Glaciers, Lava and Waterfalls: Year 12 in Iceland

4 April 2026

Snow one moment, sunshine the next – Iceland gave Year 12 plenty to contend with during this year’s annual trip. Across four days, pupils explored waterfalls, glaciers, lava tunnels and volcanic landscapes, experiencing firsthand the geography they have studied in the classroom.

Among the highlights were visits to Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, each offering something different in scale and atmosphere, while Thingvellir National Park gave pupils the chance to experience the point where tectonic plates slowly pull apart beneath the surface. Falling snow across the lava fields only added to the sense of scale within the landscape.

The group also travelled to Sólheimajökull glacier near the village of Vík, where pupils crossed ancient ice and, secured by ropes, peered down into a crevice deep within the glacier itself. At the Lava Tunnel at Raufarholshellir, pupils explored volcanic rock formations created more than 5,000 years ago, alongside natural ice sculptures hidden within the darker underground passages.

With rapidly changing weather throughout the trip, the landscape never looked quite the same twice, whether covered in snow, rain or bright spring sunshine. Experiences like this encourage pupils to think beyond the classroom, approaching unfamiliar environments with curiosity, resilience and a willingness to explore new perspectives – qualities that sit at the heart of an IB education.