Day 1 – Reykjavik (D)
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to our hotel Reykjavik. Depending on your arrival time you may wish to explore the city or relax. Your photographic leader will already be in Reykjavik and will happily accompany you in your exploration. At night we proceed to a nearby restaurant for our welcome dinner where an overview of the trip will be provided.
Day 2 – Reykjavik => Snaefellsnes (B, D)
We will rise early and take a short walk down to The Sun Voyager Sculpture for sunrise. After breakfast we commence our journey to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, travelling past spectacular scenery. It will quickly become apparent why Iceland draws so many landscape photographers and travellers from around the world. Our first main stop for the day will be the spectacular Hraunfossar where a series of waterfalls cascading out of an ancient lava flow. The contrast of the cold water flowing out of warm autumn coloured shrubs makes for some great photography.
Our final destination is Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall for sunset. This is regarded as the most photographed scene in all of Iceland. We then proceed to our accommodation for the night and dinner at a nearby restaurant. If the skies are clear and we’re expecting Aurora activity we
may choose to return to Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss again.
Day 3 – Snaefellsnes (B, D)
After an early breakfast, we return to Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall seeking out some great lighting and hopefully beautiful reflection during sunrise. We then proceed to explore the magical Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Throughout the day there will be numerous stops to visit and photograph the amazing scenery, including but not limited to Buoakirkja Black Church, Arnarstapi Village, the rugged shoreline of Londranger, Ingjaldsholl Church and more. Depending on how successful our visits to Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss have been, there’s an opportunity to make the most of sunset again. As with the previous night, if the skies are clear and Aurora activity is expected, we will seek out a suitable location for photography.
Day 4 – Snaefellsnes => Sauoarkrokur (B, D)
This morning we depart early for our long day of driving to the north of the Island. During our travel, the landscape will be constantly changing. As we wind our way around bays and past spectacular mountain ranges there will be numerous stops for photography. We will enjoy scheduled stops to visit Kolugljufur Canyon/Kolufossar waterfall, Flodhidh Lake and Kalfshamarsviti Lighthouse with its amazing basalt rock formation. We end our day at Sauoarkrokur on the shore of Skagafjorour bay, a small town of 2,600 people and the second largest town in Northern Iceland.
Day 5 – Sauoarkrokur => Myvatn (B, D)
Today we make our way across the northern part of Iceland heading towards Lake Myvatn geothermal area. In the morning much of our travel will be through mountains where snow is most likely to be seen, offering some spectacular landscape opportunities.
After lunch, it’s time to photograph two amazing waterfalls. The first we visit is the more remote Aldeyjarfoss waterfall which will involve some walking, however, it is certainly well worth the effort. We then return to photograph Gooafoss waterfall (Waterfall of the Gods) from two different vantage points before sunset.
Our day ends at Lake Myvatn where we enjoy a two-night stay. Myvatn is a shallow lake situated in an active volcanic region and attracts numerous waterbirds.
Day 6 – Myvatn (B, D)
Today we enjoy a somewhat less hectic day exploring the beautiful volcanic wonderland of Myvatn, particularly the lake and surrounding features.
Immediately across from our hotel is Skutustadagigar, an unusual collection of pseudocraters formed some 2,300 years ago. This volcanic landform resembles a crater however is not formed from the eruption of lava. As we travel around the lake we are afforded numerous views of the lake and surrounding landscape, including Hverfell crater mountain which was formed in an explosive eruption approximately 2,500 years ago.
Finally, we end our day with a brief visit to Grjotagja rift before exploring nearby Dimmuborgir, also known as the Dark Fortress, consisting of huge lava formations that will make you feel as if you are in another world.
If we’re fortunate to have Aurora activity we will venture across the road from our hotel to photograph reflection shots in the lake.
Day 7 – Myvatn => Egilsstaoir (B, D)
Our first visit of the day is the Hverir geothermal area at the foot of Namafjall volcanic mountain, a half-hour drive from Lake Myvatn. The area consists of a series of colourful sulphurous mud springs, geothermal steam vents, pools of cracked mud and fumaroles.
Afterwards, we make our way to Dettifoss, the second most powerful waterfall in Europe. This stop will involve some cautious walking, particularly if they have had snow, however, it’s well worth the effort.
As we travel there will be plenty of opportunities to photograph remote churches with a spectacular mountainous landscape in the background, as well as the unique grass-covered buildings. With waters aplenty, there no doubt there will be further stops to photograph the cascading water. We end our day at Egilsstaoir.
Day 8 – Egilsstaoir => Jokulsarlon (B, D)
Today we enjoy one of our most spectacular drives, heading south down the eastern part of Iceland to Jokulsarlon. Beautiful bays, remote fishing villages and incredible coastline scenery fill our day of travel, so you should expect and be prepared for many photographic stops.
Our final photoshoot of the day is at Vestrahorn Mountain, on the Stokksnes peninsula near Hofn and one of the most impressive scenes in all of Iceland.
We then continue towards Jokulsarlon, one of Iceland’s most visited locations.
Day 9 – Jokulsarlon (B, D)
This morning we’ll photograph the sunrise at Diamond Beach, a black sand beach dotted with chunks of ice resembling diamonds glistening in the sunlight. This is an amazing photoshoot but will involve great caution as the waves wash icebergs in and out.
During the day we continue to explore and photograph a number of the lesser-known glaciers and glacial lakes.
Later in the afternoon, we return to Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with numerous icebergs floating about the crystal blue waters. The icebergs have broken away from the Breioamerkurjokull glacier and are estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Keep your eyes open for resident seals.
Depending on conditions and tide, our sunset shoot will either be at the lagoon or we will return to nearby Diamond Beach.
Day 10 – Jokulsarlon => Vik (B, D)
Today we commence our journey south-west to the seaside town of Vik. It is only 193 kilometres however with many amazing stops along the way, it will easily fill the day.
As we travel there will be numerous stops on the side of the road to photograph nearby waterfalls and churches/farms amongst the mountainous landscape, including the beautiful Hofskirkja Turf Church.
Afterwards, we get up close to Svinafelljkull glacier where we can easily photograph the blue tones and textures in the glacial ice. If time allows and conditions are fine, we may consider visiting Svartifoss waterfall.
Our next stop is the magnificent Fjaorargljufur, a 2-kilometre long steep wall canyon. Nearby is the incredible Eldhraun Lava field, the largest lava flow in the world, created by one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Now being covered with a thick cover of green moss, it’s a must-see destination. On arrival in Vik, we visit Vik i Myrdal Church with the township and Reynisdrangar, an impressive rock formation off the coast.
Day 11 – Vik => Reykjavik (B, D)
Our first stop for the morning is Reynisfjara Beach where we photography Reynisdrangar rock formation during sunrise. Afterwards, we continue to Dyrholaey for unique views of the arched rock formation and black sand beach.
We then continue our slow journey back to Reykjavik on a route that will take us to three incredible waterfalls. Our first visit is to Skogafoss waterfall, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 15 metres and a drop of 60 metres. Keep your eye out for rainbows formed from sunlight shining through the spray. Our next stop is Seljalandsfoss waterfall, one of the most beautiful and popular in the country, with the most distinguishing feature being you can walk behind the falls. Finally, we visit Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most beloved and iconic falls in Iceland.
Our final stop before continuing to Reykjavik is a nearby Geyser field, with one particular geyser erupting routinely every several minutes. Being our final night. We will enjoy a farewell dinner.
Day 12 – End of Tour (B)
This morning our time together ends. So after breakfast, we will say our goodbyes and we’ll be transferred to the airport for our journey home.
*Itinerary subject to change depending on weather and shooting conditions.
