Iceland
Hiking in South Iceland: The Drama of Nature
Program No. 10537RJ
Discover stunning natural beauty as you explore colorful volcanic landscapes, bubbling geothermal pools and sparkling waterfalls with local experts.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
21 meals (
8B, 7L, 6D
)
15 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Iceland, Check-in, Orientation
Location:
Hveragerdi
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Ork
Activity Note
Walking from the airport terminal to the motorcoach with luggage; getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 75 miles throughout the day. If you wish to swim in the lagoon, please remember to pack you bathing suit in your luggage where it is easily accessible. Towels will be provided.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson.
Morning:
Upon all participants arrival in Iceland, we will board the motorcoach to begin our journey sightseeing along the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board the motorcoach and continue our Icelandic adventure with a soak in geothermal heated waters of a local lagoon. After, we'll continue our transfer to the hotel. After check-in, take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for our Orientation session followed by dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Meals will feature local cuisine. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The remainder of the evening is free to continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars. Then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Thingvellir National Park, Mount Hengill
Location:
Hveragerdi
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Ork
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 5 hours on uneven terrain and dirt paths. Ascend approx. 984 feet. It is recommended to have a day pack with your bathing suit and towel if you wish to go in the geothermal river.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin our day in the Hengill area this morning, with a visit to Thingvellir National Park. The UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, site of the original parliament, which is known as the most sacred place in Iceland due to its geological and historical significance. The Althing, or General Assembly, was established here in 930 CE and is the world’s oldest existing parliament. We’ll explore the visitor center at Hakid, featuring the interactive exhibition, “Heart of Iceland,” which explains the history and nature of the park. We’ll then take a walk around the site with our Group Leader to discover more about the abundant history of this ancient place.
Lunch:
We’ll have a packed lunch during our hikes.
Afternoon:
After our morning hike, we’ll board the motorcoach for a field trip to the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant. The largest in Iceland, it’s the second largest in the world, situated in the Hengill volcano area. We’ll learn about this renewable resource and how geothermal energy is used in Iceland in one of the most powerful geothermal areas in the world. We’ll then explore the Mount Hengill area further this afternoon with a 2-3 hour hike, with the opportunity to take a dip in the geothermal river. We’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach at the end of our field trip.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Gullfoss, Thjórsárdalur Valley
Location:
Hella
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Highland Center Hrauneyjar
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 125 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to two hours, 5 miles, on uneven terrain including gravel and dirt.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall) and Geysir geothermal area, where we are likely to see the hot spring Strokkur spout to the height of 25-30 meters. We’ll then visit Espiflot and learn about how flower greenhouses work from the owner or other staff.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue by motorcoach into the Thjórsárdalur valley, a wide region on the western side of Mt. Hekla that is home to a National Forest. We’ll stop at the lovely Hjalparfoss waterfalls, and continue to the ruins of a Viking settlement and reconstructed farmhouse at Thjóðveldisbærinn. Research suggests that the original farm, Stöng, was destroyed when Mt. Hekla erupted in 1104.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Landmannalaugar
Location:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Skaftafell
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 94 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 3-4 hours on uneven terrain including gravel and dirt. Ascent of approximately 660-800 feet. It is recommended to have a day pack with your bathing suit if you wish to go in the geothermal pool. Towels will be provided.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll travel to Landmannalaugar, an oasis in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the harsh interior of Iceland, for a walking field trip and a swim in the naturally warm geothermal pool.
Lunch:
Packed lunch en route.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our field trip at Landmannalaugar, then board a motorcoach and ride to Kirkjubaejarklaustur for check in at the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell
Location:
Skaftafell
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Skaftafell
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 115 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off a boat. Walking 2 hours on uneven terrain including gravel and dirt, approximately 3-4 miles.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and ride to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon for a scenic field trip, including a short boat ride on the lagoon. We’ll enjoy commentary from a local expert as we sail among the icebergs.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll ride to the Skaftafell conservation area, where we will stop by the Visitor Center and take a 1- to 2-hour walk through a natural wonderland of powerful glaciers, turbulent waterfalls, lush birch woodlands, and vibrant wildflowers with fantastic views of the mountain and its sliding glaciers.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Skaftafell
Location:
Skaftafell
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Skaftafell
Activity Note
Walking up to 12 miles over 6-8 hours (based on Group Leader’s choice of trail) on uneven terrain including dirt and rocky paths. Ascent of approximately 700-984 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll venture deeper into Skaftafell on a 6- to 8-hour hike. The Nature Conservation Council (now the Environment Agency of Iceland) recommended the establishment of a National Park here in 1961, in recognition of the area’s natural beauty including wonderful mountain views, the largest valley glacier, and the widest variety of vegetation in the country. Skaftafell was finally established as a National Park by government regulation in 1968.
Lunch:
Packed lunch en route.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our field trip at Skaftafell. In 2008, the Skaftafell National Park was merged with Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and a number of other areas of natural beauty to form the huge Vatnajökull National Park, the second largest in Europe.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
8
Reynisfjara, Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss, Lava Centre
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Reykjavík Natura
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, about 4.5 hours total riding time with many stops along the way. Walking up to 2 miles.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and begin our transfer to Reykjavik. Our first field trip en route will be to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, home to a multitude of nesting seabirds. Local folklore holds that the hexagonal basalt column formations of Reynisfjara’s cliffs, reminiscent of Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, are marauding trolls turned to stone when daylight struck them at dawn.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our transfer via two magnificent waterfalls, Skógafoss, which thunders over a cliff 60 meters tall, and Seljalandsfoss, which it is possible to walk behind, as long as you don't mind getting wet! Then, after hiking in the shadows of active volcanoes for the past few days, we’ll get an inside look at the Lava Centre. On a self-led exploration, we’ll learn how volcanic activity is monitored in modern Iceland, and how eruptions continue to shape the island. Once we complete our transfer to Reykjavik, we’ll check in and have some time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
9
Free Time, Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Lunch:
On your own based on departure flight time.
Afternoon:
Staggered transfers to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) to check in for departure flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Sep 16, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Jun 03, 2025 - Jun 11, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Jun 17, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 06, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Aug 05, 2025 - Aug 13, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 10, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Sep 16, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Jul 14, 2026 - Jul 22, 2026 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Jul 21, 2026 - Jul 29, 2026 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Aug 04, 2026 - Aug 12, 2026 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Aug 18, 2026 - Aug 26, 2026 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Sep 01, 2026 - Sep 09, 2026 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Sep 08, 2026 - Sep 16, 2026 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Sep 15, 2026 - Sep 23, 2026 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Sep 16 - Sep 24, 2025 Itinerary Differences:
This date will stay at Berjaya Natura Reykjavik in Reykjavik.
