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GILDO organizes a jeep trip to Landmannalaugar

Wpisany przez Juris

sobota, 15 października 2011 12:49

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Landmannalaugar

Here is a little insight in a jeep tour organized by GILDO, which led us to Landmannalaugar. The trip was supposed to be on Saturday, however because of bad weather conditions, it was decided to wait until next day. Weather condition in Iceland can be very harsh and it could be dangerous to travel in such conditions, but safety of people is in the first place for GILDO team.

But everything from beginning. In Saturday morning the group met at Olís gas station, ready for adventures, even though the strong wind was almost 28 m/sec. After serious conversations about the trip and weather we decided to wait until Sunday for the trip. Some of the group went straight home, however there were few persons with true viking attitude, who said that no wind or rain would stop them from adventutes, so we decided to spend the day near Reykjavik. The plan was to explore a little bit of Hvalfjörður area, so off we went. Most of the participants of the trip were using jeeps from GILDO car rental. As we were almost at Hvalfjörður tunnel, we took the turn to right, and there most of the drivers had chance to fight the strong wind to try to hold their vehicles on the road.

Soon we arrived at place where vikings used to live - Saurbær. Only few of us were brave enough to get out of the car and walk around area, the rest stayed near the cars, as the strong rain and wind was not friendly at all. To warm up cold and wet people, GILDO team decided to show us a geothermal springs. After half an hour we were no longer cold as we took a bath in the geothermal springs. An amazing feeling to sit in a natural hot tub surrounded by storm and wild nature. It didn´t take long for weather to start changing, sun was shining and the wind calmed down. We spent two hours sitting in hot tub and chatting about this and that. After the group was warmed up, we decided to finish our day by driving to Heiðmörk municipal concervation area near Reykjavik, which is popular place for jogging and picnics. We had some snacks, grilled meat which was followed by a glass of sweet vine. Soon everyone was heading on way home, to rest and collect power for the next day.

It is early Sunday morning and we are gathering together yet again at Olís gas station. The weather forecast promises us better conditions than day before. Everyone is optimistic and in good mood, and after filling up our gas tanks we head towards the unknown. The leader of the jeep row is a car from GILDO tours with an experienced driver, who promises us to lead us through the trip safely. The first stop is at Selfoss town, to make sure for the last time that all cars are in condition to continue the trip. Few more words and adviced from GILDO team about safety and driving in mountains and we are already heading towards road to Flúðir, which leads us more further from city and more deeply into wilderness. We make few stops to chat and make photos and soon we are at Hjálparfoss waterfalls. A breathtaking scenery is what we see and clicks of photo cameras do not stop. After walk around area we get into cars and continue driving as we have long way to go.

The first extreme roads start when we take a turn to Gjáin. Soon we cross a river with our jeeps, which are proffesionally led by GILDO driver and all kinds of emotions can be heard in cars - some stay silent, some lift their feet up, like the water woul soon run into cars, some just scream frome excitement. As we get out of the cars, we have to walk for around half an hour, but what a scenery we see! Uncountable wanterfalls are breathtaking. We wish to stay longer in this paradise, but time is running and we have to continue our journey. We make a quick stop at Stöng, and old viking villige, where our leader from GILDO tells us about living conditions that vikings used to have. We keep driving more up in mountains and it gets colder. The last stop before driving into wilderness is Hrauneyjarstöð, and there we see a sign on the road which says IMPASSABLE. The sign basically warns you, if you continue the road, you are doing it on your own risk. We decide to continue our trip.

The first kilometers do no show any danger, but the road is not easy to drive. Average speed we are driving is 20km/h and we are starting to see signs of snow. As we drive forward the snow is getting deepers and some of the drivers manage to get their jeeps to stuck in the snow. But we help each other, and for sure we understand that going alone in such trip IS dangerous and should NOT be done. On the way we see a small passanger car stuck in snow. It´s tourists from UK, who have decided to drive a small car on a 4x4 road. Our group leader from GILDO gets everyone to help tourists out, soon their small car is back on road, and after listening to advice of our proffesional driver they head back to more normal roads. The more we keep driving, the more snow we see, some cars get stuck, but GILDO team is ready for everything, as all the necessary equipment has been taken. The road is not friendly to us at all and we are drivin with speed 5km/h. After lots of driving we soon reach the last hil that we have to cross and soon we are at Landmannalaugar. We cross the last river happy that we have reached our destination. The scenery and feelings are magnificent. Here you are, all alone with mother nature. We are sitting in natural hot river, the snow is falling and you cannot believe your eyes. You feel like in paradise. As it is getting darker we have to wake up from this dream and head back to Reykjavik. GILDO team is recommending us, the lazy ones, to get going, as it is not safe to drive such roads in dark night. We get into cars and start driving the road, which yet again wants to surprise us with bad conditions.

But thanks to good conditions of GILDO jeeps and proffesional driver we keep driving and fighting the road. Some of the cars get stuck in the snow again, but after quick teamwork and help we slowly keep driving and soon we see that road is headin down, which means we are on the way down from the mountains. Soon we feel that heart of our jeeps are going faster and easier - yes, the road is getting better. We make a quick smoking stop and change 4 wheel drive back to normal, as it is no longer necessary. Everyone is tired but we keep being optimistic, some jokes are made to keep our drivers awake.

Around midnight we arrive back in Reykjavik, the emotions and feelings that we had are not possible to describe. We are tired, but the happines cannot be taken away with that. What an amazing trip this turned out to be thanks to GILDO team.

Huge thanks to GILDO tour operators for proffesionally managed trip, lending jeeps, which were in top condition. It has been quite exotic trip, when I think back at the dangerous road we drove, but thanks to GILDO team the tour was safely organized. Special thanks to the jeeps, which did not let us down. Good luck to GILDO tours with further trips.

This time I will stay anonymous and I did not mention any names of tour participants, but if you are interested in such trip, feel free to contact GILDO tours. Thank you!

PS:GILDOehf administration!

Please note, that GILDO ehf does not recommend on going in such tours
without guidance of a tour operator. When driving without guidance you
are doing it on your own risk and responsible for all damages that may
occur.

GILDO ehf is planning on organizing more jeep trips in future. For
more information write us email and we will let you know the dates and
times. Everyone is welcome in our trips, no matter from which company
you are renting a car. If you do not have a jeep, contact GILDO ehf
and we will find a solution for you.

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