Three Day Pre-Tour

Many athletes, supporters, and members of the international sports community would like to combine their competition experience with the opportunity to discover the country they are visiting. Our three-night Iceland Pre-Tour has been designed to offer an unforgettable introduction to Iceland before the IDFPA Bench Press Championship in Hjalteyri. Guests will explore the famous Golden Circle and the dramatic landscapes of South Iceland, relax in a geothermal pool, and head out in search of the Northern Lights when conditions allow. At the end of the tour, we will travel north to Hjalteyri, where guests will connect seamlessly with the main championship group. Accommodation, transportation, activities, and additional championship services can all be reserved together through our WeTravel booking page.

Day 1 – Monday, October 12

Arrival, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavík Food Tour, Golden Circle and Northern Lights

Welcome to Iceland! Upon your early morning arrival at Keflavík International Airport at approximately 06:30, your guide will meet you and your Icelandic adventure will begin.

Our first stop will be the world-famous Blue Lagoon, where you can relax and recharge after your flight in the warm, mineral-rich geothermal waters surrounded by Iceland’s dramatic lava fields.

After our relaxing morning, we will continue to Reykjavík for the Wake Up Reykjavík Food Tour. This guided culinary walk is a fun and delicious introduction to Icelandic culture, history and cuisine, with tastings at a selection of local restaurants and food establishments.

In the afternoon, we will leave Reykjavík and begin exploring the famous Golden Circle, visiting some of Iceland’s best-known natural and historical attractions. We will then continue through the beautiful countryside of South Iceland to Landhotel, our comfortable home for the next two nights.

Sunset in the Landhotel area will be at approximately 18:20. October 12 also falls just two days after the New Moon. The Moon will be a very thin waxing crescent, with only around 4% illumination, and it will set before sunset. This means there will be very little moonlight during the evening, creating wonderfully dark skies for Northern Lights viewing.

Landhotel is located in the peaceful Icelandic countryside, away from the bright lights of Reykjavík, with wide-open views of the night sky. After dinner, we will keep watch for the Northern Lights, and guests may also request the hotel’s Northern Lights wake-up service. Aurora sightings can never be guaranteed, as they depend on solar activity, clear skies and local weather conditions, but the dark moonless evening gives us excellent viewing conditions if the aurora decides to make an appearance.

The Moon is approximately 4.1% illuminated on October 12, 2026; Reykjavík moonset is around 17:16, and sunset near Hella is approximately 18:20. (The Sky Live) Landhotel confirms that its rural location has minimal light pollution and offers Northern Lights wake-up calls. (landhotel.is)

Day 2 – Tuesday, October 13

Fire, Ice and Black Sand: South Coast Adventure

After breakfast, we leave Landhotel early for a full day of adventure along Iceland’s spectacular South Coast. Our journey begins at Seljalandsfoss, where a pathway leads behind the curtain of falling water when conditions permit. We will also discover nearby Gljúfrabúi, a hidden waterfall concealed inside a narrow canyon. (Visit South Iceland)

The day’s main adventure awaits at Sólheimajökull Glacier. After meeting our certified glacier guides, we will be fitted with helmets, crampons and the necessary safety equipment before stepping onto the ice. No previous glacier experience is required. During this guided hike, we will explore a constantly changing world of blue ice, deep crevasses, volcanic ash and dramatic ice formations—an unforgettable opportunity to experience the power of Iceland’s glaciers up close. Beginner-friendly glacier experiences typically last around 2½ hours. (Icelandic Mountain Guides)

After our glacier adventure, we continue toward Reynisfjara, Iceland’s legendary black-sand beach. Here, powerful Atlantic waves meet towering basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise dramatically from the ocean. Guests must remain well back from the shoreline and follow the beach’s warning lights and local safety instructions, as sneaker waves can arrive without warning. (Safetravel)

We then travel into the coastal village of Vík, where there will be time for lunch and views across the black coastline toward the sea stacks. On our journey back west, we stop at the mighty Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. Those feeling energetic may climb the staircase beside the falls for sweeping views across the South Coast. (Visit South Iceland)

Sunset in Vík will be at approximately 18:04, so we will make the most of the day’s available light before returning to Landhotel for a well-earned dinner, relaxation in the hotel’s sauna and hot tub, and another opportunity to watch for the Northern Lights beneath the dark countryside skies. (Time and Date)

Suggested timing: Depart Landhotel around 07:30 and return at approximately 20:00–20:30. Landhotel serves dinner until 21:30. (Landhotel)

Day 3 – Wednesday, October 14

Volcanoes, Canyons and the Journey North

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Landhotel and begin our scenic journey north toward Akureyri and the IDFPA Bench Press Championship.

Today is a travel day—but in Iceland, even the journey is part of the adventure. Our first stop will be Grábrók, an impressive volcanic crater located beside the Ring Road. Weather and trail conditions permitting, we will take a short but rewarding walk up the crater. From the rim, we can look down into the ancient volcanic landscape and enjoy panoramic views across the surrounding lava fields, mountains and countryside. (Umhverfisstofnun)

We then continue through the changing landscapes of West and Northwest Iceland, stopping for lunch along the way. Our second nature stop will be Kolugljúfur Canyon, a hidden treasure only a short detour from the Ring Road. Here, the Víðidalsá River plunges through a rugged gorge in a series of waterfalls known as Kolufossar. According to Icelandic folklore, the canyon was once home to the giantess Kola, adding a little Icelandic legend to our journey. (North Iceland Travel Guide)

From the canyon, we continue across the northern valleys and through the dramatic mountain scenery of Öxnadalur before descending toward Eyjafjörður and Akureyri. Upon arrival in North Iceland, we will take you directly to the accommodation you selected for the IDFPA Championship, where you can check in, settle down and prepare for the exciting championship days ahead.

Suggested departure from Landhotel: 07:30
Expected arrival in the Akureyri area: Late afternoon or early evening, depending on weather, road conditions and the length of our stops. Sunset in Akureyri will be at approximately 17:51. (timeanddate.com)