Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Iceland
Land of Fire & Ice
Iceland is a country of extremes, where geysers and lava flows coexist with powerful waterfalls and calving glaciers. Located at the edge of the Arctic Circle, much of the island remains under ice, yet it is also one of the planet’s most volcanically active countries. This summer, travel to the Land of Fire and Ice and take advantage of long days and bright nights to explore the country’s impressive landscapes. Explore rushing waterfalls and craggy lava fields, witness volcanism in action, and delve into Icelandic folklore and the island’s rich mythological history.
- Highlights
• Strap on crampons and trek atop a glacier with a professional guide
• Hike across black-sand beaches and ride Icelandic horses along a fjord
• Discover towering waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbling mud pots
• Witness geologic wonders and discuss the effects of climate change with Icelandic scientists
• Hike across black-sand beaches and ride Icelandic horses along a fjord
• Discover towering waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbling mud pots
• Witness geologic wonders and discuss the effects of climate change with Icelandic scientists
“I had the time of my life. I hiked, challenged myself, saw amazing views, and gained friendships that will last me a lifetime.”
—Katelyn Ramona C., Palm Harbor University High School, New York, NY
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavík, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Reykjavík & the Golden Circle — 3 days
Dive right into your program with a swim in Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool, the Blue Lagoon. Get to know your group during an in-depth orientation in Reykjavík, experience interactive science exhibits at the Perlan or explore the ruins of a Viking household excavated beneath the city streets at the Settlement Exhibition. From the futuristic, glass-walled Harpa concert hall and harborfront to the many local eateries and cutting-edge historical museums, take time to explore the sights of this colorful and welcoming capital city that is home to a third of Iceland’s population. Head out to the Golden Circle and join an expert guide to look into the inner workings of an ultramodern geothermal plant that provides much of Reykjavík’s energy and hear how Iceland is at the forefront of the sustainable power movement, with 85 percent of its energy derived from renewable sources. Then continue on to Geysir, home to the earliest geyser known to Europeans—where boiling water can rocket up to 210 feet in the air. Cap your Golden Circle exploration at iconic Gullfoss, a thundering waterfall that appears to vanish into the earth.
Vik — 1 day
Explore Iceland’s southern coast and remote glacial valleys en route from the Golden Circle to Vík. Stop to witness the impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall, or visit the original landing place of Iceland’s first settlers, a headland of rugged cliffs dotted with puffins. Walk along Vík’s black-sand beaches, then soak in some of the area’s natural hot-spring pools.
Höfn & the Vatnajökull Glacier — 3 days
Next, journey further east to Höfn, a remote gateway to the mighty Vatnajökull glacier, the world’s largest ice cap outside the Arctic and Antarctica. Don crampons and ice axes to trek across Breiðamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajökull’s largest outlet glaciers, with professional guides. After the trek, join your guides for a barbeque to celebrate the day and take a dip in a local thermal pool. Gaze into a glacial lagoon full of fantastically shaped icebergs, then stroll along the beach at the lagoon’s outlet where the icebergs break up as they arrive at the sea, leaving a glittering display of ice crystals on the black sand. In Höfn, explore the harbor with your group, speak with community members about how warming waters are affecting the area’s fisheries and seabird populations, and work on your independent projects.
Egilsstaðir — 1 day
Drive north from Höfn to Egilsstaðir, passing through stunning sections of Iceland’s coastal interior and craggy coastline. Visit Dettifoss in Jökulsarljufur Canyon, Europe’s second most powerful waterfall, and along the way spot lines of cairns—or stacked stone formations—marking the routes of ancient Viking paths extending off into the horizon.
Lake Mývatn, Akureyri, & the Northern Coast — 4 days
Head west from Egilsstaðir across the uninhabited interior to the wild volcanic area around Lake Mývatn. Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge. This unique position makes it one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Explore bubbling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and the craters of dormant volcanoes. Alongside expert guides, wander through a spectacular ice cave, home to ice formations that are several hundred years old and which provide spectacular photographic opportunities. Bathe in the blue mineral waters of a natural thermal pool surrounded by black lava beds, and visit Akureyri, a thriving city within a mountain-lined fjord. Ride colorful Icelandic horses on the slopes above the fjord, explore a village of turf farmhouses, and go whale watching in a traditional Icelandic oak boat on Eyjafjörður, whose waters are visited by many species of whales and other sea life. Present your independent project on your final night in the North.
Reykjavík — 1 day
Return to Reykjavík for your final day in Iceland and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your group in the heart of the city, reflecting on your travels together.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Reykjavík, Iceland, to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavík, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Reykjavík & the Golden Circle — 3 days
Dive right into your program with a swim in Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool, the Blue Lagoon. Get to know your group during an in-depth orientation in Reykjavík, experience interactive science exhibits at the Perlan or explore the ruins of a Viking household excavated beneath the city streets at the Settlement Exhibition. From the futuristic, glass-walled Harpa concert hall and harborfront to the many local eateries and cutting-edge historical museums, take time to explore the sights of this colorful and welcoming capital city that is home to a third of Iceland’s population. Head out to the Golden Circle and join an expert guide to look into the inner workings of an ultramodern geothermal plant that provides much of Reykjavík’s energy and hear how Iceland is at the forefront of the sustainable power movement, with 85 percent of its energy derived from renewable sources. Then continue on to Geysir, home to the earliest geyser known to Europeans—where boiling water can rocket up to 210 feet in the air. Cap your Golden Circle exploration at iconic Gullfoss, a thundering waterfall that appears to vanish into the earth.
Vik — 1 day
Explore Iceland’s southern coast and remote glacial valleys en route from the Golden Circle to Vík. Stop to witness the impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall, or visit the original landing place of Iceland’s first settlers, a headland of rugged cliffs dotted with puffins. Walk along Vík’s black-sand beaches, then soak in some of the area’s natural hot-spring pools.
Höfn & the Vatnajökull Glacier — 3 days
Next, journey further east to Höfn, a remote gateway to the mighty Vatnajökull glacier, the world’s largest ice cap outside the Arctic and Antarctica. Don crampons and ice axes to trek across Breiðamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajökull’s largest outlet glaciers, with professional guides. After the trek, join your guides for a barbeque to celebrate the day and take a dip in a local thermal pool. Gaze into a glacial lagoon full of fantastically shaped icebergs, then stroll along the beach at the lagoon’s outlet where the icebergs break up as they arrive at the sea, leaving a glittering display of ice crystals on the black sand. In Höfn, explore the harbor with your group, speak with community members about how warming waters are affecting the area’s fisheries and seabird populations, and work on your independent projects.
Egilsstaðir — 1 day
Drive north from Höfn to Egilsstaðir, passing through stunning sections of Iceland’s coastal interior and craggy coastline. Visit Dettifoss in Jökulsarljufur Canyon, Europe’s second most powerful waterfall, and along the way spot lines of cairns—or stacked stone formations—marking the routes of ancient Viking paths extending off into the horizon.
Lake Mývatn, Akureyri, & the Northern Coast — 4 days
Head west from Egilsstaðir across the uninhabited interior to the wild volcanic area around Lake Mývatn. Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge. This unique position makes it one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Explore bubbling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and the craters of dormant volcanoes. Alongside expert guides, wander through a spectacular ice cave, home to ice formations that are several hundred years old and which provide spectacular photographic opportunities. Bathe in the blue mineral waters of a natural thermal pool surrounded by black lava beds, and visit Akureyri, a thriving city within a mountain-lined fjord. Ride colorful Icelandic horses on the slopes above the fjord, explore a village of turf farmhouses, and go whale watching in a traditional Icelandic oak boat on Eyjafjörður, whose waters are visited by many species of whales and other sea life. Present your independent project on your final night in the North.
Reykjavík — 1 day
Return to Reykjavík for your final day in Iceland and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your group in the heart of the city, reflecting on your travels together.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Reykjavík, Iceland, to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—document how Iceland has positioned itself as a renewable energy leader, develop a photo essay on Iceland’s dramatic geology, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, become an expert on Viking folklore, or delve into the origins of an Icelandic children’s tale.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to have previous outdoor experience to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active outdoors, and that you are interested in trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in comfortable family-run guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Iceland. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic restaurants, along with traditional family-style dinners taken at our accommodations.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—document how Iceland has positioned itself as a renewable energy leader, develop a photo essay on Iceland’s dramatic geology, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, become an expert on Viking folklore, or delve into the origins of an Icelandic children’s tale.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to have previous outdoor experience to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active outdoors, and that you are interested in trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in comfortable family-run guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Iceland. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic restaurants, along with traditional family-style dinners taken at our accommodations.
A Day in the Life: Mývatn
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Mývatn.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with our guesthouse hosts
9:00am
Explore on foot the hardened beds of lava rock surrounding our accommodations
11:00am
Have an early lunch with your group near Lake Mývatn
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Go on a guided exploration of Lofthellir, a permafrost ice cave inside a lava tunnel
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on independent projects, or relax
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the Myvatn Nature Baths to soak in the deep blue, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting to download images, and to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
Mývatn
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Mývatn.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with our guesthouse hosts
9:00am
Explore on foot the hardened beds of lava rock surrounding our accommodations
11:00am
Have an early lunch with your group near Lake Mývatn
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Go on a guided exploration of Lofthellir, a permafrost ice cave inside a lava tunnel
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on independent projects, or relax
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the Myvatn Nature Baths to soak in the deep blue, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting to download images, and to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“Her eyes have been further opened to the world outside of the U.S. and she has an increased sense of self-reliance and wonder. Her passion for travel has been ignited by Putney Student Travel.”
—Andrew & Margaret L., Washington, D.C.
Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
