The 3 Peaks Challenge in Iceland
An otherworldly summit-bagging expedition amidst epic scenery in the land of fire and ice
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, expert mountaineering guidesHotel
5 nights in cosy 3-star hotelsMeals
All breakfasts are includedTransfers
Pick up and drop off at your accommodation in Reykjavik, and everything in betweenEquipment
All your climbing equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Learn how to use ice axes, ropes and crampons as you clamber to Vörðuskeggi Peak (805m) and climb the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano (1651m)
Tackle a lung-busting ascent in the Vatnajökull National Park to the snow-encrusted summit of Iceland's highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m)
Wonder at Iceland's classic sights between summits - spectacular geysers, thundering waterfalls and the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
Deemed 'a perfect introduction to mountaineering' by The Independent
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Reykjavik
Head to Iceland’s capital Reykjavik. After checking into your guesthouse, set off and explore the city’s huge array of quaint bars, cafes, art museums and churches.
Day 2
Vörðuskeggi Peak and classic Iceland sights
Hiking
Your guides will pick you up at your accommodation in Reykjavik at 08:00 and drive you east, to the Hengill volcano massif. Get stuck into the challenge straight away with a climb up Vörðuskeggi Peak (805m). From the top you can see Lake Þingvellir and Langjökull to the north, as well as Eyjafjallajökull and the distant Westman Islands. Later in the day, you'll catch some of Iceland's famous sights - the geothermal area at Geysir and the waterfall of Gullfoss - before driving to your hotel in the area of Flúðir.
Day 3
Summit Eyjafjallajökull
Hiking
Fuel up on breakfast at the hotel before setting off to climb the infamous Eyjafjallajökull – best known for erupting in 2010 and causing enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe for several days. It is a 1651m high stratovolcano with a magnificent view from the top. The ascent is a doozy – expect around 1600m of elevation and 9-12 hours of pure Icelandic wilderness hiking and climbing.
Day 4
Explore Iceland's south coast
Take a day away from the peaks and rest the legs a little, as you explore the beautiful south coast. Head to the black beach of Reynisfjara, the picturesque village of Vík and into Skaftafell National Park to see the stunning glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón. Enjoy dinner and an early night at your hotel – the trip's biggest challenge awaits you tomorrow...
Day 5
Iceland's highest peak
Hiking
Today is the big one as you make the ascent of Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m) – Iceland’s highest peak. Make no mistake, this is a seriously tough summit: with 2000m of ascent, it can take 12-14 hours (though there are plenty of daylight hours this far north in summer). Your guides will assist with the technical sections and show you how to safely use ice axes and ropes when needed – you will have had ample tuition and preparation on the previous days. The peak of Hvannadalshnúkur is on the north-western rim of the Öræfajökull volcano and promises an unforgettable ascent, with breathtaking panoramic views. Celebrate your achievement back at the hotel with a well-earned beer and dinner, before you collapse into bed.
Day 6
Back to Reykjavik
With three successful ascents under your belt, make your way back westward along the scenic south coast of Iceland, passing beneath Eyjafjallajökull and stopping to visit the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, as well as the waterfalls at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. You'll arrive back in Reykjavík in the late afternoon, where you'll bid your guides farewell.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Reykjavik accommodation
Flexible - arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Reykjavik (your accommodation or the bus station)
17:00 on Day 6
Transfers
Your adventure starts at your hotel in downtown Reykjavik. When you arrive at Keflavik Airport you'll need to hop on one of the frequent Flybus services operated in connection with all arriving flights at Keflavik Airport. You can buy a ticket in advance on the Flybus website or at the Flybus desk in the Keflavik terminal - tickets cost £20/€24/$27 each way. The bus is very easy to find right outside the arrival terminal - just look for signs for Flybus. Your host will provide details on where you need to get off the bus and how to find your hotel in the pre-departure information you are sent prior to travelling to Iceland.
On Day 6 your host will drop you at your Reykjavik accommodation if you are staying on in Iceland, or at the central bus station if you are taking the Flybus straight to the airport (for any late evening flights departing after 8pm).
Travel options
There are regular flights to Iceland from airports across the UK, Europe and North America.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
You'll fuel up each morning with breakfast buffets at the hotels, where cereals, fruit, pastries, bread, cheese, meats, jams, tea and coffee are on offer.
You'll need to buy a packed lunch each day to take out on the summits with you - your host will arrange this either at local shops/cafes/bakeries, or from the hotels. You'll need to budget £15-20 ($18-25) for a good-sized lunch. Dinners will be taken at each of the hotels on the trip, where there are various options on the menu. Hotel Flúðir has particularly good food, with traditional Icelandic dishes made using organic produce. You should budget £20-25 ($25-31) for dinners.
Due to the tough nature of this trip, we recommend you bring a good supply of your favourite hiking snacks, protein or energy bars to supplement your meals.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Reykjavik
On your first night of the trip you'll stay in one of a selection of 3* star hotels dotted around the centre of Reykjavik. Depending on availability it'll be either the Hotel Leifur Eiriksson, or one of the Fosshotel Baron, Fosshotel Lind or Fosshotel Raudará. They are all similarly located, a stone's throw from bars and cafes in the heart of Reykjavik. You'll stay in twin-share rooms as standard, with private bathrooms.
Hotel Flúðir
You'll spend one night at Hotel Flúðir, a short drive away from Geysir and Gulfoss Waterfall. This modern Icelandic hotel has comfortable twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms. It has a restaurant which serves traditional Icelandic food made from organic produce, as well as a lobby bar to relax in.
Hotel Skógafoss
You'll spend one night at Hotel Skógafoss, right next to the iconic waterfall of the same name and at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, which you'll have summited earlier in the day. The hotel has a restaurant, lounge and bar where you can rest and refuel after your summit exploits. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Hotel Skaftafell
Your base for nights four and five is the Hotel Skaftafell. Located in an incredible spot, the hotel has stunning views of Hvannadalshnjukur as well as the largest glacier in Europe - Vatnajökull. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
If you'd like to extend your stay in Iceland your host can also help to arrange extra nights' accommodation in Reykjavik before or after the tour (subject to availability). Prices are available on request from your host.
This trip has been rated as Tough
You'll need to be very fit with some experience of big trekking days with elevation gain and loss in the thousands of metres. You won't need any technical mountaineering or climbing experience, as your guides will lead you through any sections that require ice axes, ropes and harnesses. There will be crevasses to deal with and steep inclines over icy ground. Bring along a keen love of adventure as well as strong fitness levels and trekking experience. Iceland's weather is notoriously fickle, so the conditions will play a part.
What will I need to carry?
During the summit hikes you'll only need to carry a small day rucksack containing personal items, extra clothing layers, snacks, water etc. Your larger main luggage will be transported for you.
As the old Icelandic saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” Icelandic weather is famously fickle so you’ll need to prepare for anything - from balmy all-day sunshine in the mid-twenties, to wind, rain - and everything in between! This is all part of the adventure, but be sure to pack good waterproofs in case the rain gods come calling. At the higher altitudes you'll be reaching on this trip, the temperatures drop down to near freezing at times and the snow cover increases.
Once in a lifetime experience!
Wonderful itinerary for the trip; however, unfortunately we were not able to climb the highest peak due to weather. Though, our guide Jon more than made up for the loss and we did two wonderful alternative hikes. Jon was excellent as a guide--kind, caring, and very informative.
Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries--would highly recommend
Highlight after Highlight
This trip was simply unreal, covering a large portion of the south coast of Iceland. Its difficult to pick out a single highlight on this trip as it was simply highlight after highlight with a packed out itinerary. Its rated as tough with long mountaineering days but if you've done the training you'll really enjoy this adventure, but if you're unsure and are only starting to get into mountaineering the Summit Ben Nevis & Lean Winter Skills is a great option to prepare for this.
We got excellent weather conditions when climbing Hvannadalshnjúkur and standing on-top of the highest point of Iceland was such an accomplishment.
Our main guide Jon, support guides Kaspar & Soffia were very professional and are such a great team to have on the mountains. Also, the accommodation, food and transport was some of the best I've experienced.
So glad I booked this one, new mountaineering friends and great memories! :)
What an amazing trip. The scenery in Iceland is absolutely stunning. Guides were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Accommodation and food were excellent. Unfortunately we were not able to climb the highest mountain due to really bad weather but the 2nd peak was a decent challenge and we put in a few extra hikes. Overall an epic adventure.
If you’re looking for adventure combined with stunning scenery - sign up now. Iceland absolutely blew us away with its endless lava fields, black sandy beaches, icebergs, geysers, waterfalls and breathtaking mountains. We had the trip of a lifetime.
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Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Ice axes
- Harness
- Ropes
- Crampons
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Day backpack for extra clothes and lunch pack during the day, 30 – 40L
- Waterproof liner for daypack
CLOTHES
- Down jacket with hood
- Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood
- Waterproof and windproof trousers
- Breathable wicking layers
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Thermals (merino best)
- Warm hat
- Gloves - 2 pairs, waterproof
- Gaiters – calf or knee height and wide enough for your boots
- Socks, woollen or synthetic, 4-5 pairs
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots (worn-in) with good ankle support and water resistance, i.e Goretex
- Sandals
OTHER
- Hiking poles
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Suncream
- Thermal mat (for lunch breaks on the snow)
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle x2 litre and/or bladder x2 litre
- Lunch box
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
Double/Twin Room in Reykjavik: 2024 Prices starting from...
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Double/Twin Room in Reykjavik: 2024 Prices starting from...
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Single Room in Reykjavik: 2024 Prices starting from...
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Single Room in Reykjavik: 2025 Prices starting from...
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Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
… Per Person
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 127kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Iceland. Bring along a bladder and/or water bottles to carry water with you on the summit days.
As the Icelandic Tourist Board explains in this video, it's confined to the Reykjanes Peninsula and not affecting travel at all. Iceland is open for business and perfectly safe.
There are four centrally located places in Reykjavik where you can store luggage. Speak to your host about the options, or you can pre-book here.
Whilst most of our trips are exclusive to Much Better Adventures, due to the nature of this destination and the design of the trip, this particular host also sells this adventure via other channels. This means that it’s possible that your group may consist of people who haven't booked through the Much Better Adventures website. But rest assured, anyone booking this trip is in search of an active, outdoors adventure, just as you are!
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Sunday 4th May 2025
to Friday 9th May 2025
Sunday 18th May 2025
to Friday 23rd May 2025
Sunday 25th May 2025
to Friday 30th May 2025
