Tech Treks Iceland

TECH TREKS ICELAND

A thrilling 13-day adventure which includes backpacking one of Iceland’s most popular hiking trails, Laugavegur, which is often mentioned as one of the best hikes in the world.  Along the 34-mile trek, you’ll enjoy geothermal pools, rivers, lava fields, glaciers, canyons, and mountains.  Besides backpacking, you’ll enjoy whitewater rafting, soaking in natural hot springs, camping under the stars, and hotdogs—yes, hotdogs! They are a national symbol of pride and a popular part of Icelandic culture. Made with high-quality ingredients, they are considered some of the best in the world!  The Iceland backcountry is absolutely breathtaking stunning! 

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TRIP DETAILS

A thrilling 13-day adventure along one of Iceland’s most popular hiking trails, Laugavegur–which is often listed among one of the world’s best hikes.  Enjoy geothermal pools, rivers, mountains, lava fields, glaciers, and canyons. Besides backpacking, enjoy whitewater rafting, soaking in hot springs, and hotdogs—which are a national symbol of pride in Iceland–and among the world’s tastiest!

While 2025 is the first time we have offered an open-enrollment expedition to Iceland, ORGT has trekked through Iceland with other groups in the past.

Who: Group 1:  Incoming first-year Georgia Tech students;
Group 2: Any current Tech Undergrad (including transfer students)
When: July 11 – July 23, 2025
Where: Flights are included in this package.  We travel together to and from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and Reykjavik Int’l in Iceland.
Cost: $4,400

REGISTRATION DETAILS

You can pay the $4,400.00 expedition fee in full or secure your space with a $50% deposit–$2,200. If you secure your space with a deposit, payment of the remaining balance is due 60 days after paying the deposit or by June 20, 2025. 100% of your deposit and payments are refundable up until June 1, 2025.  After that, $495.00 of your deposit is no longer refundable. 

  1. Go to www.mycrc.gatch.edu
  2. Choose PROGRAMS
  3. Choose SEMESTER – Summer 2025
  4. You may need to search for “Iceland”
  5. You will have to create a “local account”  (your normal Georgia Tech username and Password will not work–see expanded instructions at the link below.


If you are not ready to register and have specific questions email tyler.joing@gatech.edu.
If you experience difficulty registering, you may need to create a “local account”.  Follow these instructions: Tech Treks Registration Instructions

TRIP FULL DETAILS

Price includes:

  • Three Georgia Tech/ORGT guides
  • 8 nights lodging in tents
  • Satellite communication gear (phones & locators)
  • Meals and snacks from lunch day 1 through breakfast on day 9
  • All ground transportation (Vans)
  • Backpacking gear (pack, sleeping bag sleeping pad)
  • Whitewater rafting gear, equipment, and guides
  • National Park entrance/permit fees
  • Gratuities for specialty raft guides
  • Bear proof cans to store food during backpacking
  • Group gear including tents, cookware

What is not included:

  • Personal items as required on the gear list
  • Souvenirs
  • Other services not clearly noted above.

Things to consider

  • Travel costs to Atlanta. We spend the first night at the Campus Recreation Center then fly as a group to Reykjavik.
  • Travel insurance. To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. We do arrange $500k medical coverage for participants on international trips through the same provider that provides coverage for study abroad programs.
  • Most likely, you will need to provide some equipment like boots, rain gear, and long underwear for this trip. Review the packing list.  We provide backpacking and camping gear.
  • We also provide satellite phones and GPS locators for the groups.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Groups of multiple groups of 8-9 students and 3 trip leaders follow different itineraries at the same time but in a different order. Your itinerary will likely vary from the sample below:

  • Day 1: Arrive in ATL  You can meet us at the Campus Recreation Center or we are happy to pick you up at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.  Arrive before 12 noon.  If you fly into ATL, ORGT staff will meet you at baggage claim, then it’s back to Georgia Tech which is just a 25-minute drive.  Th rest of the day will be spent meeting staff and students, enjoying the GT Leadership Challenge Course, collecting your personal backpacking gear, feasting on a catered meal with VIP’s present, and take part in the Tech Trek opening ceremonies—one for incoming students and another for undergrad participants.
  • Day 2: Fly from ATL to Reykjavik as a group (about 22 people).  In Reykjavik, we’ll go grocery shopping and purchase backpacking supplies. The first night will be spent in a hostel.
  • Day 3: Travel by bus to Dorsmork. These aren’t like buses you’ll recognize in the US–They are beefy enough to drive through mountain creeks and streams. Later in the afternoon, we’ll start day 1 of backpacking portion.  Landmannalaugar is the start of one of Iceland’s most popular hiking trails, Laugavegur, which is often mentioned as one of the best hikes in the world.
  • Day 4: Backpacking Day 2
  • Day 5: Backpacking Day 3
  • Day 6: Backpacking Day 4
  • Day 7: Backpacking Day 5
  • Day 8: A good, long soak in world-class hot springs; travel back to Reykjavik. Camping in a developed site. Tour parts of the city.
  • Day 9: Volcano and lava demonstrations; groceries and re-supply; tracking down Icelandic hot dogs.  (Icelanders love hotdogs—and they are among the best in the world.)  Camping in a developed site. Tour parts of the city.
  • Day 10: Day hikes to continental rift.  Waterfalls and glaciers. Overnight in a youth hostel.
  • Day 11:  Whitewater Rafting; Icelandic barbecue (in past years this has consisted of amazing lamb steaks!) Overnight in a youth hostel.
  • Day 12:  Fly back to ATL Hartsfield-Jackson; clean up; return gear; closing ceremony; overnight on campus.
  • Day 13:  Depart campus. Parents can pick up students at the CRC or we will transport students to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

WEATHER

Summer temperatures in this region typically ranges between 47 and 55 degrees. It rains frequently in July, though not a whole lot. The Iceland summer is similar to very early spring in parts of the U.S. Be prepared for all types of weather. Pay close attention to the packing list and bring every piece of gear from the list. You should arrive properly equipped. We will inspect your gear prior to going into the field to ensure you have what you need.