Iceland Landscape Photography Tour II

Itinerary

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Please note the Iceland Landscape Photography Tour itinerary is subject to change. Images courtesy of Thor Photography.

Friday, June 4

Depart US/Canada

Saturday, June 5 (D)

Arrive in Iceland’s capital city Reykjavik any time of day to begin the Iceland Landscape Photography Tour. Group meet-up and welcome dinner this evening. Overnight Grand Hotel Reykjavik

Sunday, June 6 (B)

Following breakfast, we hope to start our journey with a visit to Iceland’s erupting Mount Fagradalsfjall.

Mount Fagradalsfjall erupted on March 19, 2021, the first time in nearly 800 years! It’s unknown how long the volcano will erupt, and access (by foot or helicopter) will depend on weather and the volcano’s lava flow. The hike is about eight kilometers, or five miles, with one steep hill to pass. If helicopter access is the best option, we’ll be dropped off at a safe location for a one-hour photo shoot (optional – additional fee applies).

Fagradalsfjall, translated roughly to “beautiful mountain valley,” is a shield volcano located just 25 miles from Reykjavik. Its dark, shapely sides, comprised of molten rock and ash from previous eruptions, are a sharp contrast to the vibrant orange lava that spews from its vents and flows down its slopes. We hope for the chance to marvel and capture its breathtaking beauty, a once in a lifetime opportunity!

If volcano-hopping is not an option, there is plenty more to do in the area! One option is explore Reykjanes Peninsula, a geological wonder and part of the UNESCO Global Geopark. Locals have dubbed the road around the peninsula The Blue Diamond Circle. Lighthouses outnumber villages. Volcanic craters and endless lava fields covered with green-grey blankets of moss create a serene, moon-like landscape. Often overlooked by tourists, Reykjanes offers an awe-inspiring introduction to this volcanic island.

The Golden Circle is yet another option. Though more touristy, it contains a number of great attractions including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Geysir Hot Spring Area, a geothermal area with steaming pools and hot spring eruptions every ten minutes!

Lunch and dinner on your own today in Reykjavik. Explore the international cuisine available around the city this evening or take some time to relax and recover from jet lag.

Overnight Grand Hotel Reykjavik

Monday, June 7 and Tuesday, June 8 (B, D)

Today we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before we depart and head west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Rugged coastline, basalt cliffs, and picturesque fishing villages make up this ‘Iceland in Miniature.’ While on the peninsula, we can look forward to encountering the picture-perfect Mt. Kirkjufell with gorgeous Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls in the foreground and the peaceful Grundarfjordur bay as the backdrop.

Snæfellsnes also hosts one of three black churches in Iceland. Isolated and remote, the stark black church named Búðakirkja allows us to capture an iconic Icelandic scene.

We’ll spend two days on Snæfellsnes breathing the fresh seaside air while capturing the region’s spectacular landscapes.

Overnight Fosshotel Stykkisholmur

Wednesday, June 9 (B, D)

Rise and shine, it’s time for a sunrise shoot! Today we’ll make our way to Iceland’s southern coast, and if the weather is favorable, we have the option to explore Snæfellsnes for a few more hours first.

The south coast is most famous for its black sandy beaches and magical waterfalls, including Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Foss is the Icelandic term for waterfall, and this time of year they are at their best, roaring with life as the days get longer and warmer.

Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls at a width of 25 meters (82 feet) and height of 60 meters (200 feet). The heavy vail of water is impressive, and under sunny skies, its mist often refracts the sunlight, creating brilliant single and double rainbows.

Seljalandsfoss is just as impressive, an iconic waterfall dropping 60 meters (200 feet). Most notably, you can photograph it from every angle imaginable and witness its power firsthand by taking the footpath that circles behind it.

Overnight Hotel Dyrholaey

Thursday, June 10 – Saturday, June 12 (B, D)

For three full days, we’ll explore the breathtaking Vatnajökull National Park to experience the interaction of glacier and volcano and effects created by these contrasting natural wonders of fire and ice. We’ll take in and photograph the park’s pristine glaciers and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a glacial lake famous for its icebergs and shores of black sand. Vatnajökull National Park itself consists of Vatnajökull glacier, one of the largest glaciers in Europe and some of its surrounding areas.

Our time in this area will also give us the opportunity to visit the photogenic Vestrahorn. Unlike most Icelandic mountains, the Vestrahorn is made of iron- and magnesium-rich gabbro rock, which results in a dark and jagged appearance. Its two distinctive peaks stretch into the mighty Atlantic. A good photograph is almost guaranteed here. Storm clouds and massive waves hitting the rocky shores or peaceful waters creating a naturally mirrored reflection are both enjoyable scenarios.

Reynisdrangar is another site in the South that commands attention. Here we find a dramatic beach scene composed of large basalt rock formations rising from the sea and black sand beaches that are the most fascinating and treacherous in all of Iceland. Throughout time, these beaches have been included in the top 10 most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world! A bonus, the sea stacks are teeming with nesting puffins, arctic terns, and fulmars.

Overnight Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Sunday, June 13 (B, D)

Today we’ll depart Vatnajökull National Park and head toward Vik. We’ll have many photography opportunities along the way, including the stunning seascapes of Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar.

Dyrhólaey Peninsula presents incredible views from above and below. The most prominent attraction is a massive rock arch that extends into the sea. This arch’s hole is so big that large boats can sail through it during calm seas, and daring pilots even fly through it in small aircraft! Dyrhólaey also hosts a historic lighthouse and serves as a sanctuary to a plethora of birdlife, including puffins and arctic terns.

Overnight Hotel Dyrholaey

Monday, June 14 (B, D)

We’ll take advantage of our last day as a group and wake up early to photograph the sunrise near Vik. We’ll likely have a few more photography stops along the Golden Circle / Reykjanes Peninsula as we work our way back in the direction of Reykjavik. Group farewell dinner this evening. Overnight Grand Hotel Reykjavik

Tuesday, June 15 (B)

Depart Reykjavik at your leisure. If time allows, take a side trip and enjoy a dip at the Blue Lagoon before you head to Keflavik International Airport for your flight home.