Portola High School - Iceland

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Sunday March 28: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Monday March 29: Reykjavik

Upon your arrival to Keflavík Airport in the early morning, meet your Encore Tour manager and dive straight into your Iceland adventure with a visit to the Viking Musuem, focusing on the Vikings who explored Greenland and North America over a thousand years ago. Your visit includes a hearty buffet breakfast. Later continue thtough other-worldly lava fields to the capital Reykjavik, and settle into your hotel before a short orientation tour with your tour manager. Dinner is in a local restaurant tonight (B,D) pick up your luggage and meet your Encore Tour Manager in the arrivals hall. You will make a stop nearby the airport for a delicious breakfast buffet. Continue on to the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's greatest treasures! This geothermal spa is known for its wonderful skin healing powers and offers heated waters ranging from 98-102 degrees fahrenheit. Afterward, continue to Reykjavík and check in to your hotel. This afternoon you will have some free time to explore on your own, followed by an arrival briefing to discuss the details of your tour. Enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant before turning in for a good night's sleep! (B,D) On arrival

Day 3, Tuesday March 30: Reykjavik

This morning after breakfast, a full day excursion takes you around the Golden Circle including the Thingvellir National Park, the only place on Earth where you can see the join between the American and Eurasian land masses. Your tour also includes the spectacular Geysir park where Strokkur ('The Cauldron') bursts into life every few seconds. The spectacle continues at the Gullfoss waterfall, before you visit Iceland's ancient cultural center at Skálholt: here you'll perform your first concert at the picturesque church. Tonight you'll stay in the small town of Hvolsvollur near to the (B,D)

Day 4, Wednesday March 31: Reykjavik

After an early start and breakfast, head to the beautiful south coast region. If the skies are clear, you’ll have a view of two famous volcanoes. Beautiful Mt. Hekla is Iceland’s most frequently erupting volcano, and Eyjafjallajökull made headlines around the world in 2010 by closing airspace between the US and Europe for weeks. You'll make a stop at the Seljalandsfoss and breathtaking Skógafoss waterfalls, and walk on the volcanic black sand at Vík. This afternoon take a walk on the Solheimajokull Glacier, and experience an extraordinary landscape full of glacier ice, deep crevasses and water cauldrons on this easy hike. Later make the journey back to Reykjavik with an en route stop for dinner (B,D)

Day 5, Thursday April 1: Reykjavik

This morning is spent on a guided city sightseeing tour with a local guide. You will journey inside the Perlan ('Pearl'), a remarkable building with a glass dome that offers breathtaking views of the city and beyond. Next, visit Hallgrímskirkja, the famous church at the top of the city. Continue down the waterfront towards Harpa Hall. Since its grand opening in 2011, Harpa Hall is considered one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world. Today you'll perform your second concert of the tour in collaboration with a local ensemble. (B,D)

Day 6, Friday April 2: Reykjavik

Today you will discover the amazing geological features of Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Geopark, including the Continental Bridge, the Rekyjanesviti lighthouse, and the colorful Gunnuhver geothermal field. It may also be possible to see the lava field from the most recent eruptions in 2021 and 2023 if weather conditions allow. This afternoon you'll relax in the Blue Lagoon, a unique lake with bathing resort, offering pleasantly warm mineral-rich geothermal water in the middle of a black lava field. Natural silica salts and minerals give the Lagoon its rich blue color. Before heading back to Reykjavik, you will stop at Krýsuvík, where you can view quirky colourful mud pools and steam vents bubbling away, and the black, deep Lake Kleifarvatn. After dinner in your hotel, we begin the night-time hunt for the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, one of the most spectacular natural shows on the planet! (B,D)

Day 7, Saturday April 3: Reykjavik

After breakfast take a leisurely morning to revisit some of the Reykjavik stores, or swim in a geothermally heated pool. Later today you'll return to the Harpa concet hall for your final concert, before a special farewell dinner to celebrate your successful performance tour of Iceland! (B,D)

Day 8, Sunday April 4: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)