I have just returned from the Green Edventures women’s Iceland November 2024. This tour promises a lot, hot springs, mindfulness and Northern Lights. I can say that the reality was so much more. Green Edventures put together a tour of experiences that at once awed and centered me. It is not hyperbole to say that the experiences of this tour changed my life. It seems impossible that the tour was less than ten days. In that time the group bonded, we stood by each other and supported each other through joyful experiences, such as walking fearlessly into the Atlantic then the Arctic oceans (in November!). We witnessed a mind-boggling display of the Northern Lights dancing and weaving overhead. We enjoyed the bathing culture of Iceland and relaxed in hot springs and pools on the oceans edge. We participated in floatation therapy which is an Icelandic development that is similar to sensory deprivation while simultaneously enhancing appreciation of the world around me. Sound bathing in a yurt, which was one of my favorite experiences. The varying sounds of gongs, chimes, flutes, and percussion blend into a blanket of surround and hold you. The tour is well planned and expertly guided. I went on this tour with some hesitation, would it be too “woo-woo?” I went on this tour with challenges and questions about myself. I retuned with nine new dear friends and tools to carry me forward. If you are considering this tour, take the plunge. You will not regret it!

Overall, this trip is great. Tracey is outstanding. Americo and Guido are incredible. We couldn't have had three better people. Smart, caring, attendant, engaged, and funny. Killa Travel: Super treatment. Change needed for departures: Travelers should not be dropped at CUS more than two hours before domestic flights. You cannot check in until two hours before, and toilets are the only amenities offered. Sitting physically outside of the airport for hours (chair outside) with no access to food or WIFI (safety) was tricky. Killa would know the two-hour limit; whereas, travelers would not. Yes, we could have taken a taxi somewhere, but we would have had no idea of a destination, so we couldn't really leave. Consequently, other than a couple of mini protein bars, I had nothing to eat after breakfast until 15.30 - and that was a only a protein drink only because the Cusco airport only has candy, coffee, and snacks. The first proper meal Melanie and I had was 12 hours after breakfast at at the Lima - far too long for anyone to go without access to non-trail/junk food. Recommendation: Killa could/should return us to their offices from the Ollantaytambo ride, say "shop/eat lunch/whatever till X time, return to the office, and we will put you in a taxi to the airport." ***The point is not to "strand" folks at the airport before they can go through security at the two-hr mark.*** Food: We wasted a lot of the sack lunches/breakfasts packed for us either because it was just too much food for us or we were (varyingly) too ill to eat. I hated throwing out food. I do not know what the recommendation should be; I just hate throwing out food. Shaman day: On the one hand, I loved this day. On the other hand, I would have preferred it to be about two hours shorter (the shaman part, not the lunch part). We had a lot of down time where we didn't know what he was doing and were simply sitting around chatting (albeit we were in a gorgeous spot to be sitting around). That mountain lunch was one of my fav experiences. Cusco: I would like to have had more time in Cusco beyond the evenings when we were exhausted. If nothing else, a city tour by Guido before we headed to wherever. I would love to have gone to the Machu Picchu museum and the chocolate museum. , but we didn't learn much about the city itself except in bits and bobs. Granted, had I not been so sick upon arrival, perhaps I could have done some of that on my own. But, the itinerary could/should mention that to do on your own, so we could plan. On the Zoom call, Tracey and Tara really discouraged us from doing anything on the days we first arrived, though, so it is a bit tricky. I just know I would like to have seen/known about a bit more of Cusco. (Then again, maybe we did see everything worth seeing? I don't know.) Salt mine: LOVED this stop. Loved the two history/heritage days. Machu Picchu: 1. Don't give us an option for when to get the bus to the entrance (do it at 7/7.30/8am, painful as it is). 2. Book the latest train possible back to Ollantaytambo. Because we had to wait so long for the bus and because of our train time, we were at a slow sprint thru the ruins. Since I had to opt out of the Inca Trail hike and since we lost so much time because of the bus line, I feel I missed out on the whole point of my trip because I spent fewer than 2 hours at MP. I still loved it, but I am disappointed that I did not get to just stand and be quiet and let it all sink in for a nice chunk of time. Granted, the trail part is my own problem from being sick, but an earlier bus might have meant fewer people/less time in line and more time inside the park. Rainbow mountain day: Tracey and I talked about this, and no easy answer exists. That 8+ hours in the van is *tough* and makes a hard day harder. Maybe an upgraded (fancier/cushiony-er) van for that day (if such a thing exists in Cusco)? Aguas Calientes: The butterfly garden was super. You don't need much time there (an hour?). The baths, not so much. I would skip. It was really, really crowded when we visited and not the relaxing hot spring experience your N American customers might be used to. You cannot take a hotel towel, and the spa does not provide them. You rent them for 5 soles at several stalls right at the entrance to the baths. It wasn't a bad time, but before you go with another group, I would check it out yourself. You 100% need someone to sit with people's belongings while others are in the baths. The lockers were full, and it would not be worth assuming you'd have any available should you return. The baths had a bar on the second floor. It looked entertaining, but we did not go up to it. As we left, a load of school kids came in. That right there would turn me off. I wish we had got to do the waterfall hike, but it rained. Tracey took such good care of me - of all of us. She is fantastic. Other trips I have been on I can guarantee that I would not have been helped so much with feeling rotten. I cannot thank her enough. I will say to Tara what I said to Nyra about Guido and Americo: Pay Tracey whatever she asks for!

Wonderful trip! As always Green Edventures has gone above and beyond to provide a once in a lifetime trip. Great guides, great leader, great experiences. I travelled solo but definitely not alone on this adventure and they made it very easy to do so.

Five stars are not enough to rate this trip. The planning was perfect, the details spot-on. The local guide was knowledgeable and warm. She invited us into her home and life, even making us a traditional local meal in her kitchen. The addition of a local designer who is also a poet/philosopher added another dimension of local connection. This is a first-rate trip for anyone interested in learning about Iceland and the country’s history and current connection to textiles. This is not an adventure trip, but the trip is a fantastic adventure.

Quality trip full of learning, adventure and creativity. The lodging, food and our guides were top notch. This trip is highly unique in that local flavor was the focus: tour guide and designer traveling with our group of amazing ladies, artisans and crafters from an Icelandic area most tourists don't roam and community sheep roundup. Priceless!