Discover Iceland’s spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage on this 11-day small group tour that traverses an astonishing land. From Lake Mývatn’s stunning environs to incredible Vatnajökull National Park and jaw-dropping Dettifoss, Iceland’s “Niagara,” witness numerous natural wonders. Marvel at unique waterfalls – Godafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss – and take a dramatic bird-watching cruise. See famed Icelandic horses and encounter the Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stupendous scenery. Learn about geothermal power at Hellisheidi Power Plant. Thingvellir National Park offers fascinating historical insights. The Icelandic adventure ends with two nights in sophisticated Reykjavik. Spend more time discovering Iceland’s colorful capital with a 3-day/2-night post-tour extension.
- Geothermal exhibit at the Hellisheidi Power Plant
- Welcome dinner
- Seljalandsfoss
- Skogafoss
- Black sand beach at Beynisfjara
- Basalt caves
- Solheimajokull "sliding" glacier
- Lake Myvatn
- Mud flats, lava fields, volcanic craters
- Dimmuborgir
- Namaskard mud pots
- Explosion crate at Viti
- Volcano system at Krafla
- Puffin Island
- Vatnajokull National Park
- Asyrgi
- Hljodaklettar Echo Cliffs
- Dettifoss: Iceland's "Niagara"
- Godafoss: "Waterfall of the Gods"
- Free time in Akureyri
- Herring Era Museum
- Glambaer folk museum
- Gauksmyri farm with Icelandic horses
- Grabrok Crater
- Thermal areas of Deildartunguhver
- Hraunfossar Falls
- Abandoned fishing village of Budir
- Caves, nesting cliff birds, and rock formations at Arnarstapi
- Djupalonssandur
- Thingvellir National Park
- Great Geysir
- Gulfoss
- Free day in Reykjavik
- Optional tour to Blue Lagoon
- Farewell dinner
- Depart for home city
Faculty
Bill Fitzhugh '64 is the director of the Smithsonian’s Arctic Studies Center at the
National Museum of Natural History and the author of Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga. Bill is an anthropologist specializing in circumpolar archaeology, ethnology and environmental studies. He has spent more than 30 years studying the arctic peoples and cultures of northern Canada, Alaska, Siberia, and Scandinavia and has produced many publications, international exhibitions and films on the subject, including work on the NOVA specials on Norse Americans and the Vikings. Broader aspects of his research feature the evolution of northern maritime adaptations, circumpolar culture contacts, cross-cultural studies and acculturation processes in the North, especially concerning Native-European contacts.
