A 5-Day Tour of Iceland
Day 1: Arrival. Blue Lagoon - Reykjavík
You will be met at Keflavík airport by your Guide and taken by coach to the Blue Lagoon to spend approximately an hour and a half swimming in the warm mineral-rich waters.
After the swim your group will be driven to Reykjavík to have dinner at a nearby restaurant before staying overnight.
Day 2: Golden Circle Tour
From Reykjavík it's onwards, via Mosfellsheiði Heath, to Þingvellir National Park, a primary site of Iceland's geological and historical inheritance. This is where the force of the tectonic plates, that have shaped Iceland's landscape, are most clearly visible. Students can walk through the Almannagjá fault to the Icelandic Parliament where Europe's oldest national legislative assembly is based. After Þingvellir your tour continues along the Sog River to the Kerid crater before travelling through the fertile farmlands of the south. There will also be a chance to visit the Gullfoss waterfalls as well as the geothermal area with its hot springs and active geysers. The most active geyser, Strokkur, spouts every few minutes!
Onwards to Fljótshlíð for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: South Shore - Glacier Walk
Heading eastwards, your tour will visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two of the numerous waterfalls along the route. Then onto the impressive Sólheimajökull glacier that has shaped the surrounding landscape. Here you will make a stop before walking towards the glacier tongue. Once at the tongue a professional team will be waiting to kit you out with safety equipment and crampons to enable your group to actually walk upon the glacier.
Next, your adventure continues towards the village of Vík. The shoreline is flanked by steep cliffs, teeming with birdlife and, depending on the time of year, seals are frequently seen in the ocean. Students may also have the opportunity to visit Dyrholaey, a magnificent cliff that projects out into the ocean and if there is time you can visit the swimming pool in the Hvolsvöllur area.
Finally, relax at dinner and overnight stay in Fljótshlíð.
Day 4: South Shore - Thjorsardalur Valley - Reykjavik
Today your tour takes you to Volcano Hekla. Over the centuries Hekla has erupted time and time again with devastating effects, the last eruption was as recently as February 2000! On the way you can visit the new Hekla centre to learn about volcanism and the history of Mount Hekla. There is also an exact turf-and-stone walled replica of a Viking farm.
Homeward bound but there is still time to stop off at Hveragerdi, a Greenhouse village, to take a look at the geothermal area in the middle of the town before heading back to Reykjavik via the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant.
Dinner and overnight stay in Reykjavik
Day 5: Visit Reykjavik / Leisure Time - Departure
Depending on your flight time, there could be an option to take a bus into Reykjavik City Centre before your transfer to Keflavík Airport where you check in for your flight back to the UK.