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ICELAND Climb for Cancer: Iceland Hiking Expedition Led by Ron Farb and Brynjolfur Gislason August 14-24, 2017

Join the Climb for Cancer Foundation to PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS experience stunning Iceland. The Climb • Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trekking adventure along for Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not- Iceland’s Southern and Western region under the expert for-profit organization whose mission is to guidance of Ron Farb and Brynjolfur Gislason. help ease the pain and suffering of those • See and experience the geological wonders of Iceland, affected by cancer. Cofounded by Ron and including , glaciers, volcanoes, lagoons, and geysers. Dianne Farb in 2002, the Foundation • Go on daily hikes of moderate to challenging difficulty through has made a tangible impact on the lives of the country’s diverse landscapes. many people fighting the disease. • Scale Eyjafjallajökull, an active volcano with a summit elevation The Foundation has funded or created of 5,417 feet. several psycho-social programs which • Watch for puffins and other interesting birdlife. provide support to the patient and the family, funded research grants, and given kids an opportunity to attend cancer FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL: camps. The Foundation likes to think Contact Ron Farb: 352-333-9663 that its small gifts fill in the cracks left by Lisa Palmese-Graubard: 800-451-7111 x339 | [email protected] organizations that make much larger gifts. Register online at holbrook.travel/cfc-iceland17

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 ITINERARY

BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER the guide in the area as much as possible and where the guide sees opportunities. Overnight at Hotel Hvolsvöllur or AUGUST 14 - EN ROUTE similar. (BD) Board overnight flight to Iceland.Overnight flight. AUGUST 19 - HVOLSVÖLLUR AUGUST 15 - Today, prepare for an eight- to 10-hour hike of the Upon arrival into the Reykjavik Airport you will be met at Fimmvörðuháls pass from Skógar to Thorsmork. Begin at the airport and transferred to Hotel Selfoss in south Iceland. Skógar, hiking along the Skógá River and encountering The hotel is located in the heart of the Golden Circle on many of its waterfalls, ending up between two glaciers, the banks of the Ölfusá River. Upon arrival you will have Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Notice the heat under the remainder of the day to relax and rest up. This evening your feet emanating from the fresh lava from the recently receive an orientation to Iceland with a welcome dinner. formed craters, Magni and Móði. On the way down to the Overnight at Hotel Selfoss. (LD) Þórsmörk Glacier Valley, witness the remarkable views over the surrounding glaciers and . This hike AUGUST 16 - SELFOSS is 15.5 miles long and will have a gain in elevation of over This morning begin exploring what is known as the Golden 3,280 feet. Overnight at Hotel Hvolsvöllur or similar. (BLD) Circle. Þingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a national shrine of extraordinary natural beauty, where some AUGUST 20 - ÖRÆFI of the most important events of Icelandic history took place. Depart the hotel this morning and head further east. Drive Þingvellir was formed by volcanic activity, and Almanngjá via Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell National Park, one lies at the boundary of the American and Eurasian tectonic of Iceland’s most outstanding areas of natural beauty and plates. Hike from the Hakið, down through Almannagjá dominated by the glacier Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice to Öxarárfoss and over to Skógarkot abandoned cap. The hike of the day is Svínafellsjökull. The hike starts farm site via Skógarkotstrail and the coach will pick you up in Skaftafell and leads to a walk on the Svínafellsjökull at Vatnskot. The trail is approximately five to six and a half Glacier Tongue in Skaftafell National Park, an easy two- miles long and takes about two to three hours to complete. hour walk on crampons. Svínafellsjökull is a breathtaking The hike is on even landscape and is well marked. The outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull Glacier and the scenery and next stop will be at Fontana in Laugarvatn to experience a views are simply stunning. Walk through a wonderland of geothermal bakery and try some fresh spring bread. Then, glacial ice sculptures, meandering through ice ridges and the visit a greenhouse and horse stable in Friðheimar to enjoy deep crevasses of the glacier. At the outset, an experienced a light lunch homemade from the ingredients grown in the guide will teach you how to use basic glacier equipment greenhouse. Continue to Geysir and Waterfall. like crampons and ice axes, the required equipment for this Geysir, the most famous spouting hot spring in the world, tour. Continue to Jökulsárlón, where you can view floating is the origin of the international word geyser. Today, Geysir icebergs on this 590-foot-deep glacial lagoon. Take a boat doesn’t erupt without human intervention, but a nearby hot trip to get up and close to the icebergs. This is one of the spring, Strokkur, spouts about every 10 minutes. Gullfoss, most photographed sites in Iceland, and you will spend a in the Hvítá River, is Iceland’s most famous waterfall, and good amount of time here catching the stunning scenery. has long been regarded as the most beautiful. Overnight at Overnight at Fosshótel Ice Lagoon or similar. (BD) Hotel Selfoss. (BLD) AUGUST 21 - HVERAGERDI AUGUST 17 - HVOLSVÖLLUR Today the group will either hike the Skaftafellsheiði Plateau Today will be a full day of trekking up Eyjafjallajökull Circuit or the Bæjarstaðarskógur forest. Option 1: This Volcano. In April 2010, Eyjafjallajökull erupted and today morning hike the Skaftafellsheiði Plateau Circuit. The you will witness firsthand the effects of the eruption on the route starts from Skaftafell Visitor Centre and is the same glacier and the surrounding environment, plus enjoy the as if you were going to . It is possible to go all stunning views for which the mountain is known, all in the the way to Svartifoss and then head on to Sjónarsker, but safe company of expert guides. Climbing Eyjafjallajökull the shortest way is to cross the river on the walking bridge takes about eight to 10 hours to complete. There are no next to Magnúsarfoss and from there head to Sjónarsker. technical difficulties but the top part is glaciated and From Sjónarsker the path goes all the way towards crevassed. The ice cap covers the caldera of the volcano, Kristínartindar. When arriving at the crossroads at the foot with a summit elevation of 5,417 feet. Overnight at Hotel of Kristínartindar, continue straight towards Gláma. From Hvolsvöllur or similar. (BLD) Gláma the path takes you down to Sjónarnípa and then onwards to the visitor center/campground via Austurbrekkur. AUGUST 18 - HVOLSVÖLLUR This hike is rated as challenging; it is approximately 10.5 After yesterday’s demanding hike, spend today casually miles long and takes five to six hours to complete. Option 2: exploring the and Skogafoss waterfalls and This morning hike Bæjarstaðarskógur forest. The route starts the surrounding areas. Visit Reynisdrangar Beach to see the from Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Head towards Sjónarsker and basalt needles and Reynishverfi Beach to see the hexagonal continue to Morsárdalur. Continue across the footbridge basalt columns. Next visit the Dyrhólaey Reserve for a hike over Morsá river and straight on the marked trail that and the opportunity to see puffins. Do some hiking with leads to the birch woods in Bæjarstaðarskógur. The trail continues through the woods and past two beautiful ravines that are worth a closer look. Please note that there are no way markers in front of the ravines or a well-defined trail. However, a way-marked trail restarts next to Jökulfell and continues to the footbridge at Götugil. Cross the bridge and follow the marked trail to Skaftafell Visitor Centre. This hike is rated as challenging; it is approximately 10 miles long and ICELAND takes four to five hours to complete. After the hike, continue SNAEFELLSJÖKULL GLACIER via South Shore to wagerdi for overnight. Overnight at Frost GULLFOSS REYKJAVIK VATNAJÖKULL GLACIER and Fire Hotel. (BLD) GEYSIR JÖKULSÁRLÓN ÞINGVELLIR SKATFAFELL AUGUST 22 - SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA KEFLAVIK BLUE LAGOON SELFOSS Depart from Hveragerdi to Snæfellsnes Peninsula via EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL VOLCANO Hvalfjörður Tunnel and village. Snaefellsnes is a SELJANDSFOSS SKÓGAFOSS unique area with a variety of geological interests such as lava fields, volcanoes, glaciers, beautiful rock formations, yellow CLIMB FOR CANCER 2017 and black sand beaches and caves, plus interesting bird life. The main attraction is Snaefellsjökull Glacier, a beautifully shaped cone volcano at the very end of the peninsula. The glacier and the unspoiled natural wonders surrounding it feature in Jules Verne’s novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” and it is one of the seven most energetic sites on Earth according to some New Age sources. Búðir is a very impressive area, where you can have a lovely walk in unique landscapes with a mixture of sandy hills, black lava and yellow beach and at the same time feel the closeness and the impression of the glacier. Arnarstapi offers a great opportunity for a walk along the sea cliffs and strange holes in the ground reaching to the sea with spectacular columnar rock formations where seabirds nest. Continue LAND PRICE on to Djúpalónssandur pebble beach, and then around the peninsula and on toward Reykjavik. Possible hikes for the $7,675 per person based on double occupancy** day are the impressive crater Eldborg and, in the picturesque Arnarstapi, you are able to hike to Hellnar, which is an Single Supplement: $1,042 easy hike. If time allows, stop at Djúpalónssandur before **Pricing is based on a minimum of 10 travelers. If the you continue to Stykkishólmur via Hellissandur and group size reaches 15 travelers, the per person pricing in Grundarfjörður.Overnight at Hotel Budir. (BD) double will be $6,575. AUGUST 23 - REYKJAVIK Required minimum $500 per person donation to the Climb Drive to Reykjavik via Borgarnes, taking a detour to the for Cancer Foundation. Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. It is a unique experience; a lagoon with pleasantly warm mineral rich geothermal water Cost does not include international airfare or tips/gratuities. in the middle of a black lava field. The high natural levels of silica and minerals give the lagoon its rich blue color. Next, venture through the town of Grindavík toward Krýsuvík ESTIMATED AIR PRICE with powerful jets of steam escaping from deep below the Earth’s crust and sulphurous steam rising from numerous $1,100 per person from Orlando (estimated) vents of a geothermal field. Here you can see innumerable small hot springs, mud pots, boiling pools and other types Group air is required from Orlando. Holbrook can arrange of geothermal activity. Near Krýsuvík is Lake Kleifarvatn, the flights between your home city and Orlando if desired. set in stark, moon-like surroundings. Then drive to the town of Hafnarfjörður, situated picturesquely on an ancient lava flow. If time permits, drive to the Álftanes THE FINE PRINT Peninsula and pass Bessastaðir, the residence of Iceland’s president. Check in at your hotel in downtown Reykjavik. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is required to This evening have a special farewell dinner at Grillmarket. hold your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable minus Overnight at Hotel Reykjavik Centrum. (BD) a $100 cancellation fee until May 11, 2017, at which time final non-refundable payment is due. Travel/trip cancellation AUGUST 24 - DEPARTURE insurance is strongly recommended. For more information call Today will be at leisure to explore Reykjavik before being Travel Insured at 800-243-3174 or visit travelinsured.com. transferred to the airport for your flight home.(B) Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849. ABOUT YOUR LEADER Ron Farb Educated at the College of William & Mary, and a former military aviator, Ron Farb has traveled to every continent and more than 50 countries. Ron has climbed the highest mountain on five of the seven continents, including Everest, Aconcagua (twice), Denali, Elbrus, and Kilimanjaro (five times). By doing so, he has raised more than $1.5 million to fund medical research for cancer with Climb for Cancer, a foundation he and his wife, Dianne, started in 2002. After his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 20 years ago, he has since combined his passion for climbing and determination to fight the disease by organizing mountain- climbing trips, such as the upcoming Kilimanjaro group climbs, and fundraisers within the Gainesville community. Ron is the 2014 E.T. York “Heart of the Community” award winner for his outstanding dedication to community service.

ABOUT YOUR ICELANDIC GUIDE Brynjolfur Gislason Your Icelandic guide, Brynjolfur Gislason, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this program for a once-in-a-lifetime trekking experience. Brynjolfur has explored most areas of Iceland by foot— high and low, in summer and in winter. His guiding experience ranges from informative high-end guidance with some hiking, to expedition-style backpacking across glaciers and mountains. He’s led travelers of all age levels, from high school up, and even guided treks with blind hikers. His extensive guiding experience in Iceland is complemented by his travels to more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. In addition to his diverse background as a teacher, fisherman, and accountant, he served as a mayor for 18 years, giving him a unique insider’s view of Icelandic society. Special interests include the first 250 years of Icelandic society and the cultural and social background of the Icelandic Sagas. Brynjolfur received his education from the Commercial College of Iceland and the Technical University of Iceland. His hobbies include angling, backpacking, horseback riding, scuba diving, reading Sagas and Icelandic folklore, traveling, and cooking. He lives in Reykjavík with his spouse.

PHOTOS BY MOYAN BRENN, LAURIE MCLAUGHLIN, STEVE REGISTER ONLINE at DEGER, AND MATT DAWSON holbrook.travel/cfc-iceland17