2026 East High School Iceland Program
| Travel Dates: |
March 21, 2026 -
March 30, 2026
Dates are tentative until flights are secured
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$4,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $800 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 17 | USA - Reykjavik | Departure flights from USA to Reykjavik, Iceland | Airplane |
| March 18 | 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. | Hotel Reykjavik |
| March 19 | 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. | Hotel Reykjavik |
| March 20 | 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. | Hotel Reykjavik |
| March 21 | Reykjavik - 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 increase your chances of spotting the Aurora Borealis at night. | Hotel Reykjavik |
| March 22 | 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 athe 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. | Hotel Reykjavik |
| March 23 | 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. | Hotel Reykjavik |
| March 24 | Reykjavik - USA | Transfer to airport for your return flight. | Your own bed! |
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.
Group Flight
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.
CLOTHES
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve sun shirts
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable/light-weight pants
- Comfortable/light-weight shorts
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals, both casual and sport/water sandals
- Hat/s with good sun protection
- Swimsuit/s
TOILETRIES
- Your basics
- High SPF sunscreen
- Basic 1st aid
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medications in original packaging. Prescription meds should show patients name
MISCELLANEOUS
- Passport and one photocopy
- Student ID
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book/s
- Camera
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle (Walking Tree provides all drinking water)
- Quick-dry towel
- Soap for washing your own clothes (optional)
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- Sense of adventure
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.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
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 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 traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about 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 comprehensive 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 collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns 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.