Day 1 – The Golden Circle & the Secret Lagoon

The adventure began on Tuesday 17th February with Iceland’s world‑famous Golden Circle. After breakfast, the group met their guide and set off towards some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders.

Their first stop was the Secret Lagoon, a naturally heated geothermal pool surrounded by rising steam and winter snow. Students took a refreshing dip before continuing on to:

• Thingvellir National Park – where two tectonic plates slowly drift apart
• Gullfoss Waterfall – a thunderous cascade cutting through icy rock
• The Geysir Geothermal Area – where hot water erupts dramatically from the earth

Following dinner at the hotel, the group boarded their coach for their first attempt to see the Northern Lights – an exciting, late‑night chase across Iceland’s dark skies.

Drawing with Light: Creative Night Photography Under Iceland’s Sky

One unforgettable moment came during this Northern Lights outing, when students experimented with light drawing – using long‑exposure photography to “paint” with handheld flashlights.

Grace, a Year 13 photography student, confidently led the session. She set up the Canon DSLR on a tripod, adjusted the slow shutter controls, and worked with classmates and staff to choreograph movements in the darkness. The results were incredible: swirling, bright trails drifting across the night sky like glowing signatures.

Meanwhile, Parsa and Jason explored slow‑shutter night photography.

• Parsa captured a dramatic image of the group’s coach glowing against the black landscape.
• Jason recorded the gentle movement of stars as they traced arcs overhead.

The session blended technical photography skills with pure creativity – a rare chance to make art in one of the darkest skies on Earth.

Day 2 – Waterfalls, Glaciers & the South Shore Adventure

On Wednesday, students travelled along the breath-taking south coast, stopping at some of Iceland’s most dramatic locations:

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, where water plunges from a high cliff
• Skógarfoss Waterfall, famed for its misty rainbows
• Sólheimajökull Glacier, stretching like a frozen river through the mountains
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, known for basalt cliffs and crashing waves
• The village of Vík, surrounded by snowy peaks

After returning to the hotel for dinner, the day ended with a lively trip to Egilsholl Bowling, where students swapped waterfalls for bowling lanes in a fun, relaxed evening together.

Day 3 – Volcanic Landscapes & Geothermal Wonders

On Thursday, the group explored the Reykjanes Peninsula, an otherworldly landscape shaped entirely by geothermal forces. They visited:

• Eyrarbakki Coastline
• Strandakirkja Church
• Krýsuvík Geothermal Area, filled with steaming vents and bubbling mud
• Gunnuhver Hot Springs, Iceland’s largest geothermal mud pool
• The Bridge Between Continents, where students literally walked from Europe to North America

A major highlight was the visit to Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, one of the world’s largest. Here, students learned how Iceland uses its volcanic energy to produce clean, sustainable power.

Chasing the Northern Lights in – 16°C

Later that night, at 10:40pm, students found themselves huddled on a frozen hilltop as temperatures dropped to -16°C. Even with the icy wind, spirits were high – because overhead, the Aurora Borealis unfolded in luminous ribbons of green and purple.

Using phones and DSLR cameras on slow shutter settings, students captured time‑lapse photos of the dancing lights. The experience was both scientific and deeply emotional – a reminder that this glowing phenomenon is created by collisions between solar wind particles and Earth’s magnetic atmosphere.

For many, it was the defining moment of the trip.

Day 4 – Reykjavik City Tour & Homeward Journey

On the final morning, the group explored Reykjavik, visiting landmarks including:

• Perlan Observation Deck
• Reykjavík City Hall
• Hallgrímskirkja Church
• Laugardalur Valley

After one last Icelandic lunch, the group made their way to the airport before flying home to the UK – tired, cold, and absolutely thrilled by the memories they had made.

Student Reflections

Mohammed – Year 12

“This trip to Iceland is where I fully discovered my relationship with nature. It really opened my eyes to the beauty of the world. Seeing sights like the Northern Lights, the waterfalls, and the glaciers brought warmth to my heart.”

Phiradett – Year 12

“School trips like this allow me to spend time with others who share similar aspirations to mine. Everyone who made this trip happen has done an incredible job, and I will never forget the experience of seeing such natural beauty with my own eyes.”

Abigail – Year 9 

“Walking through the national park was an amazing experience because we got to see gorgeous views such as lakes and mountains. This experience was made even better by the snow which was sprinkled so perfectly on the ground.”

Parsa – Year 12

“Iceland has honestly been one of, if not the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. The Northern Lights gave me chills. I will definitely visit Iceland again – with my family or alone – to have more time to just sit and stare at the waves on the beach or at the night sky. Overall, this has been an extraordinary experience.”

A Journey None of Us Will Forget

From waterfalls to volcanoes, from geothermal marvels to the glow of the aurora, Iceland offered students the chance to explore science, geography, photography, creativity, and resilience – all in one extraordinary week.

It was more than a school trip.
It was an adventure across another world.