Iceland and Greenland

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AN INTRODUCTION TO GUÐMUNDUR JÓNASSON TRAVEL For more than 85 years, our company has hosted travellers from all corners of the world. Through Guðmundur Jónasson Travel, also called GJ Travel, many have returned time and time again together with their families and friends, to experience Iceland’s unique, beautiful nature and historical traditions. Our dedicated team never lose sight of the ‘personal touch’, and work hard to ensure that the varied and interesting itineraries offered by GJ Travel provide fully for the needs of today’s travellers. Our company was formed in 1931, when our founder Guðmundur Jónasson obtained his first driving licence. Fascinated by the seldom explored interior, he ventured out to the highlands and even onto the glaciers, opening up a whole new world to the 20th century traveller. Since he passed away in 1985, his family has continued to share his love and enthusiasm for Iceland, and is committed to introducing fascinating tours and adventures for everyone to enjoy. GUÐMUNDUR JÓNASSON A PERSONAL REFLECTION 1909 – 1985 Guðmundur, the founder of Guðmundur Jónasson Travel, was not content with Iceland’s limited number of roads in the 1930´s, so he pioneered his own. His travels in the highlands and on Iceland’s glaciers are legendary and today’s travellers benefit from his explorations. When NASA chose Iceland as their training ground for the first moon landing because of the lunar style landscape, they chose Guðmundur to show the way. He teamed up with Sir Edmund Hillary, guiding him when he visited Iceland after his ascent of Mt. Everest. Those who travel with us today travel in his footsteps and we hope they share his love for this Land of Ice and Fire called Iceland. 2 COVER PHOTO: Icelandic sheep by Sponuka (Shutterstock.com) Iceland welcomes you! RENATO GRÜNENFELDER, GENERAL MANAGER Guðmundur Jónasson Travel REYKJAVÍK KEFLAVÍK BLUE LAGOON GLAUMBÆR Iceland - A land for all seasons GULLFOSS & GEYSIR AKUREYRI LANDMANNA- LAUGAR SKAFTAFELL HÚSAVÍK MÝVATN VATNAJÖKULL DETTIFOSS EGILSSTAÐIR The Country: Iceland is an island of 103.000 km2 (39,756 sq.miles), about the size of Portugal, Cuba, South Korea, the US state of Kentucky and the Indian state of Bihar. Its highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur, rises to 2.110 m and over 11 per cent of the country is covered by glaciers, including Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe. Energy: Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is a hot spot of volcanic and geothermal activity: 30 post-glacial volcanoes have erupted in the past two centuries, and natural hot water supplies much of the population with inexpensive, pollution-free heating. Rivers are harnessed to provide affordable hydroelectric power. People: Out of a population numbering around 340.000, two-thirds live in the capital Reykjavík and its neighbouring towns in the southwest. Keflavík International Airport is located about 50 km (30 miles) from the capital. The interior highland is uninhabited (and uninhabitable), and most centers of population are situated on the coast. Language: Iceland was settled by Nordic people in the 9th century - history tells that the first permanent settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who made his home where Reykjavík now stands. The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings, although modern Icelandic has undergone changes in pronunciation and in vocabulary! Iceland is alone in upholding another Norse tradition, i.e. the custom of using patronymics rather than surnames. An Icelander’s Christian name is followed by his or her father’s name and the suffix -son or -dóttir, e.g. Guðrún Pétursdóttir (Guðrún, daughter of Pétur). Members of a family can therefore have many different "surnames", which sometimes causes confusion to foreigners! Route 1 or the “Ring Road”: It is the main road in Iceland which goes around the island, mostly along the coast, connecting many villages and towns. The total length of Route 1 is 1360 km (843 miles). In general, driving tours around Iceland with the most popular side trips are about 2000 km (1240 miles). If you add the Westfjords, calculate about 3000 km (1860 miles) of driving. Best time to travel: Iceland is a country that inspires visitors year round. Spring offers brightening days and emerging flora and fauna, summer has nearly round-the-clock sunlight and balmy weather, autumn brings a wonderful change in colours while winter features dark mysterious days, softly glowing Northern Lights and even occasionally snow. The hardest part is choosing when to visit. The climate in Iceland: Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a moderate maritime climate: cool in summer and fairly mild in winter. Normal summer day temperatures range between 5-8 °C (41-47 °F) for lows and 12 -18 °C (54-64 °F) for highs. When it comes to Iceland’s weather — the one thing you can count on is unpredictability. The best plan is to be prepared for anything and everything AND always to dress in layers. The Icelanders have a saying: "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing." Travel time to Iceland: From Oslo 2 hours / From London 2,5 hours / From Frankfurt 3 hours / From Boston 5 hours / From Seattle 7 hours Currency: Icelandic Krona ÍSAFJÖRÐUR STYKKISHÓLMUR REYKHOLT SELFOSS VÍK HÖFN JÖKULSÁRLÓN
Puffins in the West Fjords GRAND TOUR OF ICELAND AROUND ICELAND, SNÆFELLSNES & WEST FJORDS Iceland is a country like no other, almost an own little planet with exceptional landscapes: some of the world’s finest waterfalls, erupting geysers, stunning fjords, magical lagoons, active volcanoes, majestic glaciers, powerful lava flows as well as tranquil lakes with rare-breeding bird life. The Grand Tour of Iceland takes you on an unforgettable journey around Iceland including the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the magical West Fjords. Experience not only the splendor of the untamed Icelandic nature but dive as well into the unique Icelandic culture and history. Discover many well-known highlights and enjoy a breathtaking scenery at remote parts of the country. HIGHLIGHTS and EXPERIENCES: Iceland Circle Tour including the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the West Fjords Explore 3 national parks and a lava cave Visit Dynjandi, elected “the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland” by Icelanders Boat trip between floating icebergs on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon See more sea-cliff birds than you can ever count Soak at Mývatn Nature Baths and daily leisurely walks Small groups, maximum 20 persons BORGARNES REYKJAVÍK DURATION: 12 days / 11 nights DEPARTURES from June to August a total of 6 departures are offered. See details on www.gjtravel.is LANGUAGES English ACCOMMODATION Country hotels, guesthouses and farms – in rooms with shower/wc MEALS 11x breakfast, 1x lunch and 10x dinner ALSO INCLUDED • Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS • Fully escorted 10-day bus tour with an English speaking guide or driver -guide • Visit to three national parks • Entrance and visit to lava cave • Ferry trip to the West Fjords • Admission to folk and transport museum at Hnjótur • Visit to Erik the Red homestead, Herring Museum, micro beer brewery and a stone collection in the East Fjords • Horse show in Northwest Iceland • Entrance with towel to the Nature Baths at Lake Mývatn • Boat trip on glacial lagoon GROUP SIZE Small group limited to 20 persons TOUR CODE GJ 99 AKUREYRI GULLFOSS & GEYSIR VÍK HÚSAVÍK MÝVATN VATNAJÖKULL SKAFTAFELL HÖFN EGILSSTAÐIR ICELAND ITINERARY Day 1, MON: WELCOME TO ICELAND FLYBUS shuttle to Reykjavík. Day 2, TUE: GOLDEN CIRCLE We start with classic highlights: Gullfoss waterfall, the active geothermal area of Geysir and the UNESCO world heritage site of Þingvellir National Park. Overnight in West Iceland. Day 3, WED: SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA AND LAVA CAVE Today we travel around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where volcanic craters, lava flows, an ice cap, mountains, fjords, sandy beaches and high cliffs shape the landscape. A lava cave tour takes us 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into a lava tube. In the afternoon we catch the ferry to the West Fjords over a wide bay with countless islands. We stay for two nights in the area of Patreksfjörður. Day 4, THU: ICELAND’S WESTERNMOST POINT We follow the coastline and stop at a charming folk and transport museum. We continue through a very remote and sparsely populated region to Látrabjarg, the largest seabird cliff and westernmost point of Iceland and Europe. If weather and road conditions allow we travel to Rauðisandur beach. Day 5, FRI: BEAUTIFUL WEST FJORDS We travel the shore of scenic fjords, beautiful beaches, and pass through small fishing villages until we reach the unique waterfall Dynjandi. We continue along the southern shores of the West Fjords. This is a route less travelled and is characterized by sheer cliffs, deep cut bays and narrow stretches of coastal lowland. Day 6, SAT: HEADING NORTH At Haukadalur, there is an authentic replica of the homestead of Erik the Red, the famous explorer who founded the Icelandic colony in Greenland. His son Leif-the-Lucky was the first European to set foot in North America. We head north and stop at a local farm for lunch and a horse show. We stay two nights in Akureyri. Day 7, SUN: NORTHERNMOST TOWN We travel to Siglufjörður, Iceland's northernmost town and known as the herring capital of the North Atlantic. On the way we pass small fishing villages and stop at a deserted valley that even most Icelanders have not seen. Included is a visit to the Herring Museum and also beer tasting at a local micro-brewery. The rest of the day is free at leisure and optional whale watching or horseback riding. Day 8, MON: GEOLOGICAL WONDERS AND NATURE BATHS We explore Goðafoss waterfall and continue to Lake Mývatn, known for its rich bird life and extraordinary volcanic lava landscapes. We visit pseudo craters, walk in the lava field Dimmuborgir, see the tephra cone Hverfjall, see hot springs, fumaroles and bubbling mud pools, travel to the explosion crater lake Víti and soak at the Mývatn Nature Baths. Day 9, TUE: THE SECRET OF THE EAST Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall. From there we head through the uninhabited highlands to the isolated village Bakkagerði in East Iceland. Only 120 inhabitants live in this charming fjord village, built snugly next to colorful and impressive mountains, and known for its extensive population of elves. Look out for kittiwakes, puffins, and other seabirds. Day 10, WED: FJORDS, GLACIER, AND ICE It’s a day to admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages in the East Fjords where we visit an interesting stone and mineral collection. Vatnajökull is Europe’s biggest glacier and we stop for a boat ride amongst the floating icebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Overnight in the region. Day 11, THU: VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK AND THE SOUTH We visit Skaftafell at the Vatnajökull National Park, covered by ice and nestled below Iceland’s highest mountains. We drive along the south coast, always between the sea, black lava beaches and rugged mountains, glaciers and waterfalls. Farewell dinner and overnight in Reykjavík. Day 12, FRI: DEPARTURE HOME FLYBUS shuttle to Keflavík airport. VISIT US AT www.gjtravel.is 3
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Page 5 and 6: Eldhraun lava field, South Iceland
Page 7 and 8: New tour Greg Mortimer polar expedi
Page 9 and 10: Hótel Skógafoss The Hotel and res
Page 11 and 12: Vík in South Iceland (photo courte
Page 13 and 14: New tour Northern Lights Iceland IC
Page 15 and 16: Happy New Year NEW YEAR’S EVE IN
Page 17 and 18: Ilulissat Icefiord Eqi Glacier Ilul
Page 19 and 20: Ilulissat Icefiord HIGHLIGHTS OF IC
Page 21 and 22: Seljalandsfoss waterfall in South I
Page 23 and 24: Hvítserkur, Vatnsnes Icelandic hor

Iceland and Greenland

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