The Spring Around Iceland photographic tour includes West Iceland, the West Fjords, North and Northeast Iceland, Southeast Iceland and the south coast. This tour is aimed at landscape photographers who may also have an interest in bird photography although the focus will primarily be on landscape photography. Late May and early June is the time when all birds are in their prime colors, and we will get to photograph the most interesting bird colonies in Iceland such as the puffin colony at the majestic Látrabjarg Cliffs. During this tour, we will see the many photogenic waterfalls in Iceland, beautiful streams and rivers, the largest glacier in Europe; Vatnajökull Glacier National Park, icebergs, columnar basalt formations, black sand beaches, lava fields, Icelandic horses and a variety of Icelandic weather—all in all, a grand tour. Dates: May20-30th 2018
Duration: 10 Nights, Summer
Price: From $6,750 per person
Included:
- All accommodation costs during the tour (except in Reykjavík).
- Breakfast from the second day until the last day, picnic or light restaurant lunch every day, dinners from day one until the second to last day.
- Professional English speaking driver guide and photographer.
- 4X4 truck (Jeep) and gasoline.
Not included:
- Flights to/from Iceland.
- Transportation to and from airport (although this can be arranged).
- Hotel accommodation in Reykjavík.
- Travel insurance.
Climate and clothing recommendations:
The Gulf Stream is what makes Iceland inhabitable, and without it, the whole country would most likely be covered by ice. The winters are fairly mild and summers are cool. The weather can be unpredictable and very windy and rainy at times. A popular saying in Iceland is “if you don’t like the weather right now, just wait five minutes” as you may occasionally experience the four seasons all in one day: sunshine and mild temperatures to windy, cool temperatures with rain or even snow. The average temperature in January is 0 C (32 F) and the average temperature in July is 12 C (54 F)
In the view of the climate description above, we can only advise visitors to be prepared for everything. No matter what time of year you plan to visit Iceland, always pack some warm and water resistant clothes, hats, gloves and good walking shoes.
Clothes:
Practical list, independent of the season of the year
1. Warm underwear
2. Sweater or a warm jacket/coat
3. Wind- and waterproof overcoat and over trousers
4. Extra pair of warm socks
5. Gloves and a cap
6. Hiking shoes (waterproof boots for winter photo tours)
7. Slippers and possibly light trainers
9. Sunglasses (optional!)
10. Electric converter (Iceland uses 220 volts)
11. Torch or headlight (winter photo tours)
The schedule of the trip may be rearranged for the best weather conditions and light at each location, so be prepared to be flexible. This way we can make this tour as successful as possible.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula - June 6th
You will be picked up from your hotel in Reykjavík at 8:00 am. We start the tour by travelling to Hraunfossar "the Lava Waterfalls." This is one of the top three waterfalls in Iceland to photograph. From there, we continue to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Snaefellsnes National Park, stopping at Arnarstapi Cliffs in order to explore the Kittiwakes and Fulmar bird colonies.
Accommodation: Hotel Hellnar.
Látrabjarg Cliffs - June 7th
We will drive to the north side of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and head toward the village of Stykkishólmur in order to catch the ferry across Breidafjördur Bay to Brjánslaekur. The ferry trip takes about three hours, so we will arrive in time to check in at the Hotel Breidavik, have dinner and go to the magnificent Látrabjarg Cliffs for an evening photography session of puffins, razorbills and guillemots. The Latrabjarg Cliffs are extraordinary for photographing the puffins in late evening light.
Accommodation: Hotel Breiðavík.
Látrabjarg Cliffs - June 8th
We only photograph puffins in the evening, and therefore, we will spend the whole day visiting Arnarfjordur Fjord and Dynjandi Waterfall, one of Iceland‘s most picturesque waterfalls with its many smaller waterfalls. We will head back to Hotel Breidavík for dinner and a rest in preparation for spending the whole evening photographing seabirds again at the Látrabjarg Cliffs.
Accommodation: Hotel Breiðavík.
North Iceland - June 9th
Before we leave the West Fjords, we will visit a red sand beach in the area. We have a long drive ahead of us through the fjords toward northern Iceland. We will photograph waterfalls in the fjords among other interesting places along the way.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Vatnsnes Peninsula.
North Iceland and Lake Mývatn - June 10th
We begin our day in Skagafjordur Fjord by visiting a well-hidden waterfall. We then make a stop at an original old turf house farm called Glaumbaer with its grassy roof and small windows. After visiting Glaumbaer, we drive toward Lake Myvatn where we will spend the next two nights. The journey will take us through the town of Akureyri, “the Capital of the North.“ On our way, we will stop at Godafoss Waterfall – and with good light, also visit it in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel in Lake Mývatn area.
Lake Mývatn Area - June 11th
Lake Myvatn has colorful geothermal areas such as the Hverarönd and Leirhnúkur areas, various lava fields and a unique volcanic landscape including the exploded crater Víti (the Hell) at Krafla. Krafla is a fissure that erupted several times in the seventies. We will take a walk around it and photograph this dramatic and colorful landscape.
Accommodation: Hotel in Lake Mývatn area.
Lake Mývatn Area - June 12th
We will visit the National Park Jökulárgljúfur (Glacier River Canyon). Here we find the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss. Here Ridley Scott filmed scenes his movie, Prometheus.
Accommodation: Guesthouse close to the town of Egilsstaðir.
From East to Southeast - June 13th
Today we will drive from East to Southeast Iceland, passing through the East Fjords in order to get to the Glacier Lagoon in the late afternoon. We will have an early dinner at our hotel close to the lagoon and spend the evening photographing the icebergs.
Accommodation: Hali Guesthouse.
Vatnajökull National Park and Glacier Lagoon - June 14th
We will drive through the Oraefasveit region (the Desert County), which has the glorious Vatnajökull Glacier National Park on the right-hand side and black sand beaches on the left. We will spend most of the day photographing icebergs and glaciers at the Glacier- and Fjallsarlón Lagoons. We will then photograph Svartifoss Waterfall at Skaftafell before we take off and drive through Skeidarársandur Desert toward our accommodation at Hrifunes Guesthouse
Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse.
Hrífunes Area - June 15th
Around Hrifunes, we will find many photographic opportunities, but we will keep it a mystery (depending on the weather conditions) what the plan for this day will be!
Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse.
South Coast - June 16th
We take off for our final day and drive to the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with its columnar basalt rocks and sea stacks. We will continue to Skógafoss Waterfall and from there to Gljufrabúi waterfall. This final day is a mixture of the most well-known locations in Iceland—a little touristic, but worth visiting. Your guide will then take you back to your hotel in Reykjavik where you can expect to arrive late afternoon.
Price:
| Accommodation | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Double Occupancy | $6,750 |
| Single Occupancy | $7,950 |
Duration: 10 days/9 nights
Departure: May 20-30 2019
Participants: 6-9 persons.
Minimum participants is 6. Maximum participants is 9.
