Around Iceland photographic tour

4th - 15th of June 2012 (12 days – 11 nights)

About the tour:

 

The 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 is primarily on landscape photography.  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 and also Eyjafjallajökull volcano en route.  Icebergs, columnar basalt formations, black sand beaches, lava fields and a variety of Icelandic weather.  All in all, a grand tour.

 

You are most welcome!

 

Haukur Snorrason photographer.

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1: Snaefellsnes peninsula

 

Monday 4th June

 

You will be picked up from your hotel in Reykjavík at 8am.  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.

 

Day 2: Latrabjarg Cliffs

 

Tuesday 5th June

 

We will drive to the north side of the Snaefellsnes peninsula and head towards 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, Razor Bills and Guillemots.  Latrabjarg cliffs are unique for photographing the Puffins in late evening light.

Accommodation: Hotel Breidavik.

 

Day 3: Latrabjarg Cliffs

 

Wednesday 6th June

 

We only photograph Puffins in the evening for various reasons, 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 order to spend the whole evening photographing seabirds again at the Látrabjarg cliffs.

Accommodation: Hotel Breidavik.

 

Day 4: North Iceland

 

Thursday 7th June

 

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 towards northern Iceland.  Kolugljúfur canyon is worth a visit before check in at our farm hotel in Skagafjordur.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Bakkaflöt.

 

Day 5: North Iceland and Lake Myvatn

 

Friday 8th June

 

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 towards Lake Myvatn where we will spend the next three 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 - the waterfall of the gods.

Accommodation: Farm Hotel Stöng.

 

 

Day 6: Lake Myvatn area

 

Saturday 9th June

 

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, and we will take a walk around it and photograph this dramatic and colourful landscape.

Accommodation: Farm Hotel Stöng.

 

Day 7: Lake Myvatn area

 

Sunday 10th June

 

We will visit the National Park Jökulárgljúfur (Glacier River canyon).  There are two very interesting sights here; Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss where Ridley Scott recently filmed his latest movie, Prometheus, and the amazing columnar basalt formations at the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.

Accommodation: Farm Hotel Stöng.

 

Day 8: From Northeast to southeast

 

Monday 11th June

 

Today we have a long drive from north 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

 

Day 9: Glacier Lagoon

 

Tuesday 12th June

 

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 photograph Svartifoss waterfall at Skaftafell before we take off and drive through Skeidarársandur desert towards our accommodation at Hrifunes Guesthouse, which belongs to my wife, Hadda and I.

Accommodation: Hrifunes Guesthouse

 

Day 10: Hrifunes area

 

Wednesday 13th June

 

All around Hrifunes are endless photographic opportunities, and I will keep it a mystery (depending on the weather conditions) what the plan for the day will be!

Accommodation: Hrifunes Guesthouse

 

Day 11: South coast

 

Thursday 14th June

 

We leave Hrifunes and drive further southwest over Mýrdalssandur sand where black volcanic sand mixes with purple acres of Lupin, an outstanding display of colour and contrast.  We will continue to the Hjörleifshöfdi cape, Reynisfjara columnar basalt rocks at the black sand beach, Dyrhólaey cape and the waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

Accommodation: Farm Guesthouse Stóra Mörk.

Day 12: Thorsmork

 

Friday 15th June.

 

Thorsmörk is a beautiful valley which lies beneath the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano.  We will get to see the new landscape created by the eruption in 2010.  We will take a walk into the canyon Hvanngil to photograph a moss-covered dome.  Afterwards we will drive back to Reykjavik and say goodbye after a long and adventurous tour.  The estimated time of arrival in Reykjavik is 7pm

     

Tour facts:

 

Name of tour:                                       The Around Iceland photo tour

Departure:                                            4th – 15th June

Duration:                                               12 days/11 nights

Participants:                                          4-8 people

Price/person:                                       ISK 742.800kr (double room)

                                                                ISK 817.080kr (single room)

 

Price Includes:

 

Accommodation:  All accommodation costs.

 

Meals:  Breakfast from the second day until the last day, picnic lunch every day, dinner from day one until the second to last day (Two to three course meals, Icelandic specialities such as fish and lamb (vegetarians are most welcome and catered for if we are notified in advance).

 

Transportation & guiding:  Professional English speaking driver guide and photographer, Vehicle: 4X4

 

Not included:  Cost of flight to Keflavik/Iceland, transportation to and from airport (although this can be arranged), hotel accommodation in Reykjavík and alcoholic beverages.