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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 on/off motorcoach; driving about 85 miles, approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson in Keflavik.
Morning:
Upon all participants arrival in Iceland, we will board the motorcoach 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 motorcoach and travel closer to our first overnight location. Nearby, we will stop at Brúarfoss Waterfall, known for it bright blue colored water.
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. 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. 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.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day. Standing up for up to 1 hour. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 85 miles, approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we depart the hotel and continue 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:
Following 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. 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 on/off motorcoach; driving about 60 miles; approximately 1 hour throughout the day. Getting on/off ferry; riding for up to 40 minutes each way. Getting on/off boat; sailing for up to 1 hour. Limited seating is available on the boat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We depart early for the ferry crossing to Vestmannaeyjar. Upon arrival on Heimaey, we’ll explore Helgafell and visit the Eldheimar Museum, where we learn 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. Afterward, we 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 hour. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding for about 150 miles; approximately 3 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We depart the hotel and begin our 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 then continue toward the Vatnajökull region and our next hotel.
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 Zodiac boat; riding for about 1 hour. Getting on/off glacier super jeep and other glacier specific mobiles; riding for about 3 hours. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding for about 20 miles; approximately 30 minutes throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We travel to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where floating icebergs drift across a serene glacial lake. Here, we’ll take a Zodiac boat ride, 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 mile. Hiking up to 2.5 miles on a easy-moderate hike trail with steep incline. Standing up for up to 1 hour. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding for about 190 miles; approximately 3.75 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We depart for Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, where we’ll hike to Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by distinctive basalt columns. Along the way, we’ll learn about the region’s geology and natural features.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We 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 then continue to our next hotel.
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 hour. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding for about 55 miles; approximately 1.25 hours. A day pack is recommended for your swimsuit and any other necessities for and after the lagoon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We depart for Laugarás Lagoon, where we’ll have time to relax in geothermal pools and take in the surrounding landscape.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We 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. Later, we visit the Saga Museum to explore Iceland’s early history through immersive exhibits.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles. Standing up for up to 1 hour. Extent and duration of additional walking based no your free time activities.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we explore Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, with a guided sightseeing experience 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 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.
Dinner:
Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
Free time depending on departure flight time.
Lunch:
On your own based on departure flight time.
Afternoon:
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. 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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