Trip Notes Trip Code: FPI Country: Iceland Amended: October 2012 Edition No: JC 01 2013 Valid from: 01 Jan 2013-31 Dec 2013 SUMMER ICELAND FAMILY ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHTS Active volcanoes, bursting geysers and cascading waterfalls Bathe in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon Lava caving and hiking in nature reserves Horse-riding or island boat cruise (both optional) Discover Reykjavik - capital of this land of fire and ice SUMMARY This trip is a great one week family adventure, a refreshing summer holiday to explore Iceland's rugged natural beauty. From giant glaciers to steaming geysers and cascading waterfalls, this truly is a land like no other - a Land of Fire and Ice. Visit the famed Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, walk on the craggy south shore and laze in the restorative thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. We delve underground on a lava caving excursion to see the magical twists and turns of the volcanic rock formations, and hike around an active volcano. Discover Thingvellir National Park, home to Europe's oldest parliament, and get an insight into the cultural identity of the people who call these dramatic lands home. There's time too, to see the sights of Reykjavik, Iceland's capital and largest city. This island is a living Geography lesson which offers plenty of activity and adventure for your family to enjoy. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? This tour is operated in partnership with our sister company The Adventure Company (TAC), as such the group may be a mixture of Exodus and TAC clients. This trip is booked through Exodus and you will receive the same award winning customer service that you are used to. TAC operate with the same core principles used by Exodus and champion the benefits of small group travel. This is a leisurely trip suitable for most families. A basic level of fitness is all that is needed for the hikes, some of which are on rough terrain, but which are otherwise easy. Activities are all optional. Anyone with a fear of closed spaces (claustrophobia) may prefer to skip the cave exploring. Ideal for anyone with a keen interest in geography and geology. Minimum age: 7 years old. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the type of accommodation normally used (if different standards of accommodation are used - see accommodation section below for key to codes), and meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Reykjavik; Blue Lagoon. Those on the group flights will be met on arrival into Keflavik Airport and transferred to the start hotel in the centre of Reykjavik. Those not on the group flights will make their own way to the hotel to join the tour. After settling in, you will visit one of the most famous and instantly recognisable thermal springs in the world, the Blue Lagoon a geothermal spa caused by silica and sulphur in the ground. Temperatures in the swimming area can reach as high as 40 degrees, so if you do decide that you want to take a dip, make sure you are prepared for the heat! The lagoon is known for having healing properties, so after a long soak here you may come out feeling renewed and invigorated. It's a great way to recover from your journey and to start your holiday feeling refreshed. In the evening you will be able to see the exciting city of Reykjavik by night. CH Day 2 Skogarfoss and Eyjafjallajokull. Today you head south to the small settlement of Skogar and visit the beautiful natural wonder of Skógarfoss a 60m high water fall which tumbles down over jagged rocks. The first settler at Skogar was Thrasi Thorolfsson, a learned man of antiquated character. He is said to have hidden a chest filled with gold coins in a cave behind the waterfall. On fine days, when the sun is shining, people say that his gold glitters through the water. Many have tried to find the chest and Exodus Travels Ltd Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: (44) 0845 330 6008 Fax: (44) 020 8673 0779 E-mail: sales@exodus.co.uk www.exodus.co.uk
in a warm river, and just for fun as a scientific experiment we boil an egg in the hot water here. CH (B) Day 7 End Reykjavik. The tour ends here for those not on the group flights. Those on group flights will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. (B) ACCOMMODATION 6 nights comfortable hotels. We spend 4 nights in a modern 4 star hotel in Reykjavik (usually Hotel Natura) and 2 nights in the south in the Vik area (usually Hotel Edda). All rooms are en suite. Rooming in hotels Family of two or four - All family groupings of two and four will be put into either one or two twin rooms. How you decide to share is up to the discretion of the adults. stories say once a young man succeeded. He tied a rope to its ring and pulled. He only retrieved the ring, which was later used for the church door at Skogar; you can now see it in the museum. You head on down to the very southernmost headland of Iceland, through small villages and farmlands with views to the majestic mountains towering over the coast. On the way, there are great views of Hekla Volcano, and the towering, ice capped strato volcano Eyjafjallajökull. In April 2010, the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull Volcano made it become known the world over as it caused planes to be grounded all over Europe. This area is a paradise for geology, showing the forces of nature and creation of life very clearly. Continue to Vik where you will stay for the next 2 nights. CH (B) Day 3 Skaftafell National Park. The Skaftafel National Park contains some of Iceland's finest scenery with a rugged landscape of glaciers and mountains, there are no roads in the park but a series of hiking trails allow you to explore the area. You are following in the footsteps of James Bond in 'Die Another Day' and Lara Croft in 'Tomb Raider' which were filmed in this region. Take a boat trip on the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, moving between the huge natural ice sculptures as they float past you on their way out to sea is quite magical - watch out for wildlife such as seals, eider ducks and maybe a jumping salmon. Return to your hotel. CH (B) Day 4 Gullfoss, Geysir and Pingvellir The geyser is something that defines Iceland so much that this name has become synonymous with this spectacular occurence and today you will visit them yourself. From the ancient Icelandic world 'geysa', meaning to gush, this is now the name that is given to a high pressure discharge of water from the land the world over. You will see the Great Geyser in the Haukadular Valley, where eruptions can force water an amazing 70 metres in the air. Within the Golden Circle there are several of these geysers which erupt with great frequency to the delight of onlookers. Family of three - Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in some places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that, in practice, a triple room will often simply be a twin room with a mattress on the floor or a further bed squashed in. Where it is impossible to provide a triple room, you will have to decide which of your party takes the single room. Family of five or more - For larger families, we will provide twin rooms as standard, with a triple room if there is an odd number. Whilst we will do our very best to ensure that families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can't guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over where you will be put. You need to come prepared for this. Single Accommodation: Single rooms may be available on request for a supplement of 279 (US$490). Please enquire at the time of booking or contact your Sales Representative for further details and availability. Extra Accommodation: Should you wish to extend your stay, extra nights pre or post tour accommodation may be available in Reykjavik on request. Please enquire at the time of booking or contact your Sales Representative for further details, prices and availability. KEY TO ACCOMMODATION: We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description. CH Comfortable Hotel, Lodge or Gite - twin rooms with en suite facilities, reliable electricity and water supply, good service and some added amenities. Also visit Strokkur Pingvellir National Park where Europe's oldest parliament was founded around the year 930. See Loburg, or Law Rock, a natural focal point here which was used for holding speeches. Return to Reykjavik. CH (B) Day 5 Reykjavik; free day. Today is left free for you to explore by yourselves or take optional activities. You might like to go horse riding along the peninsula or take a boat cruise around the islands in the bay. CH (B) Day 6 Lava caving and Heidmork hike. This morning you go underground for some exciting caving (approx. 4 hours). You will see the magical underground rock formations that lava eruptions have left behind. It is a great way to learn how Iceland was created. In the afternoon you will hike around Hengill Volcano. The volcano is still active, as displayed by the many hot springs and fumaroles around it, but it has not erupted for 2000 years. It is an important source of power for the south of the island. There is a chance to bathe 2
FOOD & TRANSPORT Food All breakfasts are included in the price of the tour and will be taken in our hotel(s). Icelandic cuisine typically includes lamb, dairy, and fish, due to its proximity to the ocean. Transport Airport transfers and travel by road will be by minibus. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY JOINING THE TRIP IN REYKJAVIK 7 days, normally start Reykjavik Sat, end Reykjavik Fri Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Reykjavik in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Airport Transfers If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. If you would like us to organise a private transfer, please ask your sales consultant for a quote. Please ensure that you provide us with all relevant information at least 2 weeks before departure. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Although Iceland lies at a latitude just outside the Arctic Circle, its climate is milder than would be expected due to the presence of the North Atlantic Current. The southern coastal area experiences a cold oceanic climate, and the highlands a tundra climate. The weather in Iceland can be notoriously variable, and can be windy, especially in the highland areas. Average summer temperatures in the southern part of the island are 10-13 ºC (50-55 ºF), although warm summer days can reach 20-25 ºC (68-77 ºF). We recommend bringing layers suitable for an array of weather conditions. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 7 days, normally depart London Sat, return Fri Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Icelandair (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. We stay in locally owned hotels and pensions, use resident leaders and guides and use locally owned transport; this helps distribute amongst a wide number of people the money we spend. Because our groups are small, it is easier to monitor and control the impact on the environment through the areas we travel. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: www.exodus.co.uk/responsible-travel PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. No visa required for British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus have booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. 3
You should take sufficient cash to get you through at least the first few days. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques ATM machines (cash points) are widely available in all major towns and cities. Credit cards (MasterCard and Visa) can be used in some places. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Approximate costs in the local currency are given for guidance only, and may vary widely according to location and type of establishment. Please see below for a rough guide: Tea/ Coffee 450 ISK Soft Drink 965 ISK Bottled water 350 ISK Bottle of beer 800 ISK 2 course meal 3000-5000 ISK 3 course meal 6000-8000 ISK Glass of wine 800 ISK Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. If you are a UK resident you should obtain an EHIC (European Health Insurance Certificate) which entitles you to free or reduced-cost emergency treatment. This replaces the E111 which is no longer valid. You can obtain an application form for an EHIC at post offices or applying online at www.ehic.org.uk. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) Some or all of the excursions detailed below may be available. Approximate costs are given for guidance only and may depend on the number of participants. Most optional excursions can be paid for in GBP. Your leader should be able to assist you in arranging them: Saga Circle Tour - From 85pp (approx. US$140) Westman Islands Tour - 85pp (approx. US$140) Tipping (leader and local staff) Tipping is an accepted part of everyday life and - although it is always at your discretion - you will be expected to tip to reward service. Your leader will be able to give you an indication of when and how much is appropriate. This can vary, but please calculate on the basis of 25 (US$40) per person for this trip. Also, if you wish to tip your leader (in recognition of their contribution towards your overall enjoyment of the holiday) a suggested guideline would be approximately 1-2 (US$2-3) per person, per day. Insurance - are you adequately covered? Please ask for details of the Exodus insurance policy that has been tailored to provide specific cover for our Families trips. It provides comprehensive cover for Family travel, including lower premiums for single parent families. The Family Annual Multi-Trip policy includes cover for up to four children and covers everyone on the policy for independent travel, such as school trips. It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). If taking an alternative policy you must be sure that you are covered for any activities that are part of this trip or optional activities that you intend to take part in. For further information please see the insurance section of the Exodus Travel Advice guide or visit www.exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/travel-insurance Local Time GMT -1hr. Electricity 230V European adaptor required Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 6 and 20 people. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 7 years. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Iceland is the Iceland Krona (ISK), with an exchange rate of 185 to the UK and 110 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. 4 WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. Thermal outerwear is provided for outdoor activities. If you need further advice, please call us or consult your nearest specialist outdoor clothing and equipment store. Wind & waterproof jacket in breathable fabric Wind & waterproof trousers in breathable fabric Thermal mid layer (warm fleece) Comfortable, well-broken-in, waterproof, walking boots Trainers - to wear inside accommodation Swimming costume (for the geothermal pools) Sunglasses
Sunscreen and lipsalve Personal First Aid kit Day bag / rucksack (approx 25-30 litres) We recommend that you use a a soft bag or rucksack for your main piece of luggage, as opposed to a hard suitcase. Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check www.baa.com and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? http://www.exodus.co.uk/community IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) 1582 644 100. Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best alternative arrangements possible that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. On all trips the staff are there to help ensure the holiday runs as smoothly as possible and, in the unlikely event that it does not, to sort out the best possible alternatives. What they cannot do is act as child minders or babysitters; they will treat your children as 'young adults', but it is your responsibility to look after your young ones. During free time or if you decide to opt out of part of the itinerary, you are responsible for your family and any arrangements that need to be made. Under no circumstances should this responsibility fall on our staff or any of your fellow travellers outside of your immediate family. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Where differences exist in the information between these Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes are the correct version and supersede the brochure. Abnormal conditions or other events beyond our control can prevail at any time, particularly in remote or off the beaten track destinations, therefore all holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate and airlines closely manage their rates and availability to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our PUBLISHED Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive prices can often become out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your travel agent, who will be able to consider all options to meet your travel requirements. We remain committed to providing the best holiday experiences at a fair price. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email. 2. Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay by cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5