Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
On this exciting tour through Iceland, your students can look forward to learning more about Iceland’s history while exploring the Saga Museum in Reykjavik, experiencing the most powerful hot spring in Europe, and taking a dip in the Myvatn Nature Baths. Your group will also explore several of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls, walk through lava fields, and explore the famed Golden Circle.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Iceland (Reykjavik)
Day 2
Arrive in Reykjavik
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Reykjavik Tour Director-led sightseeing tour
Explore Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital and the nation’s first permanent settlement. Stroll along Laugavegur Street, lined with colorful boutiques and cozy cafés. Visit Bessastaðir, the official residence of Iceland’s president, and see Höfði House, where Reagan and Gorbachev met for their historic 1986 summit. Climb the 73-meter tower of Hallgrímskirkja Church, dedicated to poet Hallgrímur Pétursson, for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains, and hear the grand 25-ton pipe organ fill the hall with sound.
Icelandic Saga Museum visit
Go back to the beginning of Iceland’s turbulent history, from the earliest settlers to the 16th century, and experience where legend and history collide.
Day 3
Travel to Hvammstangi via Borgarnes
Hraunfossar waterfall visit
Watch as a series of small waterfalls seems to stream straight from the earth itself. The breathtaking Hraunfossar Waterfall flows through a lava field, cascading into vibrant turquoise waters below.
Deildartunguhver hot springs visit
Visit the most powerful hot spring in Europe, where water reaching over 200 degrees warms nearby towns. Just be careful not to dip your toes in!
Vidgelmir Cave visit
At 148,000 cubic meters, Víðgelmir is the largest cave in Iceland and one of the largest lava caves in the world. Inside, discover glistening ice formations, lava stalactites, and stalagmites. Archaeological finds from the Viking Age, including bones and jewelry unearthed in 1993, led to the cave’s preservation.
Day 4
Travel to Akureyri
The Herring Era Museum visit
The Herring Museum welcomes students of all ages, from preschool to university. Young visitors enjoy stories from "Tales from a Herring Fjord" aboard the Týr, while older students join a guided treasure hunt through the museum’s historic buildings. College and university groups can take part in educational lectures on a range of topics related to Iceland’s fishing heritage.
Day 5
Goðafoss Waterfall visit
Make a stop at the waterfall where ancient Icelandic lawmaker Þorgeir is said to have thrown Norse idols after making Christianity the country’s official religion.
Mývatn Nature Baths visit
No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to a geothermal pool. In a nature reserve in northern Iceland lies the Mývatn Nature Baths, where you can unwind in soothing, mineral-rich hot waters surrounded by stunning natural scenery.
Lake Mývatn region sightseeing tour
Take a walk in this eco-rich area, created by volcanic activity over two thousand years ago.
Day 6
Dettifoss waterfall visit
Known for its raw power, Dettifoss sends gray glacial water plunging 330 feet into the canyon below, making it one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland.
Eyjafjördur Fjord whale watching boat ride
Take a wildlife tour of the longest fjord in Iceland. Bordered by mountains and hills on each side, the Eyjafjördur will keep you on your toes with sightings of three different whale species.
Akureyri thermal pool visit
Relax and unwind in the clear, warm waters of the Akureyri thermal pool, which is heated naturally year-round.
Day 7
Grábrók lava field walk and volcano climb
Hike through the wreckage that Grábrók wreaked on the landscape when it last erupted three thousand years ago. Then make your ascent up the volcano itself and take a peek into the crater.
Travel to Reykjavik
Day 8
Golden Circle excursion
Experience all the geological diversity that Iceland has to offer with a visit to the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that falls on a rift between two tectonic plates. Then make your way to the Great Geysir, watch the Hvítá river disappear into the earth at the Gullfoss Falls, and watch the Strokkur Geyser erupt. End the tour with a tasty stop for gelato tasting at the Efstidalur farm, a recently renovated farm in offering a unique tasting experience.
Fridheimar Tomato Eco-farm visit
Learn how Icelanders grow tomatoes year-round despite long, dark winters. This family-run farm welcomes visitors to tour the greenhouses and sample freshly grown produce.
Day 9
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Iceland
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.