Iceland x 4x4
Off-road excursions in Iceland for women.
Imagine driving some of the remotest 4x4 trails in the Icelandic Highlands, taking breaks at spectacular vistas and hot springs that very few and only the most adventurous have seen, then spending the night in a mountain hut after a traditional dinner of lamb cooked in the earth with local moss and herbs. The best part: you navigated and drove yourself through this magical experience.
“I’m so jealous.”
I hear this occasionally from women who learn about my off-road travels. I started off-roading and camping in 2008 in the Mojave desert knowing nothing about either. Now I take the roughest trails, camp for weeks at a time, I’m a rally master in extreme terrain, and a mechanic. I want other women to feel the same sense of accomplishment that I do when I make it down a gnarly trail with no one around to spot me but myself.
This is confidence you will carry through other aspects of your life.
But on all my trips I’ve only seen men behind the wheel. The women are almost always in the passenger seat. On the difficult trails of legendary status, I only see men off-roading.
“You inspire me.”
Even with more women today participating in off-roading, it’s still not prevalent for women to explore at the same rate as men. Partly it’s our own fears holding us back because we worry about what will happen if we get a flat on a 35” tire or if the truck breaks down. Let me tell you what happens from my experience breaking down on the toughest and remotest trail: Nothing. You either fix it if you can, or call for help and it’s no big deal.
“Can I join you?”
I’ve been asked this question so many times that it only made sense to plan excursions guiding womxn through some of the most beautiful and less traveled trails in the Icelandic Highlands. I will teach you the basics of 4x4 driving and map navigation while driving a range of terrain.
Pro tip: Make this adventure your destination.
About your guide:
I'm Xárene — off-road rally master, mechanic, and the photographer/filmmaker behind this trip.
I'm also the originator of timeslice photography (2009), with work exhibited internationally at Walt Disney Concert Hall, SIGGRAPH, the Istanbul Design Biennial, and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík. That eye for a landscape is part of what you're getting on this trip — the stops aren't just rest breaks, they're chosen. On this excursion we’ll have beautiful stops for you to take in the vistas from glaciers to glacier lakes and deserts of lava so you can capture photographs of your own. You’ll get complimentary photography tips if you like.
The practical info:
Iceland’s landscape and weather are unpredictable and rough. I’ll have comforts and accommodations for the trip and will coordinate with you on what to pack.
Pro tip: Keep it light, layered, and pack natural fibers but not cotton.
Day 1 — Basecamp & First Miles
We start the morning at basecamp with a 30-minute mat pilates session, then move into the fundamentals: how the 4x4 system works, driving techniques for sand, rock, and water crossings, and the recovery tools every trail demands.
By afternoon, you're behind the wheel. We head out toward [first waypoint], putting the morning's lessons straight into practice — alternating driver, navigator, and spotter with your teammate as the terrain changes under you.
We arrive at the mountain hut by evening for a traditional Icelandic dinner cooked in the earth with local moss and herbs, then overnight in the hut.
Day 2 — Full Day on the Trail
Mat pilates and a traditional Icelandic breakfast start the day, then it's a full day of driving deeper into the Highlands. This is where map reading and terrain reading really kick in, along with stops at remote hot springs and glacier vistas that very few people ever see. Tea and coffee breaks keep you going on the trail.
Second night at the hut, another traditional dinner, and a good excuse to compare notes on the day's driving.
Day 3 — Final Push
One more mat pilates session and breakfast, then the last full day of driving — the most technical terrain of the trip. By now you and your co-driver are running navigation and spotting largely on your own, which is the whole point.
The excursion wraps at [end point], with your route maps yours to keep as a souvenir.
Dates:
Beginner drivers:
- 5-6-7 July 2027
- 12-13-14 July 2027
July is the month of the Midnight Sun.
Fee per person: $3000
This includes:
- Land Rover Defender, shared two-to-a-vehicle, alternating driver/navigator/spotter
- 4x4 lessons
- Map navigation lessons
- Extra fuel
- Full-time guide
- Full-time trail support
- Hut accommodation for 2 nights
- Traditional Icelandic dinner for 2 nights
- Traditional Icelandic breakfast for 2 days
- Traditional Icelandic snack for 3 days
- Tea and coffee breaks on the trail
Bonus: We will start each morning with a 30-minute mat pilates session.
Deadline to reserve your spot is 1 April 2027.
Deposit due at reservation: $1500
Full amount due 1 June 2027.
Due to logistics, no refunds are issued unless the spot is filled.
For the excursion to commence, minimum 2 reservations are required. Maximum number of participants is 6. For larger groups or intermediate and advanced drivers, contact me .
Travel and accommodation outside the excursion is your own responsibility. You are responsible for your own health insurance and travel to/from Iceland.
Reserve
Important note:
Off-roading means driving on legal trails and tracks. The ‘road’ in off-road refers to asphalt roads. So when we’re off-roading, it doesn’t mean we drive anywhere in the landscape that we want, we’re just not driving on what’s typically understood as a tarmac road. Part of the 4x4/off-road/overlanding community is appreciating nature, respecting nature, and ultimately preserving and defending nature. The fine for going off the legal tracks is hefty and I do report offenders.
Me, in the dead of winter on a frozen tundra in the middle of nowhere.
FAQ:
Do I need off-road driving experience?
No. These excursions are built for beginners. You'll cover the fundamentals at basecamp on day one — the 4x4 system, terrain reading, recovery basics — before you're ever behind the wheel on trail.
Do I need a driver's license?
Yes, a valid driver's license from your home country is required to get behind the wheel. If you'd rather navigate and spot the whole trip instead of driving, let me know when you reserve.
What if the vehicle breaks down or I get a flat?
It happens, and it's part of off-roading — not a crisis. I'm a mechanic, and every vehicle carries recovery gear and full-time trail support. I've dealt with worse myself, and the honest truth is: you fix it, or you call for help, and either way you keep moving.
What's the fitness level required?
You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with several hours of active driving and navigating per day, uneven terrain at rest stops, and basic hut living (no elevators, occasional outdoor walks to facilities). If you have specific concerns, ask before you book.
What happens if the weather turns?
Icelandic Highland weather is unpredictable by nature — that's part of the terrain we're driving. Routes may be adjusted day-of for safety, at my discretion as your guide. This isn't a reason for a refund; it's the nature of the trip.
What insurance do I need?
You're responsible for your own travel and health insurance. I'd strongly recommend a policy that covers adventure travel and trip cancellation, given the remote terrain. Vehicles are insured here, by me.
I'm traveling solo — will I be paired with a stranger?
Most likely, yes. Vehicles are shared two-to-a-car, and you'll alternate driving, navigating, and spotting with your co-driver. Most guests come solo — that's part of the trip.
Can I keep the photos?
Yes. I'll have stops built in for you to shoot your own photos throughout, and any images I capture of the group are yours to use as well (details on delivery at reservation).
What's your cancellation/refund policy?
Deposits are non-refundable once the minimum group size is confirmed. If your spot is filled by another traveler, you'll be refunded.