Who are we ?
My name is Philippe Patay Pétursson. I am the founder and chief executive of Fjallabak and member of the guide association of Iceland. I am also a world traveler, a birdwatcher, a photographer and a mountaineer. I was certainly the first one to organize treks and ski expeditions in Iceland in the early 70’s.
FJALLABAK, a fully licensed incoming travel agency, is a family business, that we own and that I have been running with my wife Sigridur from the beginning and now with our children, our son Gabriel (33) who is one of our leading guide and our oldest daughter Matthildur (26) who is my right hand at the office.
Fjallabak, the name of our company, means "Behind the Mountains" in English. It is the name of a famous trail, which snakes its way through the desert landscape of the volcanic highlands between Mt. Hekla and the ice caps along the south coast. This vast and incredible territory remains mostly "unexplored" by classical tourism. The access is not very easy because nature there remains a powerfull actor.
We specializes in high-quality supported trekking, backpacking, walking discoveries for small groups, ski trek and slow travel as Nature tours are, such as birding, whale waching or geology... We also quote and organise trips for private groups and A la carte such as self drive and self guided tours. Occasionaly we become provider for film shootings and incentives events.
As we have been in the field for nearly 30 years, we know what outdoor experience in Iceland means. We are committed to operate the highest standard possible in the industry of outdoors touring in Iceland, your safety and your pleasure is our higest priority.
We look forward to seeing you on the Fjallabak’s trails.
Philippe Patay Pétursson
 Philippe Patay Petursson, 59, founder of Fjallabak and adopted Icelander, was the first to organize regular trek and ski expeditions in Iceland in the early 1970’s. Member of the Guide Association of Iceland. An experienced, passionate ornithologist, photographer, mountaineer and world traveler, he also has a penchant for Guinness and for telling long jokes in several languages, often at the same time. His love and enthusiasm for the Icelandic wilderness, is shared by his wife and children, all of whom now work in the organization. |
 Sigridur Lovisa Arnarsdottir “ Sigga Lolla”, (age: restrictive access) was born and raised in the village of Siglufjöður, north Iceland, a small, isolated herring port at the top of the world. However, she now loves Paris almost as much. As the office administrator and wife of Philippe, she would agree that she probably has the hardest work in the organization. Her dreams alternate between India and California…
|
 Matthildur Filippusdottir Patay, “Matta”, 23, Tour reservations manager. She books the rooms, sorts the transport, takes care of all of those little details that make the difference between a good and a really great trip! Additionally, she is our chief translator and provider of wonderful smiles and good humour for tired travelers, guides and drivers. Daughter of Philippe and Sigga, out of season she studies psychology and is an expert on all of Reykjavik’s trendiest cafés. |