Iceland School Trip KS3-KS5 School Trips
Arctic Direct
Iceland, the land of fire and Ice is a perfect location for study tours of all kinds ' from geology to geography. With diverse terrain and masses of learning opportunities at every step, Iceland is a really popular destination for students from around the world. Fully guided with an leader with the group 24/7 it takes all pressure from teachers who can sit back and enjoy the trip whilst all details are taken care of in-countrySample Iceland 4 day tour:
Day 1 / KEY THEMES: Geothermal energy
- Arrival Flights from a selection of UK airports (or non UK, ask us for info)
- Meet your leader guide at the airport, who will remain with the group for the whole stay.
- Airport transfer to Hotel
- Walking tour to Geothermal Park, Hveragerði, The local geothermal area ' it is possible to boil eggs in the water and to try Rye bread baked using the heat of the ground. The guided tour of the park shows the various uses of geothermal activity
- Dinner at Hotel
- Night in Hotel
The hotel has a games room with pool table, table tennis and table football as well as chess and some other games. There is also a pool open until 2200 featuring year-round 2 hot tubs (38-40c and 40-42c, a large swimming pool kept around 30c with 2 water slides (open depending on weather) and a geothermal steam bath. From September to April it is the perfect place to view the Northern Lights - away form the city lights of Reykjavik. In the summer it is posisble to hike to a geothernmal stream.
Day 2 / KEY THEMES: History, geography, geology, geothermal energy
- Breakfast
- Golden Circle Day Tour with Guide. Start at Þingvellir National Park, walking around, Oxarárfoss waterfall. The National park is home to the World's first parliament ' 930AD and includes another meeting of the North American and Eurasian plates ' this time forming Silfra a fissure filled with crystal clear glacial run off water (it is possible to add Snorkelling here for groups minimum 14 years and 150cm/45kg)
- Geysir Geothermal Area, Lunch break. The Geysir area, from which English gets the word geyser features the now inactive great Geysir as well as Strokkur which now spots every 5-7 minutes.
- Gullfoss waterfall ' a powerful tiered waterfall averages 140 m3/s flow rate in summer. There is an upper and lower viewing platform for best views.
- Arrive back to Hotel, dinner, opportunity to use the games rooms and pools.
Day 3 / KEY THEMES: History and culture
- Reykjavik and Geothermal power pland
- Breakfast.
- Checkout and transfer to the Hellisheidi Geothermal Powerplant
- Guided tour of the geothermal powerplant which is the largest in Iceland. Discover how power is created to run much of the city of Reykjavik via high pressure turbines. There is also possibilities to explore exhibitions such as the carbon capture program that is underway to capture 150,000 tonnes of CO2
- Transfer to Reykjavik, check in to Hotel cabin (or similar).
- Walking tour of the city, learning how settles first lived in the area and survived the harsh conditions.
- Dinner at the hotel
- Visit to Laugardalslaug geothermal pools ' how the locals relax. Featuring an Olympic sized outdoor pool, childrens and paddling pools, numerous hot tubs and plunge pool for the brave ' this is a 'live like a local' experience
- Night at the hotel
Day 4 / DEPARTURE DAY
- Breakfast
- Departure from Hotel with time subject to flights
- Arrive at KeflavÃk airport and departure Flights
Depending on flight time it may be possible to include other activities on the final morning prior to departure as suggested below:
Add on Day 4: (subject to flight times) Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa ' certainly one of Iceland's top tourist attractions and an true example of Iceland's sustainable culture the Blue lagoon uses the clean run off from a power plant to create an iconic spa experience. Relax in the warm water, try the geothermal steam bath and enjoy a complementary silica face mask. (Additional cost)
Add on : Why not make this a 5 day tour by adding and additional nights, a south coast tour featuring Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach and basalt columns and the opportunity for a glacier hike.(Additional cost)
Current special offers for school groups
Book your 2026 Arctic school trip with Arctic Direct by 31 May and we'll include a £500 bursary to support one student. Adventure for all!
£500 Bursary for Your 2026 Arctic Adventure!
valid until: May 2026
Teacher Checklist
£10m Public Liability Insurance Risk Assessments Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs LOtC Quality Badge ABTA Licence ATOL Licence School Travel Forum Assured Expedition Providers Association Tailor your trip
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Cultural
Learn how the first settlers came to Iceland and were able to tame the extremes to create lives there. How those social groupings grew and flourished using the unique features of the land.To what extent do people shape the land or does the land shape the people. Iceand offers some interesting insights.
Science
A geothermal powerplant and the innovations used - including a massive carbon capture program offers plenty of opportunity to delve into how Iceland has used and will continue to develop programmes to be sustainable. It is also possible to look at geothermal power to leisure, agriculture and houshold comfort. All in a sustainable manner.
History
How Iceland was founded as well as how they founded the first parliament. From the arrival of the Vikings there are some settlement remains and historical sagas, offering a unique insight into history and culture of the time - written around 1200 about Iceanders from around 1000 they are notable in Medieval literature.
Geography
A dramatic landscape of waterfalls, glaciers and volcanos - the North Atlantic ridge is showcased everywhere and offers a wide range of options to focus on. How did people get to this remote island and what happended for them to settle and then thrive here. Sparsley populated, the island offers interesting insights to a place with harsh climate and some unique physical properties
Geology
A perfect opportunity for explore plate tectonics, glaciers, geothermal activity and much more. A relatively young island, that grows by around 1cm a year, active geology is on show from the recent volanos to places like the Bridge between Continents where the North Americal/Eurasian plates are showcased.
Environmental Science
Geothermal power is ubiquitous in Iceland - used for electricity, hot water, growing fruit and vegetables, keeping snow from the footpaths in winter and much more. Opportunities to visit a geothermal powerplant, a tomato growing facility and use geothermal swimming pools. Generally cnsidered one of the greenest counties in the world an Iceland trip offers plenty of opportunities to discover what is being done and what can be done.
What size groups do we cater for?
10-55
Anything else?
We can tailor every element of the trip - from 3 nights to 7 (or more), most group sizes, most budgets and many age ranges and educational focuses - including voluntary work. Just pop us a message if you like a tailored tour.
Who are Arctic Direct?
All of our school trips are designed with students, teachers and parents in mind.
This 3 night, 5 day trip to Iceland is perfect for KS3 to KS5 students and includes flights, all transfers in Iceland, accommodation and a whole host of amazing activities which are sure to wow your students!. We also offer £10m public liability and insurance for our packages.
Ask us about trips to Iceland with different durations and activities
Teacher Checklist
£10m Public Liability Insurance Risk Assessments Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs LOtC Quality Badge ABTA Licence ATOL Licence School Travel Forum Assured Expedition Providers Association Tailor your trip
The lure of Iceland for school groups
Feature
Find out what makes Iceland so popular and tips on how to get the most out of your Iceland school trip.
> read
Subscribe
