自驾冰岛特色旅行团优惠套票｜火山内部遨游＋索尔黑马冰川徒步＋浮潜

辛格维利尔国家公园，又译辛格韦德利国家公园，是冰岛大陆上唯一被联合国教科文组织认证为世界文化遗产的地点。它和盖歇尔间歇泉、黄金瀑布，组成了著名的黄金圈旅游线路。公园南侧是冰岛最大的湖泊－辛格瓦德拉湖（Þingvallavatn）。

地理

辛格维利尔的地理地质特性在世界上独一无二。欧亚大陆板块与美洲大陆板块在此相会，且暴露在海平面之上。全世界只能在冰岛看到两大地质板块在海平面之上相会的地质奇观。

游览时，建议从美洲大陆板块一侧开始观光，在这里的信息牌上可以阅读到这个地区的更多有趣信息和历史，之后可以再走入其下的山谷。

历史

辛格维利尔在冰岛语中的意思为“议会土地”，从它的名字就不难猜出它的历史。在这里，世界上的第一个民主议会诞生－公园930年，维京人选址在此，创立了冰岛的议会。

民主议会也许和维京人喜欢战争掠杀的名声背道而驰，但当时的30多个氏族急需在恶劣的新环境中求得生存与繁荣。第一次集会的空前成功，让议会得以保留。每年，人们聚集在此，解决争端、审判罪犯、制定让所有人都能受益的法律。

冰岛联邦就此诞生，让冰岛人在成为挪威王国的选民前就获得了独立与自由。冰岛在辛格维利尔的年度议会一直延续到了1798年。

丹麦王国取消了冰岛的议会，直至1845年，冰岛的议会在雷克雅未克重生。

辛格维利尔在冰岛历史上的另一个重要角色与信仰有关，公园1000年，挪威入侵冰岛，冰岛人在辛格维利尔舍弃异教信仰、北欧众神，转而投信基督教。

冰岛的法律演讲人、议长Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði是冰岛的这场信仰危机中起到了决定性的作用，他考虑了一天一夜，才回到这里宣布了他的决定。

为了见证冰岛信仰的转变，Þorgeir将北欧众神的神像抛入北部的众神瀑布－Goðafoss，瀑布正得名于此。

丝浮拉裂缝

辛格维利尔是冰岛最受欢迎的自然景点之一，而除了上述的自然、历史原因，它还有另一大独特的景观－丝浮拉裂缝（Silfra，又译史费拉裂缝）。丝浮拉裂缝流淌着冰川水，是世界上排名前十的浮潜、潜水地。

丝浮拉在冰岛语中意为“银”，是公园内的一个水下峡谷，能见度高达100余米，温度常年保持在零上。世界各地的人们在这里穿上潜水衣，去水下享受完美的失重感，以及遨游在两大地质板块间的难得体验。

索尔黑马冰川(Sólheimajökull)是冰岛南岸米尔达斯冰川(Mýrdalsjökull)的一条分支，距离雷克雅未克仅有158公里，是距离首都最近的冰川之一。

由于距离雷克雅未克较近、便于抵达，索尔黑马冰川是冰岛最热门的冰川徒步地点之一。另一处最受游客欢迎的冰川徒步体验地是东南岸的斯维纳山冰川(Svínafellsjökull)。

索尔黑马冰川地理概况

索尔黑马冰川面积广阔，长约8公里、宽约2公里。作为米尔达斯冰川的一支冰舌，索尔黑马冰川和米达冰川之间没有明确的分界，甚至看起来面积更大一些。

米尔达斯冰川是冰岛第四大冰川，索尔黑马并非其唯一一条分支冰舌。磅礴无垠的冰盖下实则隐藏了冰岛最活跃的火山之一：卡特拉火山(Katla)。

同样位于该地区的艾雅法拉冰川火山(Eyjafjallajökull)曾经在2010年大爆发，使欧洲航空交通一度瘫痪；根据以往经验，在艾雅法拉火山爆发后，卡特拉火山通常也会随之而爆发，然而目前为止卡特拉仍未有爆发迹象。

您无需担心在游览冰川时会遭遇火山爆发。冰岛有着完备的火山检测系统，如有迹象，政府会及时通知旅行团营运商与附近居民。只要您报名的冰川或火山旅行团仍然正常出发，就说明火山仍处于安全的状态；您甚至可以参加旅行团，进入冰川或火山的内部一探究竟。

让人惋惜的是，索尔黑马冰川的面积正在逐年锐减，冰川脚下的冰河湖也因冰川的快速融化而迅速扩大。冰湖每年都会扩展大约一个标准奥运泳池的面积。预计在未来的100年之内，索尔黑马冰川将完全消失。

全球变暖已经是无可逆转的现实。如果您有幸在索尔黑马冰川消失之前到访，请好好珍惜它日渐消逝的美丽。

索尔黑马冰川成为冰岛必游景点的原因有三：首先，冰川位于冰岛一号环岛公路沿线，易于到达，无论是顺时针还是逆时针环岛都会经过冰川。其次，冰川周围没有高耸的山脉，登顶后可以一览无余地领略冰岛南岸绝色全景。再次，冰川上有许多高耸的冰墙，十分适合进行攀冰活动，满足户外运动爱好者的挑战欲。

索尔黑马冰川上还有冰缝、冰裂、冰窟等特色冰川地貌，如果足够幸运的话，甚至还可以发现天然冰洞。与火山灰交杂的冰壁将呈现出黑、白、蓝相间的奇妙颜色，让人产生登上外星球的奇幻错觉。

索尔黑马冰川下还有一条冰川融水汇集成的河流：Jökulsá á Sólheimasandi。从冰川脚下一路缓缓而流，途径索尔黑马黑沙滩(Sólheimasandur)，冰川河最终汇入海洋。

索尔黑马冰川旅行团

不少从雷克雅未克出发的冰岛南岸一日游都会包含索尔黑马冰川游览或者冰川徒步项目，也有许多以索尔黑马冰川徒步为主题的一日游，一天之内即可在首都和索尔黑马冰川之间往返。

如果参加冰岛南岸一日游到访索尔黑马冰川，旅行团通常还会沿途造访斯科加瀑布(Skógafoss)、塞里雅兰瀑布(Seljalandsfoss)、雷尼斯黑沙滩(Reynisfjara)等景点，时常更长的一日游还会抵达瓦特纳冰川国家公园(Vatnajökull)和杰古沙龙冰河湖(Jökulsárlón)。

想要登上冰川徒步，必须跟随专业向导。冰川向导受过专业训练，对冰川地貌更加了解，能够保证游客的旅行安全。旅行团运营商还会为游客准备必需的安全装备：冰爪、冰镐、头盔等，参加者需要自行准备保暖防风的衣物和结实的登山鞋。

在正式开始冰川徒步前，向导将介绍安全装备的使用方法，讲解冰川上的安全须知。准备参加冰川徒步的游客最好懂英文，能够听懂向导的安全讲解，或者有同行翻译陪伴。出于安全考量，旅行团向导有权利拒绝不理解安全须知的游客参团。

Mýrdalsjökull is a glacier in the south of the Icelandic highlands. It is the country's fourth largest ice cap, covering nearly 600 square kilometres (232 square miles), and its highest peak is almost 1500 meters tall. It is most well-known for sitting atop the notorious and explosive volcano, Katla.

Mýrdalsjökull is visible from Route 1 on the South Coast, sitting to the north of the village of Vík. It is visited on some snowmobiling, ice caving and helicopter tours, and one of its glacial outlets, Sólheimajökull, is the most popular place in the country for ice-climbing and glacier hiking.

Eruptions beneath Myrdalsjokull

Since 2010, the world has known of the volcano beneath Eyjafjallajökull; after all, it halted European air travel for over a week and stumped news readers everywhere. Few, however, are aware of the much larger volcano right beside it.

Mýrdalsjökull conceals Katla, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, having erupted, on average, once every fifty years since 930 AD. Because of the glacier above it, these eruptions tend to cause enormous ash clouds. It is these ash clouds that lead to flights being grounded, crops and livestock poisoned, and have the potential to change the world’s climate.

The last major eruption beneath Katla was in 1918, in which such huge lahar floods occurred that the southern coastline was extended five kilometres outwards. This area is also very susceptible to glacial floods, or 'jökulhlaup', during eruptions, even when the lava does not break through the surface of the ice. These are as dangerous as the lava itself, having wiped out whole Icelandic villages before.

Historically, the area was little settled for this reason.

Katla is connected to the same volcanic system as Eyjafjallajökull and usually erupts violently a few years after Eyjafjallajökull does. As the ex-president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said in 2010:

‘The time for Katla to erupt is coming close… it is high time for European governments and airline authorities all over Europe and the world to start planning for the eventual Katla eruption’

So it is currently several years overdue. Katla is monitored heavily, and roads around it closed when seismic activity increases. All road closures around Iceland can be found on Road and Coastal Administration's website.

Tours on Myrdalsjokull

While there are no eruptions immediately imminent, tours continue to run onMýrdalsjökull, allowing visitors to enjoy the glacier. It is, for example, possible to snowmobile across its surface throughout the year and take ice caving tours beneath it from October to April, with departures from both Reykjavík and Vík.

Considering the ice caves under Vatnajökull glacier are usually only accessible from November to March, this provides a wider window of opportunity for travellers to Iceland outside of the depths of winter. It should be noted that the caves in Mýrdalsjökull do not have the same blue ice, however.

Tours around Myrdalsjokull

Mýrdalsjökull can be seen on all South Coast tours that reach Vík and beyond in clear weather. It can also be seen from above on helicopter tours that depart from Reykjavík.

The best perspectives of the glacier, however, can be found on the popular Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail, which goes between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Part of this hike can be done in a day, or you can take the complete route from Þórsmörk to Skógar on a three-day trek

Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Reykholt

The Blue Mountains, otherwise known as Bláfjöll, are a beautiful mountain range in the south-west of Iceland. They hold some of the most popular skiing slopes in Iceland, and well as the potential for other activities such as caving and hiking.

The Blue Mountains are located around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Reykjavík, by the lava plateau of Hellisheiði.

Geology of the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains partially cover the Mid Atlantic Rift, which runs through Iceland. The very regular earthquakes and sporadic eruptions, therefore, are explained the high level of geological and geothermal activity that this rift creates.

Most of the mountains are now dormant, not having erupted since the last Ice Age, but not all.

Due to their formation, the Blue Mountains are composed of tuff rock.

Activities in the Blue Mountains

As mentioned, the Blue Mountains has some of the most popular slopes in Iceland. Being so accessible from Reykjavík, just a twenty five minute drive away, the region draws those who love to ski and snowboard from the beginning of February to the end of April.

Due to these opening dates, winter sports have become somewhat of an Easter tradition for many of those living in the capital.

The resort here is the largest in Iceland, and boasts 16 ski lifts, and 15 kilometres (nine miles) of slopes. Equipment can be rented on site, and there are regular lessons taught for newcomers. Regardless of if you are a novice or expert, there are slopes for all abilities.

Cross country skiing is also very popular in the area, but should only be done by those experienced, or with a trained guide. Some snowmobilers also make the most of the opportunities the mountain provides.

Other areas for skiing in Iceland include Akureyri and Skaftafell Nature Reserve.

A popular activity that can be enjoyed in the Blue Mountains throughout the year, however, is lava caving. Due to the the volcanism of the area, the plateaus around the mountains are composed of many layers of lava rock.

When this lava first cooled, it did so from the outside in, leaving running magma beneath it. If this magma had a place to flow out to, it would form a lava cave.

Leiðarendi is a beautiful tunnel, formed in a kind of ring that allows visitors to fully explore it. Trips to Iceland’s lava caves provide wonderful opportunities to learn about the nation’s geology, history of bandits, and folklore, particularly the tolls.

This lava tube also demonstrates the volcanism of the Blue Mountains. It was, in fact, created by two seperate eruptions, one two thousand years ago and one a thousand years ago. The lava tunnels formed in each collapsed together at what is now the entrance of the cave.

Much of the area around this cave and much of the Blue Mountains is covered in a delicate moss, that creeps over the lava. When visiting any area with this unique flora, such as hiking trails through the mountains, be careful not to step on it as it is remarkably delicate

Silfra is a fissure filled with fresh spring water within Þingvellir National Park, and one of the country’s most cherished wonders. Snorkelling and diving in its crystal-clear waters is an experience that is both thrilling and relaxing, and it is now considered to be one of the top five dive sites in the world. It takes around an hour to reach Silfra from Reykjavík. 

Geography of Silfra

Silfra fissure opened in 1789, due to the movements of the tectonic plates that frame Þingvellir National Park. The North American and Eurasian plates, which run all the way through Iceland, separate at about 2 centimetres per year, and as they do, they tear open fissures in the land between them. 

Some of the ravines fill with water travelling underground through the porous lava fields in the area, originating from Langjökull glacier about 60 kilometres north. It can take the water up to a century to reach Silfra and this long filtration process results in the water being both extremely clear and drinkable.

Because the water travels underground, it maintains a constant temperature of two to three degrees Celsius and does not freeze over immediately at the source of the spring. Snorkelling and diving tours are thus open throughout the year.

The clarity of the water is what draws most visitors. The visibility can extend to over 100 metres, allowing you to see the canyon walls and bottom like you are floating over a great cathedral.

The last colour that water absorbs is blue, which means that when you look forward in Silfra, it is as if you are looking into an ethereal, vivid, azure world. The clarity also means that sun-rays refract through the surface of the water, creating rainbows on Silfra’s bed when the weather allows. 

Snorkelling in Silfra

Snorkelling in Silfra fissure is a highly enjoyable activity, but you must meet some prerequisites to be able to join. These are as follows:

• You must be able to swim
• You must be over 16
• You must be in good physical health
• You must be at least 145 centimetres and 45 kilograms
• If you are over sixty, you will need a medical waiver
• If you are over forty-five with a history of heavy alcohol use and pipe smoking, you will also need a waiver

The most common option for snorkelling is to conduct it in a drysuit. Drysuits work with a fluffy undersuit to keep your body free from water and insulated against the cold, making the task of swimming through the near-freezing temperature more than achievable. 

While drysuit snorkelling is the most comfortable and popular option, a few tours allow you to go through Silfra wearing a wetsuit. Wetsuits, made of neoprene, allow water to surround your body in a thin layer, that your body then heats up and uses to protect you. Though they grant you more flexibility, they are not so warm, so this should be done by the daring; you will also need to be at least 50 kilograms to snorkel in a wetsuit.

In all tours, you wear neoprene on your head and hands to allow for better mobility, a mask and snorkel, and a pair of fins, all of which are provided on site. The course of Silfra takes approximately forty minutes, and there is a gentle current throughout, meaning it requires minimal energy to traverse.

Diving in Silfra

Diving through Silfra gives an extra dimension to its beauty, as you will be able to look up and see the sun glistening upon the surface as you cruise through the crystal clear waters. However, considering the risks associated with diving in cold water and cumbersome equipment, all who partake must meet all the requirements above, as well as one of the following:

• You must be a qualified diver with a certification in a drysuit speciality, OR
• You must be a qualified diver with at least 10 logged dives in a drysuit conducted over the past two years, signed by an instructor or divemaster.

Þingvallavatn (anglicised to Thingvallavatn, ‘the Lake of the Fields of Parliament’) is a rift valley lake located roughly forty-minutes drive from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavík.

Features of Thingvallavatn

Þingvallavatn is partially within the boundaries of Þingvellir National Park, Iceland’s oldest National Park and only one with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Covering an area of 84 square kilometres (32 square miles), Þingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in Iceland with its greatest depth measuring at 114 metres (374 feet). Þingvallavatn is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, on a part of the ridge known as the Reykjanes Ridge.

The lake has only one outflow, the river Sog.

Of particular note to biologists and fishermen are the four morphs of Arctic Char that inhabit the lake. The lake’s char are an excellent example of species evolving to fit and adapt to a secluded environment; over ten thousand years, one species of Char has transformed into four different-sub branches. Other fish in the lake include the the Brown Trout and the Three-Spine Stickleback.

History and Geology

Þingvallavatn takes its name from the historical founding of the Alþingi, which occurred in 930 AD at what is now known as Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir literally translates to ‘Fields of Parliament’.

The Alþingi was the first democratically elected representative parliament in world history (examples such as Ancient Athens were direct, not representative, democracies); Icelanders used to travel by foot or horseback simply to congregate at Þingvellir where they would hear the latest laws and judgements of the island.

Þingvellir National Park is also notable for its geology. Given its position on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the park is one of the only places on the planet where visitors can see both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates standing exposed from the earth.

Footpaths allow you to get up close and personal to the plates, standing right where the ancient settlers once did. In between the tectonic plates lies fields of dried volcanic rock, blanketed with a thick, yet fragile layer of Icelandic moss.

Scuba Diving in Thingvallavatn

Scuba diving around Þingvallavatn revolves around two sites, Silfra Fissure and Davíðsgjá (David’s Crack), the former being one of the most popular spots on the planet for snorkelling and underwater exploration.

Silfra Fissure is situated between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and is filled with crystal-clear glacial water originating from the Langjökull ice cap. The water measures at between two degrees Celsius all year round, with a slight current preventing the fissure from ever freezing over.

Davíðsgjá is found within Þingvallavatn and is often considered the darker and more dramatic cousin of Silfra Fissure, resembling the gorge formation so prevalent across the Mid Atlantic Rift.

Only certain tour operators provide tours into Davíðsgjá, so make sure to do some research beforehand if you are looking to access this dive site during your time in Iceland.

Photo from Thrihnukagigar Volcano Tour

Þríhnúkagígur is a dormant volcano in west Iceland, famous for its enormous magma chamber. It is the only magma chamber in the world that can be entered, and has a depth of 213 metres (699 feet).

Formation of Þríhnúkagígur

Þríhnúkagígur was a normal volcano in Iceland’s Blue Mountain range, also call Bláfjöll. However, its last eruption, almost 2,000 years ago, had some very unusual consequences.

After an eruption, the magma chamber of a volcano, now free of pressure, usually remains full of lava that cools into solid rock until the next eruption. If the magma chamber is fully emptied, the volcano will usually collapse in on itself.

To the bewilderment of scientists, however, neither of these things happened to Þríhnúkagígur.

It seems that a rift beneath the chamber drained it of all remaining lava, leaving behind an enormous chamber, that covered an area of 3,270 square metres (35,200 square feet). To give some idea of the scale of this, the Statue of Liberty could stretch her limbs within it, and it could comfortably fit Hallgrímskirkja church.

Unusually, the volcano did not collapse, and it has remained unchanged since.

Discovery and Exploration of Þríhnúkagígur

The vast magma chamber under Þríhnúkagígur would not be discovered until 1974, by an Icelandic cave explorer. Its discovery made world news, as volcanologists had not seen anything like it before, and were fighting to try to explain its existence.

In 2012, it was opened for tourism. A lift, akin to those used in mining, was installed, and visitors were now allowed to join tours plumbing its depths.

Its popularity comes not only from the uniqueness of the tour and the scale of the chamber, but the incredible colouration within it. Mineral deposits dye the walls vivid shades of red, yellow, green and blue, making the incredible space that much more ethereal.

Reaching Þríhnúkagígur requires a short but uphill hike, which can be done by any steady on their feet with a reasonable level of fitness. Tours only operate in summer.

The South Coast of Iceland is the country's most visited sightseeing route, along with the Golden Circle.

This incredible shoreline stretches from the greater Reykjavík area in the west to the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the east and is lined with countless natural wonders such as cascading waterfalls, volcanoes, black sand beaches and glaciers.

Geography, Nature & Wildlife

The South Coast is the most easily accessible part of the country’s southern region, found along the Route 1 highway (the Ring Road), which encircles Iceland. The area consists of a diverse lowland that transitions between, marshlands, bays, cultivated pastures, estuaries and black sand deserts.

Underneath the soil rests a vast lava field, known as Þjórsárhraun. Its edges reach several hundred metres offshore where the ocean waves crash upon them, thereby protecting the lowland from the invasion of the sea. This results in the South Coast being unusually lacking in the deep fjords that so distinctly characterise the rest of Iceland's shoreline.

The region boasts vibrant bird life during all seasons. Freshwater birds nest in the marshlands and around the estuaries, while seabirds flock around the cliffs of Reynisdrangar and Dyrhólaey, including the North Atlantic puffin between May and August. Some species stay throughout the harsh Icelandic winter, including the northern diver, the loom and various species of gulls and ducks.  

Seals are often found along the shore, particularly around the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. As with everywhere in Iceland, you should always keep an eye out to sea, as whales and dolphins reside all along its coastline.

Highlights of the South Coast

The South Coast offers an unprecedented array of natural wonders that draw thousands of visitors each day.

When driving the route from Reykjavík city, the first major features are the two great waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, which sit beneath the notorious subglacial volcano, Eyjafjallajökull. On clear days from these beautiful cascades, the Westman Islands can be seen across the ocean.

A little further down the route is the glacier Mýrdalsjökull, which covers one of Iceland’s most explosive volcanoes, Katla. Many glacier hikes are taken here upon the outlet of Sólheimajökull.

The aforementioned Dyrhólaey cliffs are next, home to many seabirds. Even if you come outside of puffin season, they are well worth a visit; jutting out to sea is an enormous rock arch of the same name, which you can marvel at from many angles.

Adjacent to the village of Vík is the famous black-sand beach, Reynisfjara, home to the rock pillars of Reynisdrangar, said to be two trolls frozen by the light of the sun. Though beautiful, this area is gaining notoriety for its dangerous sneaker waves, so visitors should be sure to stay well away from the edge of the water, even on a calm, still day.

There are no landmasses between Reynisfjara beach and the continent of Antarctica, so you can imagine how the waves can build momentum.

After passing through Vík, you will cross the glacial sand plain of Skeiðarársandur, before entering Vatnajökull National Park, home to the largest ice cap in Europe, Vatnajökull itself, dozens of glacial outlets and the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

While almost all of these sites can be seen from Route 1, they make up a fraction of what the South Coast has to offer. The vast sand plains of Sólheimasandur are home to a crashed DC-3 Plane Wreck, and within the Vatnajökull National Park is the dramatic Skaftafell Nature Reserve.

Less than a kilometre from Seljalandsfoss is the hidden gem of Gljúfrabúi waterfall, and short distances from Jökulsárlón you will find the Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash on the black-sand shore, and another glacier lagoon, Fjallsárlón.