Autumn photographic tour

18 - 23rd of September 2012

6 days – 5 nights

A combination of the mild autumn light, additional seasonal colours and fewer visitors at this time of year makes this trip to the highlands a truly special experience.

Some of the highlights of this trip include the colorful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, geothermal and lava fields covered in green moss, black/brown hyaloclastite mountains with neon green moss, black and red volcanic sand, streams and waterfalls.

We will visit the glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, and Vatnajökull National Park as well as take time to explore the south coast towards Reykjavik, where you find the beautiful black sand beaches with columnar basalt formations.

Our accommodation is the cosy Hrífunes guesthouse, www.hrifunesguesthouse.is owned by photographer and guide Haukur Snorrason and his wife Hadda Björk, a gourmet cook who will be making all our food for the trip.

You are most welcome!

Haukur Snorrason photographer.

Itinerary

Day 1: South coast of Iceland

Tuesday 18th of September

We will pick you up from your hotel in Reykjavík between 8am and 8.30am and drive to the south coast of Iceland visiting black sand beaches and beautiful waterfalls along the way. Skógarfoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach with its columnar basalt rock formations are among few of the stops on this day.

Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse

Day 2: Landmannalaugar area

Wednesday 19th of September

In Landmannalaugar you can see plenty of evidence of volcanic activity including rhyolite mountains, Laugahraun lava field and the multicolored Brennisteinsalda mountain with its steaming sulphur pots.  There is also a hot spring river where you can bathe just two hundred metres from the Landmannalaugar hut, so do bring your swim suits and also be prepared for some hiking.

Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse

Day 3: Fjallabak Nature Reserve (south route)

Thursday 20th of September

We will take the Öldufell route towards Fjallabak Nature Reserve and then head to the Hólmsá River and waterfalls.

We will be travelling through black sand dunes and see neon green moss.

Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse

Day 4: Langisjor Lake and Sveinstindur mountain

Friday 21st of September

Langisjor lake lies southwest of Vatnajökull glacier in a beautiful and picturesque landscape.  It is 20 kilometres long and up to 2 kilometres wide.  The lake is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Iceland with many islands, cliffs and spectacular landscape surrounding it.  To the east of Langisjór lake are the Hyaloclastide mountains, Fögrufjöll.  Towards the west you will see the Breidbakur mountain, famous for its moonscape, and on the south of the lake is the Sveinstindur mountain and glacial river Skaftá.

Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse

Day 5: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Skaftafell National Park

Saturday 22nd of September

We will drive east towards the Vatnajökull Glacier, stopping in Skaftafell National Park for a one to two hour hike to the Svartifoss waterfall.  From there the tour will continue to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon via the Svínafell glacier.

Accommodation: Hrifunes Guesthouse

Day 6: South Coast and Thingvellir National Park

Sunday 23rd of September

We will leave Hrífunes Guesthouse and head back through southern Iceland to Thingvellir National Park where an array of beautiful autumnal colours await us.

You will be dropped off at your hotel in the Reykjavik area at approximately 7pm

Tour facts

Name of tour: Late summer photo tour

Departure: 18th – 23rd September

Duration: 6 days/5 nights

Participants: 4-8 people

Price

Price per person: ISK 360.000

Price Includes:

Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse www.hrifunesguesthouse.is with made up beds and shared facilities (two rooms sharing one bathroom).

Meals: Breakfast from the second day until last day, picnic lunch every day, dinner from the first day 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.