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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9 days
8 nights
21 meals
8B 7L 6D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Thingvellir National Park, Mount Hengill
Hveragerdi
5
Landmannalaugar
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
6
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell
Hornafjordur
7
Skaftafell
Hornafjordur
At a Glance
The world’s 18th-largest island is also one of the most fascinating, where eons of glaciation, combined with an active molten core, have resulted in a landscape like few others on the planet. Traverse the landscape and national parks on foot, studying Iceland’s natural and cultural history with local experts. Don’t miss a chance to revitalize in one of South Iceland’s many thermal pools.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Challenging
Hikes can be between 6-8 miles on uneven terrain; both established trails and “off trail” routes, elevation changes up to 1,500 feet on hikes.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Learn about Iceland’s geothermal energy source.
- Explore Skaftafell National Park, which spans three glaciers on the southern edge of Vatnajökull.
- Soak in a naturally heated river in the colorful, volcanic Landmannalaugar region.
Suggested Reading List
(22 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Hiking in South Iceland: The Drama of Nature
Program Number: 10537
Jar City
Indridason's first moody police procedural finds Reykjavik detective Erlendur Sveinsson investigating the brutal murder of a lonely pensioner and the man's connection to the deaths of a number of young women. Made into a darkly superb film.
Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings
This history of the Vikings tells their story through a series of innovative maps and excellent photographs. It traces the routes of 9th-century Viking merchants and explorers throughout Europe and the New World.
The Vikings, Lords of the Seas
An indispensable reference that fits in your pocket, this slim volume is packed with maps, archival photographs and illustrations.
Iceland Imagined
This cultural and environmental history explores the geography, literature, language, culture, politics and symbolism of Iceland, Greenland, northern Norway and the Faroe Islands.
The Arctic, A Guide to Coastal Wildlife
An essential handbook for the ship-based traveler, this compact guide to the plants, marine mammals and birds of the Circumpolar North features handsome watercolor illustrations and lively text. This new edition includes a section on the Bering Sea.
The Control of Nature
In the classic McPhee tradition, these sparkling essays explore our generally feeble attempts to combat all-powerful nature, including valiant efforts by Icelanders to control the flow of a volcano across the harbor at Heimaey in the Westman Islands.
Auroras, Fire in the Sky
These 80 color photos by Yuichi Takasaka celebrate the beauty, history, folklore and science of the northern lights.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Arctic
A primer on Arctic climate, geography, plants, birds, mammals and insects in a single nicely written book. It's a highly recommended, enthusiastic guide to natural history throughout the Circumpolar North.
Iceland Adventure Map
A detailed map at a scale of 1:465,000, printed on handy tear- and water-resistant paper.
Song of the Vikings, Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
Brown brings to life not just the great Norse tales of medieval Iceland but also the life and times of the worldly Icelandic chieftain, known as the "Homer of the North."
Last Places, A Journey in the North
Millman explores the culture and history of the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland in this hilarious account of his travels in the wake of the ancient Vikings.
Letters from Iceland
Written with fellow poet Louis MacNiece, this quirky, under-appreciated masterpiece captures the spirit of Iceland, its people and landscapes.
The Windows of Brimnes, An American in Iceland
In these provocative essays, Minnesotan Bill Holm writes about the fate of America from his fisherman's cottage on the shore of a creek in northern Iceland.
Butterflies in November
Scorned by love, a quirky, unapologetically independent 33-year-old woman takes a spontaneous trip along Iceland’s Ring Road, her best friend’s 4-year-old deaf-mute son in tow. Evocative of the Icelandic spirit.
North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland
Catering to a rising interest in Nordic cuisine, this cookbook celebrates Iceland’s food alongside its haunting landscapes, portrayed in starkly beautiful, full-color photos.
Island on Fire: The Extraordinary Story of a Forgotten Volcano That Changed the World
Two science writers discuss the political and natural ramifications of the 1783 eruption of Iceland’s largest volcano, Laki, which led to global death, famine and even revolution. Great for the geologically minded but accessible to all with an interest in volcanoes.
Independent People, An Epic
Rich in local color, this great mock-epic by the Icelandic Nobel Prize-winner features the indelible Bjartur of Summerhouses, a hard-headed, independent-minded sheep farmer.
The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia
Guardian journalist Booth writes with laugh-out-loud humor and brutal candor about the Scandinavians, mixing history and his own experiences in Nordic regions in this searing cultural portrait.
The Sagas of Icelanders
Nine sagas and six tales composed between the years 1000 and 1500, including an account of Leif Eriksson's voyage to North America, all newly translated.
Ring of Seasons, Iceland, Its Culture and History
A longtime resident of Reykjavik, Lacy weaves tales of family life, anecdote, lore and history into this illuminating personal portrait of Iceland.
Insight Guide Iceland
This guide emphasizes culture and history, with wonderful photographs, maps and essays from experts.
Iceland, Land of the Sagas
Krakauer and colleague Roberts hike and climb around Iceland in this classic travel narrative, reissued as a paperback and featuring Krakauer's color photographs. The book interweaves the natural and cultural history of the island with the authors' own adventures.
Meals
21 Meals
8 Breakfasts
7 Lunches
6 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Fat, Low Salt, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
- Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024
- Jul 16, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
- Aug 06, 2024 - Aug 14, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
- Sep 03, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
- Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
- Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Oraefi
Hotel Skaftafell is a splendid resort located near Skaftafell National Park. The hotel is sheltered by vegetated glacial moraines in front of one of Iceland’s most impressive glaciers, the Svínafellsjökull glacier. It truncates from the biggest volcano and highest mountain in Iceland, Öræfajökull (2119 m). Behind the hotel, there are many of the highest and most impressive glacier peaks in the country. In front, a vast glacial outwash plain stretches to the sea, some 20 km away.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Oraefi
Hotel Skaftafell is a splendid resort located near Skaftafell National Park. The hotel is sheltered by vegetated glacial moraines in front of one of Iceland’s most impressive glaciers, the Svínafellsjökull glacier. It truncates from the biggest volcano and highest mountain in Iceland, Öræfajökull (2119 m). Behind the hotel, there are many of the highest and most impressive glacier peaks in the country. In front, a vast glacial outwash plain stretches to the sea, some 20 km away.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Hornafjordur
The Hotel Smyrlabjörg is a family run farm/hotel with views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean located along Iceland’s Ring Road.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Hornafjordur
The Hotel Smyrlabjörg is a family run farm/hotel with views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean located along Iceland’s Ring Road.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Hornafjordur
The Hotel Smyrlabjörg is a family run farm/hotel with views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean located along Iceland’s Ring Road.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.