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Iceland
Iceland
is a Geographer's paradise. Where else can you witness
such marvels of Mother Nature as a tremendous icecap
and several glaciers, spouting geysers and steaming
hot springs, volcanoes (hopefully dormant), raging
rivers, magnificent waterfalls and many other surprises?
DISCOVERING ICELANDA
voyage of discovery designed for Geography and Physics
students with the emphasis on "awe and wonder".
Tour
Highlights Blue Lagoon •
Hiking in Thorsmork • Heimay boat trip and hike
• Golden Circle Tour • Nesjavellir Power
Station
DAY
1 ARRIVAL / BLUE LAGOON / REYKJANES PENINSULA
·
Depart from the United Kingdom: and
fly to Keflavik airport, Iceland.
Reykjavik: Your Guide will meet you
today, as we then explore the following:
· Reykjanes
peninsula: Almost completely covered with
old lava flows. You will see lava cones and craters
of different size and shapes as well the tectonic
plates.
· Peninsula
Lighthouse: Excellent viewing platform for
Eldey island and Northern Gannet birds and other flora
and fauna.
· The
Blue Lagoon: World famous bright blue mineral-rich
swimming pool, with geothermally heated water in the
middle of a large lava field.
· Reykjavik:
for evening supper and discussion of day’s events
and writing of notes and tomorrows schedule.
DAY
2 HVERAGERDI & SOUTH COAST – GEOTHERMAL
ENERGY GLACIERS AND COASTAL ENERGY
· Hveragerdi:
Walking exploration of this area, as we observe
plant life, fruit and flowers that are grown in large
greenhouses, heated by geothermal energy.
· Njála
exhibition in Hvolsvöllur.
· Eyjafjallajokull:
Icecap viewing and observation.
· Skogar
waterfall: A spectacular waterfall with cliffs
surrounding this location.
· Skogar
Folk Museum: Striking examples of Iceland’s
history.
· Solheimajokull
glacier: Exploration and viewing of glacier
and snout.
· Dyrholaey:
Rock formations and unusual coastal arches
and stacks.
· Hvolsvollur:
Evening supper and overnight stay, and today’s
discussion and tomorrow’s schedule of events.
DAY
3 THORSMORK – MYRDALSJOKU – GLACIAL AND
FLUVIOGLACIAL LANDSCAPES
·
Seljalandfoss: A spectacular waterfall that
allows you to walk behind on a path.
· Thorsmork: A rugged yet
very beautiful area with spectacular glacial scenery.
· Thorsmork: Explore and hike
these wooded hills, which offer excellent views of
Myrdalsjokul Glacier and icecap, and the Markafljot
glacial rivers.
· Hvolsvollur: After returning
to Hvolsvollur via Flotshlid, setting for the events
of Njal’s Saga. Evening supper and discussion
of today’s events and writing up of notes and
tomorrows schedule.
DAY
4 FLIGHT TO HEIMAEY – BOAT TRIP AND HIKE
·
Heimaey: Fly from mainland Iceland,
to The Westman Islands. Heimaey is the largest in
a group of about 15 islands, and it is home to some
5,000 inhabitants.
· Heimaey
Boat Tour: An unforgettable boat tour around
the island.
· Puffin
Birds: See of tens of thousands of these
beautiful birds
· Volcanic
crater: Formed during the 1973 eruption,
where the ground is still hot and we can feel the
volcanic heat rising from the “hot spots”
close by.
· Lava
Fields: See the dramatic ruins of houses
and other buildings that were crushed by 1.5 million
tons of lava. After the eruption Heimaey total ground
area increased from 13.4 Square Kilometers to 14.5
square kilometers.
· Hvolsvollur:
Evening supper and overnight stay and today’s
discussion and tomorrows schedule.
DAY
5 THE GOLDEN CIRCLE - GEOTHERMAL ACTIVITY GEOLOGY
- MID- ATLANTIC RIDGE – GEOTHERMAL POWER
· Skalholt:
One of Iceland’s most important historic sites.
A total of 44 Bishops sat at the Episcopal se’e
at Skalholt, between 1056 and 1801.
· Kerio
Crater: A 55-metre deep explosion crater.
Continue inland following the course of the Hvita
River
· Gullfoss:
Without doubt the most beautiful of Iceland’s
many waterfalls.
· Geysir:
The original and most famous hot spring geyser.
· Stokkir:
See Stokkir spout water every few minutes.
· Thingvellir:
Original site of the Icelandic Parliament, founded
in AD 930, and situated along the mid-Atlantic ridge.
There are excellent walking opportunities here, and
many spectacular views over Thingvallavatn Lake.
· Nesjavellir:
Geothermal power station visit in Reykjavik,
and then follow the hot water pipeline over the lava
fields back to the capital.
· Perlan:
Café and cultural centre situated
atop 5 hot water tanks on Oskjuhlid Hill, with great
views over the city.
· Reykjavik:
Final overnight stay in Iceland. Debriefing of your
complete Iceland programme and farewell supper.
DAY
6 RETURN FLIGHT HOME
·
Keflavik: Transfer from Reykjavik
to Keflavik for our return flight home to the United
Kingdom.
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