An action packed week in a landscape of snow, ice and volcanoes. Jane van der Ploeg, 2017 See more reviews
This holiday exceeded expectations. Iceland is somewhere I've always wanted to go. It was... Sheila Morley, 2017 See more reviews
A really fabulous trip with all the best elements for a super holiday - fantastic country full to... Lesley Cunningham, 2017 See more reviews
Brilliant trip, wonderful guide, fantastic scenery, great activities and a lovely group of people. Kathleen Todd, 2016 See more reviews
This is a top notch holiday for any one wishing to do winter activities in Iceland. It was fairly... Mark Webb, 2015 See more reviews
Brilliant week packed with sight-seeing and activities exploring Iceland's beautiful scenery... Caz King, 2015 See more reviews
An amazing week of seeing some of the natural wonders of Iceland - a beautiful country. Louise Bottomley, 2015 See more reviews
This was a terrific trip. We had previously been on the Glaciers, Geysers and... Anonymous, 2013 See more reviews
Despite initial concerns about the lack of snow, the whole holiday was so packed with sights and... Anonymous, 2013 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Start Reykjavik. Our trip begins at our Reykjavik hotel where we have a welcome briefing at 1830. The leader will then suggest a venue for the first evening dinner so group memebers can get to know each other. You are of course free to dine where you choose. Day 2 Set off east, taking in Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls and the visitor centre at Thorvaldseyri farm, below Eyafjallajokull; on past Vik to the sea stacks at Reynisdrangar. Beyond Reykjavik lies a vast country of geological phenomena that the average visitor to Iceland does not get to see. We start however with some of the better known. Driving east we stop first at Seljalandsfoss. 'Foss' in Icelandic means waterfall, a fact that will become evident during the week. Here the water drops 60m from the former coastline and visitors can walk behind the water for a unique experience. From here we journey on to Skogafoss, an altogether different proposition, at an impressive 25m wide and 60m high. Approaching from the front the roar and spray are impressive, and steps are set into the ground leading up to a viewing platform just above the huge drop. From here the views across the plains are also worth taking in. Continueing on we stop at the Thorvaldseyri visitor centre below the Eyafjallajokull volcano. This was set up by the farmers who charted their experiences of the eruption and its aftermath on film and we watch this short documentary for a fascinating view of what life was like during that period. Our final visit of the day is Reynisfjara volcanic beach near the village of Vik, where we explore the basalt columns and see the famous sea stacks. We then jump back on the minibus and drive to our overnight hotel near Skaftafell. This is approximately a 2 hour drive, a good opportunity to review the days photos and learn more about the country from your leader. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Visit Skaftafell and enjoy an easy glacier walk on Svinafellsjokull or Solheimajokull Glacier. We explore the visitor centre in Skaftafell and see a fascinating short film on the eruptions under the Vatnajokull glacier and the catastrophic floods which occurred in 1996 after the eruption in Grimsvotn. We take the short (approx 20mins) trip to Skaftafell, part of the Vatnajokull National Park. The highlight of the day is a walk on one of the nearby glacial tongues that run down from the ice cap. Having picked up our gear we get as close to the glacier as possible in the bus, before getting ready. Our leader instructs us on how to don the helmet, harness and crampons. Though this may sound impressive, we are not about to go ice climbing. Instead we stick to the flat terrain. Crampons are needed for grip, as we are walking on ice while the helmet and harness are only precautionary and the walk is not at all taxing. We see some magical ice formations here as we explore this world of ice. Please note it may be necessary to use Solheimjokull glacier under certain circumstances, though this is an equally enchanting experience. We end the day returning to our hotel in Skaftafell. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Drive to Jokulsarlon, the glacial lagoon filled with mesmerising icebergs; walk down to the coast to enjoy the beached icebergs and ice formations. Afternoon ice cave visit (conditions permitting). The glacial lagoon at Jokulsarlon is about 30 minutes drive from our hotel and worth dedicating a good amount of time to. As we drive over the bridge we get our first glimpse of the floating icebergs. The lagoon itself was created when the glacier retreated from the shore, and the icebergs are chunks of this glacier that detach and float down the water. The icebergs eventually float down a small stream into the sea and are then thrown back onto the shore by the waves. We take the short walk down to the beach onto which the ice is pushed. This produces a short stretch of coast littered with all shapes and sizes of glacial ice. It's like visiting an exhibition of ice sculptures and provides a wealth of photo opportunities. If conditions allow we will visit an ice cave in the afternoon. Ice caves are only accessible in winter, when the rivers that run underneath the glaciers freeze as the temperature drops below zero. When this happens the tunnels they have carved out become accessible. At the end of the day we return to our hotel in Skaftafell. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 We see Gullfoss Waterfall before travelling to Geysir and the rift valley at Thingvellir. Today is packed full of more geological wonders as we drive back west towards Reykjavik. We visit Gullfoss Waterfall. Gullfoss means 'Golden Waterfall' in Icelandic, and it is a magnificent sight. Located on the Hvita River, the water rushes down from the Langjokull glacier and drops 32m down the 'steps' into the canyon. It is a fantastic sight that was nearly given over to hydro electricity in the early part of the 20th century when an English investor tried to acquire it from the local farmer. The struggle of his daughter to prevent this is recognised by a small plaque bearing her image near the falls. We then continue on to Geysir. This geothermal area has numerous geysers of differing sizes, from Litli up to Strokkur which hurls water high into the air. The area is awash with red mud and the smell of sulphur in an area that has been geothermically active for nearly 10,000 years. After time spent here we drive to the national park at Thingvellir. This was the site of Iceland's first parliament in 930 and today is a protected area boasting lava formations and the famous rift valley. Thingvellir is on a fissure that runs through Iceland, as the country is situated on the plate boundaries that create the Mid Atlantic Ridge. The rift is constantly, though slowly, expanding as the Eurasion and North American plates are pulling apart. At the end of the day we transfer to our hotel in the town of Hveragerdi. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Tour of the Hellisheidarvirkjun geothermal heating plant nestled below the mountains; into the Blue Mountains for and easy walk past lava flows to a dormant crater. Iceland is synonymous with natural, sustainable energy from its abundant natural resources. The advent in Iceland of technology capable of harnessing it has transformed the economy and therefore the country. This is why we spend the morning at the Hellisheidarvirkjun geothermal heating plant at the foot of Mt Hengill, a 45 minute drive from our hotel. This is the second largest such station in the world and was built to service the increasing demand from Reykjavik. The visitor centre is a state-of-the-art look at how the natural energy available is harnessed. There are presentations and multimedia shows provided by an experienced guide to showcase the processes and technologies at work. The afternoon sees us drive into the Blue Mountains, leaving our bus for an easy snowshoe walk, about 1.5 hours at an easy pace to the dormant craters in the area. The walk itself is also interesting as we cover see some of the unique volcanic geology. We need snowshoes purely to walk easily and comfortably over the snow. It is not at all technical, as they strap on over walking boots. We do though recommend shoes with ankle support as terrain may be uneven. The day ends with a transfer of around 40 minutes to Reykjavik. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 7 Free day in Reykjavik for optional excursions such as snowmobiling or exploring the city. Today is free to explore Reykjavik.There are many options, both in the city and further afield. The Hallgrimmskirkja is worth visiting. This Lutheran church is the largest in Iceland and commissioned in 1937. Visitors can access the main floor, and for a fee take a lift up the bell tower for a great 360 degree view over Reykjavik. The Harpa Concert Hall is another option, and is another of the capital's main landmarks. This one was nearly not completed, after the financial crisis caused funds to dry up. Ultimately the government stepped in to ensure the completion and today it holds concerts and conferences and is very much a part of Icelandic culture. Other excursions include whale watching or the famous Blue Lagoon, a prime tourist attraction of geothermally heated pools. Regular shuttle services run out and back, making it easily accessible. Alternatively you may wish to simply stroll through the centre, enjoying the vibrant café culture. We spend our final night in Reykjavik. Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Morning visit to Leidarendi lava tube cave; afternoon transfer to Keflavik; fly to London. Though this is the final day, the excursions are not over. The Leidarendi lava tube cave is located in a lava field about 25 minutes from Reykjavik. Iceland has numerous lava tube caves, all unique with twisting formations and colours. After a morning here we transfer to the airport for those on the group flights. Meals included: Breakfast
Hotels Klettur or Cabin, Hof and Ork In Reykjavik we usually use the Hotel Klettur or the Hotel Cabin, both offer comfortable accommodation with private facilities not far from the city centre. The Hof hotel in Skaftafell has an excellent location, near the Vatnajokull N.P and the vast black floodplains of Skeidararsandur. Rooms are twin with private facilities. The Hotel Ork in Hveragerdi offers modern twin rooms with en suite facilities. Single rooms are available on request, please enquire for details.
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Reviewed April 2017 Jane van der Ploeg Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer An exciting adventure in a land of ice and fire An action packed week in a landscape of snow, ice and volcanoes. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? We were (un)lucky enough to experience record breaking snowfall. Although it curtailed some of our activities the upside was the incredible scenery decked out in her finest white. What did you think of your group leader? I can't speak highly enough of Kristjan. I have been on other trips where there have been a tour leader plus driver/helper. Kistjan did the lot. Plus it's quite labour intensive making sure 14 people have helmets/harnesses/crampons fitted properly - not just like popping a pair of flip flops and a sun hat on! He had a hard job coping with the weather and compensated for it by taking us to different attractions where possible. His tales of Icelandic sagas kept us all mesmerised. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? You need thermal tops and bottoms with waterproof trousers - these help keep the wind off you. I am veggie and found no problem with the food - quite on the contrary. Alcohol isn't cheap - but nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined. We ended up going on a big bus trip to do the golden circle on our free day in Reykjavik because we'd been unable to do it earlier in the week due to inclement weather. It made us realise how worthwhile it is paying that bit extra for a small group trip like Exodus. Is there anything else you would like to add? Do it!!
Reviewed March 2017 Sheila Morley Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer Southern Iceland Winter Explorer This holiday exceeded expectations. Iceland is somewhere I've always wanted to go. It was beautiful, breath taking, and actually no words do it justice. We had an amazing guide and a great group of fellow travellers. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? All of it was incredible, I loved the ice on the beach. The ice was blue, the sand jet black, and the snow dazzling white. The glazier walk with the clear air and views such a fantastic experience. What did you think of your group leader? 10/10 for Kristjian. All of the group felt he went above and beyond a 'job', to enhance our enjoyment and kept us safe. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go for it!
Reviewed March 2017 Lesley Cunningham Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer A veyr fine trip A really fabulous trip with all the best elements for a super holiday - fantastic country full to the brim with history, culture, folklore, scenery and landscape and a good dose of just the right activity to keep you active. Plus, a first class guide and a great group. All in all, a winner. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Too many to mention, so I can only highlight that, for me, it was the vast beautiful scenery and landscape - every day different and in every weather different again. Lava and Ice - and the wild weather that although managed to curtail us slightly, brought its own adventure. What did you think of your group leader? He, Kristjan, was first class from start to finish. I think he went well out of his way to ensure we had the best of times in Iceland. We managed to achieve some extra activities, such as entering the ice cave at the glacier. Sadly the following day he had to rethink things for us due to very bad snow and storms. No matter, he made the best of all siutations. I don't think we could've had a better guide to be honest - and no matter our schedule and activities he always made sure we had time for coffee stops, and had all of the necessary bases covered. When extreme weather meant rescheduling and rejigging he did a great job. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you fancy it, go for it. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with Iceland. Perhaps, and if there is any downside, it can get so busy at the top tourist sites. However, it's more than compensated by the exodus manner of touring. Is there anything else you would like to add? I think it's a great trip for either solo travellers or couples - we all seemed to get along and mix very well.
Reviewed March 2016 Kathleen Todd Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer Iceland Experience Brilliant trip, wonderful guide, fantastic scenery, great activities and a lovely group of people. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Too many great moments , snow shoeing, glacier walk in crampons, glacial lake walk, waterfalls. What did you think of your group leader? She was brilliant, informative, energetic and good fun. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go with Exodus, it's always great. Is there anything else you would like to add? Just a big thank you.
Reviewed February 2015 Mark Webb Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer Iceland Winter walking and snowshoeing This is a top notch holiday for any one wishing to do winter activities in Iceland. It was fairly full on from the moment we landed till the moment we got back to Ray K. We did see a lot of Iceland in a small amount of time. I enjoyed the sight seeing and the Group Leader's stories about the Icelandic sagas, so much so that we bought a book on them all! War And Peace and Lord Of The Rings combined! We did spend a lot of the time in the mini bus on some days so we did feel a little bit cooped up. When we were let out we stayed out as long as we could! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? When the whole group was still keen to do some snowshoeing in a white out, blizzard on top of the mountain after the Group Leader had said this was madness! What did you think of your group leader? Kristjan was very well organised. We followed the itinerary as close as we could. He was very good at judging the abilities of all in the group and kept them safe from harm. Like I mentioned above his stories and local knowledge was superb even though he thought we weren't listening. And his local pub was spot on if you like bottled beers. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't pack as much warm clothing as you think. We did have one day at -9, but after that it was mostly above zero. The wind is a killer when it blows so make sure you have decent waterproofs and windproofs. Is there anything else you would like to add? A lot of good memories. A story about riding an Emu will all ways stick in my mind. It must of been the Brennivin! Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus Please note the above review applies to the previous incarnation of this trip which was more active and included some snowshoeing and winter walk. Many of the sites visited and leaders used are however the same and much of the comments regarding what to wear are still relevant for this trip. As such we felt it useful to leave the reviews in place.
Reviewed February 2015 Caz King Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer Winter Snowshoe Adventure Brilliant week packed with sight-seeing and activities exploring Iceland's beautiful scenery. This was my first trip as a solo traveller and so I was slightly apprehensive at the start. Needn't have been, the trip was much more than I expected. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Each day brought something different, and this variation combined with experiencing Iceland's drastic changing weather was amazing. The glacial lagoon during sunset was beautiful and completely contrasted with snowshoeing in high winds and the eerie stillness of the lava tube. It was nice to have a free day at the end to explore Reykjavik, and Kristján, our guide, helped recommend a restaurant so the whole group could all meet up on our last night. What did you think of your group leader? Kristján was fantastic, very enthusiastic, and engaging. He was especially good at filling the bus trips with stories, legends, and facts about the areas we were passing or stopping at. At Þingvellir he took us on a trip through time and explained the history of the area, which was much more interesting than reading the signs. Always felt in very safe hands, even when we were travelling through high winds and snow. Cannot praise him highly enough. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The pace was relaxed even when walking, and not very strenuous, whilst still providing the opportunity to further explore each area to your heart's content. Don't underestimate the wind, and bring proper gloves etc. to keep nice and toasty. I'm also very happy I took sunglasses. Is there anything else you would like to add? I stayed in Reykjavik for a few days after the tour finished, and Exodus were incredibly helpful in organising everything. Never thought we would fit so much in one week. I would definitely recommend this trip! Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus Please note the above review applies to the previous incarnation of this trip which was more active and included some snowshoeing and winter walk. Many of the sites visited and leaders used are however the same and much of the comments regarding what to wear are still relevant for this trip. As such we felt it useful to leave the reviews in place.
Reviewed February 2015 Louise Bottomley Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer Winter Wonders of Iceland An amazing week of seeing some of the natural wonders of Iceland - a beautiful country. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Every day was full of highlights - it was quite a full itinerary, with stunning scenery every day. The end of the first day on the bus - it was almost dark and we were driving to our hotel, when Kristjan our guide announced that the Northern Lights were starting to show - just the faintest of streaks in the sky then, but it turned into a good show later that evening. The most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen on the Tuesday morning, with an extra bus stop to allow us to appreciate it and attempt to photograph it. The Glacial Lagoon, surrounded by seals who looked like they were enjoying the view as much as we were. The story-telling and scene-setting at Thingveller - it really did feel like we had stepped back in time. And I liked the lava tube... even though it turns out I might be a little bit claustrophobic! Thanks Kristjan for getting me through it! Oh yes, the snow shoeing in the strong wind was the real highlight!! What did you think of your group leader? Kristjan was fantastic - a great mix of mountain guide, culture guide, icelandic-folk-story-teller & bus driver all rolled into one. All performed with patience, good humour, and enthusiasm. I felt we were in very safe hands! And he tried to teach us all how to speak fluent Icelandic.... I can now say the number 4 and attempt to pronounce the name of that volcano... Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It's not a hard-core walking trip - there's a lot of time spent on the bus. But that is necessary to see all the amazing things we got to see. And it's a very nice bus; well-driven, goes over ice no problem, and is very well stocked with biscuits and snacks... It could be quite windy outside at times - good to have warm clothes that cover every part of you! Proper gloves and buffs or something round your neck / face. Is there anything else you would like to add? I really enjoyed this trip. I loved Iceland, and it's a perfect trip to see and experience a lot of it in just one winter's week. I might just have to go back again in the summer... Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus Please note the above review applies to the previous incarnation of this trip which was more active and included some snowshoeing and winter walk. Many of the sites visited and leaders used are however the same and much of the comments regarding what to wear are still relevant for this trip. As such we felt it useful to leave the reviews in place.
Reviewed February 2015 Rob Pearson Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer An Exhilarating Enthralling Winter Adventure A week of varied thrilling winter activities What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Watching sunset surrounded by small icebergs washed up on the black sand beach near the glacial lagoon. What did you think of your group leader? Kristjan was a very hard working informative well organised guide and leader. He was very enthusing in both activities and stories; he drove well and safely (in "rrreally" extreme winter road conditions). He guided us superbly through "improbable" and amazing activities. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Layers, layers, layers. Listen to the advice offered and follow it - you will have an enjoyable and safe trip ! If you are on land only arrangements, ask Exodus for a local tour operator e-mail ticket for the Blue Lagoon before you fly; you can buy a Flybus ticket to go to Reykjavik, with a stopoff at the Blue Lagoon - not to be missed! (if you arrive at the Blue Lagoon midday be prepared for long queues, worth the wait, large bags stored for 3euros each). If you do an optional flight over the lava field on the last day, take the flight at dusk, not earlier; don't eat before the flight - it can be very very turbulent. Hence don't bother with photos, just gawp in amazement. Is there anything else you would like to add? We have done over 10 Exodus trips to date, as well as other "adventure" trips with other companies. I think that this trip was probably the best 1 week long trip we have done so far. Such amazing sights and varied winter activities. Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus Please note the above review applies to the previous incarnation of this trip which was more active and included some snowshoeing and winter walk. Many of the sites visited and leaders used are however the same and much of the comments regarding what to wear are still relevant for this trip. As such we felt it useful to leave the reviews in place.
Reviewed February 2013 Anonymous Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer SOUTHERN ICELAND SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE This was a terrific trip. We had previously been on the Glaciers, Geysers and Waterfalls trip and had loved Iceland so much that we wanted to return. This was much more than a snowshoeing holiday and lived up to all expectations. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were many. Walking on the glacier, visiting the thermal springs at Krisuvik, seeing the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the icebergs on the black beach, snoeshowing through the volcanic scenery and exploring the lava tube were all brilliant experiences. We also were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. What did you think of your group leader? Kristjan was an excellent leader who made sure that we got the most out of our holiday. He was sociable, knowledgable and concerned to make sure that everyone was comfortable with what we were doing. The stay at the remote guest house near Vatnajokull meant that he had to do a lot of driving and was working long hours, but he remained flexible and enthusiastic throughout. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go! Is there anything else you would like to add? This wasn't simply a snoeshoeing holiday, it was a winter adventure. If there had been more snow, we wouldn't have managed to fit in so many other fantastic experiences. Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus Please note the above review applies to the previous incarnation of this trip which was more active and included some snowshoeing and winter walk. Many of the sites visited and leaders used are however the same and much of the comments regarding what to wear are still relevant for this trip. As such we felt it useful to leave the reviews in place.
Reviewed February 2013 Anonymous Trip: Southern Iceland Winter Explorer SOUTHERN ICELAND SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE Despite initial concerns about the lack of snow, the whole holiday was so packed with sights and experiences we wondered when we would have found time to do more snowshoeing. The country has a lot to offer whatever the weather. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking on the glacier in beautiful sunshine was one high point in many. The glacier was a wonderful blue colour and as it was free of snow we could walk into the ice formations and descend into a crevass to see it all more clearly. Other highlights incude lava tubes, snow shoeing and the northern lights. What did you think of your group leader? Kristjan is an enthusiastic leader who worked hard to ensure that, despite a lack of snow, all our time was filled. He was very informative and entertaining with a good sense of humour and he was also very supportive of all the group members. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This trip is advertised as a snow shoeing trip but we only had one good day on the snow because of the conditions. In order to visit all the sights there are quite long minibus journeys which are broken up by visits to waterfalls, glacier lagoon, mud pool etc. Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus Please note the above review applies to the previous incarnation of this trip which was more active and included some snowshoeing and winter walk. Many of the sites visited and leaders used are however the same and much of the comments regarding what to wear are still relevant for this trip. As such we felt it useful to leave the reviews in place.
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