Dates: 06-16 March 2016 (10.5 days, 10 nights)
Cost: $3900 USD or Euro equivalent, all inclusive including domestic flight
Availability: Trip full!
This unique 10.5 day / 10 night tour features the classic itinerary of the south coast till the Vatnajökull glacier region including icecaves and Jokulsarlon icebergs, then through the remote Eastfjords, finishing with a Northern Iceland and Aurora Borealis photography tour visiting the Myvatn and Akureyri region.
Explore the legendary land of fire and ice, through both northern and southern Iceland. Meant for outdoor photographers of all skill levels who desire to see and photograph Iceland's beauty in winter, on this tour you will experience glacier and ocean landscapes, waterfalls, crystal ice caves, icebergs and glacial lagoons, and above all, unparalleled chances to view the Aurora Borealis in all regions of the country. We'll have a comfortable schedule, days and evenings filled with rewarding photography opportunities around the island, and cozy stays in rural guesthouses at night. Read below for a detailed itinerary and further trip information.
Day 1 - Reykjanes Peninsula
March 6, 2016
After arriving in Iceland, the trip begins with a sunset shoot on Reykjanes Peninsula, followed by a delicious group dinner. Later, and weather permitting, we'll go on a night/aurora shoot with Icelandic photographer Orvar. Accomodation in Reykjavik is included.
Day 2 - South Coast Waterfalls, Vik & Dyroleay
March 7, 2016
Our first full day, we'll visit Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, and additional farm scenics. We'll arrive at the Vik seastacks and Dyroleay headland area for sunset and possible aurora locations. Accommodations in Vik.
Day 3 - Southern Coast & Skaftafell
March 8, 2016
We spend today travelling to the Skaftafell glacier region, with plenty of photo stops at farms, waterfalls, Eyjafjallajokull, and rural country sights. During daylight hours, we utilize the low-angle sun to capture magic light even at midday. In the evening, we'll stay on the look out for a possible aurora over Svinafellsjokull glacier. Accommodations in Skaftafell.
Day 4 - Jokulsarlon Ice Caves & Glacier Lagoon
March 10, 2016
We'll trek through ice caves with a local guide, experiencing and photographing this phenomenon unique to Iceland -- exploring the stunning transluscent blue interior. We'll then spend the rest of the day in the glacial lagoon regions photographing ice and icebergs. Accommodations in Jokulsarlon.
Day 5 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoons & Iceberg Beach
March 9, 2016
This will be a full day spent at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and iceberg beach areas, as well as other nearby glacial lagoons. In the dark hours of each day, with epic glacial backgrounds and in dark places away from any artifical lights, we'll search the skies and wait to photograph the Aurora Borealis - always with phenomenal landscape backdrops and reflection potential. Accommodations in Jokulsarlon.
Day 6 - Glacial Lagoons & Hofn
March 11, 2016
The morning will be spent at more spectacular glacial lagoons such as the remote Heinabergsjokull. We'll then visit Stokksnes mountain and the Vestrahorn area around Hofn for sunset and possible aurora photography. Accommodations in Hofn.
Day 7 - Eastfjords
March 12, 2016
As we travel up the east coast of Iceland, we'll experience the Eastfjords coastlines, secret waterfalls, old bridges, and more. Accommodations will be in Djupivogur.
Day 8 - Eastfjords & Myvatn
March 13, 2016
As we transition into northern Iceland, we'll wrap up photography in the Eastfjords. We have a longer drive to the Myvatn region of desolate and barren snowy highlands, which hold their own photographic charm. Here, we'll take telephoto shots of the road winding through white wilderness. Accommodations in Myvatn.
Day 9 - Myvatn Geothermal Areas & Dettifoss
March 14, 2016
On day 9 we'll visit the Myvatn areas of Krafla and Namafjall geothermal areas. We'll also see Dettifoss (roads permitting), and then go out for possible nighttime or aurora photography over Myvatn formations. Some say this is the best region in the country for viewing the Aurora Borealis, during the height of the spring soltice, which statistically has the most frequently occuring aurora borealis activity. Accommodations in Myvatn.
Day 10 - Myvatn Lake, Craters & Lava Formations
March 15, 2016
We will photograph the famous geothermal areas of Myvatn lake and craters, Dimmuborgir and other lava formations, and possibly hike to Aldeyjarfoss. In the evening, we'll do possible nighttime or aurora photography over the Myvatn formations. Accommodations in Myvatn.
Day 11 - Godafoss & Flight to Reykjavik
March 16, 2016
On our last day, we'll visit Godafoss waterfall. The trip will finish up with an included domestic flight from Akureryi to Reykjavik. Accommodations not included on this last day.
General Trip Information
Group Size: Maximum size of 8; minimum size of 3.
Start/End: Accommodation and potential night aurora shooting starts on the evening of March 6, 2016, with depature from Reykjavik early the next day, and the trip concludes with an afternoon flight on the 16th without accommodation for that night in Reykjavik. The trip cost includes domestic airfare from Akureyri to Reykjavik at the end of the trip (to be booked on your behalf once your international flights are booked on our own). We'll be so immersed in the Icelandic countryside for our entire time as a group, that we have left no time to enjoy the sights of Reykjavik, so we encourage you to stay in Reykjavik for a couple days on your own, either before or after the tour.
Included:
- All photographic instruction and local guiding
- All transporation in a 4x4 van
- Ice cave visit with local glacier guide
- Internal domestic flight back from Akureyri to Reykjavik
- All meals and food (breakfast served in our guesthouse, lunches sourced from local cafes or bagged lunches, and hot dinners at our places of accommodation and/or restaurants)
- Any entry fees to various areas or attractions
- Accommodation for 10 nights (in Icelandic guesthouses and country hotels; accommodation is based on double occupancy, single supplement fee may be added; most but not all rooms include private bath).
Not Included:
- International flights and airport pickup/drop-off
- Your time in Iceland before and after the trip
- Trip insurance
- Drinks
- Souvenirs
- Anything else not listed as being included
Experience Needed: This tour is open to photographers of skill levels, with rural country and landscape and austral photography interests. If you have additional questions, the trip leader will be happy to answer them over the phone or by email.
Photography Instruction
This photo workshop is all about in-the-field field photography and situational instruction, working alongside your trip leader. Each day, the group will photograph diverse landscapes and natural wonders of Iceland, in the quiet and peaceful setting of the Icelandic wintertime. In the evening, we'll occasionally have image critiques and editing sessions on clients' laptops. We will always being prepared to go out to photograph the Aurora Borealis should it occur. Aurora Borealis viewing depends on 2 main factors: solar activity and clear weather. A long trip through various parts of the country gives us the best chances to see and photograph this phenomenon.
Photographic topics that will covered while shooting include nighttime and austral photography, Aurora Borealis photography, classic landscape photography composition and technique, HDR (High Dynamic Range) imagery, panoramic photography, adventure and travel photography, tilt/shift focusing, and slow shutterspeed effects. Our full 10 days and nights of photography potential allow us to see a variety of well-known Icelandic natural wonders around Akureyri, Lake Myvatn, and the Snæfellsness Peninsula, and combined with austral wonderment, enable each participant to get the most out this once-in-a-lifetime trip. In good daytime weather and clear night skies, March days can be long; occasionally our groups are putting in 20+ hour days! A maximum group size of 8 photographers ensures you will receive ample personal photographic coaching in the field from a full time working pro, and provide an intimate small group adventure experience.
Johnathan Esper of Wildernesscapes Photography LLC, based in the USA, will be leading the trip, his 35th+ in Iceland. Johnathan is a full time photographer and international photo trip leader, and has a unique background and an intimate knowledge of Iceland from living out of a car, exploring and photographing Iceland intensively for months at a time. He specializes in wide panoramic landscapes and adventure photography in Iceland and the Adirondack region in the USA. Johnathan also sometimes works with the very best native Icelandic photographer, Örvar Þorgeirsson. Örvar will hopefully join us as a special guest photographer for a session which will be a highlight for everyone. His images can be seen on arcticphoto.is.
Trip Terms
Deposit: A $1000 deposit is due at the time of registration, and the remaining balance is due three weeks prior to the trip start. Until payment is sent, your place is not guaranteed. You may conveniently pay your deposit here (near bottom of page) securely with your credit card, processed by Paypal payment processor. The deposit portion may also be paid via personal or bank check for USA and Canadian clients. Refunds are allowed at the discretion of the trip leader in the form of future trip credit, depending on cancellation date. Please contact me if you need any assistance in signing up!
Final Payment: The final payment for the balance due on the trip (after your paid deposit), is due three weeks prior to the trip start. Payment options include bank transfer to my Icelandic bank account (details on request), cash in person at the trip start (with prior permissin), personal or bank checks (preferred for USA and Canada clients), and credit cards (a 2% credit card fee will be added for final payments with card).
Cancellation Policy: In the unfortunate case if you need to cancel, cancellation policy is: Deposit payments are refundable as 100% future scheduled trip credit up to 120 days before trip start, 50% future scheduled trip credit if cancellation is 120-60 days before trip start, and non-refundable less than 60 days before start. Final payments for the full trip balance are 100% refundable as cash until the trip start, and non-refundable after the trip start. If I am able to fill your empty spot on the trip, half of what you'd lose will additionally be returned to you, for all the above situations. If I cancel the trip for some major reason, such as overwhelming volcanic activity, trip leader health crisis, etc, then I fully refund everything in cash or Paypal, or a pro-rated amount if the trip must end early for the same reasons. I am not responsible for reimbursing you for travel or other ancillary expenses you incur in prep for the trip.