Group Name: Priory School Booking reference: A034396
5-DAY GEOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY EXPLORER REVISED ITINERARY Guide days 2 - 4 Day 1 Monday 08th April 2013
Flight Information
Please note that your itinerary may be subject to change according to weather conditions and other time constraints. Please take time to check and read through your itinerary carefully 10:30 Check in at London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 1 13:00 Depart on Icelandair flight FI451 15:00 Arrive Keflavik International Pre-allocated seats have been requested for your group. Please ensure your group checks in a minimum of two and a half hours before departure. Please note: prebooked seats can be subject to change by the airline and are not guaranteed. A small complimentary soft drink is provided on the flight. Additional snacks and drinks are available to purchase. After clearing customs and immigration, please proceed to the exit of the terminal building where your coach driver (who will be holding up a sign with your group name) will be waiting to transfer you to the Blue Lagoon for a geothermal swim.
1600 Blue Lagoon
One of Iceland’s most popular visitor attractions. Set amongst a landscape of black lava, the water temperature averages between 30-40˚C. The water is drawn from a depth of around 2000m and is rich in unique natural minerals such as silica and blue green algae, especially beneficial for those with skin complaints. Tel +3544208825
Accommodation
Hotel Cabin, Borgartun 32, Reykjavik Tel: + 354 511 6030
2030 Supper
The Hamburger Factory, 105 Reykjavik, Tel: +354 5757575
Evening
Own Arrangements.
SCHOOLS DISCOVER ICELAND 5-day South Explorer
-1-
Group Name: Priory School Booking reference: A034396 Day 2 Tuesday 09th April 2013
Breakfast
To be taken from 08:00 00 (collect packed lunch) then depart at 09:00.
The coach will be waiting outside the hotel with your school name clearly visible in the window. Your guide will meet either by the coach or at reception. Once on your way, please spend a few moments with the guide to discuss your itinerary.
Eyjafjallajokull flood plain
An area affected by a jokulhlaup (glacier burst) from the recent Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption, here students will see evidence from where glacial flood water has washed down the valley.
Seljalandsfoss
This waterfall spills over a basalt cliff, as a result of isotonic rebound of the land and its lava flow. Subject to weather conditions it is possible to walk behind the waterfall.
Stori-Dimon Volcano
Drive past Stori-Dimon. A small volcano that rises approximately to 80m The volcano sits above the flat sandur outwash plain recently affected by the jokulhaup (glacial bursts) from Eyjafjallajokull.
1145 Eyjafjallajokull Visitor Centre
Displays the local impact of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption. Features breathtaking pictures of the eruption and an interesting documentary about the impact on the farm at which the centre is based. The centre also carries various eruption related objects along with the farm’s products, including barley, rapeseed oil, breakfast cereals and more. Tel - +354-487-5757
Skogafoss
Another of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls – with a wide, thundering curtain of water 60m high.
1400 Glacier Walk
This very popular trip takes you on an exploration of the frozen glacier tongue of Solheimajokull. A wonderland of ice sculptures, ridges and deep crevasses await your discovery. The experienced glacier guide will teach you how to use basic ice equipment, crampons and ice axes. Operated by Arctic Adventures - +354 562-7000
Reynishverfi
Walk along the black volcanic beach to see magnificent basalt cliffs and caves. Take photos standing and sitting on the basalt columns!
Accommodation
Hotel Dyrholaey, Brekkur, Myrdalur, Tel: +354 487 1333
Supper
At hotel.
Evening
Own Arrangements. Groups sometimes arrange their own quiz.
SCHOOLS DISCOVER ICELAND 5-day South Explorer
-2-
Group Name: Priory School Booking reference: A034396 Day 3 Wednesday 10th April 2013
Thorsmork Day with 8WD Vehicle
Breakfast
To be taken from 08:00 (collect packed lunch) then depart at 09:00.
Seljalandsfoss
This waterfall spills over a basalt cliff, as a result of isostatic rebound of the land and its lava flow. Subject to weather conditions it is possible to walk behind the waterfall.
0945 Eyjafjallajokull & Thorsmork 8WD Tour*
Take a ride in a huge 8WD Ice Explorer. This 40 ton beast of a vehicle can travel through all kinds of terrain that no other vehicle can access! Perhaps the most obvious visible effects of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption are those caused by flooding. At the eruption site a large amount of ice melted and escaped as flood water (or jokulhlaup) through Thorsmork valley. There will be opportunities to hike to the new lava, including the higlight of the trip; visiting the valley glacier Gigjokull and trekking all the way to the glacier.
(meet at Seljalandsfoss car park )
ICE LTD Tel: +354-8935500 Warm clothing and suitable footwear is required on this day. Please take particular attention to the equipment list provided.
Accommodation
Farm Vatnsholt, Vatnsholti 1-2, 801 Selfoss Tel: +354 8997748
1930 Supper
At hotel.
Evening
Own Arrangements.
SCHOOLS DISCOVER ICELAND 5-day South Explorer
-3-
Group Name: Priory School Booking reference: A034396 Day 4 Thursday 11th April 2013
Breakfast
To be taken from 08:00 (collect packed lunch) then depart at 09:00.
Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Station
A free external viewing.
Hveragerdi
The small ‘greenhouse’ town of Hveragerdi, a place full of geothermal activity. It is also an ideal place to carry out a rural settlement study. Alternatively take a short hike to the latest hot springs to have appeared here did so after the Olfus earthquake in 2008.
Kerid
A dramatic volcanic crater lake, originally believed to be formed by a huge volcanic explosion. Yet more thorough studies show that Kerid was a cone volcano which erupted and emptied its magma reserve.
Gullfoss
These double falls drop around 33m then plunge into a mile-long gorge – one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls.
Geysir
Visit spouting geysers and hot springs – here ‘Strokkur’ erupts every 5-7 minutes reaching a height of around 30m. One of the trio of natural wonders on the Golden Circle route.
Thingvellir
This national park is where Iceland’s parliament was established in 930AD – it is also scoured by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and rift valleys are clearly visible where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates pull apart at around 2cm a year.
Accommodation
Hotel Cabin, Borgartun 32, Reykjavik Tel: + 354 511 6030
2030 Supper
Restaurant Reykjavik, Vesturgata 2, 101 Reykjavik, Tel: +354 552 3030 Group making own way to and from Restaurant Reykjavik.
Evening
Own Arrangements.
SCHOOLS DISCOVER ICELAND 5-day South Explorer
-4-
Group Name: Priory School Booking reference: A034396
Day 5 Friday 12th April 2013
Breakfast
To be taken from 08:00 (collect packed lunch) then depart at 09:00.
Reykjavik
Sightseeing or urban studies – visit the old port, central lake (Tjornin), Hallgrimskirkja Church (small fee, payable locally, to visit the top of the observation tower). Shops open at 10 or 11am. Closed on Sunday.
Perlan
A Reykjavik landmark – this futuristic building is composed of large circular tanks which hold the city’s naturally heated water reserves, above which sits a glass dome (containing a revolving restaurant) and an outdoor viewing platform.
Flight Information
14:10 Check in at Keflavik Airport 16:10 Depart on Icelandair flight FI454 20:10 Arrive at London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 1 Pre-allocated seats have been requested for your group. Please note: pre-booked seats can be subject to change by the airline and are not guaranteed. A small complimentary soft drink is provided on the flight. Additional snacks and drinks are available to purchase.
SCHOOLS DISCOVER ICELAND 5-day South Explorer
-5-
Group Name: Priory School Booking reference: A034396
Additional Information Please note that your itinerary may be subject to change according to weather conditions and other time constraints. Please liaise with your guide locally regarding arrangements. Please take time to check and read your itinerary carefully. 1. A guide will accompany the group on all but the first and last day in Iceland. 2. Your breakfast, lunch and evening meal is provided every day. Please remember to pick up all of the packed lunches including vegetarian options from your accommodation. 3. Any extras ordered at restaurants not on your agreed menu must be paid for locally. Please note that desserts are not included unless specified on the meal option form. 4. Please arrive for your meals by the times stated on the itinerary, as we cannot guarantee the booking if you are late. 5. Liaise with your driver and guide on a daily basis to arrange lunch stops 6. Blue Lagoon – Remember your swimming costume and towel. 7. On days where lunches are not provided provisions can be purchased from supermarkets, shops and cafes en-route to your destination (Packed lunches can be provided at extra cost). Lunches are provided following nights at a rural farm/guesthouse in the South Coast or Skaftafell area as indicated above. 8. Once out of Reykjavík evening options are more limited. Some accommodation has DVD facilities; in general, after a long day out in fresh air, most groups are simply glad to relax or write up/prepare for the next day. Some groups compile quizzes as the days go by. Some bring their own DVD’s or devise their own evening activities. Occasionally other groups may be staying at your accommodation, especially during school holidays. Your costing is based upon the typical itinerary included in this document. Should any of the following circumstances change, the costing would have to be recalculated. • • •
Changes in dates, student or staff numbers Change to the itinerary content and route Whilst in Iceland, should you request a visit to an additional site, which extends your journey, you must arrange to pay for this directly to the bus company before leaving Iceland. We are unable to invoice you for this upon your return to the UK. Thank you for your cooperation.
Discover the World contact number: +44 1737 218 800. Transportation and guide services are provided by Iceland Excursions Tel: +354 540 1313
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!
SCHOOLS DISCOVER ICELAND 5-day South Explorer
-6-