East Iceland

An enchanting world of adventure

Winter is a wonderful time to explore. The days of darkness hold a unique atmosphere as  the snow covers the land like a duvet of featherlike crystals reflecting the precious starlight across fjords and sheer mountain sides. Above the aurora of the northern lights dance across the sky. The ancient festival of Yule celebrates the return of the sun and soon after Christmas you will feel the days become visibly longer.

From sparkling glaciers and mysterious ice caves, to forested valleys and dramatic fjords where sleepy villages line the coasts, bustling with live as the fishing trawlers come in with the maritime treasure of cod and herring – there is much to discover in East Iceland. This magical home of elves and ancient myth, is  only an hour away from the bustling capital on one of the frequent domestic flights, though driving may enable you to encounter even more adventures on the way. 

Awakening wildlife

The great highlands around Mt. Snæfell are inhabited by herds of  wild reindeer unique to this corner of the country. Winter and early spring, before the snows have melted, the reindeer leave their summer homes on the vast moors at the edge of Vatnajökull glacier for the grass of the lowlands. If you ever wondered where Santa got his deer, well you may just have found the place.  The shy, white ptarmigans hide in the dwarf-like shrubs while the gyrfalcons soar above. On the coastal lagoons you may encounter great flocks of swans and in the fjords thousands of eider ducks seek winter shelter.
During the spring the seal have their pups and large colonies  of seals breed on the sand reefs of the East Fjords and estuaries of the glacial rivers. This is the time when the migrant birds return from their long journey across the ocean.  Here is their point of arrival and variety of birdlife in the spring and early summer is superb. The whole east coast from the  Djúpivogur in the southeast, the Fjords and Úthérað Coast are excellent for bird watching.

Adventures on Ice and snow

In the nearby Vatnajökul National Park you can go on a super-jeep safari to create an experience you will never forget, be it a reindeer encounter or a bath in a hot natural shower.  If you are in for more adventures, try a tour to the warm river running through the Ice-caves at the Kverkfjöll volcano, only possible in winter. Imagine watching the northern lights dance in the sky while soaking in warm water at the edge of Europe´s largest glacier.

The East Fjords reveal a magnificent landscape of long, narrow fjords, steep mountains and jagged peaks. The vast highland moors offer brilliant land for cross-country skiing or snowmobile rides. For down-hill skiers gather from around Iceland to enjoy the thrilling slopes of the Oddskarð skiing resort or the nice facility of Stafdalur. For those seeking even more adventure, try climbing one of our frozen waterfalls or ski wildly down from the top of the mountains to encounter the Atlantic shore with expert guides.

Food for thought and comfort

East Iceland is renowned for its wonderful local food. Its authentic hunting and gathering culture making game such as reindeer and ptarmigan, delicious lamb and the freshest of fish, garnished with wild berries and mushrooms, the heart of the region’s prize-winning cuisine. There is good lodging to accommodate to your needs and create adventures or romantic get-away in the beautiful and picturesque villages. And culture is never far away, you will always find interesting things to explore and enjoy.

If you ever wanted to visit pristine calm fjords surrounded by sheer mountains while the northern lights dance across the sky, forming an elfish veil of purples and greens, the mysterious and seemingly remote East Iceland may be just the place. 
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Tours and Activities