Off-Road Academy Itinerary

April. 7: Arrival in Iceland
If you wish to arrive earlier, we will gladly assist you with booking a hotel and plan your extra days in Iceland.
Accommodation: Hotel in Reykjavik

April 8:  Basic Principles of 4×4 Driving
We pick you up at your hotel a few minutes before 9 am and drive you to Isak‘s headquarters where we have a short introduction to the team and the vehicles you will be driving. Then we head out of Reykjavik to our base on the south shore and take a couple of fun detours to make it more exciting and fun; crossing rivers and driving through lava fields.
We will have lunch at the hotel which serves at our base for the week. Over lunch we  introduce everybody, go through the program and have a short lecture on the basic principles of 4×4 driving, including use of gears, power, speed vs torque, clutch and brakes. After lunch the drivers start using those techniques on our own off-road track until dinner time.
Today’s nature highlights: Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, Hveragerdi
Accommodation: Hotel Fljotshlid at Smaratun in South Iceland

April 9:  Black Sand Beach for Steep Banks, Sideslopes and Sand Dunes
The day starts with a short lecture on the basics of freeing a stuck vehicle with use of ropes, winches, shovels before we go down to the black sand beach to try yet another off-road conditions. Furthermore they will get learn how to repair a flat tire, repair a tire which has gone off the wheel-rim and other basic problems.
We stay out the rest of the day, using at least two different off-road areas, with mud, sand, side-slopes, steep banks and an un-bridged river. The whole day will be used to gain as much practice for the drivers. From previous years we know to put special emphasis on tire placement, the “wobbling-technigue” and not loosing traction.
Today’s nature highlights: Black sand beach, Skogafoss waterfall, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, hexagon basalt columns at Dyrholaey and Reynisdrangar, blue ice at Sólheimajokull.
Evening: Film on Eyjafjallajokull eruption – which we have a splendid view of from our hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Fljotshlid at Smaratun in South Iceland

April 10: River Crossing
The day starts with a lecture over breakfast on rivers, fords and how to drive through them. After breakfast we drive into the valley of Thorsmörk where the drivers must cross around 20 glacier rivers and mountain streams of different levels. Thorsmörk is a nature reserve, surrounded by three glaciers and steep mountains and a perfect place to learn about rivers and crossing them safely – and it‘s breathtakingly beautiful.
Todays nature highlights: Eyjafjallajokull eruption & flood site at the base of the volcano, Thorsmork Nature Reserve, Myrdalsjokull glacier, Tindfjallajokull glacier
Accommodation: Hotel Fljotshlid at Smaratun in South Iceland

April 11: Glacier Driving to the summit of Eyjafjallajokull volcano & glacier
This day we spend practicing driving in snow – by driving on a glacier, either the famous Eyjafjallajokull or Myrdalsjokull, two of the larger ice caps in Iceland.
Accommodation: Hrauneyjar Highland Center

April 12: Mission / Reccé
Full day of recce and sum up of the course where you get to use all the skills you have learned during the course. We drive into the highlands and wilderness, crossing un-bridged rivers, snow and other obstacles.
Accommodation: Hrauneyjar Highland Center

April 13: The fun route to Reykjavik
Based on the weather and snow condition, we’ll take the most fun route possible to Reykjavik. We might go see Haifoss and Granni falls, drive to Hekla volcano or go see the geyser.
Accommodation: Hotel in Reykjavik

April 14: Departure – or you can extend your stay
If you wish, we will gladly help you extend your stay in Iceland.

Off-Road Academy Instructors

Haukur Parelius – Hawk is an internationally certified 4×4 trainer and member of the Int. 4×4 Trainer‘s Association. He is the founder and proprietor of this company, Nature Explorer and has been off-roading on 4×4´s for years before starting the company. He knows Iceland intimately, driving across unbridged rivers in the highlands and on glaciers. He has also driven in Africa and in Afghanistan for ISAF as a MOT-driver as well as trained military teams in off-roading techniques. Hawk is a former member of Icelandic Mountain Search & Rescue, has a Master‘s degree and is an experienced  lecturer and instructor.

Details for Offroad Academy

Included:
•             4×4 off-road training by our expert trainers
•            Rental 4×4 vehicle
•             Fuel
•             Copy of lectures and slides
•             Use of tools and equipment (winches, tow-ropes, repair-kits etc)
•             Accommodation for the entire period, dbl occupancy

Excluded:
•             Food and drinks
•             Flights to/from Iceland

Optional:
•             Sgl suppliment
•             Non-driving partners welcome at discounted rate

If you have any questions, please don‘t hesitate to contact us.

Why a course in 4×4 Driving Techniques?
Many of the most spectacular places in the world are in the wilderness, with less infrastructure, bad roads or exciting tracks, with various obstacles to cross and far away from the nearest service station. Having the training and skills will make any 4×4 trip more safe, more fun and you will be more confident. Besides, it‘s a lot of fun.

Main Objective:
To make the drivers be able to maximize their ability to cross difficult terrain safely without damaging the vehicle. The higher level of know how will build your confidence and expertise as an off-road driver. This will increase your effectiveness as a driver  and decrease costs.

Other Objectives / Milestone:
After the course, you will be able to cross harder terrain with less problems, get loose when stuck, cross un-bridged rivers and have experience in all type‘s terrain. Furthermore, you will know where to go (route selection) and how, what the vehicle can and can not do as well as how to fix basic problems in the field

Benefits:
More completed trips  and higher level of efficiency
Increased safety for you and your fellow travelers
Decrease in maintainence cost of vehicles and equipment
More up-time in the field
Higher level of know how and more self confidence

Why Iceland:
Iceland has a great variety in difficult terrain within short distances so it´s easy to get training in all conditions, incl. un-bridged rivers, sand, snow, rocky terrain and bad roads. Icelander´s have a strong 4×4 culture and expert knowledge in the field.