Join us on a day in the life journey, as Trip Leader Emily Benz shares her Notes from the Field on our Women’s Iceland Multi-sport and Mindfulness Adventure.
• DAY 1 •
Our first full day of the Women’s Iceland Multi-Sport and Mindfulness Adventure took us to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Our drive took us past the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain, along black sand beaches and through gorgeous, rugged terrain.
We boarded the Saerun in the afternoon with her welcoming crew and had the most incredible voyage on this Viking Sushi Boat.
We saw several species of nesting sea birds, puffins, grey seals, and got to sample tasty, raw invertebrates from the Breidafjörður Bay.
“Top 10 coolest things I’ve ever done!” pretty much sums it up.
Iceland is magical, expansive and welcoming us with all sorts of beauty.
“I give thanks for arriving safely in a new dawn, for the gift of eyes to see the world, the gift of mind to feel at home in my life, the waves of possibility breaking on the shore of dawn, the harvest of the past that awaits my hunger, and all the furtherings this new day will bring.” – John O’Donohue (To Walking. To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings (Benedictus in Europe)).
• DAY 2 •
As breakfast was wrapping up at our guest house we witnessed the birth of a baby horse (an unexpected and absolute miracle to watch!)
We wandered the coastal trails at Arnastapi and to Hellnar where we found some giant rock formations and a giant himself.
This evening’s horseback ride along the coast was picture-perfect.
The horses from our guesthouse were steady and sturdy.
We rode for nearly two hours from the foot of the mountains to the beach where we found some speed! (Everyone found their own comfortable speed, that is, and broad smiles and sparkling eyes were the most common side effects.
Iceland is full of magic — gorgeous scenery, kind humans, delicious food, wonderous creatures. This group of women is finding joy, peace and companionship all along the way.
• DAY 3 •
Today on our Women’s Iceland Multi-Sport and Mindfulness Adventure we departed from the horse farm and bid farewell to our day-old baby foal. We then made our way to the classic Golden Circle to visit the iconic and most well-known natural attractions in Iceland: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss.
The weather conditions changed at each stop (in typical Icelandic fashion you must bring fashionable items for all weather!) and yet we had gorgeous views every direction.
We stopped to learn about the unique Friðheimar greenhouse that grows 39% of the tomatoes for Iceland all in one spot! This farm uses geothermal heat year round, buzzing pollinators for the plants, a gentle input of minerals to help the plants grow and a beautiful yet functional trellis system to support the tomato plants.
We soothed our bodies and minds in the geothermal pools on the shore of lake Laugarvatn.
• DAY 4 •
We witnessed the absolute power of Urridifoss, the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland before walking behind the wide and open Seljalandsfoss.
The group ventured into the cascade of Gljúfrabúi which is tucked away into the rocks.
We wandered the black sand beach at Reynisfjara before restocking on snacks at Vik, the southernmost town in mainland Iceland. Here you can see the basalt columns. Look for people in these photos for the scale of this magnificent cliff!
We then drove east across the massive lava fields of Eldraun and could glimpse the glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and Vatnajökull below the clouds before hiking up to see Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
We are resting at our guesthouse below Systrafoss before heading to the glaciers tomorrow! The group is eager for even more adventure.
• DAY 5 •
What a day! We started on a beautiful trail into the Skaftafell National Park and Svartifoss with basaltic columnar rocks.
We ate lunch at a fantastic local cafe then boarded zodiac boats to explore Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon bordering Vatnajökull.
We hiked along the beaches at a second glacial lagoon where the water was absolutely clear as can be and the icebergs formed all sorts of fantastical shapes.
These lagoons and the way the glaciers have shaped the ice, land and water is breathtakingly beautiful.
• DAY 6 •
An exciting day for trip leader, Emily Benz, and her amazing group of newly dubbed Lady Vikings on the Iceland Mindfulness trip!! Today they went. . .Glacier trekking!
With two dynamite local guides we donned our crampons and made a fantastic traverse on the outlet glacier Sólheimajökull. It was a perfect day!
If you are looking for a Women’s Iceland Adventure , CLICK HERE to view all the Iceland trips we offer along with details and itinerarys for each trip.
• DAY 7 •
The least-photographed aspect of our trip were the mindfulness components (which makes me really glad actually).
We infused each day with a reading of some kind, a poem or big breath, a little bit of yoga asana, an energetic intention or a group activity for connection.
This was an active adventure with wonderfully full days and loads of travel across the country but we also stepped lightly, held space for each other, moved with purpose, and left every space a bit better than we found it.
• DAY 8 •
Our last days on our Women’s Iceland Multi-Sport and Mindfulness Adventure were packed with incredible memories. Our group kayaked into the Atlantic Ocean where we were greeted by some Arctic terns, Eider ducks and seals! Three curious seals followed us nearly all the way into the harbor from where the river meets the sea.
After a delicious lunch of local langoustine soup we hit the trail towards the Reykjaladur hot river. In this geothermal area the water flows at a comfortable hot tub temperature which makes for an unforgettable experience.
On our last day we spent time at the iconic Blue Lagoon where we learned about the history and science behind the whole Resource Park, donned a silica-rich face mask, and tried to have just a little fun.
It was the perfect last activity before we began an intentional return trip home.
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