Epic Iceland: Dynamic Lands and Enduring People

Depart the U.S. today.

Upon arrival, after clearing customs and immigration, meet your driver and travel to Reykjavík. Enjoy the afternoon to explore the city on your own before traveling back to the hotel for a welcome dinner orientation starting at 6 pm. Please note: Individual arrival transfers are included in the program cost. If you wish to book a Flybus transfer from the airport to the hotel with stop at Blue Lagoon (Comfort package included) en route to the hotel, this can be purchased at an additional cost. Check-in is at 2 pm. Early check-in is also available at an additional cost. Prices are valid for the summer months from June to September. If you are traveling in the shoulder season (May or October), a discount may be available.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Þingvellir National Park to explore the grounds of Alþingi, the ancient parliament site on the shores of Iceland's largest lake. Þingvellir also showcases the dramatic continental drift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Next, visit Iceland's famous Gullfoss, or "Golden Falls," and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see numerous spouting hot springs and boiling mud pools. Enjoy a special lunch at Friðheimar Greenhouses with a "stem to table" experience served among the plants. After an introduction to the greenhouse, sample classic tomato dishes like Friðheimar's famous tomato soup, as well as new creations made with a twist, like green tomato and apple pie or refreshing, homemade tomato ice cream. Afterward, head outside the greenhouse to see a horse show and learn about the proud history of the Icelandic horse. Return to the hotel with time to freshen up before meeting in the conference room for a lecture on the story of Iceland's shift to renewable energy, given by a local conservation expert.

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Akureyri, the unofficial "northern capital" of Iceland. On arrival, travel to the hotel, making a stop at Goðafoss waterfall en route. Have lunch, and then explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area. Visit the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir, the peculiar lava formations of Dimmuborgir, and the Laxá River, famous for its salmon populations. The Mývatn area is also known for its bird life, including more than a dozen species of duck, which nest in the thousands during the summer months. Take in views of the shimmering turquoise waters inside the Krafla Viti Crater. Then, visit the nearby Krafla Power Plant to learn more about how Iceland harnesses geothermal energy. Return to the hotel.

Today begins with a visit to Dettifoss, Iceland's most powerful waterfall, in the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. Then, head to the charming fishing town of Húsavík. Have lunch and enjoy time to explore on your own before visiting the Húsavík Whale Museum. Here, visitors can learn about Iceland's whales, marine ecology, and the interaction of whales and humans through history. Before returning to the hotel, explore the vast highland desert plateau of Möðrudalsöræfi, the boiling mud pools and vibrant colors of Námaskarð Pass, and finally, Grjótagjá Cave, which was used as a filming location for the television series "Game of Thrones."

Depart Lake Mývatn for Siglufjörður, a small fishing town on Iceland's northern coast. En route, stop at Ektafiskur to learn how salted cod is prepared by hand at their production facility. Then, enjoy lunch at the on-site restaurant. For those who dare, this is the opportunity to sample Iceland's most notorious delicacy: fermented shark. Continue to Siglufjörður, arriving at the hotel early in the afternoon. After check-in, visit the Herring Era Museum to learn about Iceland's herring boom of the 1950s. The meteoric rise of the herring industry meant that pioneer towns cropped up around its fishing and production - Siglufjörður included. The Herring Era Museum inhabits former herring factory buildings, telling the story of not only the boom, but the inevitable collapse in the 1960s.

This morning begin the journey to Húsafell in Iceland's highland interior. En route, make a stop at Glaumbær Museum and Turf Houses. Dating back to the 11th century, this site was once the farm of Snorri Þorfinnsson, the son of Viking explorers and a key figure in the Christianization of Iceland. The turf houses at Glaumbær were built in the 1700s and 1800s, although the construction style was typical of rural living for centuries previous. Continue to Reykholt, the intellectual center of Iceland in the Middle Ages, when it was home to the renowned poet and chieftain Snorri Sturluson. Walk among historical remnants of Sturluson's life here, and learn about his resounding impact on Icelandic culture. The journey continues with stops at Hraunfossar and Barnarfoss waterfalls before arriving at the hotel for check-in late this afternoon. Hotel Húsafell is well situated to see the northern lights if they are present during your two-night stay, so be on the lookout in the evening hours. (The northern lights can be observed between mid-August and mid-April.)

Go for a guided morning hike on the trails surrounding the hotel, passing through elements of Iceland's signature landscapes, like waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, springs, meadows, and woodlands. The remainder of the day is on your own for optional activities offered by the hotel and paid onsite at your own expense. Choose from horseback riding, geothermal baths, or an ice cave excursion, among others. Please make sure to book any excursion with the hotel the previous evening. At the end of the day, reunite with the group for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Make a visit to nearby Viðgelmir, Iceland's largest lava cave, before departing the Húsafell area for Reykjavík. On arrival, check in and have lunch at the hotel. In the late afternoon or early evening, travel to the Grandi area to enjoy a beer tasting and canapés at the Lady Brewery. Later, have dinner on your own to sample the local cuisine.

Check out of the hotel and transfer to Keflavík airport for the flight back to the U.S. Check-out is at 12 pm.