An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Explore the extraordinary flora and fauna of the land of fire and ice on a 5-day 2-centre Geography school trip to Iceland. Your learners will discover one of the world’s leading nations for sustainable energy and get close up to volcanoes at the Lava Centre.
Trip Highlights
Invigorating visit to the mineral pools of the Blue Lagoon
Stunning waterfalls of Gullfoss
Visit to the impressive Sólheimajökull glacier
Fissure dividing the Eurasian and North American plates
Recommended excursions
Blue Lagoon
Students can experience the unique and invigorating waters at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Set in the middle of a black lava field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge’s Western Volcanic Zone students can enjoy a dip in the mineral-rich waters. This is a man-made spa using the naturally heated water created as a by-product of a nearby geothermal power station. It is Iceland’s most popular visitor attraction. (NB: Minimum student age is 14 years).
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is a tectonic rift valley occurring at a constructive plate boundary formed from oceanic crust. Here the Eurasian plate moves eastwards at approximately 7mm per year and the North American plate moves westwards 3mm per year. A lake fills much of the valley. Walk through the Almannagjá fault towards Europe’s oldest national legislative assembly, the Icelandic Parliament dating from 930. Trek through the rugged scenery and explore this site of geological and historical importance.
Kerið Crater
Kerið lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge’s Western Volcanic Zone, where the plate boundary has divided into eastern and western sections. The crater was formed almost 3000 years ago when volcanic activity caused magma to drain out of the volcanoe and the cone collapsed. The level of the lake inside the crater rises and falls with changes in the water table and the lake freezes over in winter.
Gullfoss, ‘Golden Falls’
Known as the ‘Golden Falls’, Gullfoss is Iceland’s most famous waterfall. A sight of natural beauty, students will notice the brownish colour of the glacial water caused by the sediments carried in the flow.
Strokkur Geyser
This is a geothermal area on the mid-Atlantic Ridge’s western volcanic zone with geyser, mudpools and hot springs. This is one of the most visited sites in Iceland. The rhyolite bedrock one kilometre beneath this site is at temperatures of 240°C. The famous Strokkur geyser erupts water and steam every few minutes reaching heights over 20m. The Icelandic word geysir has been adopted into the English language as geyser.
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are two of the most noteworthy waterfalls in Iceland. These picture postcard waterfalls have a drop of around 60 meters and are a must see addition to your trip. Both Falls are from cliffs which are a former coastline, today the coastline is several kilometres away.
Vik Beaches
The small isolated settlement of Vik is a vital commercial centre for the rural communities of southern Iceland and is also a tourist hub. The dramatic coastline here is formed from sediments washed out from the mountains in subglacial eruptions eroded by powerful Atlantic waves. The cliffs are a nesting site for various birds including puffins, and the Katla volcano lies to the north.
Sólheimajökull Glacier
See the expansive Sólheimajökull Glacier which stretches for approximately 8 kms with a maximum width of 2 kms. This valley glacier is a tongue descending from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. A guided walk on the glacier with specialist equipment allows students to truly experience this natural formation. Students will be able to recognise the scent of sulphur reminding them of the volcanic nature of this area.
Reykjanes Peninsula
What can be visited will depend on volcanic activity at the time of your visit but could include the following activities. Visit the Geothermal area of Krísuvík to see the boiling mud pools at Gunnuhver (hot springs). Columns of steam rise skywards, bubbling mud pools play their rhythmical symphony, and the banks around the hot springs are coloured green, yellow and red. Stop at Brimkettill, a lava rock formation shaped like a pool. Continue to the Bridge between two continents at Sanvik. Walk across the footbridge which spans a major fissure dividing the Eurasian and North American plates.
Geothermal Park Hveragerdi
Visit the Geothermal Park in the town of Hveragerdi which is known for its greenhouses heated by the water gathered from the volcanic hot springs. Take a guided or non-guided tour around the Geothermal Park with its steaming vents, hot springs and active geysers where optional activities include egg boiling in the geothermally heated water, tasting bread cooked in geothermal heat and a short introduction inside the greenhouse.
The local Tourist Office offers an exhibition about the impact of the 2008 earthquake. Exhibition is free of charge and there is a small entrance fee for The Earthquake simulator ‘Quake 2008’.
Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant
Stop at the largest geothermal power station in the world allowing students to witness Iceland’s pioneering work into sustainable energy. Over 99% of Iceland’s energy comes from renewable sources such as geothermal power, producing over 300MW of electricity. Boreholes drill down to 3000m, where temperatures are at 300°C.
The Lava Tunnel, Raufarhólshellir
The Lava Tunnel, Raufarhólshellir, is one of Iceland’s longest and best-known lava tubes. A journey into Raufarhólshellir is a unique experience and a great opportunity to witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption as one walks in the path of lava that flowed about 5200 years ago. A footbridge and several paths have been built over the roughest terrain making the standard tour accessible by most people with suitable footwear. Impressive lighting in this part of the tunnel highlights the changing colours and clearly shows the powerful volcanic activity that formed the tunnel. (Please note: hard hats are provided).
Reykjavik
Reykjavík is home to 130,000 people, and attractions include the harbour zone, distinctive Harpa concert hall, the hilltop modern Hallgrímskirkja (Hallgrím’s Church), a range of sculpture and art installations, and shops in characteristic architecture. The city is a great place to study tourism, urban planning and transport management, sustainability, coastal defense management and migration.
Perlan – Wonders of Iceland
Perlan serves as a learning laboratory where visitors can explore Iceland’s astonishing natural wonders through the lens of science and human perception. Highlights include a 100m-long indoor ice cave, a life-size bird cliff, a show about volcanoes and a Northern Lights show in the Planetarium.
‘Into the Volcano’ also allows you to experience what a volcano looks like from the inside. This fully immersive environment, with its kinetic glass platform and 3D sound, surrounds you with the raw forces that shape the planet.
Skógar Museum
Skógar Museum provides students with an insight into how Icelanders lived in the past, a history of the island’s inhabitants and the small turf houses used by the residents.
The LAVA Centre
The Iceland Volcano and Earthquake Centre, LAVA, provides school groups with an interactive and educational centre dedicated to the unique volcanoes and geology of Iceland. Explore the history of eruptions on the island and experience a simulation allowing students to gauge the impact of volcanic activity.
The Lava Show
A unique opportunity to experience real, flowing superheated molten lava in a safe environment. See, feel and smell the lava which enters the showroom at a temperature of 1100 C. The lava used in the show is created from basaltic tephra originating from the 1918 Katla eruption. Offering a mix of education, cultural insights and entertainment the show can be experienced in two locations, Reykjavik or Vik in the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark.
Typical accommodation
Hotel Cabin, Reykjavik ★★
Why groups like it:
- 20-minute walk to the Reykjavik city centre
- Views over the nearby bay and mountains
- Group evening meal available on-site
Facilities:
- Modern rooms with en-suite facilities
- Breakfast room and bar/lounge area
- 24-hour reception
Hellishólar Cabins and Eyjafjallajokull Hotel
Why groups like it:
- Welcoming holiday complex located in the heart of Njalssaga countryside
- Spacious grounds
- Views over Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago & the Katla volcano
Facilities:
- Comfortable sleeping areas
- Buffet breakfast
- On-site restaurant
Dalur HI Hostel
Why groups like it:
- Approx 30-min walk to the Reykjavik city centre and bus stop nearby
- Next to Reykjavík’s largest swimming pool
- Friendly eco-labelled hostel
Facilities:
- Rooms with private facilities can be allocated to the group
- Group evening meal available on-site
- Breakfast area, meeting room and outdoor patio
Itinerary suggestion
1 Depart school for the airport
2 Coach transfer from Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon (flight time permitting)
3 Continue on to your accommodation in Reykjavik
4 Evening meal
1 Breakfast and lunch
2 Explore the, Þingvellir National Park and the Almannagja fault
3 Kerið crater, Gulfoss waterfalls and Geysir area
4 Overnight stay in Suðurland. Evening meal
1 Breakfast and lunch
2 Venture to the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfallstHead for the Sólheimajökull Glacier before visiting the Vik beaches
3 Overnight stay in Suðurland. Evening meal
1 Breakfast and packed lunch
2 Short stop at Hveragerdi greenhouse village
3 Visit Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant. Continue to the Reykjanes Peninsula: Geothermal area of Krísuvík and the Bridge between two continents.
4 Overnight stay in Reykjavik. Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Transfer to Keflavik Airport for your return flight
3 Arrive back at school
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- Develop a deeper understanding of human and physical geography, sustainability and the effects of tourism
- Explore Iceland’s geothermal activity
- Identify the impact of sustainability issues on local tourism
- Analyse factors that highlights Iceland as a global leader in renewable energy
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- Learn about the effect of tourism on the communities and natural environment of Iceland
- Understand aspects of Iceland’s model for ecological sustainability
- See the examples of nature’s wonders and other outstanding geological features
- Consider the preservation and sustainability of the natural landscape
- Carry out field research in a spectacular setting
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The guide was brilliant – very clear and interesting, pitching it right for our students.
Shire Oak Academy
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