Program Directed by
Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Iceland
Adventure in the Land of Fire & Ice
Discover Iceland’s dramatic landscapes on this high school summer exploration program. Travel from Reykjavík to the remote Westfjords to hike among calving glaciers, active volcanoes, and thundering waterfalls. Explore craggy lava fields, learn about Icelandic folklore and Viking history, and look for Arctic fox pups in one of Europe’s last true wilderness areas. Take advantage of long summer days and bright northern nights to experience the best of the Land of Fire and Ice.
- Highlights
• Strap on crampons and trek atop Snæfellsjokull Glacier with professional guides
• Hike across black-sand beaches and ride Icelandic horses along a fjord
• Discover towering waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbling mud pots
• Kayak through pristine fjords and scout for puffins, whales, and seals
• Hike across black-sand beaches and ride Icelandic horses along a fjord
• Discover towering waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbling mud pots
• Kayak through pristine fjords and scout for puffins, whales, and seals
“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 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 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 the geothermal plant that provides much of Reykjavík’s energy. 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.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula — 3 days
Journey north and explore Djupalon and Dritvik, the iconic black-sand beaches, and learn the tales of Icelandic strength and seafaring history. Visit the museums and beautiful harbor in Stykkishólmur. Ride Icelandic horses along the shore and learn about the importance of these animals in Icelandic culture. Don crampons and ice picks to trek on the Snæfellsjokull glacier with expert guides, reflect on the contrast with Iceland’s first officially declared “extinct” glacier, and learn why many believe this could be the fate of all glaciers in the country. Go searching for whales and orcas as you take in the beautiful scenery of the fjords.
Vatnsfjörður — 2 days
Board a ferry and head to the southern peninsulas of the Westfjords. Alongside Dynjandi waterfall, climb the rocky outcrops and soak in geothermal hot springs overlooking the ocean. Visit Látrabjarg to witness the famous cliffs that are a sanctuary for millions of seabirds at the westernmost tip of Europe. Hike between cairns that once connected ancient settlements, and photograph puffin nests. Learn about one of Iceland’s key industries as you meet local fishermen and learn how fish stocks are changing with the warming currents along the coast.
Ísafjörður — 4 days
Continue on to Ísafjörður, located just 35 miles from the edge of the Arctic Circle and the largest town in the Westfjords. Scout for playful seals, whales, and seabirds, as you kayak through pristine blue waters. Visit the Arctic Fox Center, which conducts research on this special species. Travel by boat from Ísafjörður to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, considered one of the last true wilderness areas of Europe. Hike through fields of wildflowers, along picturesque seaside cliffs, and on rocky plateaus dotted with glacial lakes. Take in the views of the harbor at the “Troll’s Throne” and reflect on tourism’s role in the current Icelandic economy and landscape.
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 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 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 the geothermal plant that provides much of Reykjavík’s energy. 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.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula — 3 days
Journey north and explore Djupalon and Dritvik, the iconic black-sand beaches, and learn the tales of Icelandic strength and seafaring history. Visit the museums and beautiful harbor in Stykkishólmur. Ride Icelandic horses along the shore and learn about the importance of these animals in Icelandic culture. Don crampons and ice picks to trek on the Snæfellsjokull glacier with expert guides, reflect on the contrast with Iceland’s first officially declared “extinct” glacier, and learn why many believe this could be the fate of all glaciers in the country. Go searching for whales and orcas as you take in the beautiful scenery of the fjords.
Vatnsfjörður — 2 days
Board a ferry and head to the southern peninsulas of the Westfjords. Alongside Dynjandi waterfall, climb the rocky outcrops and soak in geothermal hot springs overlooking the ocean. Visit Látrabjarg to witness the famous cliffs that are a sanctuary for millions of seabirds at the westernmost tip of Europe. Hike between cairns that once connected ancient settlements, and photograph puffin nests. Learn about one of Iceland’s key industries as you meet local fishermen and learn how fish stocks are changing with the warming currents along the coast.
Ísafjörður — 4 days
Continue on to Ísafjörður, located just 35 miles from the edge of the Arctic Circle and the largest town in the Westfjords. Scout for playful seals, whales, and seabirds, as you kayak through pristine blue waters. Visit the Arctic Fox Center, which conducts research on this special species. Travel by boat from Ísafjörður to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, considered one of the last true wilderness areas of Europe. Hike through fields of wildflowers, along picturesque seaside cliffs, and on rocky plateaus dotted with glacial lakes. Take in the views of the harbor at the “Troll’s Throne” and reflect on tourism’s role in the current Icelandic economy and landscape.
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: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
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
Ride Icelandic horses and learn about the historical importance of these animals
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Have lunch with your group near the Snæfellsjokull Glacier
2:00pm
Walk the rugged coastline between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on your independent project, or relax
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the public baths to soak in the geothermally heated, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
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
Ride Icelandic horses and learn about the historical importance of these animals
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Have lunch with your group near the Snæfellsjokull Glacier
2:00pm
Walk the rugged coastline between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on your independent project, or relax
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the public baths to soak in the geothermally heated, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting 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
Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
