Information from tour operator - Further, Higher, Travel

1. ICELAND - LOCATION GUIDE
GEOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY
Exceptional Tours Expertly Delivered
Our location guide offers you information on the range of visits available in Iceland. All visits are
selected with your subject and the curriculum in mind, along with the most popular choices for
sightseeing,culture andleisure inthe area.
The information in your location guide has been provided by our partners in the Bay of Naples who
have expert on the ground knowledge of the area, combined with advice from education
professionals so that the visits and information recommended are the most relevant to meet your
learningobjectives.
Making Life Easier for You
This location guide is not a catalogue of opening times. Our Tour Experts will design your itinerary
withopeningtimesandlocationinmindsothatyoucan reallymaximise yourtime ontour.
Our location guides are designed to give you the information that you really need, including what
are the highlights of the visit, location, suitability and educational resources. We’ll give you top tips
like whenisthe besttime togo,dresscode andextralocal knowledge.
Peace of Mind
So that you don’t need to carry additional money around with you we will state in your initial quote
letter, which visits are included within your inclusive tour price and if there is anything that can’t be
pre-paidwe will advise youof the entrance fees sothatyouknow how much moneytotake along.
You also have the added reassurance that FHT is a member of the STF and our featured visits are all
coveredaspart of our externallyverifiedSafetyManagementSystem.
www.fhtgrouptours.com 01279 883532 info@fhtgrouptours.com

2. EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS AND VISITS
Blue Lagoon
Thisstunninglagoonispleasantlywarm(38°C) withmineral-richgeothermalwaterinamiddle of a
blacklava field.The high natural levelsof silicaandmineralsgivethe Lagoonitsrichblue colour. The
wateroriginates2,000 metresbelowthe surface,where freshwaterandseawatercombinesat
extreme temperatures.Itisthenharnessedviadrillingholesata nearbygeothermal powerplant.
Groups oftenchoose tostopfor a swimhere en-route toyourhotel fromthe airport,afteryouhave
metyour guide inthe airportarrival hall,andboardedsetoff on yourprivate coach.
The Golden Circle
The GoldenCircle includes some Iceland’smoststunningsights.Youguide willescortyouto see the
famous‘Strokkur’Geysirshootacolumnof waterup to30 metresintothe airevery4-8 minutes!
Afterwitnessingthe Geysirs,groupscanvisitthismodernmultimediamuseumdisplayingthe
inexplicable natural wondersof Iceland,andevenfeel itwiththe earthquakesimulator.
You’ll alsovisitthe magnificentGullfoss(GoldenFalls) waterfall,createdwhere the riverHvítá
tumblesandplungesintoacrevice some 32 m deep. This full dayalsoincludesthe historical and
geological wonderthatisÞingvellirNational Parkwhere youcanmake a unique walkbetweenthe
AmericanandEurasiantectonicplateswhichare pullingapartat a rate of a few centimetresper
year.
Additionally youwill visitthe idyllicFriðheimargreenhousecultivationcentre,wherestudentswill
learnaboutthe magicbehindgrowingdelicious,pesticide-free tomatoes whichare cultivatedall
yearround usingthe latesttechnology,inanenvironmentally-friendlyway:greenenergy,pure
waterand organicpestcontrolscombine toproduce fresh,healthfultomatoes.
Complete the daywithaquickstop at the impressiveKeridVolcaniccrater believedtobe a cone
volcanowhicheruptedandemptiedits magmareserve.
You can alsochoose to add a tour of Hellisheidi PowerPlant
Hellisheidi PowerPlant(can be added to the GoldenCircle Day)
The largestgeothermal plantinthe world,withthe purpose of meeting increasingdemandfor
electricityandhotwaterforspace heatinginthe industrial anddomesticsectors. Grous can take a
tour and visitthe Energyexhibitionwithitsmultimediadisplays.

3. South Shore Adventure
Withyour guide,drive alongthe southcoastof Iceland,one of the country´smost scenicregions.
Alongthe wayyou will stopatthe majesticSeljalandsfosswaterfall,whichisuniqueinthatyoucan
walkbehinditandthroughto the otherside (if it’snoticy).You’ll alsostopand compare withthe
dramaticand much-photographedSkógafosswaterfall,withits60mdrop.
See the stunningMýrdalsjökull glacier,andapproachitsglacial snoutSolheimajokull providingan
excellentgroupopportunitytodiscuss the processesongoinghere.
Studentslove payingavisittoReynisfjara,ablackvolcanicbeachwithitsdramatic Basaltcolumns
risingupfrom the shore.There isa great view of the stunningReynisdrangar rockformationsrising
up fromthe sea justoff shore.
You can alsochoose to add a visitthe Skógarfolkmuseum, togeta taste of how Icelanderslivedin
centuriespast,orEyjafallajokull VolcanoMuseumdedicatedtothe eruptionandresultingashcloud
in2010.
Eyjafjallajökull Erupts: Visitors’Centre (can be added to the South Shore Day)
Situatedatthe footof the volcano,the Þorvaldseyri VisitorCentre onApril 14th,2011 exactlyone
yearafter the start of the Eyjafjallajokulleruption. Itcontainsclear,colourful graphicsanddramatic
photosthat bothexplainthe volcanicandgeologicforcesandsummarize majorvolcanicand
historical events.
The highlightof the visit,isa60-seat theatre where youwill see a20-minute filmaboutthe volcano
eruptionandfocusesonthe experiencesandemotionsof the familylivingonThorvaldseyri Farm,
the farm directlybelow the volcano.The filmcoversthe timeline of eventsandportraysthe
spectacularnatural event,andthe incrediblechallengesmetbythe familyfarmof Þorvaldseyri.
Skogar FolkMuseum(can be added to the SouthShore Day)
If you want to get to know the Icelandic society and how the Icelandic people used to live and work,
you should definitely make a stop at the museum at Skógar. The museum focusses on the 4 areas of
Fisheries, Agriculture, Handcrafts and also Transport.

4. The WondersofReykjanes
Get a little bitof true Icelandonthisvariedtourwhichincludesvolcaniclandforms,twogeothermal
sites,dramaticcoastlinesandquaint,historictowns.Youwill reallygetafeelingof the life and
powerof thisyoungland.Half of the attractionis the beautiful sceneryyoupass,startingwiththe
endlesslavafieldsandthenthe quainthistorictownEyrarbakki,enroute tothe legendary
Strandakirkjachurch.You can see andhear the hot steamleavingthe ground’attwodifferent
geothermal areas:KrýsuvíkandGunnuhver,where there are mudpoolsandhotsprings.
You’ll alsomake a stopoff at the 97m deep Lake Kleifarvatnthathasno visible surface drainage,and
there are also nearbypillow lavatosee.Take inthe magnificentcoastline anddramaticbreaking
wavesbythe Reykjanesviti lighthouse perchedonavolcaniccone,andfinallystepoutonthe
“Bridge Betweenthe Continents”whichconnectsthe AmericanandEurasiantectonicplates - all
while surroundedwiththe breath-takingsceneryof the Reykjanespeninsula. Youcan alsovisitthe
PerlanCentre withismassive tanksof geothermallyheatedwaterandoutstandingviewingplatform
overReykjavik. The MagmaHouse exhibitioncaneasilybe addedtothisdaytoo.
Magma a House of culture and natural resources(can be addedto the Wondersof ReykjanesDay)
Thiscentre in Grindavík housestwoveryattractive andinterestingexhibitions:
The SaltfishMuseum:The exhibitionisveryinterestingforstudents,whocanstudythe most
importantprofessionof the country.The exhibitionlooksatIceland‘shistoryinthe processingand
salesof driedsaltedcod.
Earth Energy: Considers Iceland’suniquepossibilities tosee andinvestigate mostof earth's
dynamicprocesses,suchasvolcanismandgeothermal heat,whichisthe resultof the youngage of
the island. Fromthe Island’sbirtht ongoingactivityinthe areathoughto energyprovision.
WestmanIslands - VisitingHeimay
The Westman Islandscame to international attentionin1973 withthe eruptionfroma fissure that
opened,destroyingmanybuildings,andforcedamonths-longevacuationof the entire populationto
mainlandIceland.The eruptionofficiallylasted5monthsandby that time,more than400 buildings
had beenburiedandcollapsedunderthe weightof tephra,burnedbybombsorcrushedby lava.A
newscoria-craterhadformedsoonto be namedEldfel (Fire Mountain).
Your guide will escortyouonthe short ferryride toHeimay where youwill be able toexplore the
islandconsiderthe 1973 and previouseruptions,the effectonthe land,the people andthe future.
The excellentnewEldheimarmuseumfocusesparticularlyonone cottage,where elementsof

5. everydaylife coexistwith petrifiedashformingdramaticwaterfallsaroundthe building.Inthe
cottage that housesthe museum,eachitemwaspainstakingremovedasashandlava were cleaned
away,thenplacedback inthe exactspot where theywere found - togive the impressionthe home
was completelyfrozenintime. The areaisbeingcalledthe ‘Pompeii of the North’.
Thorsmork Valley& The ‘Ash Cloud’Volcano(April to Octoberonly)
Board your4 x 4 coach and headforThorsmork,a beautiful nature reservesituatedbetweenthree
glaciersincludingEyjafjallajökull whose same-namedvolcanobeneatheruptedin2010 and
producedthe Ashcloudthat broughtEurope to a stand-still. Toget there youdrive onrough
mountaintracksand cross unbridgedglacial rivers,unpassable byordinaryvehicles.Youwillbe able
to see remnantsof the 2010 eruption,andevensome of the ashfromthe 2011 Grimsvotn
eruptions.Thorsmorkislike anoasisinthe midstof the barrenlandscape – trees,shrubs,heather,
flowersandotherplantsalongwith abundantmossandlichen.The final viewpointisHrunagil
canyon– where the lavaflowfromEyjafjallajokull threatenedthe whole valley. A fantasticdayina
reallyspecial locationallowingconsiderationof glaciationandvolcanicactivity.
Skaftafell National Park & Jökulsárlón
Surroundedbyglaciersonthree sides,Skaftafell isaplace where youare able to see the highest
mountaininIceland,Hvannadalshnjúkurat2110 m, visitSkaftafellNational Parkandtake a guided
walkup to the picturesque ‘Black’waterfall,Svartifoss,surroundedbybasaltcolumns. The walk
affordsfantasticviewsoutacrossthe region.
Afterwards,continueonalongthe coastal road to see one of Iceland’smostspectacularsites,
Jökulsárlónglacial lagoon. Jökulsarlón wasformedbymeltingice fromBreiðamerkurjökullglacier
and has manysmall floatingice bergs,andthere are sealsswimminginthe water. Youcan also see
the pointwhere the freshwaterlagoonmeetsthe saltyseawater.
On the way back to Skaftafelladmire the fascinatingglacial landscape aswell asthe dramaticcoast
line made of black,volcanicsandsandgrit.
We highlyrecommendedstayingoverinthisareatoallow ample time see the visithere andthere
are accommodationoptionsusedtotakingschool groups.
Northern LightsTour (September– March)
The NorthernLights,alsoknownas the AuroraBorealisare a spectacularnatural phenomenon,
oftenseendancingaroundinfantasticcoloursacrossthe Icelandicsky. The lightsare causedby the
interactionof particlesfromthe sunwiththe upperatmosphere nearthe NorthPole creatingthis
wonderful lighteffect. Yourdriverandguide will take yououttofindthe bestpossible locationthat
eveningtoviewthisonce inalife time event.

6. Reykjavik Sightseeingtour
Reykjavíkisthe world'smostnortherlycapital,withmore thanone thirdof Iceland'spopulation.This
guidedtourisa detailedandcomprehensiveintroductiontoReykjavik'spastandpresent.
Visitthe Pearlan Centre,withits six enormoustanks,eachcontaining4millionlitresof geothermally
waterwhichprovidesmuchof the citywithhot water.The observationplatformoffersfantastic
panoramicviewsof the cityand itssurroundings. You’ll alsosee ReykjavíkCityHall,visitthe famous
Hallgrímskirkjachurchwithitsstrikingraised-relief mapof Iceland(whenavailable).You’ll alsodrive
throughthe city centre,the harbourarea,the Universityof Icelandcampus,pastthe ElliðaárRiver,
and throughLaugardalurvalley. Yourexpertguide providesall the essential informationabout
Reykjavík´srichculture,historyandnatural environment.
Volcano House:Cinemaand GeologyExhibition
The VolcanoHouse cinemapresentstwounique documentariesfeaturingEmmy-nominatedfootage
coveringtwoof the mostpowerful eruptionstorockIcelandoverthe last40 years - the 1973
eruptiononthe WestmanIslands,andthe 2010 eruptionof Eyjafjallajökull inSouthIceland.The
filmsare showneverhourtogetherandlast just60 minstotal.
The VolcanoHouse GeologyExhibitionisahands-ongeological exhibitionwhere youcanexamine
variouspiecesof pumice,ashandlavafromIcelandicvolcanoes.The exhibitiongivesabrief
overviewof Iceland’sgeological historyand volcanicsystems.

7. LOCAL GUIDES AND SPECIALIST GEOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY GUIDES
All ourtours include one of ourlocal Icelandicguidesasstandardwhohave geographical knowledge
of the sitesaswell asdetailedIcelandicculture andhistoryknowledge.
If you wantto maximise the geographical contentof yourtrip,we highlyrecommendusingthe
servicesof one of our specialistGeography&GeologyGuidesinstead. Withtheircurriculum
knowledge combinedwiththeirfirsthandexperiencesof leading studentgroupsinIceland,theycan
deliverahighlevel of educational contentateachsite inline withyoulearningobjectivesforthe
trip.
CULTURAL VISITS
Whale Watching
Whale watchingtoursare operatedfromthe oldharbourinReykjavik.The whalesmostfrequently
seenonour tours are the Minke whales,Humpbackwhales,DolphinsandPorpoises.
The boat’s guide will tell youaboutyourtripwhichusuallylastsaround3 hours and describe what
youcan see andwhere tolook,togetherwithanintroductionandsafetyguide,aswellasanswer
any questions.
There are indoorandoutdoorviewingareassoanyone feelingcoldcanstill geta great view.
ExploringReykjavik
Aside fromourReykjavikSightseeingtour,youmaywant to spendalittle time exploringReykjavik
yourselves,whetheryoufancyaspot of shopping,visitingthe harbourarea,orseeingsome of the
capital’shistoricbuildings.
Evening Activities
Bowling
Reykjavikhasan18-lane bowling-hall witharcade gamesandpool tablestoentertainyourgroup.
It’sa little furtherthana walkso itslikelyyou’ll needacoach transfer.

8. Ice-skating
For groupsbasedinReykjavik,there isanice-skatingrinkwithin walkingdistanceof the Hotel Cabin,
and ReykjavikCityHostel. A coachtransfercan be providedforgroupsstayinginotherReykjavik
accommodation.
Sundhöll Geothermal SwimmingBaths: Selfoss
Free forunder18’s and ideal forgroupsstayinginthe hotel Selfossasitisonlya shortwalkaway. T
Laugardalslaug Geothermal Baths: Reykjavik
The pool is locatedinLaugardalur Valley,close tothe Hotel CabinandReykjavikCityYouthHostel.
Its facilitiesinclude a50m outdoorpool,outdoorchildren’spool andpaddlingpool,twowaterslides,
numerous“hotpots“ and a steambath.
Eveningmeetingrooms
Where available youcanuse meetingroomsinyouraccommodationinaneveningtogatheryour
group. Whynot use the room to re-capthe day’seventsordeliverabriefingaboutthe nextday. A
quizisalso a goodoption.
Eating Options
We highlyrecommendstayingonaHalf Boardor Full BoardBasisat your accommodation,especially
if stayingoutside of Reykjavik. We dohave a few restaurantoptionsinReykjavikforthose groups
wantinga meal out.
We can eitherprovide packedluncheseachdayorwe have recommendedeating optionsavailable
duringeachday whichwe can pre-arrange foryou.