<![CDATA[
<body>
<p>Welcome to the Icelandic Outback website. Icelandic Outback specializes in super jeeps day tours from Akureyri in northern iceland to the wilderness and outback of Iceland. You can experience landscapes that have been unchanged and untouched for thousands of years, carved out by glaciers and created by volcanic eruptions over the past few centuries. We offer a wide choice of varied, fully guided tours. Ranging from full day excursions localised half day trips and personally tailored private tours. Our aim is to accommodate and deliver a very enjoyable and unforgettable holiday adventure. Icelandic Outback is run by a professional team with a lot of experience in travelling through the wild and untouched Icelandic highlands. We are very proud of the natural wonders our country has to offer. To drive through the rough terrain, lava, sand, and rivers we use modified 4-weel drive vehicles. Our super jeeps and 4x4 Ford Econoline vehicles offer comfortable, reliable transportation. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride knowing you are in safe hands. The trip to Askja caldera takes us across the most popular wonders of the Icelandic desert. You will experience the wildest, untouched part of the country, lunar landscape, sand and lava.After setting off from Akureyri we will visit the Godafoss waterfall for a short photo stop.After this we will continue on to Myvatn where we will too make a short stop at the ‘dark castles’ of Dimmuborgir. A chance to take photographs of the lake will be possible before we start exploring the outback of Iceland.Next we will drive on into the Icelandic interior. After entering the Icelandic highlands, we will take a break at the renovated historical sheep farmers hut known as Tumbi.Our next destination will be the grassy oasis of Herðubreiðalindir where clear water springs flow from old lava. There we will take a short hike to the Fjalla-Eyvind’s cabin. The next stop is by the waterfall Gljúfrasmiður where the Jokulsa River has made spectacular formations in the lava. We drive on to Dreki were we will explore the Drekagil gully before driving to the parking area near to the craters which were formed by the eruption in 1961. From the parking area there is a 30 min. easy walk to Lake Askja and the crater Víti where you can experience a natural geothermal bath in the turquoise-blue 25 c water. Don’t forget your swimming suit unless you are not shy! A different route is taken back across a bridge over the Jokulsa River to Möðrudalur were we stop in a remote coffee shop for refreshments. From there we take the No.1 main ring road back to Akureyri. Dettifoss is Europe’s mightiest waterfall, it is a powerhouse. At 44 meters high and about 100 meters wide it is not Iceland’s prettiest waterfall but it is thunderous and its plume of spray forms a brilliant double rainbow when the sun is shinning.Jokulsarglufur.From Hljóðaklettar Ásbyrgi. This tour takes us from Akureyri along the highway to where we will make our first stop at the Godafoss waterfall where you will have the opportunity to take some great pictures.Driving on then to Myvatn we will take a short break at the ‘dark castles’ of Dimmuborgir and then onwards to Dettifoss. Here we will take a hike to the falls.Having visited Dettifoss, in one of Iceland’s most magnificent canyons, we drive on to the lush horseshoe shaped canyon Ásbyrgi. This 100m high depression was most likely formed by glacial flooding firstly 10,000 years ago and then again 3,000 years ago. According to the legend however, the Ásbyrgi canyon was created when Odin’s eight-legged horse Sleipnir touched the ground, leaving behind his hoof print.Here we will take a hike into the forested area and see the tranquil lagoon that lies at the foot of this canyons sheer rock face.The next leg of our journey takes us to the coastal area of Tjörnes, the home to a large colony of puffins. Here we will stop and have the chance to get close to these delightful, comical birds that are nesting there in their thousands.On our way back to Akureyri we stop at Húsavík, a colourful fishing village famous in Iceland for its whale watching and whale museum. Húsavík is a quaint, picturesque town and has a very attractive wooden historical church which is perched just above the harbour. Lake Myvatn is more than merely a lake. It is the centrepiece of a rich volcanic area of lava flows, craters, rock formations and geothermal activity. Myvatn has a stark beauty; it is a place to savour. Godafoss From Dimmuborgir At lake Myvatn. Our first stop on this full day tour to the Myvatn area is the waterfall Godafoss. Here we will take a short hike. Godafoss is a beautiful waterfall in Skjálfandafljót, about 50 km from Akureyri. The 12 m high and 30 m wide waterfall plays a role in one of the Icelandic sagas. It’s name derives from the story that tells of the time when the belief in the old Nordic gods was cast aside and Christianity was made the official religion of Iceland. The Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw the statues of Old Norse gods (goð) into the waterfall. So from that point onward the falls were called the ‘falls of the Gods’. Upon arriving at the lake area we first stop at the pseudo craters at Skutustaðir and take a short hike. These were formed when flowing hot lava crossed over the water and the explosion of steam created these immense ‘pods’. After that, we travel on to see the‘dark castles’ of Dimmuborgir, amazing lava sculptures perhaps formed when a citadel collapsed leaving spectacular columns and rock formations. We will have time here to walk amongst the lava. From there we go to Grjotagja, a collection of underground caves which have hot springs sheltered within them. Just above the caves you can see evidence of the Mid Atlantic Ridge rift where the two tectonic plates of North America and Europe are pulling apart. A stop is made at the pastel coloured ridge of Namaskarð, the so named sulphur fields, were you have the opportunity to explore steaming sulphur pits and bubbling mud pools. Krafla caldera is our next stop, a volcanic area that was last active in 1984. We pass by a 60 MW power station which harnesses geothermal energy to create electricity for the area and then onwards to take a look at the explosion crater Víti that was formed in 1724. This impressive 320m wide creator’s name translates as ‘Hell’, it has beautiful turquoise coloured water in its basin. We finish our day trip with a stop at the ‘Green Lagoon’ the warm, soothing geothermal water of Jarðbodin, the delightful nature Bath’s of Myvatn. Once fully relaxed and refreshed we will make our return journey to Akureyri. Entrance fee approx 2.000 ISK per person. Swimming suits can be hired as well as towels. Icelandic Outback has a dedicated team that will strive to make your Icelandic experience with us one to remember. Building fantastic new memories for you to travel safely home with. Attention to detail, many years of experience of off road driving and expert knowledge of the island of Iceland, Icelandic Outback delivers it all. We look forward to hearing from you. For any further details and booking information please contact us at icelandicoutback@icelandicoutback.is</p>
</body>
]]>