The 3 Peaks Challenge in Iceland: Self-Launched Edition
6 days · Iceland
Much Better Adventures charges £1,850
No-markup version: ~£1,200 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Iceland's ultimate mountaineering challenge — three dramatic peaks, iconic south coast scenery, and glacial wilderness — done independently at a fraction of the group tour price. This self-launched version follows the same route as the Much Better Adventures expedition: Vörðuskeggi, Eyjafjallajökull, and Iceland's highest summit Hvannadalshnúkur, with stops at Geysir, Gullfoss, Jökulsárlón, and the black sands of Reynisfjara. You'll hire a certified local mountaineering guide for the technical summits (essential for safety on Hvannadalshnúkur), rent a campervan or self-drive hire car, and stay in the same or equivalent 3-star hotels along the south coast. Costs are estimated per person based on two people sharing car hire and accommodation. Note: all costs are approximate and subject to seasonal variation.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF) — not Reykjavik Airport, which handles domestic flights. Take the Flybus shuttle directly to central Reykjavik (~£27 each way, bookable at flybus.is or on arrival). Check into your guesthouse or budget hotel in the city centre. Spend the afternoon exploring Hallgrímskirkja church, the colourful streets of the old town, and the waterfront. Grab dinner at one of Reykjavik's many excellent spots — try Bergsson Mathús for a solid affordable meal. Pick up any last-minute snacks and trekking supplies at Bónus supermarket (Iceland's cheapest supermarket chain).
🚌Flybus from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik BSÍ bus terminal (~£27pp). Collect your hire car in Reykjavik on Day 1 or Day 2 morning — a compact 4WD (essential in Iceland) costs approximately £80-120/day from Sadcars or Lagoon Car Rental; split between two people this is ~£40-60pp/day.
🛏Reykjavik — equivalent options: Kex Hostel (private room ~£80-110/night), Loft Hostel, or Fosshotel Lind/Baron (~£100-130/night for a 3-star double). Book via Booking.com.
- →Flybus transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city centre (~£27 one-way, book at flybus.is)
- →Explore Hallgrímskirkja church and the old town
- →Stock up on hiking snacks and packed lunch supplies at Bónus supermarket
- →Dinner in Reykjavik — budget ~£20-30pp
Climb Vörðuskeggi Peak & the Golden Circle
Hengill Volcano Massif / Flúðir
Drive east from Reykjavik (~1hr) to the Hengill volcano massif. You can hike Vörðuskeggi Peak (2,641 ft / 805m) independently — it's a non-technical but strenuous hike on marked trails. Start early (8am) to leave time for the Golden Circle sights. The trail offers stunning views over Lake Þingvellir and towards Langjökull glacier. After descending, drive to the geothermal area at Geysir (free to walk around, Strokkur geyser erupts every 6-10 minutes) and then Gullfoss waterfall (free entry). Continue south to your hotel near Flúðir. Note: Vörðuskeggi does not require a guide or paid entry — it is accessed via open Icelandic highlands.
🚌Self-drive hire car from Reykjavik. Route: Reykjavik → Hengill (Route 1 / Route 36) → Geysir → Gullfoss → Flúðir. Total driving ~2.5hrs.
🛏Hotel Flúðir (~£110-140/night for a double/twin) — same hotel as the group tour. Alternatively, Guesthouse Árnes nearby is slightly cheaper. Breakfast included if booked direct.
- →Hike Vörðuskeggi Peak (2,641 ft) — 7-8hrs, 8 miles, ~2,400ft elevation gain (no guide required, no entry fee)
- →Visit Geysir geothermal area — free entry, see Strokkur geyser erupt
- →Visit Gullfoss waterfall — free entry
- →Drive to Flúðir (~30 mins from Gullfoss)
Summit Eyjafjallajökull Volcano
Eyjafjallajökull / Þórsmörk area
Today's ascent of Eyjafjallajökull (5,417 ft / 1,651m) is a serious undertaking — 9-12 hours, over 5,000ft of elevation gain on glaciated terrain. **A certified guide is strongly recommended for safety on the glacier sections.** Book a guided ascent of Eyjafjallajökull through a local operator such as Midgard Adventure (midgardadventure.is) or Icelandic Mountain Guides (mountainguides.is) — group guided day ascents cost approximately £150-200pp. Alternatively, if hiring a private guide for the full trip (Days 2-5), prices are typically £250-350pp/day for a certified UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide. Fuel up on the hotel breakfast before your early start. Celebrate back at the hotel with dinner.
🚌Self-drive from Flúðir to the Eyjafjallajökull trailhead and then to Hotel Skógafoss (~1.5hrs driving total). Route via Route 1 south.
🛏Hotel Skógafoss (~£120-160/night for a double/twin) — same hotel as the group tour, situated right next to Skógafoss waterfall.
- →Guided ascent of Eyjafjallajökull volcano (5,417 ft) — 9-12hrs, ~11 miles, 5,249ft elevation gain
- →Use of crampons, ice axe and rope (included with guided ascent or rented separately ~£20-30/day)
- →Debrief and dinner at Hotel Skógafoss
South Coast Exploration: Black Beach, Vík & Jökulsárlón
Reynisfjara / Vík / Jökulsárlón
A rest day from climbing — your legs will thank you. Drive east along Iceland's stunning south coast. First stop: Reynisfjara black sand beach, one of Iceland's most dramatic landscapes, with towering basalt columns and crashing Atlantic waves (free entry, but take heed of rogue wave warnings — stay back from the water). Pop into the pretty village of Vík for lunch. Continue east into Skaftafell (part of Vatnajökull National Park — free to enter, parking ~£6) and onwards to the jewel of the south coast: Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, where enormous blue icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Walk the shore for free, or take a 45-min amphibious boat tour (~£55pp, book at icelagoon.is). Finish with a walk on the Diamond Beach — icebergs washed up on a black sand shore — before driving to Hotel Skaftafell.
🚌Self-drive east along Route 1 (Ring Road). Flúðir to Jökulsárlón is approximately 3.5-4hrs driving; plan for a full day with stops.
🛏Hotel Skaftafell (~£130-160/night for a double/twin) — same hotel as the group tour, with views of Hvannadalshnúkur and Vatnajökull glacier.
- →Reynisfjara black sand beach — free entry (beware sneaker waves)
- →Explore Vík village — lunch stop, ~£15-20
- →Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park — free entry, parking ~£6
- →Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon — free to walk; optional amphibious boat tour ~£55pp (book at icelagoon.is)
- →Diamond Beach — free
Summit Hvannadalshnúkur — Iceland's Highest Peak
Öræfajökull / Vatnajökull National Park
The big one. Hvannadalshnúkur (6,923 ft / 2,110m) is Iceland's highest peak and sits on the northwestern rim of the Öræfajökull volcano caldera — **a certified UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide is mandatory for this ascent; it cannot be done independently.** Book through Icelandic Mountain Guides (mountainguides.is) or local Skaftafell-based operators. Guided ascent prices are approximately £200-280pp for a group ascent. The climb takes 12-14 hours with 6,500ft of elevation gain, involving crampons, ice axes, and roped glacier travel. Start very early (3-4am in summer, when there are ~24hrs of daylight). Return to Hotel Skaftafell exhausted and elated. Dinner and well-earned celebratory drinks at the hotel.
🚌The Hvannadalshnúkur trailhead departs from the Skaftafell visitor area — a short drive or walk from the hotel.
🛏Hotel Skaftafell — second night (~£130-160/night for a double/twin).
- →Guided ascent of Hvannadalshnúkur (6,923 ft) — 12-14hrs, ~14 miles, 6,500ft elevation gain (guide mandatory — book via mountainguides.is)
- →Roped glacier travel, crampons and ice axe use (included with guided ascent)
- →Celebratory dinner at Hotel Skaftafell
Scenic Drive Back to Reykjavik
South Coast / Reykjavik
Drive west back to Reykjavik along the scenic south coast, with time to stop at the highlights you may have missed or want to revisit. Pull over at the stunning Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon (free, but vehicle entry may require advance registration at road.is — check ahead of travel), then continue to the twin waterfalls of Skógafoss (free) — you can climb the staircase to the top for panoramic views — and Seljalandsfoss (free to view; small parking fee ~£8), where you can walk behind the cascading water. Arrive back in Reykjavik in the late afternoon. Return your hire car (check for drop-off fees if returning to a different location). Grab a celebratory meal in Reykjavik before catching your onward Flybus to Keflavik airport.
🚌Self-drive Route 1 west from Skaftafell to Reykjavik (~4-5hrs driving with stops). Flybus from Reykjavik BSÍ to Keflavik Airport (~£27pp).
🛏N/A — departure day. If you need an extra night in Reykjavik, budget £80-130 for a guesthouse.
- →Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon — free (check registration requirements at road.is)
- →Skógafoss waterfall — free, climb the staircase for panoramic views
- →Seljalandsfoss waterfall — free to view, small parking fee ~£8
- →Return hire car in Reykjavik
- →Flybus back to Keflavik Airport (~£27pp, book at flybus.is)
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,200 | £1,850 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £650 per person (35%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,200
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does The 3 Peaks Challenge in Iceland: Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,200 per person for 6 days in Iceland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,850 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,200 — a saving of roughly £650 (35%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Iceland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Iceland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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