Investigating geography in Iceland
FIELD STUDIES WITH THE LOCAL EXPERTS
Being a local Icelandic company we are in an excellent position to provide you with the best possible service. We can offer a variety of field study days as well as a number of optional activities (e.g. glacier walking, icecap travel, visit to Heimaey, various museums etc). We can provide itineraries for school visits running from 3 – 7 days and can adjust the content of your field trip to suit the needs of your curriculum.
The cost will vary according to numbers and would include: All transport ex Keflavík airport; full board accommodation; all entry fees incl. the Blue Lagoon; English speaking guide. Two members of staff would travel free with a group of e.g. 20 students.
We have prepared material for every site written by a specialist geographer. These take the form of KEY CARDS containing photographic images and pertinent questions that might usefully be asked by students. They will also serve as revision cards or even as a souvenir booklet to answer the inevitable post-visit question: “What did you do in Iceland?”
Please click here to view Key Card Map indicating field study locations for the sample itinerary.
The numbers on the map correspond with those in brackets in the Sample Itinerary.
Please click here for Investigating Geography in Iceland flyer.
GENERAL INFORMATION
NOTE: These are generic notes and may therefore cover items that are not relevant to your particular visit
AIRLINE: Be sure to allow plenty of time for a group check in. Whichever airline you will be using do check the baggage allowance.
YOUR PROTECTION: Trex Ltd has provided a declaration of guarantee through a bank in the event of bankruptcy or the cessation of the travel agency’s operation, according to Icelandic Tourism Administration Act No. 73/2005 (copy available on request). This is similar to the assurances that you would have through UK agencies that have ATOL and ABTA licences.
INSURANCE: Please ensure that you have obtained your own personal travel insurance. Iceland is generally regarded as Europe.
PASSPORTS: Your passport will need to have at least 6 months validity. Do please check this! No visas are required for Iceland.
EMERGENCIES: Please advise us of a ‘home agent’ who will be available should we need to contact the school for any reason. We will provide with our own emergency number.
CURRENCY: Best obtained prior to travel. Currently the Post Office is the best source. You can exchange at Keflavík airport but this could delay your departure. Visa is widely accepted. Please note that if, for example, you take your group to a local swimming pool you will obtain best rates by paying for the group in one payment rather than individually. This can be done either by Visa or in currency.
SPECIAL DIETS: If you have any special requirements please let us know in good time so that we can pass these to the accommodation. Iceland is getting better at making special provisions but we would ask you to be broad-minded in their interpretation! It would be helpful if group leaders can check whether or not any diets are for allergies and not simply food fads.
CLOTHING AND PERSONAL BAGGAGE: In general it is fair to say that for summer travel in Iceland you should be prepared for much the same conditions as in the English Lake District. Come prepared for wet or windy conditions. Headgear is strongly recommended. A small scarf is useful. In winter/spring you need that bit extra. Items of special note:
- Walking boots: should be sturdy, walked-in, and in good repair.
- Waterproofs: An anorak and over-trousers are essential
- Sweaters: Icelandic hand-knitted sweaters are expensive but will last you for years (can buy at the woollen factory in Vík)
- Gloves & headgear: essential. A warm scarf is useful too.
- Polythene Bags: Small ones useful for lunch materials etc
- Swimming costume & towel: geothermal pools worth experiencing.
- Sunglasses: with clear air the light can be bright.
- Skin cream: the air can dry your skin and lips. Something like Nivea & lip salve useful.
- Thermos: you can usually get this filled in the accommodation
ACCOMMODATION: There may well be other schools or other guests staying at the same places as you. We therefore request that the usual common courtesies are applied with regard to general behaviour, noise levels, no smoking, no alcohol for anyone under 22 years.
TRANSPORTATION: For many years TREX has provided transport for tailor made school and university expeditions and field study visits to Iceland. We have a variety of vehicles to reach even the most inaccessible places and are happy to provide quotations for your visit. Please click here to view some of our vehicles.
POWER SUPPLY: Iceland uses the same as ourselves but you will need a small round 2-pin adaptor.
SWIMMING POOLS: If planning to swim at the Blue Lagoon (www.bluelagoon.com) be sure to have your swimming things available in hand luggage. If entry to the Blue Lagoon has not been included in your tour cost and you are paying locally it is essential that you pay for everyone in one payment. This can be cash or credit card.
Swimming pools* do have qualified lifeguards and the pools have to meet strict hygiene regulations. All pools require that swimmers take a soapy shower before entering the water.
*except hotel pools (eg. Hótel Örk) where no student should swim without a member of the school staff being present. Swimmers should make use of the hotel changing rooms and avoid walking through the hotel lobby in swimming costumes.
PHOTOGRAPHY: In Iceland’s humid climate great care needs to be taken to keep out condensation and dust, both of which are common problems. Even if you are only taking one small camera without sophisticated extras do take cleaning materials with you such as a lens brush and anti-static cloths. A few Kleenex are useful. Icelandic lava surfaces can be nasty and your lens runs the risk of being scratched unless you use a UV filter as protection. It will also reduce the excessive sky blue (hopefully)
MAPS: The best single map of the whole of the island is the 1:600,000 Touring Map, which is perfectly adequate for your visit. There are also two very good maps that cover the southern area where you will be: 1:300,000 General Maps: Suðvesturland (Southwest) and Suðausturland* (Southeast). There are also maps at 1:100,000 covering Thingvellir and Skaftafell. All of these maps are available on line from Stanfords (www.stanfords.co.uk) [*if travelling east of Vík]
WALKING DISTANCES: At no time will the walking distances be long but the terrain can be rough and participants need to be well dressed for the conditions. It is a good idea to talk through your route with the UK representative.
BALANCE: The balance of the cost of your visit will be due by 10 weeks before departure date.
CANCELATION POLICY: Should you cancel once the flights have been booked you will lose your initial deposit. Thereafter:
70 – 15 days before departure: you lose 75% of the total cost of the tour
14 – 1 day(s) before departure: you lose 90% of the total cost of the tour
Departure date or after: you lose 100% of the total cost of the tour.
Air tickets are non-refundable but if you can get a replacement there will usually be no charge up to 70 days before departure. Thereafter you may be charged £75 for a name change. Airline structures vary so do check with the airline.
For more information and booking email info@trex.is
PARENTAL GUIDANCE
SCHOOL VISITS TO ICELAND – PARENTAL GUIDANCE
Here you find notes that have been compiled to assist parents to prepare their child in advance of their trip to Iceland.
Please click here to download information for parents
For more information and booking email info@trex.is
OPTION DAY A*: COASTAL PROCESSES
Route: Hjörleifshöfði – Laufskálavarða – Vík – Reynisfjara – Dyrhólaey
Topics covered: glacier bursts (jökulhlaup); coastal deposition and erosion; coastal protection; nature conservation
Itinerary: Drive to Hjörleifshöfði (23a/b) to see how a coastline can be dramatically changed (glacier bursts; aerial seeding). Visit Laufskálavarða (22) to consider approaches to land reclamation. Return to the village of Vík (20) and walk from the churchyard to the shore noting the need for coastal protection. Study the beach here to compare with that at the next stop,Reynisfjara (19), which also has some superb columnar basalt structures. Continue to the cliffcoastline of erosion at Dyrhólaey (18a/b/c). Return to the accommodation for supper
OPTION DAY B*: VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES (SUBJECT TO ROAD CONDITIONS)
Route: Selfoss – Vegamót – Leirubakki – Landmannalaugar
Topics covered: Volcanic eruptions; lava types, rhyolitic centres, explosion craters, reforestation
Itinerary: A long day but well worth the effort. The first main stop will be the Volcano exhibition at Leirubakki (26) to learn about the volcano Hekla (25). You will then drive further into the barren interior across pumice plains (27), through lava flows and melt streams to the stunning Landmannalaugar (28 & 29a/b/c/) area. On the way you will observe tectonic rifts, an explosion crater. On arrival you will do a circular walk across through the lavas to a geothermal area and back for a soak in a naturally hot stream before heading back for supper at the accommodation.
OPTION DAY C*: VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES (SUBJECT TO ROAD CONDITIONS)
Route: Selfoss – Vegamót – Leirubakki – Háifoss – Gjáin – Stöng
Topics covered: Volcanic eruptions; lava types, reforestation, waterfalls
Itinerary: Another long day but well worth the effort. The first main stop will be the Volcano exhibition at Leirubakki (26) to learn about the volcano Hekla (25). and the largestreafforestation programme in Europe. You will then drive further into the barren interior acrosspumice plains (27), across an amazing man-made hydro-electric chasm (30) to one of Iceland’s highest and most stunning waterfalls, Háifoss (31). You then descend to another of Iceland’s gems, the beautiful rocky dell, Gjáin (32), from which you walk for 30 mins down valley to the excavated Viking longhouse at Stöng (33) before heading back for supper at the accommodation.
OPTION DAY D*: GLACIAL LANDSCAPES (SUBJECT TO ROAD CONDITIONS)
Route: Hlíðarendi – Selfoss – Hvolsvöllur – Þórsmörk
Toipics covered: glacial & fluvio-glacial landforms; volcanic eruptions; gorges
Itinerary: A full day heading first to the site of the former pro-glacial lake at Gígjökull (39), which was infilled durng the recent eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. This is where the huge volumes of melt water discharged from the crater above. Braided channels and push moraines are visible here. The route takes you deeper into the valley through several streams until you reach the magnificent area of Þórsmörk (40) surrounded by the ice from Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull icecaps. From herer you will walk to the top of Valahnjúkur (41) for a 360° view of this wonderful landscape. Decending you rejoin the bus to go back down the valley to the mouth of Stakkholtsgjá (43), a steep sided gorge with a suprising endind. Then it´s time to head back to your accommodation and supper.
OPTION DAY E*: GLACIAL LANDSCAPES (ONLY FEASIBLE FROM A BASE NEAR VÍK)
Route: Mýrdalssandur – Kirkjubæjarklaustur – Skaftafell – (Jökulsárlón)
Topics covered: Jökulhlaups; eruptions; changes in sea level; glacial and pro-glacial landforms; pro-glacial lakes; glacial damming; national parks; conservation
Itinerary: Another long day but well worth the effort. Stops will depend upon the group’s interests and not all sites may be accessible at one time owing to weather conditions. Initially you would drive to a magnificent chasm, Fjaðrargljúfur (34), created by glacial flood flow. Then directly to the impressive pro-glacial lake Jökulsárlón (35) to witness the icebergstrapped in the shallow waters at the edge of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue. You will then retrace your steps to the Skaftafell National Park (36) headquarters to take a 2hrs round trip walk to the columnar basalt waterfall of Svartifoss (37). Hardy groups may also trek across the heath to view the details of the Skaftafellsjökull (38) from above. You then return across the mighty Skeiðarársandur outwash plain to your accommodation and supper.
OPTION DAY F*: WESTMANN ISLANDS (WEATHER PERMITTING)
Route: Selfoss – Landeyarhöfn – ferry – Vestmannaeyjar
Topics covered: Volcanic eruptions; mid-ocean ridges; geothermal energy; tourism.
Itinerary: Drive to the ferry harbour on the south coast to take the short crossing to the Westmann Islands. On arrival you will spend the day walking across the island and up to the top of the volcano that erupted in 1973. On the way you will be able to see the line of thefissure and some of the effects of the ash deposits. From the cone you will have a good view of the line of former volcanoes from Surtsey (1963) to the mainland’s Eyjafjallajökull (2010). Having seen the volcano on the ground you will descend to visit Café Kró for refreshment and a viewing of film of the eruption. It is sometimes possible to undertake a boat tour around the island. Depending upon ferry times it may be possible to swim at the island pool before returning to the hotel for supper.
OPTION – KATLA GEOPARK
Route: Hveragerði – Seljalandsfoss– Skógarfoss – Sólheimajökull – Vík
Topics covered: Changes in sea level – Natural hazards – Sustainability – Climate change
Breakfast at Hotel and collect packed lunches. Comfort stop at Hvolsvöllur. Seljalandsfoss (14) where, subject to conditions underfoot, you may walk behind the waterfall. Thorvaldseyri farm* (15a/b), the farm most threatened by the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Watch a documentary film, look at the exhibit and examine the site. Lunch at Skógarfoss (16c) waterfall. Sólheimajökull(16a/b) we walk to the glacier margin to examine features at close quarters. Reynisfjara (18c), which also has some superb columnar basalt structures and excellent views across to the natural arch and stacks of Dyrhólaey. The village of Vík (20); to visit the black sand beach to compare with that at Reynisfjara; also the need for coastal protection. Back to Hveragerði accommodation**
For more information and booking email info@trex.is
SAMPLE 5-DAY / 4-NIGHT VISIT
This is a summary of our basic 5-Day programme, which can be amended to suit your school’s requirements. *Optional locations/activities will require re-costing and itinerary amendment. All accommodation is subject to availability and may also affect the route to be taken. A more detailed itinerary is available on request. There are three additional days that may be plugged in to replace any of Days 2 – 4 but these are either seasonal (Westman Islands, Landmannalaugar) or weather dependent (Thorsmörk). Ask for details.
DAY 1: SETTING THE SCENE
Route: Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík
Topics covered: Volcanic landscapes; Urban planning.
Itinerary: (subject to flight arrival times): Drive to Reykjavík through the geologically recent lava fields with their backdrop of sub-glacially-erupted lavas and shield volcanoes. Once in the city visit Perlan, the Reykjavik City overlook set atop geothermal hot water tanks before visiting the old harbour and taking a guided walk through to the parliament building (Alþing) and the City Hall to view a huge relief map of the island. Then transfer to your accommodation for your evening meal.
Optional alternative activities: Blue Lagoon*; Iceland´s Natural Wonders Exhibition*; Cinema 2 (Film: Birth of an island)*; free time in Reykjavík; Raufarhólshellir lava tube*.
DAY 2: PLATE TECTONICS
Route: Þingvellir– Geysir – Gullfoss
Topics covered: plate tectonics; geothermal & hydro-electric energy; water cycle and river diversion; rift valley; volcanic landforms.
Itinerary: Have an early breakfast at the accommodation and pick up packed lunch before taking a short walk to look at the effects of the 2008 earthquake before heading to the Þingvellir National Park. We walk down the Stekkjargjá fissure to experience the result of sea floor spreading and then along the fissure to see where the Vikings diverted a stream to provide the water for the first-ever democratic parliament. On descending to the lower ground you will witness further fissures and the extraordinary clarity of the groundwater. Walking back up to the top of the rift valley margin you will come to a Visitor Centre, have your packed lunch and take a look at the rift valley overlook. We will then drive to the Geysir geothermal area to view geysers, hot springs and watch the periodic eruptions of Strokkur. It is then a short drive to the powerful Gullfoss waterfall where you will go to the overlook at the upper level before descending and, subject to conditions, walk to the very edge of the fall. From here you will return to your accommodation with several stops on the way.
Optional alternative activities: Hagavík soil erosion and pillow lava site; Nesjavellir overlook platform; Swim at the geothermal Secret Lagoon*; Kerið caldera*.
DAY 3: KATLA GEOPARK
Route: Seljalandsfoss – Thorvaldseyri – Skógar – Sólheimajökull – Reynisfjara – Vík
Topics covered: Changes in sea level; natural hazards; glacial systems; climate change; volcanic forms; coastal systems
Itinerary: After an early breakfast at your accommodation we will drive to the magnificent waterfall Seljalandsfoss that you may walk behind subject to conditions underfoot. Close by is another waterfall of a very different nature whose origin is worthy of consideration. A short drive brings us to Thorvaldseyri, one of the farms most affected by the eruption of 2010 which managed to close so much air space worldwide. Immediately above it the volcano and icefield of Eyjafjallajökull towers above. You may also see some of the remedial action taken to control the river that flooded so much of the farmland. After a brief visit and lunch close to the prodigious waterfall Skógarfoss we drive through the pro-glacial zone to the rapidly retreating glacier Sólheimajökull. We will walk as close as possible to the ice margin to observe many features of deglaciation. You will be astonished at how much climate change has affected this glacier in the last 30 years. From the ice we descend to the beach at Reynisfjara to consider the coastal system and examine some fine hexagonal basalt columns in the cliff. To contrast this we will make the short drive to the village of Vík to contrast the beach material and some measures designed to protect the town. If time permits we will drive to the prominent cliffs at Dyrhólaey to see the natural arches, stacks and coastal lagoon contained by a spit before returning to our accommodation.
Optional alternative activities: Lava Centre Exhibition* (Hvolsvöllur): “Iceland Erupts” – the film of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption* (add 30mins); Skógar Folk Museum*; Glacier walking*; Múlakvísl bridge (demolished in 2010 flood)
DAY 4: THE BIG GLACIERS
Route: Mýrdalssandur – Eldhraun – Fjaðrárgljúfur – Skaftafell – Jökulsárlón
Topics covered: Jökulhlaup; lava flows; changes in sea level; glacial outwash; pro-glacial landforms;
Itinerary: After an early breakfast at your accommodation we will drive east to view the bridge that was washed away in a glacier burst (jökulhlaup) in 2010 before setting off across the wide Mýrdalssandur outwash plain where conservation measures have had to be put in place to protect traffic from sand blasting. Once on the other side we will take a close look at the moss-covered Eldhraun lava flow that was created in the 1796 during the largest single effusion of lava in historical times. Then from an elevated position at the Fjaðrárgljúfur gorge we will gain an idea of the extent of this flow and see how it diverted the river Skaftá to the foot of the former coastline. After a brief stop at Kirkjubæjarklaustur we will set off across the even bigger Skeiðarársandur outwash that, in 1996, was awash with floodwater from an eruption under the Vatnajökull icecap. On reaching the other side we will have lunch by the Vatnajökull National Park Headquarters where there is also a good exhibition. We then head south and east to the popular Jökulsárlón iceberg lake (the setting for the opening sequence of the Bond film „A View to a Kill“) and the black sand coast littered with brashings (small, broken pieces of iceberg). On the return we will stop at the Fjallsjökull glacier and proglacial lake contained within a large arcuate terminal moraine.
Optional alternative activities: Kirkjugólf (F4) glacially polished basalt columns; Dverghamrar basalt columns (F5); Svínafellsjökull glacier; Svartifoss basalt columns (summer);
DAY 5: REYKJANES GEOPARK
Route: Reykjanes Peninsula – Keflavík
Topics covered: Geothermal activity; volcanic landforms; coastal landforms and basalt cliffs.
Itinerary: After breakfast at your accommodation we will drive to Krísuvík to follow a trail among the solfaratas and take a short drive to Grænavatn explosion crater. From there we procede to Gunnuhver where a powerful solfatara emerges close to a new geothermal power station. After lunch at the coast and before we head on to the airport we stop at the Stampar craters aligned along a fissure within a truly lunar landscape on the mid-ocean ridge.
Optional alternative activities: Hellisheiði geothermal power station*; Grindavík fishing village; Kvikan Saltfish Industry exhibition (incl. Origins of Iceland); Bridge Between the Continents; Blue Lagoon*; Víkingarheimar Viking Ship*.
For more information and booking email info@trex.is
SAMPLE 4-DAY / 3-NIGHT VISIT
This is a summary of our basic 4-Day programme, which can be amended to suit your school’s requirements. *Optional locations/activities will require re-costing and itinerary amendment. All accommodation is subject to availability and may also affect the route to be taken. A more detailed itinerary is available on request. There are four additional days that may be plugged in to replace Days 2 – 3. Skaftafell and the Jökulsárlón iceberg lake is year round but the others are either seasonal (Westman Islands, Landmannalaugar) or weather dependent (Thorsmörk). Ask for details.
DAY 1: SETTING THE SCENE
Route: Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík
Topics covered: Volcanic landscapes; Urban planning.
Itinerary: (subject to flight arrival times): Drive to Reykjavík through the geologically recent lava fields with their backdrop of sub-glacially-erupted lavas and shield volcanoes. Once in the city visit Perlan, the Reykjavik City overlook set atop geothermal hot water tanks before visiting the old harbour and taking a guided walk through to the parliament building (Alþing) and the City Hall to view a huge relief map of the island. Then transfer to your accommodation for your evening meal.
Optional alternative activities: Blue Lagoon*; Iceland´s Natural Wonders Exhibition*; Cinema 2 (Film: Birth of an island)*; free time in Reykjavík; Raufarhólshellir lava tube*.
DAY 2: PLATE TECTONICS
Route: Þingvellir– Geysir – Gullfoss
Topics covered: plate tectonics; geothermal & hydro-electric energy; water cycle and river diversion; rift valley; volcanic landforms.
Itinerary: Have an early breakfast at the accommodation and pick up packed lunch before taking a short walk to look at the effects of the 2008 earthquake before heading to the Þingvellir National Park. We walk down the Stekkjargjá fissure to experience the result of sea floor spreading and then along the fissure to see where the Vikings diverted a stream to provide the water for the first-ever democratic parliament. On descending to the lower ground you will witness further fissures and the extraordinary clarity of the groundwater. Walking back up to the top of the rift valley margin you will come to a Visitor Centre, have your packed lunch and take a look at the rift valley overlook. We will then drive to the Geysir geothermal area to view geysers, hot springs and watch the periodic eruptions of Strokkur. It is then a short drive to the powerful Gullfoss waterfall where you will go to the overlook at the upper level before descending and, subject to conditions, walk to the very edge of the fall. From here you will return to your accommodation with several stops on the way.
Optional alternative activities: Hagavík soil erosion and pillow lava site; Nesjavellir overlook platform; Swim at the geothermal Secret Lagoon*; Kerið caldera*.
DAY 3: KATLA GEOPARK
Route: Seljalandsfoss – Thorvaldseyri – Skógar – Sólheimajökull – Reynisfjara – Vík
Topics covered: Changes in sea level; natural hazards; glacial systems; climate change; volcanic forms; coastal systems.
Itinerary: After an early breakfast at your accommodation we will drive to the magnificent waterfall Seljalandsfoss that you may walk behind subject to conditions underfoot. Close by is another waterfall of a very different nature whose origin is worthy of consideration. A short drive brings us to Thorvaldseyri, one of the farms most affected by the eruption of 2010 which managed to close so much air space worldwide. Immediately above it the volcano and icefield of Eyjafjallajökull towers above. You may also see some of the remedial action taken to control the river that flooded so much of the farmland. After a brief visit and lunch close to the prodigious waterfall Skógarfoss we drive through the pro-glacial zone to the rapidly retreating glacier Sólheimajökull. We will walk as close as possible to the ice margin to observe many features of deglaciation. You will be astonished at how much climate change has affected this glacier in the last 30 years. From the ice we descend to the beach at Reynisfjara to consider the coastal system and examine some fine hexagonal basalt columns in the cliff. To contrast this we will make the short drive to the village of Vík to contrast the beach material and some measures designed to protect the town. If time permits we will drive to the prominent cliffs at Dyrhólaey to see the natural arches, stacks and coastal lagoon contained by a spit before returning to our accommodation.
Optional alternative activities: Lava Centre Exhibition* (Hvolsvöllur): “Iceland Erupts” – the film of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption* (add 30mins); Skógar Folk Museum*; Glacier walking*; Múlakvísl bridge (demolished in 2010 flood)
DAY 4: REYKJANES GEOPARK
Route: Reykjanes Peninsula – Keflavík
Topics covered: Geothermal activity; volcanic landforms; coastal landforms and basalt cliffs.
Itinerary: After breakfast at your accommodation we will drive to Krísuvík to follow a trail among the solfaratas and take a short drive to Grænavatn explosion crater. From there we procede to Gunnuhver where a powerful solfatara emerges close to a new geothermal power station. After lunch at the coast and before we head on to the airport we stop at the Stampar craters aligned along a fissure within a truly lunar landscape on the mid-ocean ridge.
Optional alternative activities: Hellisheiði geothermal power station*; Grindavík fishing village; Kvikan Saltfish Industry exhibition (incl. Origins of Iceland); Bridge Between the Continents; Blue Lagoon*; Víkingarheimar Viking Ship*.
For more information and booking email info@trex.is
SAMPLE 3-DAY / 2-NIGHT VISIT
This is a summary of our basic 3-Day programme, which can be amended to suit your school’s requirements. *Optional location/activities will require re-costing and itinerary amendment. All accommodation is subject to availability and may also affect the route to be taken. A more detailed itinerary is available on request. There are four additional days that may be plugged in to replace Day 2. The Katla GeoPark (Natural Hazards) is year around but the others are either seasonal (Westman Islands, Landmannalaugar) or weather dependent (Thorsmörk). Ask for details.
DAY 1: SETTING THE SCENE
Route: Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík
Topics covered: Volcanic landscapes; Urban planning.
Itinerary: (subject to flight arrival times): Drive to Reykjavík through the geologically recent lava fields with their backdrop of sub-glacially-erupted lavas and shield volcanoes. Once in the city visit Perlan, the Reykjavik City overlook set atop geothermal hot water tanks before visiting the old harbour and taking a guided walk through to the parliament building (Alþing) and the City Hall to view a huge relief map of the island. Then transfer to your accommodation for your evening meal.
Optional alternative activities: Blue Lagoon*; Iceland´s Natural Wonders Exhibition*; Cinema 2 (Film: Birth of an island)*; free time in Reykjavík; Raufarhólshellir lava tube*
DAY 2: PLATE TECTONICS
Route: Þingvellir– Geysir – Gullfoss
Topics covered: plate tectonics; geothermal & hydro-electric energy; water cycle and river diversion; rift valley; volcanic landforms.
Itinerary: Have an early breakfast at the accommodation and pick up packed lunch before taking a short walk to look at the effects of the 2008 earthquake before heading to the Þingvellir National Park. Walk down the Stekkjargjá fissure to experience the result of sea floor spreading. Walk along the fissure to see where the Vikings diverted a stream to provide the water for the first-ever democratic parliament. On descending to the lower ground you will witness further fissures and the extraordinary clarity of the groundwater. Walking back up to the top of the rift valley margin you will come to a Visitor Centre, have your packed lunch and take a look at the overlook of the rift valley. We will then drive to the Geysir geothermal area to view geysers, hot springs and watch the periodic eruptions of Strokkur. It is then a short drive to the powerful Gullfoss waterfall where you will go to the overlook at the upper level before descending to the lower level and, subject to conditions, walk to the very edge of the fall. From here you will return to your accommodation with several stops on the way.
Optional alternative activities: Hagavík soil erosion and pillow lava site; Nesjavellir overlook platform; Swim at the geothermal Secret Lagoon*; Kerið caldera*.
DAY 3: REYKJANES GEOPARK
Route: Reykjanes Peninsula – Keflavík
Topics covered: Geothermal activity; volcanic landforms; coastal landforms and basalt cliffs.
Itinerary: After breakfast at your accommodation we will drive to Krísuvík to follow a trail among the solfaratas and take a short drive to Grænavatn explosion crater. From there we procede to Gunnuhver where a powerful solfatara emerges close to a new geothermal power station. After lunch at the coast and before we head on to the airport we stop at the Stampar craters aligned along a fissure within a truly lunar landscape on the mid-ocean ridge.
Optional alternative activities: Hellisheiði geothermal power station*; Grindavík fishing village; Kvikan Saltfish Industry exhibition (incl. Origins of Iceland); Bridge Between the Continents; Blue Lagoon*; Víkingarheimar Viking Ship*.
For more information and booking email info@trex.is
SCHOOL VISITS
Iceland is a living textbook for so many aspects of Geographical studies and we at TREX have all the local expertise necessary in providing the facilities for school groups studying for A-Level or GCSE. Whether it is carrying out field studies or seeking some ‘awe & wonder’ experiences – and Iceland provides plenty of those!
For further information please contact our experienced team with specialist Geographical knowledge, and we will provide you with itineraries running from 3 – 7 days and teaching materials with contents adjusted to suit the needs of your curriculum.
Contact us for more details –info@trex.is
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