The 3 Peaks Challenge in Iceland — Self-Launched
6 days · Iceland
Much Better Adventures charges £1,795
No-markup version: ~£1,180 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic Icelandic 3 Peaks mountaineering expedition: summit Vörðuskeggi (805m), Eyjafjallajökull (1651m) and Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m), Iceland's highest peak, while taking in Geysir, Gullfoss, Reynisfjara black beach, Vík, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the south coast waterfalls. The commercial tour uses private guiding and transfers; this version swaps those for a rented car (or public Strætó buses where they work), independent accommodation in budget guesthouses and hostels, and a self-booked local mountain guide for the two glaciated/technical summits where a guide is genuinely necessary. Everything is approximate and Iceland is expensive — budget carefully.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Fly into Keflavík (KEF) and take the Flybus or a Strætó bus 55 into central Reykjavik (~£20 one way, buy at the Flybus desk on arrival). Check into a downtown hostel or guesthouse — Reykjavik Hostel Village, Kex Hostel or Bus Hostel are good budget bases (~£35-45/dorm, more for private rooms). Wander the old harbour, Hallgrímskirkja church and the bars and cafés around Laugavegur. Grab a supermarket dinner (Bónus or Krónan) to keep costs down. Pick up your rental car this evening if you haven't already — a small 4x4 is worth the extra cost for the F-road/glacier access.
🚌Flybus or Strætó bus from KEF, ~£20
🛏Downtown Reykjavik hostel/guesthouse (dorm or private budget room)
- →Keflavík airport transfer
- →Reykjavik old town and Hallgrímskirkja
- →Supermarket provisioning for the trek days
Vörðuskeggi Peak and the Golden Circle
Hengill / Flúðir
Drive east to the Hengill volcanic massif and hike up Vörðuskeggi (805m) — around 13.5km with 735m of ascent, 7-8 hours return. This is a straightforward but sustained hill day with views north to Þingvellir and Langjökull. In the afternoon hit the Golden Circle highlights: the Geysir geothermal field and Gullfoss waterfall, both free to visit. Overnight in Flúðir or the Selfoss/Hella area in a guesthouse or campsite.
🚌Rental car, ~1.5hrs from Reykjavik
🛏Guesthouse or campsite around Flúðir / Selfoss
- →Self-guided hike up Vörðuskeggi (805m)
- →Geysir geothermal area
- →Gullfoss waterfall
Summit Eyjafjallajökull
Eyjafjallajökull / Skógar
The big day two — Eyjafjallajökull (1651m), the volcano that grounded European air travel in 2010. Expect 17km, ~1600m of ascent and 9-11 hours. The upper glacier sections require crampons and an ice axe, so book a local guided summit day (e.g. with a south-coast guiding outfit based in Hvolsvöllur or Skógar) rather than going alone — this is genuinely technical terrain. Overnight near Skógar, at the foot of Skógafoss, in a guesthouse or the Skógar campsite.
🚌Rental car to the trailhead
🛏Guesthouse or campsite at Skógar
- →Guided glacier ascent of Eyjafjallajökull (1651m)
- →Skógafoss waterfall
Iceland's south coast
Vík / Skaftafell
A recovery day on the road. Drive the south coast: Reynisfjara black sand beach (mind the sneaker waves), the village of Vík, then east through the lava fields to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Finish at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the adjacent Diamond Beach — both free and unforgettable. Overnight in Skaftafell or Höfn area. Rest up, tomorrow is the hardest day of the trip.
🚌Rental car, ~4hrs driving with stops
🛏Guesthouse or campsite near Skaftafell / Höfn
- →Reynisfjara black beach
- →Vík village
- →Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach
- →Skaftafell National Park
Hvannadalshnúkur — Iceland's highest peak
Öræfajökull / Skaftafell
The main event: Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m), Iceland's highest mountain, on the north-western rim of the Öræfajökull volcano. 22km, ~2040m of ascent and 12-14 hours — a serious glaciated summit. You must go with a certified local mountain guide for the crevasse and ice-axe/rope sections; book well in advance as spaces are limited. Long summer daylight makes the late finish manageable. Celebrate with a well-earned dinner and beer back at your guesthouse.
🚌Rental car to the Skaftafell trailhead
🛏Guesthouse or campsite near Skaftafell / Höfn
- →Guided summit of Hvannadalshnúkur (2110m)
- →Glacier travel skills and crevasse rescue briefing
Back to Reykjavik via the south coast
Reykjavik
Drive back west along the scenic south coast, stopping at Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss (walk behind the waterfall). Return the rental car in Reykjavik late afternoon and either fly out on a late evening flight or stay one more night. If you're heading straight to KEF, allow 45-50 minutes for the drive to the airport (via the Flybus if you've already dropped the car).
🚌Rental car back to Reykjavik, ~5hrs driving
🛏None (onward travel) or final night in Reykjavik hostel
- →Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
- →Skógafoss waterfall
- →Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,180 | £1,795 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £615 per person (34%) | |
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.~£1,180
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 cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,180 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 £1,795 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,180 — a saving of roughly £615 (34%) 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, budget 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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