Activities

Many exceiting and interesting activities and/or daytours are available for school groups in Iceland. Here belove we mention the ones we think are best suitable.

City Sightseeing

A tour which covers Reykjavik city from one end to the other. Sights include the old town center, Parliament, the Cathedral, the harbor, the National Museum, the Pearl (Perlan) and Höfði house, the summit site of 1986, the city's salmon river, Árbæjarsafn outdoor folk museum, Hallgrímskirkja Church and more. The tour ends at a hotel or in the city center.

Duration: 3 hours.

Reykjanes Peninsula and the Blue Lagoon

A tour which combines the geothermal energy of the Reykjanes Peninsula with the relaxation of the Blue lagoon. Sights and stops include:

• Bessastaðir - The residence of Iceland’s President. 
• Lake Kleifarvatn - Set in fascinating, stark, moon-like surroundings.
• Krísuvík – Area of innumerable hot springs, mud pots, boiling pools of mud and other types of geothermal activity. 
• Grindavik – A traditional fishing village which gives insight into the fishing heritage in Iceland.
• The Blue Lagoon - A unique wonder of nature; a lagoon with pleasantly warm mineral-rich geothermal water in the middle of a black lava field.

Duration: 5 hours.

Golden Circle

A classic circle route which covers all the major attractions in Southwest Iceland. Sights and stops include:

• Hveragerði village - The greenhouse center of Iceland.
• Gullfoss waterfall - One of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. 
• Geysir area – See the hot spring which has lent its name to all others throughout the world. You will see one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur, spouting up to 30 meters (98 feet) approximately every 10 minutes.
• Þingvellir – A national park, the meeting point of two tectonic plates, and undoubtedly the most historic site in Iceland.  Þingvellir is the original home of the world's oldest democratic parliament, founded in 930.

Duration:  8-9 hours.

River Rafting (Extension to the Golden Circle)

An exciting rafting tour in the glacial river Hvítá. The tour starts in the river close to the Geysir area and combines great fun with beautiful landscapes. At first, participants make their way through the narrow and spectacular Brúarhlaðir canyon. Further along, the river slows down and flows into a beautiful canyon providing views of columnar basalt lava on one side and birch trees on the other.

Necessary equipment is provided, e.g. helmets and floating overalls, which are designed to keep people afloat and warm. However, spare clothing as well as a towel is needed (just in case) and people should wear wool or synthetic clothing.  We use Avon-rafts, specially designed for river trips, suitable for 9 and 12 passengers. No knowledge of the sport is required and the difficultylevel is easy.

(Please note: Only available from April – October)

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Snaefellsnes is a unique area with a variety of geological interests such as lava fields, volcanoes, glacier, springs, beautifully formed rock, yellow and black sand beaches and caves apart from a very interesting bird life. The main attraction is with no doubt Snaefellsjökull glacier, a beautifully shaped strato volcano at the very end of the peninsula.

Duration: 10 hours.

South Shore adventure

A tour where the impressive South shore of Iceland is covered. Sights and stops include:

• Small villages and farmlands - Characteristics of the South shore.
• Majestic mountains - Towering over the coast, including Mt. Hekla, the country’s most active volcano.
• Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss waterfalls - These two waterfalls tumble over high rock escarpments.
• Dyrhólaey - A magnificent rocky headland with sheer cliffs, and a huge wave cut gap in its ocean facing tip.
• Reynisdrangar rocks – 66 meters (216 feet) above sea level at the highest point
• Black beaches  - Explore the unique black sands which are typical for South Iceland

Duration: 10 hours.

Horse riding tour

Aclassic horse ride in beautiful nature close to Reykjavik (transfer included). Participants have a short introduction to the horses which are well suited both for both beginners and more advanced riders.

When the Vikings first came to Iceland about a thousand years ago they brought their horses with them. No horse has been imported to Iceland since then. Icelandic horses are small but strong, friendly, willing, docile, and rarely give their riders any trouble.

Duration: 3 hours (1 hour riding).

Whale Watching tour

A half-day tour operated from the Reykjavik harbor. During this cruise you are likely to see various species of whales, dolphins, seabirds and seals. An expert guide will supply information about the marine mammals. The most commonly sighted whales are minke-whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, the famous humpback whales and killer whales (orcas). Warm coffee and refreshments are available on board.

Please note that this is weather dependent.

Duration: 4 hours (3 hours boat tour).

Þingvellir National Park

A half-day tour to the National Park of Þingvellir,  a place of great ecological, geological and historical interest. Walk through the spectacular fault Almannagjá (Gorge of the People) to the place where Europe's eldest national legislative assembly, the Icelandic Parliament, was established in the year 930. Drive along the shores of Þingvellir Lake, Iceland's largest natural lake.

The journey continues through the magnificent volcanic landscape of the Hengill area to Nesjavellir, one of the most advanced geothermal power plants in the world, situated in one of the most extensive hot-temperature geothermal areas in the country. This is a unique opportunity to see how green energy is processed from hot water.

Duration: 4-5 hours.

Hiking in Heiðmörk

Transfer to the Heiðmörk nature reserve located on the outskirts of Reykjavík where you will hike along the post-glacial lava flows in Búrfellsgjá fissure. Learn about the interesting geology and history of this still volcanically active area while walking along a petrified lava river. However, no need to worry about volcanic eruptions during our walk as the last one occurred in the 14th century!

Please note: Although the difficulty level of this hiking tour is easy, the minimum age requirement is 10 years.

Duration: 2-3 hours.

Cave exploring

Walking in a cave and discovering the marvels that volcanic activity has created in the past is a trip that everyone can undertake. The Leiðarendi cave is located in only 25 km (15 mile) distance from Reykjavik. It is 750 meters (2,460 feet) long, very accessible and is only a 150 meter (492 foot) walk from the road on mossy lava. Leiðarendi cave is about 2000 years old and the stalagmites have changed relatively little over time.

The Icelandic lava fields preserve an exciting underground world of lava tubes, where time has come to a stand still. Tunnels, lava rivers and stalactites are frozen in a fossil world of black basalt, mixed with colorful oxides. The Gjabakkahellir cave is just East of the Thingvellir rift zone and is an ideal place to spice up the Golden Circle tour or a tour to Thingvellir National Park

Participants wear overalls, helmets and headlights. No man made structures are found in the cave. This is a really cool trip for those not afraid of the dark and want to experience something completely out of the ordinary!

Duration: 4 hours.

Additional and optional activities in Reykjavik*

• Swimming in geothermal pools
• Bowling and/or disco bowling
• Ice skating
• Reykjavik Zoo and Family Park (mainly summer)

*Additional activities are to be paid on the spot.