pitching for an order. We understand that fact, and provide you with a proposal for your RFP within 48 hours.
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GENERAL INFORMATION ON OUR BIKING TOURS Iceland is ideal for biking; the beautiful landscapes, the pure unspoiled nature, the midnight sun in summertime, the trails and tracks - mostly consisting of back roads of the highlands, rough jeep tracks, old sheep tracks and hiking paths, along with many other reasons make bike tours in Iceland an unforgettable experience Don’t let the opportunity slip away - You can find everything there is to know about our tours here. Practical information Bring your own bike: You can easily bring your own bike and we recommend that for the more technical tours. Bikes have to be packed in bike bags or cartons before flight. The cost for air transfer is around 25€/22£/35$. Before you pack your bike it should be tuned and in good working condition. We strongly recommend you have your bike checked out by a respectable bike shop prior to departure. Have your bike tuned up and any worn-out parts replaced. A mountain bike of good quality and in good operating condition is essential. Our guides carry tools and a supply of spare parts suitable for use on most bikes. If your bike has special features or specifications, then you must supply your own parts and tools.
Recommended tools and spare parts Small multi tool, Small pump, Spare tube, Tire levers, Puncture repair kit, Chain link extractor, Brake blocks/disc pads for your bike, 2 spokes for front and rear wheels of your bike, Spoke key Spare “Dropout” for your bike (The metal piece holding the aft derailleur), Chain lube, Brush and a rag for cleaning drive train.
Biking, Trails and terrain Biking: Mountain biking, cross country or XC biking. For experienced bikers and people in good physical condition. The tour can easily be done on a hard tail bike as many of our participants prefer, but we recommend a light XC full suspension bike with 110 - 140 mm travel.
Rent a bike: The bikes you can rent are hard tail with 120 mm/4 inch fork and 2.1 inch tires. They do for the XC tours but for the more technical tours like “Iceland best single track” it is necessary to bring your own bike. If renting a bike and using clip less pedals, please bring your pedals and shoes!
Trails and terrain: Mostly on the back roads of the highlands, rough jeep tracks, many unclear and unmarked but with next to no traffic of vehicles. Most of these tracks get no maintenance and are not designed for biking, neither are the sheep trails used occasionally.
What to bring: On all ours tours we have a large pump and the necessary gear for general maintenance. We have tubes, tires, normal brake pads, cables, clippies and flat pedals and even shifters for sale on the same price as in bike stores in Reykjavík. You need to bring tools and gear that is specific for your bike.
Technical difficulty, what to expect
Equipment list for bike tours A mountain bike Clothing Biking boots or walking boots, Outdoor socks (wool blend), Biking or outdoor trousers, Thin shirt (Not cotton), Windproof jacket, Waterproof jacket, Waterproof trousers, Thin fleece jacket, Thin hat or “Buff” to wear underneath the helmet, Biking gloves or thin leather gloves Biking Helmet, Sunglasses, Knee, elbow and spine protection is required in “All Mountain”/Enduro tours Swim suit In the daypack Water bottle or camel bag, Sandals or neoprene boots for wading rivers Sunscreen, Camera with spare batteries, Toilet paper, A small first-aid kit, Energy bars, In the duffel bag, Extra gloves or mittens 3-4 pair of outdoor socks, Long-Johns– Wool or synthetic, Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic, Comfortable evening trousers, Spare biking trousers, Spare thin shirts (not cotton), Thick fleece jacket, Thick hat, Toothbrush and paste, Towel and swimsuit Headlight and spare batteries (not necessary in June and July), Sleeping bag, Book, Ear plugs for sleeping in huts, Neoprene cover for bike shoes can be practical, especially in September .
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Technical difficulty, what to expect: 1. Good surface, short easy hills, wide path and wide turns. Good for beginners 2. Narrow paths with loose surface and gentle down steepness. Fun for all mountain bikers 3. Short steep sections, rocky paths, narrow turns, short rock steps. For experienced mountain bikers and fit bikers with little experience. 4. Longer steep sections, short very steep parts, side sloping paths, large steps and small drops. For experienced bikers only. 5. A Downhill course. Very steep sections, obligatory drops, narrow ridges. Experts only.
LAKI & LANDMANNALAUGAR
Six-day biking the less traveled trails of Iceland’s hinterlands
Tour number TRONIMG 71
A moon-like mountain biking experience through some of the most unique locations in the world. The combination of the Laki volcanic region and the highlights of the southern highlands, the “Fjallabak”, take this tour through fast changing and variable landscapes. During the six days biking we visit natural treasures like the Laki craters, the Eldgjá fissure, traverse the Eldhraun lava field as well as the heart of the Fjallabak mountain area. After crossing the black deserts of Mælifelssandur we continue onwards through the hot spring areas of the colourful Landmannalaugar area where the tour finishes with a relaxing dip in the natural warm pool. Indeed a challenge for all adventurous bikers! A well equipped support vehicle stays with the group the whole time so difficulty levels can be lowered by hopping into the support car for parts of the day.
INCLUDED
Guide for 6 days, transportation to and from Reykjavík, 4x4 support car and driver, food for 6 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 6), 5 nights in sleeping bag accommodation in mountain huts.
NOT INCLUDED
Bike, helmet and gloves. Sleeping bag.
GENEREAL
Physical difficulty: Demanding Biking: 6 days Technical difficulty: 2* (with short passage of 3) Total distance: 260 km (160 miles) Group size: 5 - 12 participants
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ICELAND´S BEST SINGLE TRACKS
Three-day “Enduro Action” - the best of the Iceland’s single-tracks Three fun-filled biking days packed with action for the adventurous biker, combining the best single tracks with some outstanding landscape. Access is by super-jeep, minimizing the uphill to get the best out of each day. On fast floating single tracks down along riverbeds and numerous waterfalls, or hard packed and highly technical downhill tracks next to Iceland’s most recent lava field, passing the craters of the 2010 eruption, the ride is wild and dramatic and even the bravest will walk the hardest sections. Last but not least the area of the world famous Laugavegur route with outstanding options is on the agenda. Both nights are spent in a guesthouse in southern central Iceland, where it is possible to relax in a hot tub jacuzzi after the actions of the day. Pure fun on fabulous terrain.
INCLUDED
Guide for 3 days, transportation to and from Reykjavík, 4x4 support car and driver, food for 3 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 3), 2 nights in a guest house.
NOT INCLUDED
Bike, helmet and gloves. Knee, elbows, and spine protection required!
GENERAL
Physical difficulty: Demanding Biking: 6 days Technical difficulty: 2* (with short passage of 3) Total distance: 260 km (160 miles)
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Tour number TRONIMG 81
LAND OF LAVA
Mountain bike adventure in the North East
Tour number TRONIMG 73
This mountain bike adventure takes you through the magnificent landscapes of the north east. On the tour we travel through some of Iceland´s best hidden treasures. We will see Namaskarð geothermal area and the volcano Krafla and the colorful formations of Gjástykki volcanic region, the Ásbyrgi canyon and the beautiful area of the National Park of Jökulsá where we will hike to the magnificent Hljóðaklettar or Echo Cliffs. On the last day we will explore Lake Mývatn where in addition to geological wonders we will also see the birdlife the area is known for. On this tour you get both best scenery and less used trails so you can enjoy the pure nature while you ride through the wide open spaces. All luggage is transported. Sleeping bag accommodation in farmers cottages and mountain hut.
INCLUDED
Guide for 6 days, transportation to and from Reykjavík, 4x4 support car and driver, food for 6 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 6), 5 nights in sleeping bag accommodation in mountain huts.
NOT INCLUDED
Bike, helmet and gloves. Sleeping bag.
GENEREAL
Physical difficulty: Moderate to challenging Biking: 5 days Technical difficulty: 2 Total distance: 230 kilometers (175 miles) Group size: 6 to 12 participants.
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FJALLABAK BIKE TOUR
Fjallabak Self Guided 3 Day Mountain Bike Tour Green riverbeds, black desert landscape and colorful mountains with smoking hot springs and all that only on the first day! On this Highlands bike tour you will be lead through wilderness and open rivers straight into the heart of the “Fjallabak” area for some excellent mountain biking. From Álftavatn you then circle the central part of the famous “Laugavegur” hiking route between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk, before heading back down to civilization following old roads though the lowlands and river deltas before coming to the waterfall Seljalandsfoss where bus will pick you up and take your back to Reykjavík. On the tour you follow detailed route information that lead you through the highlands on less travelled jeep routes. Accommodation is in sleeping bag facilities in a mountain hut and youth hostel. You cycle only with your daypack and your luggage is transported from hut to hut.
INCLUDED
Bus ride from Reykjavík to start of biking and from end of biking back to Reykjavík, two nights in huts, transport of baggage between huts, map and detailed route descriptions. Guest house in Reykjavik before and after the tour and bike rental can be arranged.
NOT INCLUDED
Bike, helmet, food and personal equipment.
GENERAL
Biking: 3 days Technical difficulty: 2 ** Total distance: 154 km (96,7 miles) Group size: Individual tour
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Tour number TRONIMG 91
RED HOT IN ICELAND
Biking behind the mountains
Tour number TRONIMG 72
This Iceland mountain bike tour is a rolller-coaster journey in unique settings. From the maignificent waterfalls at Háifoss the tour follows a mix of jeep track and single track through the remote Tolkienesque landscape of the Fjallabak nature reserve. Along the way we will cross lava fields as we pass by the active volcano of Hekla, enjoy the rhyolite landscapes and geothermal baths of Landmannalaugar, visit the impressive Eldgjá and the views or the great Vatnajökull ice cap. Heading south our route leads us through the black volcanic desert north of Mýrdalsjökull icecap and with jagged mountains on the other side. We end in the green valley of Þórsmork, a real oasis in this region of glaciers and lava. On the way back to Reykjavík we will stop at the Blue Lagoon for a invigorating bath. This is a real memorable journey and a real wilderness andventure.
INCLUDED
Guide for 7 days, transportation to and from Reykjavík, 4x4 support car and driver, food for 6 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 6), 5 nights in sleeping bag accommodation in mountain huts, entrance to Blue Lagoon
NOT INCLUDED
Bike, helmet and gloves, sleeping bag.
GENERAL
Physical difficulty: Moderate - demanding Biking: 6 days, 7 days total Total distance: 290 kilometers (180 miles) Group size: 4 to 16 participants.
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Flatey
Hveravellir
Arnarstapi
Geysir Thingvellir
Blue Lagoon
Gullfoss
Landman
Thorsmork
Sk贸garfoss
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nnalaugar
ﾃ《byrgi
Dettifoss
Lake Mﾃｽvatn
Glacier Lagoon Skaftafell
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Administration, Sales & Marketing Office Sudurlandsbraut 46 19 - 108 ReykjavĂk - Iceland Tel: +354 571 7400 - Fax +354 551 9003 Finance Office Ă rmuli 36 - 108 Reykjavik - Iceland Tel: +354 551 9000 - Fax +354 551 9003 Internet homepage: www.travels.is Information e-mail: sales@travels.is Booking addresses FIT / individuals: bookings@travels.is Groups: sales@travels.is Published: September 2013
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