2025 Ranney Iceland Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 3, 2025 - June 10, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$4,640 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $682 |
Important Reminders
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Insurance Reminder
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What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 3 | USA - Reykjavik | Departure flights from USA to Reykjavik, Iceland | Airplane |
| June 4 | Reykjavik | Today the group will arrive in Iceland and be greeted our program leader. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel and freshen up to later take an introductory walk of Reykjavik. We will visit the highlights of the capital including Rainbow Street, Hallgrimskirkja, Parliament House, City Hall and Harpa concert hall. At night, we sit down together for an Icelandic welcome dinner in the evening before heading out to our hotel for a well deserved night of rest. | Hótel Ísland Spa & Wellness Reykjavik |
| June 5 | Reykjavik - Golden Circle | Today is all about the Golden Circle, the most famous of all scenic routes in Iceland and combines stunning landmarks and historically significant places. After breakfast, we will head to our first stop at Thingvellir National Park and see where Europe and North-America meet in a stunning landscape and learn about the fascinating geological uniqueness of Iceland. Then, we'll continue onwards to the Geyser hot spring area and take a walk and admire the Strokkur geyser as it bursts into the air. The “Golden Waterfall” is up next as it flows down from the Langjökull glacier in cascades. Today we witness first hand Iceland being a country blessed with geothermal and hydropower. We will end our day at hotel on South Coast where dinner awaits at night. | Guesthouse & Cottages Hörgsland |
| June 6 | Reykjavik - Jökulsárlón | Today we will head the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with its floating icebergs, followed by a visit to the “ice beach”. We will make a stop to have our prepacked lunch before continuing our full day expedition in nature, far away from restaurants all day. Then, the group will carry onwards to the Skaftafell Nature Reserve on a two-hour glacier hike; there's no need to be in particular good shape for this activity, but you’ll have crampons and axes for support. After a long day of exploration, we will head to the South Coast to our hotel. We will have dinner and then prepare for our next adventure. | Guesthouse & Cottages Hörgsland |
| June 7 | Hörgsland - Helka | We will start the day with a visit to the black sand beach to admire the beautiful basalt columns on the sand that rise from the sea. We will continue westbound to enjoy the stunning views over the Hekla volcano on route to our first waterfall stop – the majestic Skógafoss with its streaming glacier water. Our second waterfall will be the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you’re able to walk behind the cascading water. We will then visit the Lavacenter for an educational Volcano film viewing. The group will spend the evening in a countryside lodge to enjoy the looooong daylight. | Hotel Hjarðarból |
| June 8 | Reykjavik | Today we go underground! A dedicated day for the science. We'll start our day with Raufarholshellir Lava tunnel cave hike with a specialized guide. We will then continue onwards to the Interactive exhibit at Hellisheidi Power Station on geothermal energy, utilization and sustainability. After lunch, the educational adventure continues at Perlan Museum, the natural history center where we will have an unforgettable educational experience of Iceland’s rare and astonishing natural wonders. See, hear, and feel the power of volcanoes, earthquakes and geothermal energy. Students will have the chance to step inside the only planetarium in Iceland and take a visual journey through the unique landscape of Iceland to observe Northern Lights. The group will also enter a real indoor ice cave and learn about Iceland’s glaciers, and their geological impact. Tonight we will enjoy a hearty buffet dinner in Reikjavik before heading back to our hotel. | Hótel Ísland Spa & Wellness Reykjavik |
| June 9 | Reykjavik - Reykjanes Peninsula | On our last full day in Iceland, we will explore the Reykjanes Peninsula with all that comes with it. We start the our journey by crossing the walk bridge Milli Heimsálfa, connecting the North American & Eurasian tectonic plates. Afterwards, we will make a stop at Gunnuhver, an active geothermal area with mud pools & steam vents, and trails and then head to Grindavik to witness the ramifications of the recent eruptions. After lunch, we will dedicate the second part to the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bath and hot water clay treatment. The group will end the day in Reykjavik and enjoy a free evening in Reykjavik. Tonight we will complete our end of program activities and have our farewell dinner before heading back to our hotel to prepare our international departure tomorrow. | Hótel Ísland Spa & Wellness Reykjavik |
| June 10 | Reykjavik - USA | After checking out of our hotel we will visit the Elliðaárstöð Power Station, one of the most beautiful buildings in Reykjavik, where we will learn about renewable energy on the island. After our visit, we'll head to the airport and begin our journey back to the USA. | Your own bed, eventually |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Hotel Hjarðarból
Set in reconstructed farm buildings surrounded by woodland, this laid-back family-run accommodation will be the perfect stay in Southern Iceland. Hotel Hjarðaból features 30 comfortable, down-to-earth and homely rooms with rustic furnishings that vary in size and set up. Wifi is available throughout the property.
Hótel Ísland Spa & Wellness Reykjavik
Hótel Ísland is centrally located next to Laugardalur; all main attractions are just minutes away, making the hotel ideally placed to access the very best of what Reykjavík has to offer. Rooms are recently renovated, have access to wifi.
Guesthouse & Cottages Hörgsland
Just a 10-minute drive from the charming town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Guesthouse & Cottages Hörgsland is nestled in a beautiful ridge in the countryside, offering stunning views of nature. Students will be split between separate cottages on the property, which are fully equipped.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
| Outbound | Icelandair | FI | 622 | EWR – Newark International Airport, Newark, United States | June 3, 2025 at 8:25pm | KEF – Keflavík International Airport, Keflavík, Iceland | June 4, 2025 at 6:15am |
| Inbound | Icelandair | FI | 623 | KEF – Keflavík International Airport, Keflavík, Iceland | June 10, 2025 at 5:00pm | EWR – Newark International Airport, Newark, United States | June 10, 2025 at 7:10pm |
Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination. Weather in Iceland is famously unpredictable, year round, so we recommend to be prepared for cold weather.
CLOTHES
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts
- Thermal base layers
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
- Comfortable hiking/casual pants
- Durable athletic/walking shoes to use in town
- Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots to use in nature
- Warm hat and gloves
- Neck gaiter or scarf
- Hat with good sun protection
- Swimsuit
TOILETRIES
- Your basics
- High SPF sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Chapstick and moisturizer
- Basic 1st aid kit
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medications in original packaging. Prescription meds should show patients name
MISCELLANEOUS
- Passport
- Student ID
- Sunglasses
- Sleeping mask (24h of sunlight in Iceland this time of year)
- Journal and pen
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable, reusable water bottle
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- Portable power bank (optional)
- Type C/F adapter
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Gabriel Duncan
Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO
Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government
While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.
University of Kansas – B.A. Latin American Studies; Global and International Studies, Minor in Brazilian Studies
Jordan hails from Kansas City where he spent his entire childhood. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his first international experience would set the course for the rest of his life. After high school, he traveled to Guatemala where he began learning Spanish and cultivated a deep interest in everything Latin America. In college, Jordan spent almost half of his university career studying abroad in both Costa Rica and Brazil. In 2010, Jordan moved to Costa Rica for six years where he began his professional career teaching Portuguese to Costa Ricans and working with Walking Tree Travel. From Costa Rica he moved to Denver, Colorado and spent seven years traveling the USA and experiencing life as an adult in America for the first time. Jordan is trilingual and has traveled to more than 30 countries around the world. He currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal and enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, biking, spending time at the beach and cooking Middle Eastern food.
Shani Azoulay Grinspan
Program Leader
Earlham College – B.A. Psychology, Minor in Global Management
Growing up in multiple countries abroad, Shani was exposed to many different cultures and communities and developed a passion for travel. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Icelandic and attributes her leadership skills to her many travel experiences, as well as her current work. Traveling is Shani’s favorite classroom, it has taught her many things about the world and herself. Shani is currently a global citizen, facilitating transformational workshops and leading women’s retreats around the world.
Katharina Breslauer
Program Leader
University of Iceland – Icelandic Language
From a young age, I have been fascinated by Iceland. During my university studies in my hometown of Münster, Germany, I finally had the opportunity to visit for the first time. With a major in biosciences, it felt like an ocean of possibilities opened up. So, in 2008, I moved to Iceland and soon after completed a diploma in Icelandic language at the University of Iceland. Today, I am a licensed tour guide. I love exploring and learning more about this incredible island while sharing it with others and going on adventures together.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Alexander Szeremeta
- 2 Ava Ansell
- 3 Avi Rao
- 4 Darren Twomey
- 5 Hailey Mullen
- 6 Jacob Zemlinsky
- 7 Jake Nagy
- 8 John Schneider
- 9 John Szeremeta
- 10 Joshua Moini
- 11 Kathleen Scott
- 12 Lauren Laub
- 13 Lawrence Royce
- 14 Leslie Patient
- 15 Luke Gmelich
- 16 Maeve Presutti
- 17 Mia Grossman
- 18 Mingyu Zhang
- 19 Oliver Olson
- 20 Quinlan Miller
- 21 Roxanne Spencer
- 22 Savanna Stemmermann
- 23 Tian Shi
- 24 Xinge Ye
- 25 Xinyu Wang
- 26 Xiyuan Lyu
- 27 Yasmeen Khan
- 28 Ziyuan Shu
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Iceland website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.
Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.
We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.