MSG Tours Ltd are a Certified Inspired by Iceland Specialist

Geography Study Trips to Iceland.

Curriculum Topics

Climate Change

Changing Cities

Resource Management

Volcanic & Tectonic Activity

Challenges in the Human Environment

Glacial Systems

Why Iceland?

With erupting geysers, geothermal pools, the Bridge over Two Continents, glaciers, waterfalls, as well as THAT volcano, Iceland is a geographer’s paradise.
Students can explore the Nordic landscape whilst witnessing geological activity with their very eyes. With this little island’s economy ever growing, a study trip here covers both physical and human geography topics in the KS3 & KS4 curriculum.

Save your Energy

Iceland is a leader in alternative energy, with 81% of the country’s primary energy being supplied by hydro and geothermal sources. A visit to Hellisheiði Powerplant gives a visual explanation of the energy production happening 24 hours a day. Students can see the turbines at work, as well as gain knowledge of the history of geothermal energy. Using the energy that volcanic activity creates on this little island, everything from houses, greenhouses and pools are kept heated throughout the year. A visit to the Secret Lagoon for a dip in its steaming waters, can literally immerse the students in the power of the earth.

Volcanoes, Tectonics & Glaciers Known as the ‘Land of Fire & Ice’ a tour with us can take students on a journey from the heat of a bubbling geyser to the freezing temperature of the Langjökull Glacier.

What to do in Iceland?

There are so many activities for students to expand and enhance their geography knowledge. Here we have just a few excursions we can include in a bespoke itinerary.

The most popular tour of Iceland is the Golden Circle Tour. It is also a perfect excursion to study Plate Tectonics, Volcanic Landscapes & Features, Continental Drift, Tourism, Environmental Impact and much more. On your Golden Circle Tour you can arrange to stop at many geographical wonders such as Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, Gullfoss (the Golden Falls) and the Secret Lagoon. All of which are described in further detail below.
Take a walk along the Reykjanes peninsula to observe volcanic formations, lava fields and geothermal springs in abundance. This is where you will find the Bridge between Two Continents, a small footbridge that was built to symbolise the junction between the European and American tectonic plates.

Did you know Iceland is a leader in alternative energy, with 81% of the country’s primary energy being supplied by hydro and geothermal sources? A visit to Hellisheiði Powerplant gives a visual explanation of the energy production happening 24 hours a day. Students can see the turbines at work, as well as gain knowledge of the history of geothermal energy.
Another fantastic experience for students is the Lava Centre. This interactive and high-tech exhibition, displays the epic force that nature has on our planet in immersive 4K. The Lava Centre exhibitions cover earthquakes, volcanoes and the creation of Iceland millions of years ago.

Take a ferry from the south coast over to Heimaey ,the only one of the fifteen Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) to be inhabited with a population of around 5,000. Heimaey is a popular spot for bird watching, and it was here in 1973 that one of the world’s most publicised volcanic eruptions took place. The aftermath of this eruption was devastating and there are museums on the island that document the rich history of Heimaey.
Visit Haukadalur, an area that hosts the Strokkur Geyser, a hot spring that erupts every few minutes and the magnificent Gullfoss Falls, which translates as the Golden Falls. This is created by Iceland’s melting Glaciers and cascades over two levels. On a sunny day, the sun’s reflection can cause thousands of rainbows to appear around the spray of the Falls.
If you are visiting in winter, we highly recommend our Northern Lights tour. Between September and April, the nights are at their longest and darkest, allowing you to see the spectacular ‘aurora borealis’ commonly known as the Northern Lights.

To have the best chance of seeing this natural phenomenon we recommend venturing out away from the towns as the light pollution will hinder your view.

 

Lady Aurora showing off. Photo by @shainblumphotography ! #icelandtoday 💙 A post shared by Discover Iceland🐑 (@icelandtoday) on

Explore the awe-inspiring natural environments of the South Shores such as the black sand beaches, the spectacular Seljandsfoss Waterfall situated at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano as well as having the chance to walk on a real glacier.
Created in 1891, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, the Secret Lagoon is hidden in the small Village of Fludir. Get the true Icelandic hot spring experience with unadulterated landscapes. Whilst bathing in the Lagoon you will be able to watch the nearby Strokkur Geyser erupt regularly. If you are visiting in the winter expect to experience the spectacular Northern Lights.
Located in a lava field on the Reykjanes peninsula the Blue Lagoon is geothermal pool set in a luxury spa setting. Surrounded by picturesque black sand this 5,000 m2 pool is a popular attraction for some R&R on your visit.

Home to museums, the Blue Lagoon, the international airport and a recognised music & arts scene, Reykjavik is not only the capital city, but the cultural hub of Iceland. Take a walking tour with local guides and see the best the city has to offer, try local delicacies and soak in the Icelandic way of life.

During your Golden Circle tour, you can also visit the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a UNESCO named World Heritage Site. Here you can see the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) Rift Valley, the point where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. It is also home of the largest natural lake in Iceland, Þingvallavatn.

Venture towards the south of Iceland and you will find a multitude of world famous attractions including the Jökulsarlón Glacial Lagoon. The landscapes of this Lagoon change rapidly, a great talking point for the effects of climate change. You may even encounter some seals.
Whilst visiting the south shores you could participate in a Glacier Walk. The south of Iceland hosts an array of glaciers including Langjökull, Hofsjökull, Tindfjallajökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. This activity is a brilliant way to further students’ knowledge about glacial systems.

Example Itineraries

Our educational travel experts have spent considerable time crafting a selection of ready-made itineraries for your Geography Study Trip to Iceland, which you will find below — entitled ‘See & Study’ and ‘Active Geography’. However, we can also create a tailored itinerary to meet the educational needs of your group.

Day 1: Fly to Reykjavik. Meet your coach driver and tour guide. Check into the Hotel Ork.

Day 2: Golden Circle Tour. Visit Hellsheidi Powerplant. Go to Secret Lagoon.

Day 3: South Shore Tour. Lava Centre

Day 4: Reykjanes Peninsula tour. Transfer to Reykjavik airport for your flight back to the UK

Day 1: Fly to Reykjavik. Meet coach driver. Check into Hotel Cabin. Reykjavik City Tour

Day 2: Golden Circle Tour. Hellisheidi Powerplant. Secret Lagoon

Day 3: South Shores tour with Lava Centre Visit and Glacier Walk

Day 4: Whale Watching. Free time to rest before heading out in the evening to hunt the Northern Lights.

Day 5: Late check with coach back to Reykjavik airport for flight back to the UK

Getting there

Airlines flying to Reykjavik from the UK include easyJet, Flybe, WOW Air, Wizzair, and Icelandair. A non-stop flight from London could get you to Iceland in just over 3 hours.

Where to Stay

Hotel Cabin
A 20-minute walk to the centre of Reykjavik, this is a firm favourite with school groups. Simple but modern rooms provide a great base for an action-packed tour. Providing three meals a day including packed lunches, there is no worry about finding food on the go.
Free WiFi, 24-hour reception, daily housekeeping and room safes, provide a safe and comfortable environment for all that stay here.

Guesthouse Husid Based in the Volcano Katla Geopark, this hotel provides spectacular countryside views. A family run guesthouse, the Husid provides home cooked meals and warm hospitality for the duration of your stay. In the winter it has been known that Northern Lights can be viewed from the hotel’s garden.

When to visit Iceland?

Iceland is a year-round destination with different sights to see depending on when you travel. In winter you can hunt the Northern Lights and visit frozen waterfalls, and in summer you can see the rainbows at the Gullfoss Waterfall and make the most of the midnight sun.

Our recommendations

Read about where other groups have been to on their study trips here:

The Rugby School: Geography Trip to Iceland

The Chase School: Geography Trip to Morocco

Lawrence Sheriff School: Modern Foreign Languages Trip to Cologne

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To find out more, call us on 03333 110335 or email info@msgtours.com

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03333 110335