Day One – Embark!

In addition to speaking Icelandic, most Icelanders also speak English. So there’s little language barrier to worry about, but of course you’ll want to learn a little of the native tongue!

• Prepare to for the pronunciation challenge of a lifetime.
• Icelandic words contain sounds you may have never heard before and will struggle to repeat.
• Icelandic spelling uses letters you’ve probably never seen. (You’ll see below just how inexplicable some words appear!)
• Our local guides are eager to teach and help untangle our tongues.

How many challenging Icelandic words will be fluent in your vocab by the time you return home?!

Day Two – Reykjavik: Culture & Vibe

Kick things off with an opportunity to eat like a Viking! An informative, delicious & hearty welcome breakfast at Vikingworld captures our imaginations and helps us get to know our Travel Manager and local staff.

• Vikingworld introduces us to Viking history and traditions that dominated the North Atlantic a millennium ago.
• We’ll be introduced to mythical Viking gods and folklore.
• We’ll marvel at a magnificent Viking ship just like the one Leif Eiríksson used to sail to the New World more than a thousand years ago.
• We’ll also gain an understanding of how this incredibly inhospitable landscape was settled and civilized.

Next up, although it’s daytime, we’re in for a fantastic introduction to Iceland’s night skies! It seems unfair that the Aurora Borealis, or “Northern Lights,” cannot be seen in summer. They are an extraordinary, yet common, part of life during Iceland’s long winter months. As one of the most beautiful natural phenomenon on earth, we’ll experience the next best thing. At the Perland “Wonders of Iceland” Planetarium, we’ll experience a new view of this region’s starry skies as well as an impressive “Aurora Show.” It’s visually amazing, tons of fun and very informative.

We’ll head back out into the sunshine for an urban hike. Reykjavik is a relatively small city, best seen, explored and experienced by foot. Hence, the Reykjavik City Walk:

• Our expert local guide will lead us into Reykjavik’s city center.
• Here, we’ll see most of the traditional and modern buildings relevant to Icelandic society.
• But this walk is about much less about seeing the buildings and much more about understanding what makes this society so distinctive from any other nation on earth.

To understand any culture, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental tenants of their civilization:

• politics
• religion
• law
• arts
• architecture
• economy
• sport
• education
• traditions (such as Iceland’s unusual naming system).

Public swimming pools are a cultural mainstay and everyday part of life in Iceland, due to the weather and an abundance of hot water. Icelandic kids grow up in swimming pools throughout the year. We’ll dive into “life like a local” at the newly renovated Sundhöll Reykjavikur in the center of the city. Swim, soak, and refresh after your looooong flight!

After we unwind and refresh at the pool, we’ll have a little time to settle in and get ready for a fantastic Icelandic Welcome Dinner!

Day Four – Westman Islands

We begin with a 30-minute ride on the Atlantic aboard the Herjólfur Ferry, from the mainland out to the island of Heimaey, or “Home Island.” 

Historically, Heimaey was known as Iceland’s most important fishing port. Today, for various reasons, the fishing industry is not as robust as it once was, but there is still plenty of fishing going on. We’ll learn about the many challenges faced by residents, such as how to survive with only one freshwater well.

But today, what will first capture our attention – and our hearts – is the PUFFIN colony that lives here from April through August!

• Heimaey is home to one of the largest “circuses” of puffins in Iceland.
• Puffins are known as the “clowns of the sea” because of their colorful and distinctive beaks, which become more colorful during mating season.
• Their plumage is predominantly black and white and their stocky body and big beak set them apart from any other bird species.
• They live mostly on costal rocks and in burrows among the dunes.
• Puffins’ short wings are adapted for both flying and swimming, and they feed by diving for fish.

Vestmannaeyjabær is the main village on Heimaey. In 1973 the eyes of the world were trained on this village of 5,300 when a brand new volcano erupted here, called Eldfell.

• Approximately 1/5 of the town was destroyed and the entire population was forced to evacuate to the mainland for months.
• At the Eldheimar Museum, which documents the eruption, we’ll see the volcano’s awesome and destructive power in a new light.

Meaningful Community Service is one of the best parts of every Quo program. “Regular” school will be out for the summer when we’re in Iceland, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hang out with our Icelandic peers. While we’re out on the island, we’ll visit local kids at the town’s “Work School.”

• All Icelandic kids spend part of their summer working for the benefit of their community.
• We’ll get to pitch in with these students to participate in a local community service project, while rolling up our sleeves, sweating, bonding and making some new friends.

We’ll cap the afternoon’s activities with an unforgettable visit to the brand new Beluga Whale Sanctuary!

• All of Iceland has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this new humane conservation sanctuary, which is scheduled to open just prior to our arrival.
• These two Beluga Whales were born in captivity in China and would be unable to survive in the wild, but they will be provided with far better living conditions in their new Icelandic home.
• We will be among the very first guests to meet these whales and enjoy this marine biology experience.

Day Five – Glaciers, Lagoons & Icebergs, oh my!

As we make our way through the “breadbasket of Iceland” en route to “the gems of the south,” we’ll see the quaint villages and hardworking farms of the southern flatlands, before we arrive at the splendor of the mountain ranges. Today’s other-worldly landscapes are unlike anything we’ve seen before – in clear weather you can see massive glaciers and volcanoes that have erupted 9 times in the last 50 years.

The South Coast of Iceland has everything but city views: waterfalls, glaciers, beaches, volcanoes, beautiful mountains & farms. We’ll be learning about more of Iceland’s unique vegetation, wildlife, geology and sustainable industry. Bring your sharp inquiry and get ready to think like a scientist.

After our waterfall treks and science lessons, we’ll up the ante in Vík, a charming town nestled in volcano-strewn Ketla UNESCO Geopark. Vík is home to the exciting new Icelandic Lava Experience!

• This is the only place in the world where you can safely see what real lava looks like.
• We’ll feel the heat from actual flowing lava, in a safe environment, as the scientific guides explain many aspects of this phenomenon.
• Molten lava will actually pour into the specially-equipped demonstration room, providing a completely unique opportunity to safely experience red-hot lava in close proximity.
• You’ll see it flowing, hear it sizzling, and feel the heat that radiates from it.

Next up, let’s grab an ice pick, strap on some crampons, and hike a glacier! 

Sólheimajökull glacier is the ideal place to view geomorphology in formation and the effects of global warming on glaciers.

**The things you’ll learn today will fuel papers & research for the rest of your educational career.**

We start with a safety briefing and a short lesson how to use the crampons and the ice pick on the glacier walk.

The glacial landscape is amazing and dynamic, including crevices, sinkholes & small black volcanic sandhills. Sometimes it’s possible to take a look at the small holes or enter the caves. With our expert guides, this setting is a fascinating and informative place to safely explore, learn and feel inspired.

**This glacier has been melting very rapidly in recent years, and we will see how dramatically the ice has receded. We will literally be standing at ground zero for global warming. There is no better place to begin a study of the devastation climate change is waging on our planet.  

In front of the glacier is a glacial lagoon where we’ll see many icebergs floating. We may witness the haunting event of new icebergs calving where the glacier meets the sea.

Day Six – Þjórsárdalur Valley, the Hot River & Summer Solstice Bonfire

Our next stop is at the Iceworld Stables, where we’ll get up close and personal with diminutive Icelandic Horses.

• We’ll learn about the history of this distinctive breed and what makes them so unique (beyond the obvious).
• We’ll have a chance to meet horses and possibly help with their care & maintenance.
• A word of advice: don’t call them “ponies!” Icelanders are very sensitive about this.

In Hveragerði, we’ll enjoy a typical Icelandic BBQ lunch (weather permitting).

Then we’ll explore the village to learn about the innovative building techniques of this area’s settlers. Because of seismic instability and harsh conditions in this area, a new approach to construction was required. 

Hot River Hike: Travel is at its best when you see & do things that only locals know about. This afternoon, we’ll join our local hosts for a very off-the-beaten-path adventure. (We won’t judge you for bragging about this when you get home.)

• We’ll hike into the stunning and picturesque Reykjadalur Valley.
• This dramatic volcanic valley is full of bubbling pools and hot springs…
• but it’s known to locals in particular for the amazing hot stream that runs through it.
• What makes it so special? We’ll slip into our swimsuits and find out!
• An unforgettable afternoon adventure awaits.

This day has been amazing, but it’s far from over. After our hot river adventure, we’ll be immersed in local tradition and culture!

The evening kicks off with a dinner at the Ingólfsskáli Viking Cabin.

• Here, you really do eat like a Viking!
• Your dinner is served by locals wearing traditional viking dress.
• You’ll eat with old-style utensils and plates.
• The cabin is authentically designed in the style of the original turf-roofed longhouses.
• The entire experience is an impressive reminder of Iceland’s past.

Tonight, as the Vikings of old did, we’ll attend a Summer Solstice Festival. In a quaint, historical town of 480 citizens, we’ll:

• witness their time-honored festivities,
• see an array of celebratory costumes and headgear, and
• join the locals for song around the bonfire of Jónsmessa!
• This is the kind of cultural immersion that very few “outsiders” are ever invited to experience.

What will your friends back home be doing for the solstice? Yeah, you’re definitely gonna brag about this.

Day Seven – Volcanic Cave & Blue Lagoon

We’ll take a little time to enjoy the remote beauty of this isolated village. There will be lots of stories to share at breakfast about the bonfire and the local festival.

Our first stop of the day will be at the famed “Lava Tunnel“ Raufarhólshellir.

• This is one of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland.
• As we hike inside the earth, we’ll witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption.
• We’ll walk in the path of lava that flowed during the Leitahraun eruption about 5,200 years ago.

When we do board our motor coach, we’ll begin a scenic drive through the lava-scarred Reykjanes Peninsula.

We’ll stop at the geothermal area of Seltún, one of the most desolate areas in Iceland. A bit like Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming or Death Valley in California, Seltún is punctuated with:

• colorful bubbling mud pots
• dramatic mineral flows
• smelly sulphur ponds
• boiling geothermal pools, and
• steaming hot springs.

With our expert guide, a hike through Seltún is a bit like stepping into another dimension. It’s difficult to describe all the different phenomenon that occur when powerful energy seeps up from within the earth and puts on a show; you just have to see it for yourself.

Another highlight: today you’re on 2 Continents!

The Reykjanes Peninsula is also home to the Bridge Between Continents. This is literally a bridge between Europe and North America!

• We are in the heart of the Mid Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are continuously drifting apart.
• Fissures form as the plates move away from each other.
• “Leif the Lucky’s Bridge” is a small footbridge over a major fissure, which provides clear evidence of the diverging plates.
• The bridge was built as a symbol for the connection between Europe and North America.
• This is a unique opportunity to cross an actual Continental Divide!

At long last, we’re off to experience the #1 most popular attraction in Iceland: The Blue Lagoon.

• We’ll enjoy a luxurious soak in the award-winning waters of this world famous “spa of the volcanic earth.”
• Locals say a hour in these mineral-rich waters will help you harmonize with nature
• …and a blue silica mud mask is great for your skin!

Tonight, we want to look our best. After the powerful bonding and growth experiences of the past week, our big “Farewell, Iceland!” Dinner will be a bittersweet opportunity to reflect and reminisce. It’s hard to imagine that this adventure is already coming to a close!

Day Eight – Við Sjáumst, Reykjavik!

It’s an early flight, so we’re off to the airport to board the plane and begin our journey home! Góða ferð!