Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Iceland

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important to review our Terms and Conditions before signing up for a GEEO program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

Most GEEO programs are officially confirmed to run once 4 participants have registered. If at least 8 people sign up by our designated deadline, the program will run as a private GEEO trip. Should enrollment fall between 4 and 8, the trip will still take place, but it may transition into a shared departure with our partner tour operator, G Adventures. In this scenario, the itinerary, dates, and pricing for those who have already registered will remain unchanged, although additional travelers from outside GEEO may join the trip.

A large majority of GEEO programs remain private for just educators, retired educators, and their guests. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we’ll keep you updated throughout the process—first when 4 participants have registered and again once 8 people have signed up. As always, we recommend exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements (for example, booking flights with flexible change or cancellation policies) until your program is confirmed to run.

Cancellation Policy

Below is the cancellation policy for most GEEO programs and participants. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)

• If you cancel 90 days or more before your program begins, your $350 deposit will remain on file for future use and never expires. Any additional payments you have made will be refunded.
• If you cancel between 30 and 89 days before your program begins, your $350 deposit will remain on file for future use and never expires. You will also receive 50% of your remaining program cost as a travel credit; alternatively, you can request a refund of the travel credit, minus a 2% administrative fee. The other 50% of your remaining balance will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 30 days before your program starts, your $350 deposit will remain on file for future use and never expires. The remaining balance of your program cost will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.

Please submit your cancellation request in writing via email to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105.

---

Trip Notes

1. WINTER TRIPS: Please note that some sites, museums, and restaurants may be closed over Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. It is recommended that you check the operating hours of any sites or establishments that you plan to visit to avoid disappointment. It is also common for prices for meals and other services to increase during peak tourist seasons or holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s. Additionally, we may need to alter the itinerary on and around these holidays to maximize your time during your trip. Hopefully, you will be able to experience some local customs and traditions and see how people in other parts of the world experience the holidays. Traveling over Christmas and New Year’s can allow you to see a destination in a different light. You may be able to attend local festivals, try traditional foods, see special decorations, and participate in cultural activities that can add an extra layer of festivity and cheer to your trip. Overall, traveling over the holidays can be a fun and rewarding way to learn about and experience another culture.
2. NORTHERN LIGHTS: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions. We cannot guarantee that travelers booked on this tour will experience the Northern Lights.
3. WEATHER: The landscape of Iceland is unique and unlike most things you've seen. So is the weather. It is unpredictable and prone to fast changes, so be prepared to experience a variety of conditions during your time in Iceland. It's not uncommon to experience rain, sun, wind, and snow all in the same visit, so please pack accordingly. Make sure you pack rain pants and a good waterproof raincoat!
4. WATERPROOF: Our packing list suggests a waterproof raincoat, pants and shoes. Previous participants have stressed that waterproof items are much better than water-resistant items for this trip.
5. BLUE LAGOON: If you wish to visit the Blue Lagoon, please know that this activity must be done before or after your tour. As this activity is very popular and limits admission, we recommend booking it online well in advance.
6. HOLIDAY HOURS: Some churches and stores will be closed during the holiday season.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Fitness Level

This trip includes light walking and optional moderate hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels.

Single Travelers

Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room.

Joining Instructions

Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Please note: Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., during which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details. If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. In the exit hall of the airport, you will see counters for Airport Direct and Flybus shuttles. These cost between approx. 4,000 ISK and 7,000 ISK, depending on what type of ticket you buy. Please note that the cheaper, larger shuttle bus transfers will drive you to a bus terminal outside Reykjavik first, where you transfer to smaller busses to be delivered to your hotel. Alternatively, you can get a taxi located just outside the arrivals exit. The taxi ride from the airport to the city center generally costs between $100-200 USD.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures Berlin office: +44 185 837 8000 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, from calls within North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from within UK: 0844 272 0000 Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999 For absolute emergencies after office hours please contact +44 7817 262559 If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.

Suggested (click to expand)

• Raincoat or waterproof shell jacket
• Winter coat
• Personal clothing for cold weather in the high 20's- low 40's F – we recommend packing 6 outfits so you don't have to do laundry
• Warm gloves, hat, scarf
• Waterproof pants
• Long john (thermal underwear) tops and bottoms for layering
• Sturdy walking, hiking, or running shoes. Ideally waterproof
• Daypack
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Water bottle
• Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
• Toiletries – Important: Some hotels will not provide soap and shampoo
• Camera (or use your phone)
• Insect repellent
• First-aid kit, including a lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional (click to expand)

• Swimsuit
• Travel pillow
• Light weight silk sleep sheet
• Money belt
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don't go crazy here
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
• Gloves for when you are on the glacier

Documents (click to expand)

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

We recommend bringing enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry during the trip. You won't be sweating much, so it should be pretty easy. Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO programs require the participant to have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching the U.S. State Department's International Travel Guidance. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Iceland. Non-American participants should check with their government and local Icelandic Embassy to find out if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Iceland is the Icelandic krona (ISK). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.

Tipping

It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2 EUR for snacks or 10% of a meal bill). Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Recommendations for tipping local guides and drivers range from €3-5 EUR per person per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, €30-40 EUR per person per week would be appropriate.

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins and ends in Reykjavík. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Reykjavík. You may want to arrive in Iceland one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Reykjavík any time on the final day of the program, or stay later to see more of the city.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S. Iceland has type C outlets for two circular prongs, and the voltage is 220-240V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.

Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury, however, as our priority is keeping our programs as affordable as possible.
• You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
• Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks.
• We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring, and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Weather and Geographic Conditions

December is a very special time in Iceland. Far from being dreary and cold, the cities and towns are alight with holiday lighting and festivities. Adding to this, there’s a palpable buzz from the anticipation of one of the country’s most popular times, Christmas. For those planning a trip to Iceland in December, here’s what you can expect from the weather and length of days. Daylight Just like everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, the shortest day of the year is in late December. Because of Iceland’s high latitude, its shortest day is only 4h07m long! At the beginning of December, the length of the day is 5 hours, so from December 1st to the Winter Solstice, almost an entire hour of daylight is lost. Compare this change with a lower latitude city like Los Angeles, which has almost 10 hours of daylight all month long, only losing around 15 minutes from December 1st to the Solstice. The length of the day is probably the biggest thing you’ll notice in Iceland during this time of year. Temperature As for the temperatures, you can expect the average low to be approximately 28 F and the average high temperatures to be 40 F - probably not as cold as you thought. Iceland’s temperatures are mitigated by the gulf stream, which brings relatively warm water up from lower latitudes. Without this, Iceland would be much colder. Many people who visit Iceland, experience much colder temperatures back home. Precipitation The average rainfall in Reykjavík is approximately 32 mm (1.25 inches) in December. This precipitation can come in all forms, depending on temperatures. You may get snow, rain, or sleet. Or, given Iceland’s famously capricious weather, you could get rain, snow, sleet, and blue skies all in one day! These averages aside, you can expect fairly windy conditions, persistent cloud cover, and light precipitation in some form. There you have it. And, as Sir Ranulph Fiennes said, “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” So, bring lots of warm clothing and enjoy this most special time in Iceland.