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Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland, is a large island situated in the North Atlantic 798km northwest of Scotland and is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s hottest destinations.
Iceland has a history of habitation since about the year 874 and until the 20th century the Icelandic population relied on fisheries and agriculture. From 1262 to 1944 it was part of the Norwegian and later the Danish monarchies. Having gained full independence in 1944, Iceland today is a highly developed country.
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Much of the country’s popularity is due to its natural features. Iceland’s location on both a geological hot spot and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs right through it, means the island has a high level of geological activity. The landscape is wild, rugged and colourful with black lava, hot blue geysers (a word derived from the name of one in Iceland, Geysir), rivers, waterfalls and glaciers (including Europe’s largest) and many volcanoes, most notably Hekla, Iceland’s most active. Over half the country is above 400m with the highest point, Hvannadalshnúkur, rising to 2119m.
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With over 80% of the island uninhabited and 11% glaciated, more than half the population live in the capital, Reykyavík. The city is surrounded by mountains and with the widespread availability of geothermal power, together with the numerous rivers and waterfalls that are harnessed for hydropower, residents of most towns have hot water and home heat for a low price and live in a relatively pollution free environment.
From the midnight sun to the northern lights and from stunning landscapes to the abundant wildlife, Iceland provides it all.
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Example Itinerary*
- Gullfoss
Located on the White River (Hvítá) its name translates as ‘Golden Falls’. The flow of the river from the regular rains and the glacial runoff, particularly in summer, makes Gullfoss the largest volume falls in Europe and is an impressive sight as it tumbles 32m into a steep sided canyon.
- Seljalandfoss
One of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. It is very picturesque and its photo can be found in many books and calendars. The river Seljalandsá drops 60 meters over the cliffs of the former coastline at this point and it is possible to go behind the waterfall, though it is unlikely you will stay dry doing so!
- Geysir and Strokkur
Geysir is the oldest known geyser and one of the world’s most impressive examples of the phenomenon. The English word geyser to describe a spouting hot spring derives from Geysir which itself is derived from the Icelandic verb gjósa meaning to erupt or gush. Eruptions at Geysir can hurl boiling water up to 60 metres in the air. However, eruptions are infrequent, and have in the past stopped altogether for years at a time. Strokkur is only a few metres away from Geysir but unlike its sister, erupts very reliably every 5-10 minutes, hurling boiling water to heights of up to 20 metres.
- Þingvellir – (‘Þ ing’: parliament, ‘vellir’: plains)
This valley is one of the most important places in Icelandic history as one of the oldest parliamentary institutions of the world and was made a National Park in 1928. It also sits on the rift between the North American and European continental plates and as such is an impressive tectonic and volcanic environment of fissures, crumpled lava flows and canyons.
- Solheimajokull
This is a projection off the main icecap at Myrdalsjokull. A small dirt track allows you to walk to within a few hundred yards of the glacier from where it is possible to see the many fissures and crevasses in the ice and see examples of other glacial process and results.
- Hengill Geothermal Area
Due to the special geological position of Iceland and the high concentration of volcanoes, geothermal energy is very often used for heating and the production of electricity. The energy is so inexpensive that in the wintertime, some sidewalks in Reykjavík are heated. The Nesjavellir Power-Plant is the biggest geothermal power plant in Iceland and uses the Hengill volcano to produce 300 MW of electricity and about 1800 litres a second of hot water.
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Optional extras include a dip in the Blue Lagoon, Whale watching and Trekking on the glacier.
Cost:
Expedition costs vary on numbers departing and on final itinerary contents.
Please call us for more information. Prices will be based on the following:
Included:
Return international flights form the UK, in-country costs: accommodation, transport, food and local guides, Exploration Co leader(s) and travel insurance for each expedition member
Excluded:
Visas & vaccinations (where applicable), personal equipment, transport in the UK, optional activities, tips and gratuities (for example mountain guides) and spending money
*We reserve the right to change, alter or amend the itinerary in the best interests of our clients. |
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Capital
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Reykjavik |
| Population |
300,000 (estimate 2006) |
| Area |
103,000 sq km |
| Flight Times |
London to Iceland 3 hrs |
| Time Difference |
GMT + 0 |
| Currency |
Icelandic Krona (ISK, symbol kr) |
| Language |
Icelandic is the official language English and Danish are widely spoken |
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