New Scientist - USA (2021-02-27)

Land of fire

and ice: Iceland

Join an unforgettable tour of Iceland’s

majestic landscapes, scheduled to maximise

days filled with volcanic and geological

adventure, and evening opportunities to see

the Aurora Borealis.

Spend time with leading geologist Oliver

Shorttle, discovering the might of the planet as

you marvel at the sights, sounds and smells of

erupting geysers, hot springs, and bubbling

mud. Plus, stunning glaciers, waterfalls and

visible tectonic plates pulling apart. Staying at

four different hotels to reduce travelling and

see more of Iceland.

Highlights

• Join talks and walking seminars from
  Oliver Shorttle.


• Tour Þingvellir National Park, the site of
  Iceland's first parliament, founded in 930, and
  a geological wonder where the American and
  Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart.


• Visit Iceland's Geysir geothermal area,
  where you'll see the Strokkur geyser shoot
  water 30 metres into the air. Be spellbound
  by the immense beauty and sheer power of
  the Gullfoss Waterfall.


• Super jeep drivers will take you to the elegant
  Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is unique in its
  kind, as you can walk behind the plummeting
  falling stream without getting (too) wet, for a
  unique viewing angle.


• Cross the deep and roaring rivers that guard
  the wooded surroundings of Thórsmörk, where
  you will have time to hike around the area and
  admire some of the many viewpoints it offers.
  
  
  • A trip to the eerily beautiful Skógafoss
    waterfall, one of the biggest waterfalls in
    Iceland. 25 metres wide with a 60-metre
    drop. You will feel the immense power of the
    waterfall close-up, as you climb a long windy
    set of stairs to a truly stunning viewpoint.
  
  
  • Visit the famous Jokulsarlon Glacier
    Lagoon, a stunning sea of floating icebergs.
    Weather permitting, there will be an
    opportunity to step outside and witness the
    natural wonders of the Northern Lights.
  
  
  • Walk on Europe's biggest ice cap –
    Vatnajokull, which has around 30 glaciers
    flowing out from it.
  
  
  • Enjoy lunch in the black sand seaside town
    of Vik. The sea on one side and high cliffs on
    the other, dramatically positions this quaint
    little village as Iceland's most southerly
    mainland settlement.
  
  
  • Visit the Lava Centre, an interactive,
    high-tech educational exhibition depicting
    volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the
    creation of Iceland over millions of years.
  
  
  • Relax in the warm thermal waters of natural
    hot springs in the village of Fludir.
  
  
  
  

Flexible deposits and covid-19

safety protocols including:

• Pre-departure screening of all guests
  and tour leaders.


• Increased sanitisation of all accommodation
  and transport.


• Mandatory use of PPE where appropriate. In partnership with
  Intrepid Travel

Discovery

Tours

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30 October and 6 November 2021

For more information visit newscientist.com/tours