Tranby Senior School pupils had an incredible experience during the October half term Geography trip to Iceland!
This Iceland expedition began in the early hours of the morning, with pupils meeting at school at 03:00 full of anticipation for the adventure ahead. After landing in Iceland at around 11:30 local time, we were met by our expert and guide Dave Jackson and the group set off straight away to explore the unique volcanic landscape. Our first stops were Gunnuhver geothermal area and the Bridge Between Continents, where pupils experienced Iceland's crisp, fresh air and witnessed the dramatic geology that makes the country so distinctive.
The afternoon was spent at the world-famous Blue Lagoon. Despite the cool air, bright sunshine made conditions perfect for enjoying the geothermally heated waters. Pupils relaxed in the warm lagoon, sampled refreshments from the swim-up bar, applied natural silica face masks, and explored the various pools. Some ventured into the steam cave, while others enjoyed standing beneath the lagoon's waterfalls. Refreshed and relaxed, we returned to our hotel for a delicious three-course evening meal before making a quick visit to a local supermarket. With an early start catching up on them, pupils were soon settled in bed. However, the day had one more remarkable surprise in store. After one observant pupil alerted staff to activity in the night sky, everyone wrapped up in pyjamas, coats, hats and gloves and headed outside to witness a spectacular display of the Northern Lights. Dancing across the sky for over an hour, this unforgettable natural phenomenon provided the perfect end to an incredible first day.
Day two took us along Iceland's spectacular South Shore. Our first stop was the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where pupils experienced the unique opportunity to walk behind the cascading water. Despite wearing waterproof clothing, everyone emerged considerably wetter than expected. We then travelled to the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, climbing more than 400 steps to reach the viewing platform and appreciate the waterfall's full scale from above. The journey continued to Reynishverfi's famous black sand beach, where pupils explored dramatic basalt columns and admired the towering sea stacks offshore, as well as views towards the Dyrhólaey peninsula and its impressive natural arch.
The highlight of the day for many was the glacier walk at Sólheimajökull, a glacier tongue extending from the larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. Equipped with specialist gear and accompanied by expert guides, pupils explored the glacier's surface, taking in breathtaking views of Iceland's volcanic landscape. They ventured into an ice cave, observed striking glacial features up close and even sampled fresh water directly from a glacial stream. After an action-packed day, the group returned to the hotel for another excellent three-course meal and a well-earned rest.
Our third day focused on Iceland's famous Golden Circle. The morning began at a snowy Kerið Crater, a striking volcanic crater formed approximately 3,000 years ago. Pupils learned about its formation and admired the vivid blue lake nestled within its steep red volcanic walls. From there, we travelled to Gullfoss, one of Europe's most impressive waterfalls. The powerful cascade plunges into a dramatic canyon, providing spectacular views and countless photo opportunities.
Continuing our journey, we made a special stop to meet some of Iceland's famous horses before heading to the geothermal area surrounding the Great Geysir. Here we watched Strokkur erupt repeatedly, sending columns of boiling water up to 25 metres into the air every few minutes, much to everyone's excitement. The final major stop of the day was Þingvellir National Park, a site of immense geological and historical significance. Pupils were able to stand at the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and observe the Mid-Atlantic Ridge running dramatically through the landscape.
Later that afternoon, we travelled to Reykjavík and checked into our second hotel before dinner and an evening exploring Iceland's capital city. We visited Höfði House, famous for hosting the 1986 Reykjavík Summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, a meeting regarded as a significant milestone in the ending of the Cold War. The group also enjoyed a stop for traditional Icelandic ice cream, where even a "small" serving proved far larger than expected. Before returning to the hotel, we visited the iconic Sun Voyager sculpture, its gleaming steel structure standing proudly against Reykjavík's waterfront and providing a fitting final landmark of our journey.
The following morning, with memories of glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, volcanic landscapes and the magical Northern Lights still fresh in our minds, we departed early for the airport and began our journey home. The trip provided an unforgettable opportunity to experience Iceland's extraordinary physical geography, culture and history first-hand, creating memories that will stay with pupils for years to come.
Thank you to the wonderful staff who accompanied the trip and to our lovely pupils who - as always - represented Tranby so brilliantly. They truly made this amazing visit a pleasure to be a part of and did their families and themselves proud.