Volcanoes and Glaciers Small Group Journey

Upon arrival, a shared transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik. Depending on what time you arrive, you may enjoy some free time exploring Reykjavik, the largest municipality in Iceland. A great way to get to know Icelandic culture is to visit a neighborhood swimming pool. More than just a way of shaking off jet lag, it’s also a typical way Icelanders meet friends and family and catch up. Dinner on your own and overnight in Reykjavik. 

After breakfast, drive along the south shore, one of Iceland’s most volcanic regions. If the skiesare clear, you may even catch views of two of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes, Hekla andEyjafjallajokull. Once you reach Hvolsvollur, you will visit the LAVA Centre, an interactivehigh-tech exhibit about volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland. Then visit theimpressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where the intrepid adventurer can hike the trail that leadsbehind the waterfall. Travel along the farmlands of the south coast to the Landeyjahofn harbor,where you will take a 30-minute ferry ride to the Westman Islands, enjoying views of volcanicislands and their seabirds along the way. Your destination is Heimaey Island, the largest of theWestman Island archipelago and the only inhabited island. Visit windy Storhofdi Point forfantastic views of the island (and possibly puffins). Then take a walk up to the crater of avolcano that erupted a mere three decades ago, where you can still see the steam rising fromthe ground and the brilliant red and black lava deposits contorted into bizarre shapes. Enjoy thestunning views before visiting the Eldheimar Museum, where you will learn about thecatastrophic 1973 eruption. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the island on your own.Walk along the harbor and check out the 17th -century earth fort built to protect the islands frompirate raids. Take out your camera for photos of the impressive replica of a Viking age stavechurch, built in the year 2000. Take a swim in the public swimming pool, which usesgeothermally warmed sea water. Soak in the vibes of the charming and lively fishing town, hometo the family-owned Brothers microbrewery and several restaurants known for great seafoodand a charming local feeling. Or simply sit by the sea and enjoy the sounds of the waves, thecalls of the sea birds, and the peaceful atmosphere of the islands. Dinner on your own andovernight in the Westman Islands. (B)

Breakfast at your hotel. Yesterday’s focus was on volcanoes; today’s is on glaciers! Take the morning ferry back from the Westman Islands to continue your exploration of the south coast. You will now be in the area of Katla Geopark, a UNESCO site designated for its unique volcanic and glacial features and named after the glacier-covered Katla volcano. Start with a visit to the photogenic Skogafoss waterfall, where legends say an ancient treasure is hidden. Then visit Solheimajokull, a glacier outlet from the Myrdalsjokull glacier where you can discover glaciers up close. You can choose one of two unforgettable glacier experiences (both activities are great for beginners; no previous experience is needed). The first is the Glacier Hike, where you will strap on crampons, pick up an ice axe, and follow an expert glacier guide onto Solheimajokull itself. You’ll explore the glacier’s surface, discovering amazing ice formations and learning about how they form. (Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours, minimum age for the tour is 8 years old, the minimum shoe size of European 34/US 25.) Or, you can try Glacier View Kayaking, where you can enjoy Solheimajokull from a different angle. Paddle a special sit-on-top kayak in a natural lagoon that flows out from Solheimajokull glacier, following your guide as you paddle between stunning icebergs. Enjoy views of the glacier you can only see from the water. (Duration: 2.5 hours, minimum age for kayaking is 12 years old.) Afterward, continue your journey to the magical black sands of Reynisfjara beach. Witness powerful waves and amazing basalt columns carved by the sea. Walk along the beach and hear the thundering waves, a humbling reminder of nature’s power, as you head to the village of Vik. Vik has become a base for a variety of activity tours; we recommend a zipline adventure or horseback riding along the black sand beach. Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Vik. (B)

After breakfast, visit the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. Throughout the day you’ll have views of the massive Vatnajokull glacier, but you will start by crossing Eldhraun, the largest single flow of lava ever to flow on the face of the Earth. The cataclysmic eruption happened in 1783-1784 AD and affected the climate across mainland Europe. Head across a surreal landscape of black sand plains and braided rivers created when glacier-capped volcanoes erupted before visiting Skaftafell, a beautiful glacier-ringed valley in Vatnajokull National Park. The contrast of black volcanoes, silvery glaciers, and small green forests is strikingly beautiful. Continue to the stunning Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to see floating icebergs and maybe a curious seal or two! Nearby is the Diamond Beach, a black sand area where broken bits of icebergs come to rest before they eventually drift to the sea. Then head to the Iceberg Lagoon, another (quieter) glacier lagoon in the area. Take a Zodiac boat tour amid the floating icebergs to see their different shapes and shades of blue up close. Your guide will provide insight on the glacier and the area’s history and nature. Return to Vik for a three-course dinner and your overnight. (B,D)

After breakfast, visit the famous Golden Circle region. Discover more about Iceland’s volcanic and glacial powers with a bit of Viking history on the side! Start off by heading for the Geysir geothermal field, where the very earth steams with volcanic heat and underground hot springs erupt as geysers. The most famous geyser is Strokkur, a hot spring that spouts high in the air every few minutes, set among a myriad of other smaller yet beautiful geysers and bubbling mud pools. Travel onwards to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. Created by the Hvita glacial river, it thunders over two ledges into a deep canyon. Several footpaths lead around the falls, each giving you a different view. Continue on to Thingvellir National Park, where the Viking-age parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. Thingvellir is where Iceland became a nation, and many important decisions and historical events happened here. Thingvellir is also geologically fascinating: it’s here that the North American and European tectonic plates meet, allowing you to walk between continents. After some free time exploring the wonders of Thingvellir, head back to Reykjavik. Dinner on your own and overnight in Reykjavik. (B) 

Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight. Shared transfer to the international airport for your departure flight. (B)