What makes Iceland one of the most unforgettable places on earth? Our team just returned from a programming trip across the country, and we’re more excited than ever to take our students there this summer. From wild landscapes to warm welcomes, here’s three highlights of what’s waiting for you on our Exploration Iceland program.
Snæfellsnes peninsula
1. Let’s Ride
On the Snæfellsnes peninsula is Lýsuhóll Farm, a family-run organization that spans three generations. Johanna, Halla, and her daughters showed us around their farm, a stunning place right on the water. But most impressive of all is their herd of Icelandic horses. These small but sturdy animals, known for their soft gait, are woven into the fabric of Icelandic history and tradition. Brought to Iceland by Viking settlers over 1,000 years ago, Icelandic horses are one of the purest breeds in the world.
Did you know that once one of these horses leaves Iceland, it’s never allowed back, helping to preserve their unique genetics.
Riding these horses, learning about their importance throughout history, and seeing how they still support the livelihood of families like Johanna’s is one of the highlights of the program!
2. Glacier Guides & Legends
Tryggvi is our main guide when we hike to the Snæfellsjökull Glacier. He has guided most of our groups in the last few years and has made the trek himself countless times.
He reminded us that this isn’t just one of the most beautiful places in Iceland—it’s one of the most mysterious as it has inspired legends for centuries. Icelanders say it’s a center of supernatural energy, where the boundaries between worlds are thin. Others believe the glacier is a gathering place for ancient spirits. It even inspired authors like Jules Verne, who chose Snæfellsjökull as the entry point to the Earth’s core in the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Hiking the glacier with crampons and gear, seeing and feeling the ice and wind for yourself, is another powerful experience you’ll take from the program.
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
3. Orcas Ahead
We know Iceland is full of beautiful mountains, impressive volcanoes and glaciers, huge waterfalls and stunning landscapes. But what about the ocean life? The other experience we want to highlight is being able to see the whales and orcas that come to these waters every year to give birth, so sightings of baby orcas are common and very exciting! The orca pods can consist of many females who take turns babysitting. We learned some differences between orcas and humpback whales. Did you know that orcas only have one breathing hole and humpback whales have two?
There are two initiatives that make this experience even more special:
- • Orca Guardians is “a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of orcas in Iceland and their habitat through non-invasive research and education.” They run the only year-round orca ID project in Iceland, with over 1,000 individuals identified. You can check their website and see if you can match the ones you saw!
- • The other initiative is Happywhale, an organization that “engages citizen scientists to identify individual marine mammals, for fun and for science. You can help tell the story of these remarkable creatures by submitting your own photos” and be part of the change!
Apply Now!
Icelandic horses, mysterious glaciers and majestic orcas—as well as the people, the places, the wild encounters and warm connections—all of it is here, ready for you. This summer, join our programs in Iceland and experience all this and more. Spaces fill quickly, so apply now!
