It’s a surprising, even astonishing land; one of massive glaciers and rumbling volcanoes, bubbling mud holes and powerful waterfalls; hugely abundant bird life and just 340,000 people; and where the sun never sets for six splendid weeks. It’s also perfect for exploring in a small group, as we discover traveling the breadth of the country and getting an up-close view of this natural “wonderland.

Dates: August 21 – 31, 2027

Land Only (transfers not included): $7,495

From San Francisco (air-inclusive)*: $8,992
($8,495 air & land inclusive plus $497 airline taxes and fees)

Deposit: $650

Single Supplement: $1,595

*Other cities listed on brochure, which can be downloaded on the overview tab of this trip approximately nine months before departure. Airline prices are subject to change, and airline upgrades will be additional to the costs listed above.

Please note, all prices are for a standard, double room unless listed otherwise.

Cancelation policy:

Final payment due date is 125 days out.

  • 125 days or more: $200 penalty
  • 124 to 95 days: 25% of the tour price
  • 94 to 65 days: 50% of the tour price
  • 64 to 30 days: 75% of the tour price
  • 29-0 days: No refund

Your Tour Price Includes:

  • Exclusive departure for the University of California Santa Cruz
  • Small group size limited to 24 guests
  • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; flight within itinerary
  • 9 nights’ accommodations in listed properties
  • 20 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Extensive sightseeing as described in the day-by-day itinerary, including all entrance fees
  • Services of a dedicated Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  • Private motorcoach transportation throughout the trip
  • Luggage handling for one bag per person
  • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Book your trip today by filling out the brochure and emailing it to ietravel@ucsc.edu.

Day to Day Itinerary

Depart the United States for Reykjavik, Iceland.

Upon our early morning arrival in Iceland’s capital, we meet our Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, have breakfast at a local restaurant, then enjoy a scenic drive east. We stop to view the geothermal exhibit at the Hellisheidi Power Plant. Mid-afternoon, we reach pastoral Selfoss and our hotel. Tonight: a briefing on the journey ahead followed by a welcome dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today’s highlights include the interactive Lava Center; Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most visited waterfalls; and nearby Skogafoss, a popular waterfall known for its rainbows on sunny days. We continue on to lovely Vik, Iceland’s southernmost town, where we’re free to explore and shop for items of locally produced wool. This afternoon, we walk along the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, lined with columnar, basalt-filled caves. En route to our hotel, we stop by the Solheimajokull “sliding” glacier.

Meals: Breakfast

We transfer to Reykjavik this morning for the one-hour flight to Akureyri, Iceland’s “northern capital,” where, upon arrival, we travel to beautiful Lake Myvatn. One of the world’s natural wonders, Lake Myvatn and its environs of bubbling mud flats, lava fields, and lunar-like volcanic craters comprise a stunning national park. We explore the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, see the region’s unique pseudo craters, the boiling mud pots at Namaskard, the explosion crater at Viti, and the flat volcano system at Krafla.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we travel to Husavik, where we embark on a bird-watching cruise to Puffin Island. Depending on the season, we may see thousands of seabirds including puffins, black guillemots, fulmars, and Arctic terns. On later-season departures, we instead take a whale watch cruise. This afternoon we visit Vatnajokull National Park. Here we see Asbyrgi canyon with its towering walls and hoof-shaped rock formation known as “The Island.” We continue to Hljodaklettar to explore the labyrinth of echoing basalt formations, then end at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall of the gods,” named for the carvings of Norse gods discarded here when Iceland became Christian. We arrive in Akureyri mid-morning with free time and lunch on our own. Then we travel on to Siglufjordur, where we visit the Herring Era Museum and arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We travel toward southwestern Iceland today. En route, we visit Glaumbaer folk museum with its authentic turf houses, and Gauksmyri farm, home of famed Icelandic horses. We also enjoy scenic views at Grabrok Crater and stop to see the thermal areas of Deildartunguhver and Hraunfossar Falls.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we explore the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula, beginning with a walk along the shell sand beach at the abandoned fishing village of Budir. We continue to Arnarstapi to explore caves and bizarre rock formations along the rugged shore, home to thousands of nesting birds. After lunch at a rustic oceanfront restaurant, we continue exploring this scenic region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

En route to Reykjavik we visit Thingvellir National Park, known for both its historic significance and the visible rift between the North American and European tectonic plates. We learn about Iceland’s historic parliament founded in 930 CE and walk into the rift valley. Then we stop at Great Geysir and Gullfoss, Iceland’s famous “golden” waterfall, before continuing to Reykjavik for dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we tour Iceland’s capital city. The remainder of the day is free to explore and enjoy Reykjavik as we please, with an optional visit to the Sky Lagoon available. Tonight, we celebrate our adventure over a farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We depart today for the airport and our return flights to the United States.

Meals: Breakfast

Post-Tour Extension

Reykjavik – On Your Own

 3 days, 2 nights

Make the most of the long days in Iceland’s colorful capital, at your own pace.

Post-Tour Extension Price Includes

  • 2 nights’ accommodations at Hotel Reykjavik Centrum (First Class)
  • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts
  • Transfer to Reykjavik airport

Photo Gallery

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