ICELAND: NORDIC ELEMENTS

TEEN ADVENTURE TRAVEL PROGRAM

JULY 3 - JULY 18, 2025

JULY 21 - AUGUST 4, 2025

LENGTH 16 Days

COMPLETING GRADES 9-12

ARRIVE/DEPART Keflavik, Iceland (KEF)

TUITION $6495

Our 16-day Nordic Elements program balances backcountry trekking with an adventurous road trip down the southern coast. This program is designed for active participants who want to hit Iceland's highlights, camp beneath the midnight sun, and test their backcountry skills on our 4-day Laugavegur trek.

ACTIVITIES

• Explore: Reykjavík, The Golden Circle, Geothermal Springs, Blue Lagoon, Granite Sea Stacks, Kerið Crater, þingvellir, Höfn, Black Volcanic Sand Beaches, and Vík í Mýrdal

• Culture: Greenhouse Horticulture Visit, Icelandic Horse Breeding

• Hike: Skaftafell National Park in the Vatnajökull Glacier

• Zodiac Boat Expedition: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon's Floating Icebergs

• Backpack: Landmannalaugar - The Laugavegur Trek

• Waterfalls: Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Hraunfossar, and Skógafoss

• Wildlife: Whales, Puffins, Dolphins, Arctic Foxes, Terns, Seals, Common Snipe, Ravens, Golden Plovers, Reindeer, Icelandic Horses, and Sheep

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Nordic Elements is an adventurous trip designed for those in good physical standing. Summer weather varies in Iceland, and we typically encounter beautiful sunshine, days of rain and wind, and once in a great while, it may snow on us in the mountains. Participants must be comfortable with camping and be physically fit enough for long, active days. Participants must also be able to carry their own gear as well as help carry group gear during the backcountry portion of this program. We recommend breaking in hiking boots and incorporating some physical activity into your daily routine in the months and weeks leading up to the trip. While this program is designed with beginners in mind and the majority of our participants are new to backcountry adventures, it is important for your participant to prepare in advance to ensure their success in completing this program.

WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION

The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND SHOWERING

In Iceland, we camp in tents for the majority of our time there. Camping is largely in campgrounds throughout Iceland, but four nights are backcountry tent-camping along the Laugavegur Trek. For tent camping, we aim for it to be 2 participants in a 3-person tent or 3 participants in a 4-person tent with luggage. For the select few nights spent in hostels, rooms have bunk beds and will be split by gender.

Bathrooms and showers can be rustic so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 1-2 days when showers are readily available in hostel accommodations. Showers are not available along the Laugavegur Trek. Bathrooms are a mix between flush toilets and latrines.

FOOD

Participants on this trip will plan, prepare, and eat meals as a group. Split up into smaller cook crews, each crew will have the chance to prepare a meal approximately once per day. This process is supervised by staff who offer advice on nutrition, and menu planning, and ensure safe food storage, preparation, and handling.

Meals are prepared on back-country-style camp stoves. Meals are nutritious and filling, but the back-country nature of the program often necessitates a simpler menu than a restaurant or home cook might allow.

We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.

TRAVEL

Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their student from home to Keflavik (KEF) on the first day of the trip, and from Keflavik (KEF) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all students to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.

A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available from the New York area (but is not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Please contact our office for details.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

For all international travel, we require participants to have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 MONTHS past the end date of your participant's RLT trip. If your participant's passport is due to expire within those 6 months, please work on updating your participant's passport as soon as possible upon enrollment. According to the State Department, routine passport renewal will take 10-13 weeks and expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, will take 7-9 weeks. It is your responsibility to ensure your participant's passport is up to date and meets these requirements. We encourage families to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Department of State website for all up-to-date and accurate passport recommendations. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance. However, we require participants to purchase travel insurance through a third party for all international programs. For additional details, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.

VACCINE & MEDICATION INFORMATION

We always encourage families to review the CDC website regarding recommended vaccinations and medications for international travel. More information will be provided to enrolled families from our Admissions Team in the Spring.

TECHNOLOGY

As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.