A Gay Couple Bus Trip Volcano Askja Central Iceland – High on our list: the famous Askja Volcano and a swim in its famous caldera lake Víti. But how do you get there safely through the rough nature of the Icelandic central region? Our tip: Let someone else drive and enjoy the gay-friendly bus ride. The tour with an old but very charming, white and red Mercedes-Benz Bus and driver Alex Stefánsson, is an experience on its own. Together with a group of explorers, we started our 11-hours-excursion in Reykjahlíð at Lake Mývatn. From here we passed Hrossaborg into a Southern direction along dusty and windy gravel roads. Driving through a river, drinking pure Icelandic volcano water, and hiking over Glacier Ice: a trip to the center of Iceland during a road trip is an experience not to be missed. Read more about a couple of men exploring Lake Mývatn, the lake of midges >
Tour through the Herðubreiðarlindir nature reserve
The Icelandic nature of the Herðubreiðarlindir nature reserve in this part of Iceland is stunning and simply indescribable. But what is Askja actually? Askja is the Icelandic word for caldera and is the name of a volcano system of about 200 km in width. Several, nestled calderas of different sizes creating a landscape partially filled with water or lakes. The biggest and with 220 meters, the deepest lake of whole Iceland is Lake Öskjuvatn. The gorgeous lake is known for its very dangerous waters, in which different scientist already lost their lives because of unpredictable streaming.
Driving a bus through Icelandic Beauty
During our one-day trip to Askja, the bus made several stops perfectly fitting for short excursions with our guide Arnthrudur Anna Jónsdóttir. Already the first stop was delicious since we could taste fresh, pure volcanic Iceland Water from a natural spring. The view over the flat land and Volcanos far away is stunning. Next highlight of the trip: a ride through an Icelandic river. The way to Askja is open during summer and Autumn time also for the public. But be aware that you might have to cross deep rivers. Your 4×4 has to be equipped with a special exhaust pipe on top of your car. Anyway, it was a little extra adventure to try it by bus!
Exploring Central-North Iceland Lake Mývatn
After exploring the untouched eastern part of Iceland, we entered an environment full of volcanic activity, breathtaking natural spectacles, and thousands of midges north of the Vatnajökull National Park.
Lunch Stop with amazing view over Herðubreið
A lunch stop that has no equal. The bus stopped in the middle of nowhere but with an outstanding view over the table mountain Herðubreið. A perfect spot for absorbing pure and fresh air and a moment of rest in the stunning Icelandic nature. Or, as we did, a great natural place for stunning travel photography. Don’t forget to take a deep breath and pinch yourself – yes, it is real, it is Iceland.
Riding through a Sandstorm and endless Lava fields
The trip towards the volcano Askja with its caldera lake continued. The closer we came to our final destination, the stronger the wind started to swirl up the dust and sand of the landscape. Out of a sudden, we were in the middle of a sandstorm. But the driver knew what to do and how to drive safely around the rock formations along massive rivers and never-ending lava fields. Keep an eye on your camera! The sand might be difficult for the lenses!
When you finally reach Askja, dress water- and windproof and be brave: the way through the wind over glacier ice to the caldera lake can be exhausting, but the view is worth every effort.
Take a bath at Lake Víti at Volcano Askja
They say in the summer you can take a bath in the small caldera lake, named lake Víti (Icelandic for “Hell”). When we were there, the weather conditions were simply too bad to risk the muddy and slippery descent to the caldera lake. Although we were very disappointed that a bath in the volcano lake was not possible, the way there was full of interesting sights and beautiful landscapes. And the view over Askja was simply spectacular.
Gay Couple Bus Trip Volcano Askja Central Iceland
On our way back to Lake Mývatn, we made a short stop by an extraordinary canyon, named Drekagil gorge (Icelandic for Dragon canyon), just at the mouth of the Dyngjufjöll massif. We sadly didn’t have enough time during our bus trip to the volcano Askja in central Iceland. But if you like that kind of special rock formation in unique nature, take your time here and go explore!
Iceland Articles interesting for your Iceland Road Trip:
- Whale Watching North Iceland in Húsavík >
- Hiking a Glacier at Skaftafell National Park >
- Zodiac Tour over the Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón >
- Bus Tour to Volcano Askja Central Iceland >
- White River Glacier River Rafting with Viking >
- Hestasport Horseback Riding in North Iceland >
- All information for your planning: 21 days Road Trip Iceland >
Gay Iceland Travel Guide
This country will challenge you hard enough with its beauty not to cry while you are driving along abounded roads listening to pure Icelandic music. But believe us, you will cry. Tears are a part of Iceland. Tears of joy and happiness to be in uncountable one-time moments that will belong only to you.
Book your Bus Trip to Volcano Askja with Myvatn Tours:
Address:
Lake Mývatn Tours
660 Mývatn, Iceland
Official Website: www.myvatntours.is/en/askja
Contact: Tel.: +354 464 1920
Fun Fact:
Take me to the moon! The first man on the moon, Nils Armstrong, used this area of Iceland as a training center to learn how to walk on the moon.