Renewable Energy & Geology - 10 Day Educational Tour

Once you arrive in Iceland we will go to the capital, Reykjavik, which is actually the only city in Iceland. We will do a guided tour of the Greater Reykjavik Area.

One of our guides will meet you at the airport to welcome you to Iceland. We will head to Reykjavik and arrive in the city after about 40 minutes drive.

Our agenda for today is a tour of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. We will explore the city and some points of interest around the area. On our tour of Reykjavik, we will visit Perlan Restaurant which has been built on six water tanks which used to hold the city´s hot water supply. We will also visit Hofdi, the house where the all-important summit between the former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and the former U.S.S.R Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev took place in 1986. We will also visit a geothermal beach, The University of Iceland, The House of Icelandic Parliament, amongst other points of interest.

Today we will explore Iceland’s famous travel route, The Golden Circle. The Golden Circle tour allows visitors to get in touch with some of Iceland´s most exciting and famous natural phenomena. We start out the tour by visiting the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall (The Golden Falls). The waterfall flows down the glacial river Hvítá in several huge steps.

Our next stop in the Golden Circle Tour is Geysir Geothermal Field. We will walk around the area and look at Geysir, the geyser that gave all other geysers their name, as well as Strokkur, the most energetic spouting spring in Iceland. Strokkur sprouts every few minutes, sometimes to the height of 40 meters (131 ft.), yet generally less than 20 meters (66 ft.). There are many other geysers in the area that are fun to explore.

We take a break from the Golden Circle tour to go visit Fridheimar Greenhouses. Fridheimar grows tomatoes all year long under artificial lighting in greenhouses. We will take a tour of the greenhouses and learn about greenhouse horticulture as well as enjoy a taste of the crop when we eat lunch in the middle of a greenhouse.

Then we move on to the last stop on the Golden Circle Tour, Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir has a place in every Icelander's heart both because of its stunning beauty and its rich history. Thingvellir is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural significance. It is significant because, in the summer of 930, the Icelandic parliament was created in the area, making it the world’s first parliament. Thingvellir is not only known for its history, it is also notable for its unusual tectonic and volcanic environment in a rift valley. At Thingvellir you can see where the Eurasian and the North-American tectonic plates are drifting apart, making it possible for you to walk between the two continents.

Today’s focus will be on renewable energy. We will explore some hot spring areas, get to taste earth-cooked food, visit two geothermal power plants and two hydropower plants, and a biomethane filling station. We will also visit an earthquake exhibition where we get to try an earthquake simulator.

Our first stop will be at Raudholar Pseudo-craters (Red Hills). These pseudo-craters were formed when lava from a shield volcanic eruption around 5200 years ago flowed into a shallow lake. We will do a short walk around Raudholar and explore the area.

Our next stop will be at Hellisheidarvirkjun's Geothermal Power Plant. Hellisheidarvirkjun generates electricity produced by geothermal steam which rises up from vents in the ground. The productivity of the plant has increased every year since it began operating in 2006, and now it generates over 300 megawatts of electricity. Hellisheidarvirkjun is the second biggest geothermal power plant on earth. We will do a tour of the power plant and visit a Geothermal Energy Exhibition. Close by there are 50 boreholes and we will stop and look at one of them.

We will visit Hveragerdi Village next. At Hveragerdi there are many interesting hot springs; including mud pools, hot water springs, steaming vents, and geysers. We will stop at one of the hot spring areas and walk around. In Hveragerdi we will have the opportunity to taste bread that was baked with natural steam, and we can also boil some eggs in natural hot water ourselves. In Hveragerdi we will also go to the Quake 2008 Exhibition where we can try an earthquake simulator that demonstrates the destructive power of the quake that happened in 2008 in South Iceland. We will also see a collapsed kitchen, as well as footage from security cameras showing what happened to local stores when the earthquake hit.

We continue our trip to Irafoss Power Station. The power station harnesses two of the waterfalls in the lower part of the river Sog. Then we continue on to Ljosafoss Power Station. We will stop at both power stations and walk around the area.

Our Next stop is the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant. Nesjavellir generates electricity and hot water by utilizing geothermal water and steam. The station produces approximately 120 MW of electrical power and it also produces around 1100 liters (290 US gal) of hot water per second, servicing the house-heating and hot water needs of the Greater Reykjavik Area.

Our last stop of the day will be a Bio Methane (Ch3) pump in Reykjavik. The methane is collected from a landfill (waste yard) close to Reykjavik, and the organic waste in the landfill produces a substantial volume of methane.

Today we will explore the South Coast of Iceland. We will go glacier hiking, as well as see some waterfalls, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and other natural wonders. Getting up close and personal is truly the best way to explore Iceland, and today we will do exactly that.

We start out the day by visiting the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Seljalandsfoss is a very photogenic waterfall that plunges from ancient sea cliffs down over 60 meters (197 ft.) to a shallow pool. Seljalandsfoss is incredibly unique because it is possible to walk behind and around the waterfall while enjoying the amazing scenery along the way.

We will also have the opportunity to go visit Eyjafjallajokull Erupts, a visitor center about the infamous 2010 volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajokull that stopped all air traffic. At the visitor center, we will watch an informational and entertaining short film about the eruption and how it affected the surrounding area.

Our next stop will be an unforgettable one. We will gear up with crampons and go over safety features before we set foot on the glacier Solheimajokull. We will spend one-hour hiking on the glacier, while enjoying this unique environment with some amazing terrain with crevasses, sink holes, and ice ridges.

We move onwards for a leisurely stroll along the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. This beach features stacks of basalt columns that wall off surrounding cliffs scattered with caves. Offshore you will see Reynisdrangar pillars; basalt rock stacks that rise from the sea. Icelandic legend says they were trolls turned into rock by the rising sun when they came home late from a fishing trip.

The last stop of the day will be the Skogafoss Waterfall. Skogafoss stands 60 meters (197 ft.) tall and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Next to the waterfall, there is a set of stairs that leads you to the top of Skogafoss. Exploring a waterfall from the top-down provides a whole new perspective and the view is magnificent.

Today we will visit Burfell Hydro Power Station and Solheimar Eco Village. We will also explore the small town Mosfellsbaer and go swimming. In the evening you will have some free time in Reykjavik.

We start the day by visiting the Burfell hydropower station. We will do a tour of the power station and learn more about hydropower. We will also go outside and look at two wind turbines that are in the area. We will learn about how to generate energy from fresh air.

Then we drive to Solheimar Eco Village, a world-renowned sustainable community known for its artistic and ecological atmosphere, where about 100 people live and work together. Solheimar is a small village set out in the countryside, which has a community that focuses on the growth and development of man and nature. At Solheimar, they focus on sustainable living and community. We will take a tour of the premises, attend the lecture “Sustainable Development and Solheimar”, and eat lunch at the local restaurant Graena Kannan.

We then drive to Mosfellsbaer, a town in South-West Iceland, that provides many opportunities for outdoor and leisure activities. Mosfellsbaer is often referred to as “The Green Town” since it has many greenhouses. We will take a short walk in the area and then visit the local swimming pool. Once we get back to Reykjavik you are free to explore the city on your own.

Today we will combine your interest in volcanoes and wildlife by going lava tube caving and whale watching. Cave Leidarendi reveals the hidden mysteries of our island’s recent geological history, and in the afternoon you join a whale watching tour from the Reykjavik Marina.

We start the day by hiking towards Leidarendi Cave. We will enter through a narrow cave entrance and once we are underground we will have extraordinary scenery of lava formation and unexpected colors. We will see natural stalactites and different rock formations making this an experience of majestic and indescribable beauty. We will use torches in the cave and we recommend that you wear good shoes or hiking boots that are suitable for walking on uneven lava surfaces. Cave Leidarendi is about 900 meters (2953 ft.) long and this tour provides a great experience of exploring beneath the earth’s surface.

Next, we drive to the Reykjavik Marina to go on a whale watching tour. The whales we most commonly spot on the tour include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and even the majestic humpback whales. On this whale watching tour, you will not only see whales but also get to see a variety of birdlife. Don’t forget your camera!

On this day we will explore the Reykjanes Peninsula. We will visit the geothermal areas at Krysuvik and Seltun, and Iceland's biggest active mud Spring Gunnuhver.

We will also visit the small fishing town Grindavik, as well as Reykjanes Power Plant, where we get to walk around the area. We end the day by swimming in the Blue Lagoon.

Today we are going to explore the extreme variety of landscapes at the Reykjanes Peninsula. We begin our journey by going to the geothermal areas at Krysuvik and Seltun. In these hot spring areas, the magma exists at very little depth underneath the earth, making the surface of the land very colorful. There are more than one hundred hot springs in the area: steam geysers, water geysers, and even mud pit geysers.

Then we continue our trip to the biggest active mud spring in Iceland, Gunnuhver. Legend has it that Gunnuhver is named after an angry female ghost Gunna, who was pushed into the geyser many years ago. Close by is a bridge that connects two continents. We will walk around in the area and cross between North America and Europe.

Our next stop is Grindavik, a beautiful fishing town on the south coast of the Reykjavik Peninsula. Here we have the option of eating lunch in town before heading towards Reykjanesvirkjun. The Reykjanes Power Plant generates 100 MWe from two 50 MWe turbines, using steam and brine from a reservoir at 290 to 320 °C, which is extracted from 12 wells that are 2700 m deep. This is the first time that geothermal steam of such high temperature has been used for electrical generation.

Our last stop of the day is the unique geothermal spa The Blue Lagoon. Bathing in this milky blue water is something everybody has to experience when visiting Iceland. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 37-39°C (99-102°F). Relaxing in the Blue Lagoon is the perfect way to unwind after a day in the Reykjanes Peninsula.

On this day we will explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We will hike between the fishing villages Arnarstapi and Hellnar before going underground in a caving tour in Vatnshellir lava cave. Then we visit Djupalonssandur, a black-pebbled beach, and the fishing village Grundarfjordur.

We will also visit the symmetrical mountain Kirkjufell, and a lava field named Berserkjahraun. Our last stop of the day is the Natural Heritage Site of Gerduberg.

Today we are going to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We will drive a really scenic route from Reykjavik and shortly after entering the Snaefellsnes peninsula, we will make a stop at a beach that homes a seal colony and a variety of sea birds.

Next up is a visit to the small idyllic fishing village Arnarstapi. From there we will take a walk through the extraordinary landscape along the precipitous shoreline toward the small village of Hellnar where a break will be made for lunch. You will be amazed by the dramatic beauty of the two fishing villages with their extraordinary shores and scenery.

One of today’s highlights is a cave exploration in Vatnshellir lava cave, which is located in Snaefellsjokull National Park. Visiting this beautiful cave offers a unique experience. With the total darkness of the lava cave and total silence underground, the sense of smell and touch become heightened.

From the dark underworld of Vatnshellir, the tour takes us to Djupalonssandur, a black-pebbled beach that offers beautiful views out to the sea. At the beach, there are four lifting stones that were used by fishermen to test their strength back in the day. We can try and see if we can lift some of them.

We leave Djupalonssandur beach and travel past striking landscapes toward the northern side of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, to the fishing village Grundarfjordur. Surrounded by exceptionally beautiful mountains, Grundarfjordur is home to one of the peninsula's most iconic and photographed landmarks, the symmetrical mountain Kirkjufell that towers 463 m (1519ft.) up from the shoreline. We will hike the area and enjoy the scenery.

On our way back to Reykjavik, we will visit the Natural Heritage Site of Gerduberg, the home to a beautiful belt of basalt columns in amazingly geometric shapes.

Today you are free to explore Reykjavik on your own.

We can arrange a variety of activities depending on what time your flight is. Then we will take you to the airport in time for your flight.