Flora

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Summer Flowers and Scenes of Southern Iceland

A six-day course looking at the flora and the accompanying scenery and geology of specific parts of Southern Iceland. Guided by Steve Flowerday and Jonathan Oldham.

 

Accommodation: Hotel in Reykjavik (B&B);

Minniborgir cabins, near Selfoss (Half board - breakfast and dinner).

 

Itinerary:

 

Travel day: Flight out (13.00 from Heathrow) Pick up at Keflavik airport. Transfer to Reykjavik for one night (Hotel Baron or similar). An evening walk along the waterfront; across the bay is the flat-topped mountain of Esja.
Meal out in town.

 

Day 1: After breakfast, drive to the Þingvellir rift valley to view the Eurasian and North American plate boundary, the larval formations, flora, geology and the ancient meeting place of Iceland’s first General Assembly (AlÞing). Travel north along the 52 to the south of Langjökull and north of Skjaldbreiður shield volcano to explore the flora of the area. Travel to Minniborgir via a provisions stop. After dinner we will have a group meeting where the we can discuses the day and the rest of the week; after which hot tubs are available.

 

Day 2: Drive north along the 35 to Gullfoss waterfall. Walk back along the edge of Hvita canyon for a short distance to look at the flora of the stunted willow and birch ‘climax’ community. Time to enjoy the waterfall and the flora on the upper terrane (and more exposed area) above the waterfall. Refreshments are available at the Gulfoss café and gift shop. Drive onto the F338 and view part of the lupin-infested areas south of Langjökull, stopping off at appropriate points to examine the flora and geology of the area. Double back and take the 37 back to Geysir volcanic area to catch Strokkur. Back to Minniborgir.

 

Day 3: Reykjanes peninsula: drive through lava fields stopping to look at interesting sites. Visit the Krysuvik geothermal area and flora and see the thermophiles in the hot water! Look at the coastal flora at Seletangar Beach. A walk through the lava fields of Reykjanes peninsula near Grindavik. A trip to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing dip.
Back to Minniborgir via Hveragerði.

 

Day 4: An early start going east along the main 1 road to enable us to examine the flora of the Eyjafjallajökull area. Following the eruption in 2010, part of this area has some of the ‘newest’ geology in the country. Exploration of this area, including ‘behind’ the mountain via the F249. Seljalandsfoss and Urriðafoss waterfalls.

 

Day 5: Leave Minniborgir for the last time. First stop, Hveragerði. Exploration of this geothermal area and the local flora and geology. Onto the 417 and a trip through the Bláfjöll and Tvibollahraun lava fields, exploring the flora and geology. Back to Hotel Baron in Reykjavik. Dinner out in town in the evening.

 

Day 6: After breakfast a morning to explore Reykjavik, with a walk along the main shopping street (Laugavegur), dotted with book shops, coffee shops and restaurants, to the centre of the capital. Transfer to Keflavik airport for an afternoon flight back to the UK.

 

Please note all participant will receive a copy of “Flowering Plants and Ferns of Iceland” by
Hörður Kristinsson, plus the Botanical Map of Iceland, included in the course fee.

 

The cost of the course includes
Return Flights (Economy Class) from London Heathrow to Keflavik.
Guided tours to the various sites (as shown in the itinerary).
Transport whilst in Iceland.
Bed and Breakfast (two days) Hotel Baron (or similar) Reykjavik
Half-Board at Minniborgir cabin - breakfast and dinner
A visit to the Blue Lagoon.

 

Clients will need to:
Buy lunches - the cabins have self-catering facilities so local
supermarkets can provide
materials for sandwiches etc.
Buy evening meals when in Reykjavik.
Purchase their own travel insurance.

Please Note: If you wish to travel from an alternative UK airport please contact RTC.

The itinerary given is subject to alteration due to weather conditions, seasonal changes in the abundance of flora and the ‘general’ interest of the group.

Website: minniborgir (we shall be using Village II)

 

The Guides.

 

Steve Flowerday is a qualified Zoologist and Ecologist, a Scientific Fellow of the Zoological Society of London and, one-time, Senior Teaching Officer at The Field Studies Council Centre at Flatford Mill in Suffolk, UK. He has been active in local societies, such as the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. He is currently Head of Environmental Science at a College in Essex and the UK Project Manager for the Reykjavik Tour Company. He has led many courses abroad, mainly to the United States and Iceland.

 

Jonathan Oldham is a qualified Botanist and Ecologist. He was one-time Deputy Director and Education Manager at The Field Studies Council Centre at Flatford Mill in Suffolk, UK. He has been active in local societies, such as the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. He has led Wild Flower courses whilst at Flatford and has assisted with overseas courses in France, Belarus and Kazakhstan. He has written two fold-out identification keys, one on common UK trees and the other on saltmarsh plants.