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2027 Iceland Discovery: Coastlines, Glaciers & Volcanoes

Introduction
2027 Iceland Discovery: Coastlines, Glaciers & Volcanoes image

Active, adventure-based journey through Iceland

This is an active, adventure-based journey designed to experience Iceland through movement—by foot, across ice, and on the water. Rather than staying close to Reykjavík, this program travels farther than most student tours, giving students a broader and more meaningful connection to the country’s landscapes and natural forces.

The journey begins on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where students witness the raw, ever-changing geology of Iceland, including areas shaped by some of the country’s most recent volcanic activity. From there, traveling west to east, the route follows a dramatic and ancient coastline—passing towering waterfalls, volcanoes, powerful black sand beaches, and vast glacial outwash plains formed by centuries of glacier runoff. This ever-changing landscape highlights the dynamic forces that continue to shape Iceland today.

Continuing into the southeast, massive glaciers and iceberg-filled lagoons reveal the scale and power of Iceland’s ice. Throughout the program, students actively engage with the environment—hiking through volcanic terrain, walking on ancient glaciers, and kayaking in coastal waters—creating a hands-on experience that brings Iceland’s geology, ecology, and natural history to life.

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Excited already? Contact us today:

Want to take your students on this incredible tour? Email Emily , our Student Groups Coordinator and we will be in touch!

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adventure overview

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At a glance

Day 0: Travel Day

Day 0: Travel Day image
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Overnight Flight to Iceland

Flights from North America depart in the evening and arrive in Iceland in the early morning the next day.

Day 1 - Arrival & Reykjanes Peninsula

Day 1 - Arrival & Reykjanes Peninsula image

Arrive, Explore Reykjanes Peninsula, Reykjavík Stay

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Breakfast at Viking World

Arrive in Iceland and begin the adventure with breakfast at Viking World, where students are introduced to Viking history and exploration.
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Explore Reykjanes Peninsula

Visit an area that is often overlooked by travelers. Spend the early afternoon exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its lava fields, continental rifting, geothermal activity, and rugged coastline.

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Accommodations

Overnight in Reykjavik

Day 2 - Golden Circle Highlights

Day 2 - Golden Circle Highlights image

Explore Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, and Waterfalls

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Golden Circle Highlights

  • Þingvellir National Park, where students can observe the rift between tectonic plates and viking history.

  • Visit Gullfoss Waterfall

  • See Geysir Geothermal Area

  • Eat lunch at Friðheimar Green House and learn how the this family farm now produces 20 percent of Iceland's tomatoes with renewable energy .

  • Visit the geothermal power plant to learn about the technology being used to power homes with renewable energy.

  • Experience a guided walk through an ancient lava tube.

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Accommodations

Overnight near Selfoss.

Day 3 - South Coast Exploration

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South Coast Waterfalls, Volcanoes, Glaciers & Black Sand Beaches

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Highlights

  • Walk behind Seljalandsfoss, is an iconic 60-meter (197-foot) waterfall in South Iceland. If time allows, explore and its cave dwelling neighbor Glujfrabui.

  • Skogarfoss waterfall & hike along the path by Skogá River

  • See the basalt columns at Reynisfjara Beach.

  • Cross vast the sand deserts unique to Iceland's geology.

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Accommodations

Overnight near Kirkjubæjarklaustur for two nights.

Day 4 - Skaftafell & Glacier Lagoon

Day 4 - Skaftafell & Glacier Lagoon image

Explore Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

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Highlights

  • Hike through a birch forest within Skaftafell National Park. Visit the Black Waterfall & see historic farmhouses.

  • See the largest glacier in Iceland, and the second largest in Europe.

  • Walk along path of Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon and down to Diamond Beach to search for icebergs on the black sand.

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Accommodation

Overnight near Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Day 5 - Glacier Adventure & South Coast Return

Day 5 - Glacier Adventure & South Coast Return image

Guided Glacier Hike and Scenic South Coast

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Highlights

  • Walk the trails at Fjaðrárgljúfur (Feather Canyon).

  • See puffins up close at Dyrhólaey nature preserve.

  • Explore Sóheimajokull glacier on a guided glacier hike.

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Accommodations

Overnight on the south coast near Selfoss.

Day 6 - Kayaking & Hiking to Hot Springs

Day 6 - Kayaking & Hiking to Hot Springs image

Kayaking Adventure and Reykjadalur Hot Springs Hike

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Kayaking Experience

Enjoy a 2-hour kayaking experience as you follow a river through a flooded grassland. Make your way through braided river trails out to the north atlantic and follow the coastline’s rocky shore spotting seals resting in kelp beds.
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Hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs

In the afternoon, stretch your legs on a 5 mile roundtrip hike to Reykjadalur, where students can relax in a geothermal river.
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Accommodations

Return to Reykjavík for the final evening.

Day 7 - Sky Lagoon & Departure

Day 7 - Sky Lagoon & Departure image

Geothermal Spa Experience and Departure

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Visit Sky Lagoon

Visit Sky Lagoon for a geothermal spa experience overlooking the ocean before transferring to the airport for departure.
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Airport Transfer

Schedule flights to depart after 4:45 local time.

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Map

1. Viking World

Víkingabraut 1, 260 Reykjanesbær, Iceland

2. Reykjanes Peninsula

Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland

3. Reykjavík

Reykjavík, Iceland

4. Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir, 801 Selfoss, Iceland

5. Gullfoss

Gullfoss, 801 Selfoss, Iceland

6. Geysir Geothermal Area

Geysir, Haukadalur, Iceland

7. Friðheimar Greenhouse

Friðheimar, Reykholt, 801 Bláskógabyggð, Iceland

8. Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss, 861 Hvolsvöllur, Iceland

9. Skógafoss

Skógafoss, 861 Skógar, Iceland

10. Vík

Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland

11. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reynisfjara, 871 Vík, Iceland

12. Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland

13. Skaftafell

Skaftafell, 785 Öræfi, Iceland

14. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Jökulsárlón, 781 Höfn í Hornafirði, Iceland

15. Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach, 781 Höfn í Hornafirði, Iceland

16. Fjaðrárgljúfur

Fjaðrárgljúfur, 881 Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland

17. Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey, 871 Vík, Iceland

18. Reykjadalur Hot Springs

Reykjadalur, 810 Hveragerði, Iceland

19. Sky Lagoon

Vesturvör 44-48, 200 Kópavogur, Iceland

Supplemental Information

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Travel Insurance

For your convenience, we offer a travel protection plan through Travelex Insurance Services. If you would like to enroll in the plan, please click below:

https://partner.travelexinsurance.com/index.aspx?location=28-0108&go=PSPCZ&navigation=off&groupname=GreenEdventures 

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Packing List

A tour-specific packing list will be provided. In general, participants will need waterproof rain jacket and rain pants, hiking boots, backpack (school backpack ok), and a few pairs of warm non-cotton layers.

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Service Fees & Payment Options

Installments

For your convenience you can pay for your adventure in interest-free monthly installments using a checking account or credit card. 

ACH / Checking Account 

Pay zero transaction fees when you pay from your checking account.

Credit Card

Want to rack up points on your credit card? We get it. WeTravel will add a service fee to the total amount of your trip if you pay with a credit card. Credit Cards fees from 2.9% (Amex: 3.9%). This is a bank convenience fee not a fee added by Green Edventures. 

Alternate Between ACH & Credit Card

You can change your payment method at any time before your next installment in your WeTravel Account. 

Ready to go somewhere amazing?

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Choose your destination.

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Contact us with your dates and we'll get you penciled in!

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Talk to your students about this tour and why you want them to go with you!

Reviews from Teachers and Students

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See what our Edventure Buddies have to say about traveling with us!

From beginning to end, everything is organized, affordable, communication is quick and easy, and the trip is well planned with plenty of activities as well as downtime. I will travel with them again and recommend that every teacher looking to take a group of high school students on a trip that has both fun and educational aspects does the same. Green Edventures is the best!

– Shannon S., Baja Tour

Our trip was one of the most impactful experiences I've ever had for so many reasons- the location, the wildlife, the deep knowledge of the on-the-ground partners, the authentic learning and service opportunities, the emphasis on safety and connection for our students, and how smoothly everything went is truly exemplary.

– Lindsay R., Galapagos Tour

In the past 4 years I have been on 6 trips with Green Edventure and have one planned for this summer and next. If you are a person who values the outdoors, biology, and ecology and wishes to instill these same values into your family, friends, and/or students then look no further. Green Edventures is in a league of its own from an educational, fun, and ecotourism standpoint. My family, students and myself have had such wonderful and enlightening experiences through these trips!

─ Todd K., Baja, Alaska, Trinidad & Tobago and Galapagos Islands Tours

We have taken a group of Nebraska students to Baja with GE for 4 years. It has always been an awesome experience!! The students love the hands-on approach. They bring memories back that will never be lost. We always feel that what they have learned and experienced about the ecology will make them better informed naturalist and voters.

─ Karen G., Baja Tour

Thank you very much for all of your hard work in organizing a fantastic trip for my students. I am very appreciative. You did a great job. Every student loved you, Courtenay and the rest of the gang.

─ D. Hoffman, Trinidad & Tobago Tour

I took a small group to Alaska with Green Edventures in 2009. It was an amazing experience. I have not traveled with students for many years but when my family situation slows down and I make the commitment, I know I will use Green Edventures.

─ Dawn P., Alaska Tour

I still dream about the trip! Amazing memories I want to go back!

─ Brittany P., Costa Rica Tour

First, we genuinely were cared for- in terms of our dietary restrictions, personal comfort, and needs. There's a difference between feeling cared for and actually being cared for. Definitely was the latter with Green Ed. Second, we were made to feel safe. Driving was extremely safe and efficient, all local restaurants were well-chosen, and all excursions were done with regard for our physical and emotional safety. Third, there is great knowledge of the wildlife and the ecosystems. Because local guides and establishments are utilized, great care is taken to introduce students to the local flora and fauna in a knowledgeable manner with expertise. In total, I would certainly recommend Green Ed for any future trip I was taking to a region where I had little (to no) experience. The staff and contracted partners are completely knowledgeable and trustworthy. It was truly an unforgettable experience for everyone in the group (including me, the instructor).

─ Matthew F., Baja Tour

Awesome trip!

─ Tristan T., Galapagos Islands Tour

Wow, What an amazing experience for my students and chaperones. This is my 3rd time taking a large group of students on an Eco-Tour out of the country, but the first time with Green Edventures. The difference in my trip to Roatan compared to the others in value, experience, and safety is beyond compare! 10/10 experience.

– Jim N., Roatan, Honduras

My son loved this trip! He had quite the adventure and learned a lot.

─ Rebecca A., Galapagos Island Tour