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Oxararfoss waterfall flows over dark rock formations in Thingvellir National Park under a blue sky.
Iceland

Epic Iceland: Natural Contrasts, Rugged Coasts & Local Culture

Program No. 25699RJ
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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
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
24 meals ( 9B, 7L, 8D )
23 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Walking up to 2.5 miles throughout the day. Standing up for up to 1 hour. Uneven and rocky terrain at the lava field and waterfall. Getting in/out of a van; driving about 138 miles throughout the day, under 4 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson in Keflavik.
Morning:
Upon all participants’ arrival in Iceland, we will board the van and begin our sightseeing field trip on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Still on the Reykjanes Peninsula, we’ll stop for a post-lunch walk at the Nátthagi lava field, a volcanic landscape formed by the Fagradalsfjall eruption in 2021. Next, we’ll board the van and travel closer to our first overnight location. Nearby, we will stop at Brúarfoss Waterfall, known for its bright blue colored water. We’ll then drive on to our first hotel in Laugarvatn for check-in.
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. Our experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader will be the primary instructor and conduct the field trips. At museums, we will have local experts give talks or have use of personal audio guides; during selected activities, a local expert provides educational content and leads. Program-related travel and transfers will be via passenger van unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine. Water is included with all meals. 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. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day. Standing up for up to 1 hour. Getting in/out of a van; driving about 111 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will depart the hotel and continue by van along the Golden Circle. We’ll visit Gullfoss, where glacial water cascades into a dramatic canyon, followed by the Geysir geothermal area, where bubbling hot springs and erupting geysers showcase Iceland’s volcanic activity.
Lunch:
At Friðheimar greenhouse.
Afternoon:
Before lunch, we’ll hear from a local farmer about greenhouse cultivation using geothermal energy and spend time exploring Friðheimar before continuing to the Skógar Museum where a local expert will give a talk before we set out to explore the museum, accompanied by the Group Leader. This museum offers insight into Iceland’s history and rural life through preserved buildings and artifacts.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day. Standing for up to 2 hours. Getting in/out of a van; driving about 60 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a ferry; riding for under 1 hour each way. Getting on/off a boat; sailing for up to 1.5 hours. Limited seating is available on the boat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart early for the ferry crossing to Vestmannaeyjar. Upon arrival on Heimaey, we’ll explore Helgafell volcano and visit the Eldheimar Museum, where we will learn via audio guides about the 1973 volcanic eruption that reshaped the island and its community.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll take a boat trip around Heimaey, offering views of sea cliffs, rock formations, and birdlife along the coastline. Afterwards, we will return by ferry to the mainland and continue back to our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; standing for up to 1 hour. Must be comfortable getting on/off horse and riding for up to 1.5 hours. Getting in/out of a van; driving about 150 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart the hotel and begin our van journey east along the South Coast. This morning includes a horseback riding experience, offering a chance to connect with Iceland’s unique horse breed and rural landscape. We’ll also stop at the black sand beach in Vík, known for its striking coastline and sea stacks.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll attend the Lava Show, where we’ll gain insight into Iceland’s volcanic forces through a live demonstration. We’ll then continue toward the Vatnajökull region and our next hotel, making a bathroom stop in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 1.5 hours. Getting on/off a rigid inflatable boat; riding for approximately 1 hour. Getting on/off a glacier super jeep and other glacier-specific mobiles; riding for approximately 3 hours with stops in between. Getting in/out of a van; driving about 50 miles throughout the day, under 1.5 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel by van to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where floating icebergs drift across a serene glacial lake. Here, we’ll take a ride on a rigid inflatable boat, offering a closer look at the ice formations and surrounding glacier.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, we’ll experience a glacier truck ride on Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, gaining a deeper understanding of glacial landscapes and their impact on Iceland’s environment.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles. Hiking up to 3 miles on an easy-moderate hike trail with steep incline. Standing for up to 1 hour. Getting in/out of a van; driving about 200 miles, close to 4.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we’ll depart by van for Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, where we’ll hike to Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by distinctive basalt columns. Along the way, the Group Leader will tell us about the region’s geology and natural features.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue west with stops at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, known for its winding river and steep cliffs, and Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where a path allows us to walk behind the cascading water. We will then continue to our next hotel and check in with some time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles; standing for up to 1.5 hours. Getting in/out of a van; driving about 100 miles, close to 3 hours riding time. A day pack is recommended for your swimsuit and any other necessities for and after the lagoon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and depart by van for Laugarás Lagoon, where we’ll have time to relax in geothermal pools and take in the surrounding landscape. En route, we’ll make a stop at Skálholt, home to Iceland’s first school dating almost a thousand years back.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Iceland’s parliament was founded and where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Here we’ll explore with the Group Leader. Later, we’ll visit the Saga Museum to explore Iceland’s early history through immersive exhibits, aided by audio guides. We’ll then continue to the next hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a van. Walking up to 4 miles. Standing up for up to 1 hour. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take the van into town to explore Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, with an expert-led sightseeing experience on highlighting key landmarks and cultural sites. We’ll also visit FlyOver Iceland, an immersive experience that offers a virtual journey across the country’s landscapes.
Lunch:
On your own in Reykjavik.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period 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. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
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.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
Staggered transfers to Keflavík International Airport based on final flight times. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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