ICELAND – Summer
Price
$2564*
Overview
If you’re looking for a fast but full visit around Iceland, this 7-day trip fits the bill perfectly. It’s got tons of hidden gems that you won’t find on any other trip and enough free time to experience highlights such as seeing erupting geysers, visiting glacier lagoons, and exploring breathtaking waterfalls and black sand beaches. Be sure to pack your sense of adventure and get ready to feel Iceland under your feet.
What's Included:
- Goðafoss Waterfall visit
- Mývatn Lake visit
- Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð stops
- Dettifoss Waterfall visit
- Local guesthouse stay (Borgarfjörður)
- Vatnajökull Glacier visit
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon visit
- Reynisfjara Beach
- Skógafoss Waterfall and Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- The Golden Circle: Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Hot Springs, and Þingvellir National Park
- Solheimar Ecovillage visit
- Transport between destinations and to/from included activities using private minivan/bus
- 6 breakfasts. (Allow $350-455 for meals not included.)
- G Adventures Tour Leader throughout
- Standard hotel (5 nights), local guesthouse (1 night)
What's Not Included:
- International air travel
- Incidentals
- Travel health and cancellation insurance
- Applicable visas
- Tips or gratuities
- Airport taxes
- Beverages
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Optional tours and admissions
- Airport transfers
Itinerary Download PDF
Arrive in Reykjavík at any time. Check into our hotel and enjoy the city. We HIGHLY recommend arriving a day or two early to explore this world-renowned city fully. Worthwhile visits near Reykjavík include the Blue Lagoon (40 mins from Reykjavík) and the Bargarnes Settlement Centre (1 hr from Reykjavík). Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of the group meeting, typically held at 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. After the meeting, you might take the opportunity to head out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant to further get to know your tour leader and traveling companions. Please make every effort to arrive on time for this welcome meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up.
After breakfast, we drive to Akureyri, enjoying the beautiful landscape along the way and stopping for lunch at a local cantina. Akureyri, population 17,754, is an important port and fishing center. The area has a relatively warm climate due to geographical factors, and the town's ice-free harbor has played a significant role in its history. It still gets heated with geothermal water from Laugaland in Eyjafjörður. On the hill above the old town is Lystigarðurinn, a park and botanical garden with specimens of almost all native Icelandic plants as well as hundreds of foreign ones. In the afternoon, we will explore the town. In the evening, you have the option of heading out to sea to go whale watching off the coast (approximately 9,900 ISK per person). Among the species of whale spotted near Akureyri in Eyjafjörður are bottlenose, minke, and humpback. Approximate travel time: 4.5 hrs in private vehicle
Today, we start by taking an excursion to one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, the Goðafoss Waterfall. Measuring 12 m high and 30 m wide, the waterfall is a must see and a short drive from Akureyri. While Iceland is famous for its many spectacular waterfalls, Goðafoss is a favorite for visitors because it's easily accessible by car. There are walking paths around the falls, making it easy to take fantastic photographs from different angles. Next, we will explore the beautiful scenery around Lake Mývatn. Formed during a volcanic eruption 2,300 years ago, the geothermal area is a haven for a massive number of birds. The nutrient rich water also attracts over 10 species of migrating ducks to the area. Atlantic salmon and brown trout thrive in the river, feeding on the healthy midge fly population that swarm over the waters in the summer. Next, we explore lava formations of Dimmuborgir. We will walk the marked pathways to spot arches and pillars or check out lava caves. Meaning "dark forts" in Icelandic, Dimmuborgir features black lava formations on display in dramatic fashion. Afterwards, we will stop at Námaskarð to see the bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. There are some wooden pathways around the area, but most visitors prefer to get up close to look at the pools. Please note: Be careful – the mud in this area is thick and sticky, and the residue from the steam can stain clothing. Our next stop is the Dettifoss Waterfall in northeast Iceland, rumored to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe, with an average water flow of 193 m³/s. Take in the view of 45 m high, 100 m wide falls and shoot some photos to show off back home. Our day ends when we reach Borgarfjörður in the East Fjords region for a night in a local guesthouse. Approximate travel time: 5 hrs by private vehicle
This morning, we leave beautiful Borgarfjörður behind to travel down the coast, driving through the beautiful and majestic eastern fjords. We will stop at Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe, which covers over 8% of Iceland. There are multiple volcanoes underneath the glacier as well as over 30 outlet glaciers that stem from Vatnajökull. Our final destination today is the fishing town of Höfn, which is known as the lobster capital of Iceland. Be sure to include a sample of this delicacy in your plans. Approximate travel time: 4 hrs by private vehicle
Today, we visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with views of the ice cap. The lake is the lowest point in the country and filled with icebergs drifting toward the sea, often with seals sunbathing on the bright blue ice. The blocks of ice coming off the glacier are typically 30 m high, in dramatic shades of white and bright blue. You will have the option (roughly 4,500-7,500 ISK per person) to check out the lagoon by boat to get closer to the floating icebergs with their seal passengers. With different options for boats – amphibian or Zodiac – there is no shortage of ways to view the highlights of this lagoon. Next, you will the option (10,990 ISK per person) to hike some of the many maintained trails in Skaftafell National Park, famous throughout the country for its excellent weather and sunny summer days. This preservation area in the southeast is now incorporated into the larger Vatnajökull National Park. The diverse landscape here is often compared to certain parts of the Alps but, like most of Iceland's incredible landscape, the region was created by rivers, glaciers, and volcanoes. We will then continue on to the small town of Vík, where we will spend the night. Despite its small size (318 inhabitants as of 2016) it is the largest settlement for some 70 km (43 mi) around. Approximate travel time: 3.5 hrs by private vehicle
After breakfast, we visit Reynisfjara Beach, just outside of Vík. In 1991, Islands, a U.S. magazine, counted this beach as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches on Earth. Its stretch of black basalt sand, one of the wettest places in Iceland, and the ominous rock formations offshore make for stunning photos. The cliffs west of the beach are home to many seabirds, most notably puffins that burrow into the shallow soils during the nesting season. Take some time to watch the foaming white waves crash over the black sand (but don’t get too close as the waves here can be extremely powerful), explore the shallow cave if weather and time permits, and get a photo of the basalt sea stacks. Next, explore Dyrhólaey Cape, a small peninsula originally formed as a volcanic island. Check out the view from the top with glaciers and black lava heading into the sea. Keep an eye out for nesting puffins. Next, we visit Skógafoss, one of the largest and most recognizable waterfalls in Iceland. The 60 m (200 ft) high falls forms a constant mist that floats in the air. If viewed in the sunlight, the mist can create rainbows. The sound and view of the thundering water cutting through the green hills make the falls a must-see on any trip to Iceland. Then we visit Seljalandsfoss, a 60 m (196 ft) tall waterfall. Behind the flow of water is a path, allowing visitors to peek behind the curtain of water cascading over the rocks above. From there, we travel along Iceland's famous Golden Circle. The Golden Circle takes in three popular attractions all within 100 km of the capital: Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir. Our first stop in the circle is Gullfoss, another amazing waterfall! This massive waterfall cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be dark gray, depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river. You will then see a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world but is most often dormant. Strokkur, however, erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every 10 minutes. We will then stop at Þingvellir (or "Thingvellir") National Park to see the faults created by North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifting apart. The Oxara River cuts through the largest rift in the valley, Almannagja, and leads to the Oxarafoss Waterfall. Iceland’s Parliament was also established in the area in 930 AD, and the park was later created to protect the remains of the open-air assembly grounds. One of the most-visited sights in Iceland, the park is an excellent spot for camping, hiking, and SCUBA diving between the tectonic plates. Later, stop to visit Solheimar Ecovillage, a sustainable community of over 100 people, dedicated to helping people with disabilities. Nestled beautifully amongst the countryside, take in the panoramic views as you support this non-profit community by touring the village to learn about the various workshops, businesses, and programs and opting to enjoying a meal at the local coffee house. In the early evening, we arrive in Reykjavík for a final night in the bustling capital city. Approximate travel time: 4.5 hrs by private vehicle
Our program ends in Reykjavík this morning. We recommend spending at least an extra day exploring Reykjavík before or after this trip. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO trips in the same year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs). If you don’t see a program that interests you that pairs with this trip but still would like to extend your time abroad, let us know. We will work with you to find a non-teacher trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Even better, if you are an educator we can still offer you a discounted price on the trip you choose!
Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has 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 for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.Cancellation policy
All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to jesse@108.179.218.205. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.- If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
- If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
- If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use
Trip Notes
- PACE OF TOUR: Please note that this is a very busy tour, and there are some long drive days.
- WEATHER: The landscape of Iceland is unique and unlike most things you’ve seen. So is the weather. It is unpredictable and changeable, 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. An Icelandic summer is also not what most people consider as summer temperature, and in the highlands it can get quite cold.
- 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.
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 (CEO). 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 the people that travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy or, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. Most of our trips have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that will allow you to have a room to yourself. If you want to room alone, please email jesse@108.179.218.205. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please click here where you can look up your trip in the extra services spreadsheet.Joining Instructions
Please note that 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.), where 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. Upon arrival at the airport, you will see a big service desk marked BUS TICKETS where you can buy a shuttle ticket to your hotel in Reykjavík. The transfer company is called Iceland Excursions, and they have airport express coaches running frequently from the airport to the city center both day and night. A one-way transfer to the city from the airport costs roughly 2,200 ISK per person and takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively you can get a taxi located just outside the arrivals exit. The taxi ride from the airport to the city center costs around 16,000-18,000 ISK.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 UK office (manned UK 8am – 8pm) +44 (0) 2072439878 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 Checklist
- Rain coat or waterproof shell jacket
- Warm fleece top or down jacket
- Personal clothing for cool weather in the 40’s-50’s F – we recommend packing 6 outfits so you don’t have to do laundry
- Waterproof pants
- Long john (thermal underwear) top for layering
- Sturdy walking, hiking, or running shoes
- Daypack
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Water bottle
- Watch or alarm clock
- Toiletries – Important: Some hotels will not provide soap and shampoo
- Camera
- Insect repellent
- First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
Optional Checklist
- Bathing Suit
- Travel pillow
- Money belt
- Phone/Tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
- Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
- Packing cubes
- Ear Plugs
- 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
Document Checklist
- Passport (with photocopies)
- Travel insurance (with photocopies)
- Airline tickets (with photocopies)
- EUR/USD cash
- Credit or debit card
- 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.Passports and Visas
All GEEO trips require that the participant 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 here. Americans do not need a visa for travel in Iceland. Non-American participants should check with their government or nearest Icelandic Embassy to find out if they need a visa.Money Exchange
Iceland uses the Icelanddic Krona (ISK) as its currency. As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. ATMs are also widely available that distribute the local currency and this is what we recommend as your primary source of cash while traveling. Please make sure you bring at least $200 USD in cash as emergency money, just in case you have trouble with the ATMs or lose your bank card. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee. Visa and MasterCard are useful for cash advances in an emergency situation. Please note that, if you are carrying U.S. Dollars, they should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and printed recently.Tipping
Tipping in Iceland is not customary. In many cases, a service charge is added to the bill, which means that it is not necessary to add a tip. If you wish to express your satisfaction with the service in a bar or restaurant, then a gratuity of 10% or to round up the amount of the bill is perfectly acceptable. Tipping during the tour program is similarly not expected, but it can be a way to express satisfaction with the persons who have assisted on your tour. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from the equivalent of $3-5 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. At the end of each trip, if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference. As a guideline, $35-$45 USD per person can be used.Vaccinations
You do not need any vaccinations to travel on this program.Flights
We often find the best prices for purchasing flights is 60 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You must wait until this trip is confirmed with the minimum number of required participants before you book your flights. Typically, we reach the minimum number needed at least 90 days before departure. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. You can find out whether this trip has been confirmed here. Your trip begins and ends in Reykjavík. Please double check our itinerary for the date on which you must arrive in Reykjavík by. You can arrive at any time of the day you choose, but we strongly urge you to arrive by 6:00 p.m. on Day 1 for our group meeting. You can depart from Reykjavík any time on the final day of the trip.Plugs and Converters
There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers. The adapter is the plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two to three-pronged power cord to match the prongs required by the local outlets. The transformer changes the local voltage to that required by your device. Iceland uses a European-style two circular prong plug. Their voltage is 220-240 Volts. U.S. outlets are 120V. Most new devices (phones and laptops) can handle the different voltage rates, but some devices only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device to see what voltage range it handles. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity. For example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work on voltages from 100V to 240V. If your transformer can’t handle the different voltage, you’ll need to purchase a voltage converter. You can find world regional voltage converters power packs at various vendors.Expectations
- 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 as we are trying to keep these trips as inexpensive 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 sometime 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.
