Trip Description and Pricing
BOW Iceland Adventure
July 26 – August 2, 2014 (8 days, 7 nights)
Iceland is a unique destination that offers pristine nature, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture. This land
of boiling mud pools, spurting geysers, glaciers and waterfalls is an adventure playground. Our trip will include a
different outdoor activity each day, so you can fully experience Iceland.
Iceland is an island of 103.000 km2 (39,756 sq. miles) with a population of approximately 300,000 – the least
densely populated country in Europe. Over half of the population lives in the beautiful, modern city of Reykjavik, leaving the rest of the island dotted with small villages and majestic undeveloped scenery. Over 11 per cent
of the country is covered by glaciers, including Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe.
Iceland’s summers are surprisingly warm, lush and green, with days lengthening until midsummer, when the sun
dips down to the horizon but never sets. There are more than 170 geothermal pools scattered throughout the
country and we will relax in several of them through the week.
Activities include:
•
Horseback riding on Icelandic horses
•
Biking the Golden Circle
•
River rafting on a glacial river
•
Visiting beautiful waterfalls and beaches
•
Glacier walking
•
Hiking in the highlands – dip in natural hot spring!
•
Boating on the North Atlantic
•
Exploring Reykjavík, visiting the Blue Lagoon
Proposed Itinerary: Challenge yourself in Iceland!
Day 1 - 26th July – Saturday – arrive and ease into it
Arrive at the Keflavik International Airport- Drive to Solheimar
Relaxing visit to the Fontana Spa in Laugarvatn
Overnight stay at Solheimar Ecovillage www.solheimar.is/index.php?msl=english
Day 2 – 27th July – Sunday – Highland Hike at Landmannalaugar
Visit Landmannalaugar for a hike and dip in a natural hot springs – this hiking trail is one of the most popular in
Iceland. Overnight stay at Solheimar Ecovillage
Day 3 - 28th July – Monday - Golden Circle and Biking
Tour the Golden Circle by bus and bike – combination of a bike ride through the historic and beautiful Þingvellir
National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Þingvellir is in a rift valley between the American and European geological plates and one of the most important sites in Icelandic History. We will complete the Golden Circle
Tour with stops at the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall and the original Geysir, Strokkur. Overnight stay at Solheimar Ecovillage
Day 4 - 29th July – Tuesday – Glacial River Rafting
Visit to Skálholt cathedral
Icelandic Horseshow and greenhouse visit in Friðheimar
Rafting on the Hvítá River– see serene canyons and race through level 2 (out of 5) rapids for a 7 km adventure. Rafters can also jump from the Bruarhloo canyon cliff into the river!
Shopping at a the wool store, Bjarkarholl, in Reykholt
Overnight stay at Solheimar Ecovillage
Day 5 – 30th July –Wednesday – Waterfalls, Beaches and Ice Climbing
Stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss (waterfalls)
Visit the Iceland Erupts - Eyjafjallajökull Museum
2 hour guided glacier hike on Solheimajökull
Stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach – see amazing geologic features plus a chance to see puffins, Arctic terns
and other ocean birds
Shopping in wool outlet in Vik
Overnight stay at Solheimar Ecovillage
Day 6 – 31st July – Thursday – Horseback riding
Horseback ride at Eldhestar – a 5-6 hours horseback ride
over a mountain pass including a dip in a hot river in
Reykjadalur. Icelandic horses are a unique five-gaited breed,
known for its sure-footedness and ability to cross rough
terrain.
Drive to Eyrarbakki – visit this historic old town
Stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater lake
Overnight stay at Solheimar Ecovillage
Day 7 – 1st August – Friday – North Atlantic Boat
Trip in Breidafjordur
Drive up the western coast to Stykkisholmur
Boat trip in Breiðafjörður to see ocean birds, geological
features and to Viking Sushi”
Visit the Volcano museum and walk around the charming
village of Stykkisholmur
Overnight stay at a Hostel in Reykjavík
Day 8 – 2nd August – Saturday – Relax - because
you deserve it!
Spend the morning in downtown Reykjavík
Relax in the therapeutic pools of the popular Blue Lagoon
before flying home
Your Trip Leaders
Sue Kissinger
Sue is the director of the Student Success Center in the College of Natural Resources at the University of WI–
Stevens Point. She has held this position for 22 years and has a master’s degree in forestry. Sue has taught several
courses through BOW and has led trips to Costa Rica and Belize. Through UW-Stevens Point, she has led six
international student trips including Costa Rica, Belize/Mexico/Guatemala and Germany/Poland/Iceland. She
has also travelled extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, Mexico, Belize, and Canada with her family.
Herdis Fridriksdottir
Herdis is a project manager at Sesseljuhús –Environmental Center at Solheimar Eco–village. Herdis studied
forestry in Norway and Denmark, finishing a masters degree in Land Use in Developing Countries from Copenhagen University. She has a passion for travelling and has visited countries in most continents, including most
European countries, the United States, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Zambia and New Zealand. However, in her
mind the best place to visit is Iceland during the summer time. There is nothing like it. Herdis finished a masters
degree in Project management from the University of Reykjavík spring 2013 and looks forward to plan more
travelling for the future.
Trip Information
Estimated cost: approximately $2,899*
Group Size: Minimum 10, Maximum 15
Payment Schedule:
•
$750 upon Registration
•
$750 due May 1, 2014
•
$750 due June 13, 2014
•
Final Payment* of $600-$800* due on July 15, 2014
*Final cost depends on number of participants and the exchange rate between the Icelandic Kronor and the US
Dollar.
Cost Includes:
•
All lodging and meals in Iceland
•
All transportation in Iceland
•
Admission & Tour Fees to all activities
•
Gear for all activities (glacier walk, biking, horseback riding, rafting…)
Not Included:
•
Round trip air fare (participants will book their own flights)
•
Gratuities (for trip and tour guides and drivers: est. $100-150)
•
Alcoholic beverages
•
Souvenirs/personal spending
Cancellation Policy:
There will be a $150 cancellation fee if you cancel on or before May 1, 2014.
Cancellations betweenMay 1, 2014 and June 13, 2014 will have a $500 cancellation fee.
Cancellations after June 15, 2014 will forfeit all fees paid. If we are able to find an alternate participant from our
waiting list or you can find a substitute, some fees may be returned.
Questions? Contact Sue Kissinger at skissing@uwsp.edu, 715-346-2536