Iceland
Educational Tours
and Visits to Iceland
We are pleased to present a wide range
of tours and activities for your group to take part in during your
visit to Iceland. You can see a brief description of what is included
in each tour or activity and your choices can be selected using our
Booking Enquiry form which can be found at the link below:
Reykjavik
City Siteseeing
Reykjavik
is the world's most northerly capital, with more than one third
of Iceland's population.
Today Reykjavik is a modern city with
a variety of restaurants, museums, galleries and theaters. On
our tour we cover the city from one end to the other. We will
see the old town centre, the Parliament, the Cathedral, the harbour,
the National Museum, the Pearl and Hofoi house, the summit site
of 1986.
On
our journey we drive past the city's salmon river which is an
outstanding proof that Reykjavik is a pollution-free capital
and the Arbaejarsafn outdoor folk museum, which offers an interesting
contrast to the modern buildings of the most recent part of Reykjavik.
The tour continues past Reykjavik's largest outdoor swimming
pool in Laugardalur which is heated with water from natural hot
springs under the city, the Asmundur Sveinsson Sculpture museum
and Hallgrimskirkja Church (whose steeple is a Reykjavik landmark).
The tour ends at hotel or in the city centre.
Duration:
3 hours.
Reykjanes
Peninsula & the Blue Lagoon
(Please
note that this trip is subject to change due to weather and road
conditions)
We
drive to the Alftanes Peninsula and to Bessastaoir, the residence
of Iceland's President. Here we'll visit the church, with its
beautiful stained glass windows. Then onwards to the town of
Hafnarfjorour, situated picturesquely on an ancient lava flow.
Continuing towards Lake Kleifarvatn, set in fascinating, stark,
lunar-like landscape. Near the lake's southern end lies Krisuvik
with powerful jets of steam escaping from deep below the earth's
crust and sulphurous steam rising from numerous vents of a geothermal
field. Here we can see innumerable small hot springs and mud
pots, boiling pools and other types of geothermal activity.
Continuing
our journey under low mountains and along the shore to stop by
craggy cliffs rising sheer from the sea and dotted with bird's
nests. We proceed to the town of Grindavik with its sizeable
fishing fleet. After a drive through Grindavik, we approach the
Blue Lagoon.
The
Lagoon is a unique wonder of nature; a lagoon with pleasantly
warm mineral-rich geothermal water in a middle of a black lava
field. The high natural levels of silica and minerals give the
lagoon its rich blue colour. The facilities include modern changing
rooms and showers, an indoor geothermal pool, a winter garden,
restaurants and other services. A visit to the Blue Lagoon is
both invigorating and exciting whether one bathes there surrounded
by snow in the middle of winter or in the long summer daylight.
Duration:
5 hours.
Golden
Circle
Morning
drive over Hellisheioi plateau to Hverageroi, known as the greenhouse
village. We continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, one of
the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Here you will see thousand
of tons of icy water thunder majestically down in double falls
into a deep canyon. Only a few minutes drive from Gullfoss is
the famous Great Geyser which has leant its name to hot springs
all over the world. You will see one of the most active Geysers
in the area, Strokkur, spouting up to 30 metres.
Onwards
to Pingvellir, a remarkable geological site and the most historic
site on the island. Pingvellir is the site of the world's oldest
democtratic parliament founded in 930. Pingvellir, located by
Lake Pingvallavatn, the largest lake on the island, is now a
national park. The beautiful canyon running through the park
is actually the meeting point of two of earth's tectonic plates,
and Pingvellier's combination of natural phenomena and historical
significance make it inseparable from the fabric of Icelandic
national life. From Pingvellir we travel over Mosfellsheioi plateau
to Reykjavik.
Duration:
8-9 hours.
Optional: Include
a visit to Hellisheioi Geothermal Plant located approximately 30
km from Reykjavik. A professional lecture is available at a supplement
of approx £240 per group. Please follow this link for further information
on the plant: Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant
Optional: SUMMER 2010
Buffet Lunch at Htl Geyser - £17 per
person
Icelandic meat soup, with bread and
butter, served at self-service line - £12 per person
Lunch Box, from:
£7 per person.
It is also possible to buy a hot dog
or sandwich on the spot for approximately £2-3
Extension
to the Golden Circle day: River Rafting
(possible
from April - October)
Upon
the completion of the Golden Circle tour (above) we would head
for the glacial river Hvítá.
We
start the river rafting tour close to the Geyser area and ride in
the river towards Drumboddsstaðir (total duration approx 3 hours).
We put in 2 km above the Brúarhlaðir canyon. The canyon
is narrow and spectacular. Further down, the river slows
and flows into beautiful canyon where we will see columnar basalt
lava on one hand and birch trees on the other. The necessary
equipment will be provided like boyancy life-vest, which is designed
to keep people afloat and warm. However, spare clothing as well as
a towel is needed (just in case) and people should wear wool or synthetic
clothing. We
use Avon-rafts, specially designed for river trips, suitable for 9
and 12 pax.
No knowledge of the sport required.
Supplement for
a rafting tour: Price: £49 per person.
Snaefellsnes
Peninsula
Snaefellsnes
is a unique area with
variety of geological interests such as lava fields, volcanoes,
glacier, springs, beautiful formed rock, yellow and black sand
beaches and caves apart from a very interesting bird life. The
main attraction is with no doubt Snaefellsjökull glacier, a beautifully
shaped strato volcano at the very end of the peninsula. The glacier
and the unspoiled natural wonders surrounding it, is the scene of Jules
Verne’s novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” and
one of seven most magical sites on Earth. Búðir is a very
impressive area, where you can have a great walk in a very special
landscape with mixture of sandy hills, black lava and yellow beach
and at the same time you feel the closeness and the impression of the
glacier. Arnarstapi offers a great opportunity for a walk along the
sea cliffs and strange holes in the ground reaching to the sea with
spectacular columnar rock formations where seabirds nest. On to Djúpalónssandur,
before the tour continues around the peninsula and from there on towards
Reykjavik.
Duration:
10 hours.
Optional: SUMMER 2010
2 course lunch from - £14
per person
Lunch Box, from: £7 per person
It is also possible to buy a hot dog or sandwich on the spot for approximately £2-3
Horse
Riding Tour
Transfer
to the Ishestar riding centre, where the participants put on an overall,
riding helmet, boots
and gloves (supplied). After
a short introduction of the horses and staff, our ride starts into
the beautiful nature around the horse center. The horses are well suited
both for the beginner and more advanced riders.
When the Vikings first
came to Iceland about a thousand years ago they brought their horses
with them, and no horse has been imported since. They are small but
strong. They are friendly, willing, docile animals and rarely give
their riders any kind of trouble. An average horse will carry a heavy
rider day after day, not just across easy grassland, but up and down
the rockiest of slopes, through rivers and across fields of rough
lava.
Duration: Approx 3 hours - 1
hour riding.
Included: Transfer in private coach, guide, 1 hour riding tour, riding
helmet, rainwear or a warm outfit during the ride, gloves, boots.
South
Shore
We drive
from Reykjavik over the mountain pass Hellisheiði offers
a magnificent view of the wide plains formed by glacial rivers, now
fertile farmland in South-Iceland. A brief stop at Hveragerði
with its greenhouses before proceeding east through small villages
and farmlands to the majestic mountains towering over the coast we
will have frequent views of mountains, including snow shrouded Hekla,
the country’s most active volcano and the towering, ice capped
strato volcano Eyjafjallajökull. We continue through the region
where one of the best known of the Icelandic classical sagas, Njál’s
Saga is set. A stop at the spectacular waterfalls Seljalandsfoss
and Skógarfoss. Those two waterfalls tumble over high
rock escarpments.
We go past Dyrhólaey, a magnificent rocky headland with sheer
cliffs, with a huge wave cut gap in its ocean facing tip to the beautiful
sited village of Vík, where we will stop for lunch. After the
break we’ll head for the sea shore before we turn back to Reykjavík.
The sea shore is flanked by steep bird cliffs rising above the black,
wave pounded sands. In the sea just outside the village of Vík
are Reynisdrangar rocks - 66 meters above sea level at their highest.
According to legend the Reynisdrangar were formed when two trolls
were trying to drag a three-masted ship to land. When daylight
broke they turned into a stone.
Duration: 10 hours.
Included: Transportation in private coach,
guide.
Optional: SUMMER 2010
2 course lunch from - £14 per
person
Lunch Box, from: £7 per person
It is also possible to buy a hot dog or sandwich on the spot for approximately £2-3
Whale
Watching from Reykjavik
(Please
note that this trip is subject to change due to weather conditions)
During
this cruise one may see various species of whales, dolphins, seabirds
and seals. An expert guide will supply information about the marine
mammals. The most commonly sighted whales are minke whales, white-beaked
dolphins, harbor porpoises, the popular humpback whales and killer
whales (orcas). The majestic fin- and sei whales can also be seen on
the tour. Warm coffee served on board.
Duration: 4 hours - 3 hours boat tour.
Included: coach transfer to and from pier, guide,
3 hrs whale watching tour.
Þingvellir
National Park
Our
journey takes us over the Mosfellsheiði to visit the National
Park of Þingvellir which is of great ecological, geological and
historical interest. We walk through the spectacular fault Almannagjá (Gorge
of the People) to the place where Europe's eldest national legislative
assembly, the Icelandic Parliament, was established in the year 930.
We visit Peningagjá, the Icelandic equivalent of a wishing well.
We then enjoy a romantic drive along the shores of the Þingvellir
Lake, Iceland's largest natural lake. The journey
continues through the magnificent volcanic landscape of the Hengill
area to Nesjavellir, one of the most
advanced geothermal power plants in the world, situated in one of the
most extensive hot-temperature geothermal areas in the country. This
is a unique opportunity to see how green energy is processed from hot
water.
Duration: 4-5 hrs
Included: Coach and private guide, free entrance
to the Nesjavellir Power Plant)
Cave
Exploring
Walking in
a cave and discovering the marvels that volcanic activity has created
in the past is a trip 
that everyone can undertake. The Leiðarendi
cave is located in only 25 km distance from Reykjavik. It is 750
metres long, very accessible and there is only 150 meters walk from
the road on mossy lava. Leidarendi cave is about 2000 years old and
the stalagmites have changed relatively little all that time. We
ask all our participants not to cause any damage to the cave and
to take nothing else than pictures. A great way to learn about tube
caves.
The Icelandic lava fields preserve an exiting underground world of
lava tubes, where time has come to a stand still. Tunnels, lava rivers
and stalactites are frozen in a fossil world of black basalt, mixed
with colourful oxides.
The Gjabakkahellir
cave is just east of Thingvellir rift zone and is an ideal place
to spice up the Golden Circle tour. Participants wear overalls, helmets
and headlights. No man made structures are found in the cave.
This is a really cool trip for those that are not afraid of the dark
and want to experience something totally out of the ordinary!
Duration: approx 4 hrs.
Minimum group size: 10 // Maximum group size:
25
Age limit: 12 years. Bring with you: Warm outdoor
clothing, waterproof jacket
and pants. Good hiking shoes are vital!
We will
provide for you: Helmet,
harness and gloves.
Included: Coach transfer, professional
staff at the cave, equipment for caving, a local guide,
The caving is at either Leiðarendi cave or Gjabakka cave.
Optional: Hot chocolate GBP 2.50 pp.
Hiking
in Heiðmörk
Transfer to the Heiðmörk nature reserve on the outskirts of
Reykjavík where we will hike along the post-glacial lava flows
in Búrfellsgjá fissure. We learn about the interesting
geology and history of this still volcanically active area while we
walk along the petrified lava river. However, we need not worry about
a volcanic eruption during our walk as the last one dates from the
14th century!
Duration: 2-3 hours
Min age: 10 years
Level: Easy
Included: coach transfer to
and from Heiðmörk,
guide.
Westman Islands. "The Pearls in the Ocean".
The
Westman Islands, "The Pearls in the Ocean", is an archipelago
of about 15 islands and 20 cliffs. 
The southernmost island, Surtsey, is the latest addition, created during
the longest historic eruption of the country in 1963-1967.
The only inhabited island, Heimaey, was struck by an unexpected eruption
in 1973 and all the inhabitants had to be evacuated immediately. The
Islanders base their livelihood on fishing, fish processing and tourism. Local
fish processing accounts for 15% of the export value of fish
products of Iceland.
A flight from Reykjavik takes a mere 20 minutes.
Included: Roundtrip transfer to/from
Rek Dom Apt. Roundtrip flight to/from Westman Islands incl apt tax.
A local guide. Sightseeing tour in Heimaey.
Intercity transfer to restaurants/ swimmingpools.
Return intercity transfer:
| Min number of paying pax: |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
Price
per person GBP |
15 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
Included: Transportation in a private coach.
One way intercity transfer:
| Min number of paying pax: |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
Price
per person GBP |
8 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
Included: Transportation in a private coach.
Additional activities in Reykjavik at a low cost (to
be paid locally)
Swimming in the thermal pools / swimming pool
Bowling and disco bowling
Ice skating
Reykjavik Zoo and Family park (mainly summer)
Educational trips to
Iceland. Visit Iceland as part of your Geography A Level. Iceland
School Trips and Educational Visits. Iceland Tours..
Iceland educational
tours and visits to Iceland. School Geography casestudy. Student
groups and college trips to Iceland.
