Geography Trip to Northern Iceland

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HomeEducationDestinationsIcelandReykjavíkGeography Trip to Northern Iceland

Been to Iceland a few times already? It’s impossible to get bored of the spectacular landscape but the increasing number of tourists is another matter. We’re here to tell you that there’s more to Iceland than the Golden Circle Tour or the South Shore Adventure (as much as we love them). Get off the beaten track and discover an Iceland away from the tourist hordes, surrounded by unspoilt nature. Northern Iceland offers everything the South does (volcanic landscapes, epic waterfalls etc.), and maybe even more – one of the highlights of your trip could be a visit to a local school that’s championing sustainability on Hrísey Island. 

Not got 5 days available? Don't worry, we can organise this trip for shorter durations - just get in touch to find out more.

Geography Trip to Northern Iceland

From

£1999PP

5 days, 4 nights

Need something bespoke?

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Morning

Fly from London Gatwick to Akureyri

Afternoon

Visit to Godafoss waterfall, Krafla geothermal station and Viti crater lake

Evening

Evening meal followed by free time

Day 2

Morning

Tour of Lake Mývatn
Visit to Skútustaðagígar, Hofdi and Dimmuborgir

Afternoon

Visit to Hverfjall volcanic crater, Grjótagjá cave and Mývatn Nature Baths

Evening

Evening meal followed by free time

Day 3

Morning

Diamond Circle Tour
Visit to Námafjall Hverir and Dettifoss waterfall

Afternoon

Visit to Ásbyrgi Canyon and Húsavík

Evening

Evening meal followed by free time

Day 4

Morning

Visit to Hrísey Island with local school visit – a Green Flag school that focuses on sustainability

Afternoon

Transfer back to Akureyri

Evening

Evening meal followed by free time

Day 5

Morning

Check out of accommodation and transfer to airport

Return flight to the UK

  • 4 nights' full-board accommodation
  • Airport transfers and coach travel within Iceland
  • ATOL protected return flights from the UK 
  • Airport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
  • English-speaking tour guide for 4 days
  • Diamond Circle Tour
  • All other activities as per sample itinerary
  • Free staff place ratio 1:10
  • Itinerary planning service
  • Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
  • Detailed information pack
  • Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
  • VAT at current rates to tour operators

Curriculum

A Level
  • Glaciated landscapes beyond the UK
  • Glacial erosion, transportation and deposition
  • Climate change and other threats to glaciers
  • Earth structure and plate tectonics
  • Volcanic hazards and their impacts
  • Managing tectonic hazards - predictions and forecasting
  • Fieldwork
GCSE
  • Physical processes affecting land formation
  • Erosion, transportation and deposition
  • Economic activity and conflicts over land use
  • Characteristics of cold environments
  • Plant and animal adaptations
  • AQA fieldwork
  • Plate tectonics theory
  • Living alongside hazards in developed countries
  • Management of tectonic hazards and their effects
  • Monitoring, prediction and protection at plate boundaries
Primary
  • Volcanoes and earthquakes
  • Climate zones
  • Biomes and vegetation belts

Accommodation

Hotel KEA Akureyri

Right in the heart of Akureyri, next to the town's iconic church and overlooking a spectacular fjord, the Hotel KEA is the ideal base for a school trip to Northern Iceland. You'll be within walking distance of the town's cafes, restaurants, museums and swimming pool, while also being within easy reach of all the region's incredible natural sights, like Lake Myvatn and the Dettifoss waterfall. All guestrooms benefit from en-suite bathroom facilities, desk, satellite TV and WiFi.

Fosshótel Mývatn

The Fosshótel Mývatn is a lovely hotel in stunning, peaceful surroundings close to Lake Mývatn. It's a fantastic base from which to explore all the sights of North Iceland, like the Namafjall geothermal area and the Dimmuborgir lava fields. All guestrooms offer spectacular views, private bathroom with shower or bath, satellite TV and free WiFi. The hotel's restaurant specialises in Nordic cuisine and boasts gorgeous views across the lake.

Berjaya Akureyri

Berjaya Akureyri is a certified green hotel in the centre of Akureyri town, making it a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The hotel itself is modern and friendly, with a geothermal swimming pool just across the street. There are meeting rooms available to book, as well as a fantastic on-site restaurant. The 99 guestrooms are all bright and comfortable with private bathroom facilities. 

Sel Hotel Mývatn

This lovely family-run hotel is located on the shores of Lake Mývatn, overlooking some of the famous craters. There's a lounge area where you can congregate with your group, as well as a pool table and dartsboard. Breakfast is served every morning in the lovely on-site restaurant, and free WiFi is available throughout the property. The 54 guestrooms are offered in twins, doubles and triples and family rooms - all with private bathroom facilities. 

Educational Activities

Hrísey Island with School Visit

Head to the beautiful island of Hrísey for an unforgettable visit to a local school championing sustainability. 

Diamond Circle Tour

Enjoy an unforgettable adventure through some of Northern Iceland's lesser-known but equally spectacular landscapes.

Skútustaðagígar Craters

Explore this incredible otherworldly landscape of pseudo craters. 

Höfði

Head to this rocky promontory for unbeatable views of the surrounding volcanic landscape. 

Dimmuborgir

Explore this volcanic landscape that's said to be home to child-eating trolls. 

Hverfjall Volcanic Crater

Explore the destructive power of volcanoes with a walk around the rim of this magnificent crater. 

Lake Mývatn

Lake Mývatn is a must-see when visiting North Iceland.

Mývatn Nature Baths

Relax in one of Iceland's geothermal pools to really experience this unique landscape. 

Víti Crater

Explore this spectacular volcanic crater created during the 18th century Mývatn Fires.

Grjótagjá

Explore this secret grotto which once featured in Game of Thrones. 

Námafjall Geothermal Area

Explore this geothermal area with its smoking fumaroles, boiling mud pots and sulphur crystals. 

Dettifoss

This impressive waterfall is one of the most powerful in Europe. 

Godafoss

Utterly breathtaking and culturally significant - you don't want to miss this incredible waterfall. 

Ásbyrgi Canyon

Explore this incredible canyon created by glacial flooding after a volcanic eruption. 

Húsavík

Visit the historic 'Whale Capital of Iceland', which is also the site of the first house built in Iceland. 

Krafla Geothermal Station

Discover how Iceland is harnassing its natural geothermal energy at Krafla Geothermal Station. 

Supporting you every step of the way

Creating your perfect trip

Your quote will be put together by an experienced Tour Adviser who’ll be an expert in the subject area and will know the destination really well too. They’ll work with you to create a trip to suit your group’s needs and meet your learning objectives.

Launching your trip to parents and students

The next step is to get your trip approved and then get students signed up to it. Our ‘Trip Launch Pack’ will help you with this step. This is full of resources (all free to download) designed to make your life easier at this crucial point in the trip planning process.

After you’ve booked

Once you’ve booked, your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will start work on the finer details. They’ll make sure your itinerary makes the most of your time and they’ll take on most of the admin tasks for your trip (freeing you up to do what you do best – teach).

Support while you’re away

From lost property to properly lost, we’ll always be on the end of the phone while you’re out on the trip. You’ll get a final info pack before you go, as well as access to all your trip documents via the Vamoos app.

After your trip

We’ll ask you for feedback, so we can improve our service. Let’s start planning your next trip too, so parents have plenty of time to pay (and so it’s less stressful for you). And don’t forget to head to our resources hub to continue the learning back in the classroom.

Let's chat!

Need help?

Your Trip is Fully Protected

When choosing between school travel companies, you want someone you can trust. We're fully accredited, so booking with us offers you complete peace of mind that:

Your trip will be fully financially protected

Your group's safety will be prioritised

Your trip will be a quality educational experience

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