New Itinerary for 2016
Iceland ~ Land of Fire and Ice ~
June 13 – 28, 2016
Iceland, one of our favorite tour locations, lies on the skirt of the Arctic Circle. Sitting atop of the North Atlantic Ridge, one the world’s most volcanically active hotspots, Iceland is a land of glaciers, bubbling hot springs and rugged fjords. It is also home to large seabird colonies teeming with millions of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Common and Thick-billed Murres, Kittiwakes and Northern Fulmars.
While bird photography will be one of the goals of the tour, we will also be devoting a generous amount of time to photographing the unique landscape of Iceland. We’ll explore a diversity of habitats, and make striking images of snow-capped peaks, green mountains rising out of black sand, numerous waterfalls, delicate Heath spotted orchids, Roseroot growing in fertile heathlands, striated glaciers, icebergs and much more!
About the Tour
We’ve been to some pretty amazing places in our lives crossing both the Arctic and Antarctic circles and we still place Iceland on par with both locations for sheer natural beauty. Since Iceland is located so far north, it receives more than 20 hours of light each day during mid-summer. When the weather is cooperative we will take advantage of this bonus of daylight hours by photographing for extended periods of time.
We’ll plan on photographing when the best light occurs, some days this will be between the hours of 8 PM and 2 AM. It is possible to photograph all day long if it is cloudy but, if the sun is shining; we’ll go scouting or rest in anticipation of the day’s best light. If everything goes as planned, our tour will be pleasantly exhausting! However, we operate with 2 vans – one for hardcore enthusiasts and one for those who’d prefer a little more laidback experience. This is another benefit of taking a tour from us –flexibility!
ITINERARY:
It would be impossible to show you every last bit of Iceland. Instead we’ll linger in strategic locations carefully selected for their seabird cliffs and a variety of scenic wonders to photograph. We’ll devote extra time mid-tour in the Interior to experience some of the best landscape photography Iceland has to offer. The following new itinerary provides an outline of the places we plan to visit; expect weather and logistics to alter our daily schedule.
Day 1: Flights Arrive Into Iceland – Explore Reykjavik – Capital of Iceland
June 13: (Overnight) Flights which departed US (day before) arrive in Keflavik. Transport by taxi or bus to City Center of Reykjavik. Check-in to hotel and meet Rod and Marlene at 4:30 PM for orientation and meet other participants.
(Accommodation: Reykjavik Hotel included in tour)
(B/L/D – on own)
Day 2: Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Arnarstapi Seabird Colony
June 14: The tour begins with an early departure from the hotel lobby where we will drive towards Hvalfjördur-fjord and from there towards Hellnar on the shores of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We’ll stop along the way to enjoy the scenery and photograph what we find appealing. After arriving in Hellnar, those that are not too tired from travel can have their first taste of photographing at the seabird colony. The nearby colony is home to Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, Common Black-headed Gull and the Icelandic race of Black-tailed Godwit. There is also an Arctic Tern colony which we can try to photograph – if it does not cause too much disturbance.
Overnight in Hellnar (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 3: Stykkiskholmur – Travel by Ferry to West Fjords – Latrabjarg Seabird Cliffs
June 15: In the morning we’ll travel to the community of Stykkiskholmur to take the ferry across the Breidafjordur Bay. This journey will take us to our next major destination – the West Fjords, a remote region that is home to a huge seabird colony at Latrabjarg. If the weather is cooperative (cloudy) we will visit the Dynjandi waterfall on the way. Also known as Fjallfoss (“mountain falls”), this 328 foot high cascade pours off the edge of the mountain, then fans out to a width of 197 feet at its base. Below it is a series of cascading waterfalls with lyrical names: Hundafoss, Strokkur, Gongumannafoss, Hrisvadsfoss and Baejarfoss. After dinner we’ll make our first photographic trip to Latrabjarg. (Weather will factor into the days, times and frequency of visits to the Latrabjarg Cliffs. We’ll remain flexible to take advantage of changing weather conditions and may need to change the itinerary based on this.)
Overnight in Breidavik (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 4: Keflavik Overlooking Raudasandur – Latrabjarg Seabird Cliffs
June 16: We will drive southeast of the Latrabjarg cliffs to a very remote area overlooking a magnificent stretch of red sand beach at Raudasandur. In the evening we’ll return to the Latrabjarg seabird colony, which hosts one of Iceland’s greatest concentrations of seabirds. (Weather dependant) Thousands of seabirds perch on cliff edges, undeterred by human observers. We’ll see some very approachable Atlantic Puffins along with Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Brunnich’s Guillemots (Thick-billed Murre), and Common Guillemots (Common Murre). This is where we have witnessed the classic kleptoparasitic behavior of Arctic Skuas (Parasitic Jaeger). These spectacular tail chases usually resulted in the victimized seabird dropping fish held in its beak or disgorging its stomach contents. This is also an excellent place to photograph grand landscapes of the coast. (Weather will factor into the days, times and frequency of visits to the Latrabjarg Cliffs. We’ll remain flexible to take advantage of changing weather conditions and may need to change the itinerary based on this.)
Overnight in Breidavik (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 5: Countryside around Patreksfjordur – Latrabjarg Seabird Cliffs
June 17: Today we’ll venture out into the countryside to photograph along the edges of the Patreksfjordur. Here we will find a picturesque lighthouse and rippled sand beaches edged with aquamarine blue waters. In the evening we will return to Latrabjarg for our last photographic experience along the western most region of Europe. Night owls can stay up to photograph the historic church bathed in “afterglow” at Breidavik before retiring for the night.
Overnight in Breidavik (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 6: North Coastline Breidafjordur – Hunafjordur –Icelandic Horses
June 18: We will make our way east stopping along the way to take advantage of photographic opportunities afforded by waterfalls in Kolugljúfur canyon and sea stacks in Hunafjordur. This area is known for having a high density of the Icelandic horse – we’ll be staying at an active horse farm in the heart of horse country which should opportunities to photograph these splendid animals.
Accommodation: Laugarbakki
(B/L/D)
Day 7: Blonduos – Central Highlands - Kerlingarfjoll – Geysir
June 19: As we begin our journey for the day, we’ll take time visit the small pictorial seaside village of Blönduós. Continuing south through the Central Highlands one of Iceland’s most remote areas where we’ll discover glaciers, volcanic desserts and numerous hot spring areas like Kelingarfjoll. Kerlingarfjöll highlands offer an abundance of amazing colored formations. We’ll overnight near Gullfoss so we can visit either Gullfoss or Geysir after normal tourism hours. By doing this we’ll avoid the daytime crush of tourism and photograph the in the best light of the day.
Accommodation: Gullfoss
(B/L/D)
Day 8 and 9: Southern Highlands – Veidivotn Volcanic Region - Landmannalaugar
June 20 - 21: Those who stayed up late will be happy with the later departure planned for the first morning. After a leisurely breakfast we’ll make our way deeper into the Interior of Iceland. Over the next two days we’ll travel in and around Landmannalaugar, part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, where we will see mountains composed of rhyolitic rock of varying delicate colors. This is an area of indescribable splendor, featuring hills awash in a painter’s palette of reds, bright yellows and greens. Landmannalaugar is a land born of hot springs, with steam rising from every corner of the valley. In addition, we’ll also photograph in the volcanic district of the Veidivotn fissure. This fissure is one of Iceland’s youngest fissures, created during the 1480 eruption and features lava formations and craters. In calm weather, a multitude of small pools and lakes capture reflections from the dramatic geologic formations.
Accommodation: Hrauneyjar (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 10 and 11: Undulating Landscapes – Bucolic Farm Settings - Icelandic Horses
June 22 -23: We’ll drive south into the southern district of the highlands using the Oldufell route stopping to photograph old farmhouses and churches isolated in stark surroundings and Icelandic horses (if accessible.) Over the course of the next two days you’ll discover why we have chosen to linger longer in this location. Early risers will be greeted with the possibility of stepping out the back door to photograph spectacular sunrise and early morning light beaming across braids of streams in the coastal flats in the valley below.
In the evening, after dinner, you can step out the backdoor of the guesthouse to photograph the stunning surrounding countryside.
Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse
(B/L/D)
Day 12: Waterfalls - Skaftafell National Park – Southeast Countryside
June 24: We’ll make our way southeast stopping along the way to photograph waterfalls and experience the area overshadowed by the vast Vatnajokull icecap, whose enormous glaciers creep down through every crack in the coastal mountains. The highlights of the region are the areas in and around the Skaftafell National Park. After checking in to our next location we’ll explore the area to the northeast chasing light and taking advantage of what comes our way.
Accommodation: Hali Guesthouse
(B/L/D)
Day 13: Ingolfshofdi Headlands - Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon
June 25: Today begins with an early (5AM) excursion into the Ingolfshofdi Nature Reserve to photograph Puffins, Black-legged Kittiwakes and Great Skuas. The Ingolfshofdi Headlands is also an excellent location to photograph Great Skuas. In the afternoon, we’ll drive west to the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to photograph “captive” icebergs which have calved off the Breidamerkurjokull glacier. If the weather cooperates we could photograph the lagoon and nearby black sand beach until 1:00 AM. (Weather will factor into the day and time of our visit to the Ingolfshofdi Nature Reserve. We’ll remain flexible to take advantage of changing weather conditions and may need to change the itinerary based on this.)
Accommodation: Hali Guesthouse
(B/L/D)
Day 14: Systrafoss – Exploring Countryside around Hrifunes
June 26: Today we’ll make our way west back along the southern coast. Just outside of the easily pronounced hamlet of Kirkjubæjarklaustur (locals say “Kirka”) we’ll stop at the storied waterfall named Systrafoss ("the waterfall of the sisters"). Folk tales tell a story about one good and one sinful nun. We’ll rely on our Icelandic guide’s vast knowledge of Icelandic Sagas to hear the entire tale. In the afternoon, we’ll be sharing a few of Hawk’s favorite places to photograph. Rod and I have been to several of these places and they are worth keeping off the radar of other tour companies. Plus, a few are only available to us because of Hawk’s good relationship with private landowners. He would like to keep these areas “secret” so we will respect that and not list them here. It will be a fun afternoon of exploration and surprise!
Accommodation: Hrífunes Guesthouse
(B/L/D)
Day 15: Vik – Dyrholaey - Skogafoss
June 27: We will take full advantage of our last day in the field by driving over the sands of Mýdalssandur towards the Hjörleifshöfdi cape. He we will see the large rock outcroppings that stand alone in middle of the sand desert. We’ll continue towards the village of Vík with the Reynisdrangar rock outcroppings in the sea, and also take a look at the columnar basalt formations at Reynisfjara beach. If time allows, we will drive on top of cape Dyrhólaey, the southernmost point of Iceland. As we make our way back towards Reykjavik, our last day of photography will include a stop at the impressive Skogafoss. We have our last dinner together and break early.
Accommodation: Reykjavik
(B/L/D)
Day 16: Sightsee, Shop and Prepare for Flights
June 28: Depending on your flight time you may be able to sleep in! Then prepare for the journey home. If time allows you can explore the museums, sightsee or check out one of Europe’s famous shopping districts in downtown Reykjavik. Allow enough time to take a bus or taxi to the airport.
(B) (Lunch and Dinner on own)
Accommodations
We will stay in a variety of hotels and guest-houses, with accommodations based on double occupancy and private baths (when available). This helps to keep the cost of the tour down (if we have an odd number of women or men we may have to assess an additional fee for a single room supplement).
Weather
It can rain a lot in Iceland. We’ll make the best of rainy periods by offering a moderate hike for those who wish to stretch their legs or just take a break from the rigors of photography. We may also use these times to download images, catch up on sleep or travel between locations.
Icelandic Guide