Get ready to chase the glorious glow of the long golden hours created by the Midnight Sun, when sunset melts seamlessly into the sunrise. The sun technically does set in Iceland during the summer solstice, but the light lingers in a sort of twilight due to the island’s northern latitude. It gives you more time to enjoy the sights during the day, and it’s also a beautiful and unique phenomenon to witness.
We will explore the spectacular waterfalls of Iceland’s magnificent south coast, much of which is covered by purple lupine fields. You will tiptoe around cute puffins when they return to the cliffs to nest. The Atlantic puffin only nests on the Icelandic coastline between May and August, so June is a prime month to spot this adorable bird.
We will also visit the magical glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, and the enchanting black sand beach. Jokulsarlon is one of Iceland’s natural crown jewels, and the nearby black beach has coined the name Diamond Beach, as the ice chunks lying on it resemble diamonds glistening in the sun. These icebergs, other than their scale, are notable for their coloration. Although they are, as expected, largely white, most are also dyed electric blue, with black streaks of ash from eruptions centuries past.
No doubt, this summer photography tour has it all! We hope to be experiencing all of this while traveling in style on our wonderful guides custom luxury 4X4 bus that includes a kitchen, coffee machine, Wi-Fi, TV and water closet.
You will be traveling with three seasoned photographers who will ensure that we get the group to the best locations at the best time, to guarantee we have perfect light for our images. We know how to maximize our time in the field, but also make sure the group has time to enjoy a nice meal together to cap off a fulfilling day of photography.
Led by Art Wolfe
Assisted by Gavriel Jecan and Iurie Beleguschi
Limited to 10 participants
Transportation and Accommodation
This workshop is limited to only 10 participants, and everything is included: all meals, double occupancy lodging (single supplement available upon request), transportation throughout Iceland, and photographic guiding and instruction from three professionals. You will be responsible for your flight to and from Keflavak International Airport where our trip will begin and commence.
Itinerary
Shooting schedules have the ability to be altered to effectively cater to the photographic desires of the group, as well as to adapt to changeable weather conditions.
Day 1 June 14th Keflavak International Airport
Arrive Keflavak International Airport. Welcome and transfer to the Hotel.
Upon arrival in Reykjavik you will be transported via conveniently accessed flybus to our groups hotel (flybus tickets will be provided prior to your departure). Once the whole group has checked in, you’ll meet your group and guide in the lobby at 7 PM. From there, you’ll head out with the group for a delicious meal at a local restaurant and spend the evening getting to know each other as well as taking a closer look at the itinerary.
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June 15th Waterfalls, Puffins and Black Sand Beaches on Iceland’s South Coast
On your second day, the adventure truly begins! First thing in the morning, you will board a fully customized, comfortable bus, and set off on your journey along the South Coast.
Your first subjects will be two of the country’s most famous attractions, the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Seljalandsfoss stands at 63 meters tall and falls in a narrow cascade in front of a small cavern. If the path is clear, you will be able to walk behind it and photograph the feature from a unique angle, framing the lush green surrounds with the falling water. Meanwhile, Skógafoss will thrill you with its powerful cascades, thundering to the earth and emitting enormous clouds of spray. If the sun is shining, rainbows will arch throughout the mist of this waterfall, allowing you to practice working with truly unusual lighting phenomena.
After capturing these waterfalls, we will stop at the extraordinary cliffs of Dyrhólaey where puffins nest all along the coastline. It’s the perfect place for birdwatching and photographing the sheer power of the waves rolling in from the North Atlantic Ocean. In the distance, you’ll be able to spot the famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks, rising steadfast from the tumultuous waters below.
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June 16th Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The second part of the day will be focused on one location in particular: the mesmerizing Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Jökulsárlón is a truly beautiful place, where vivid blue icebergs break from the retreating glacier tongue Breiðamerkurjökull and slowly float across the lake towards the ocean. Each iceberg is unique and makes for fascinating photography. On warm summer days, many seals can be seen lounging around on the ice or swimming in the crystal blue water, so you’ll have an excellent chance to practice your wildlife photography! Adjacent to Jökulsárlón is the famous Diamond Beach, a stretch of black-sand coastline where icebergs wash ashore after finally reaching the ocean.
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June 17th Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Your sunrise shoot on day four will be conducted back at Jökulsárlón, where the lighting conditions change dramatically, allowing you to produce completely different shots. You will also head back to the Diamond Beach for another shoot here. The beauty of this corner of Iceland could warrant days of shooting, but there is more to see in the region. Your photo guides will use today to take you to lesser-known spots only they and very few others know about.
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June 18th Waterfalls, Puffins and Black Sand Beaches on Iceland’s South Coast
As the group did on day one, we will return to the beautiful waterfalls and cliffs to photograph the puffins. This is a great opportunity to correct any mistakes that may have been made in these locations earlier in the tour.
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June 19th South Coast and a trip to the Highlands
Today you’ll be heading south towards Landmannalaugar, a stunning, mountainous area in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve only accessible with a 4WD. There you’ll photograph rhyolite peaks, the area’s black lava fields and the mighty Hekla volcano that stands a little to the west. Although Hekla is an active volcano with a pretty ominous nickname (“Gateway to Hell”) the area’s multi-colored mountains and barren landscapes make it a photographer’s wonderland. Your professional photo guides will provide field instruction to ensure each participant can capture the many contrasting shapes, colors and textures. You will be spending the day exploring the rich and varied scenes on offer in the Landmannalaugar region. The magical crater lakes of Bláhylur and Ljótipollur in Veidivotn are easily two of Iceland’s best-kept secrets. Especially impressive is Ljotipollur, with its red sand slopes giving way to a cool blue pool.
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June 20th Drive Back to Reykjavik
Before heading back to Reykjavík your exploration of the Landmannalaugar area continues! You will spend some time photographing the Háifoss waterfall. It’s known as “The Tall Falls” and is Iceland’s fifth-highest, with a torrent of water cascading down from a height of 122 meters. Háifoss falls down into a deep gorge on the Þórsá glacier river, so there are plenty of spectacular angles, along with a watery haze, that we can use to create a perfect composition. Another waterfall to discover in this part of Iceland’s highlands is Hjálparfoss on the river Fossá. The unique, twin basalt structure means that the river is split into two for a matter of seconds before falling into a calm oasis. The whitewash of the falls gives a fantastic splash effect for our photographs, with the (hopefully) blue sky and rolling hills offering a wonderful backdrop. Other waterfalls that we might explore are Sigölduglúfur and Þjófafoss but this all depends on the light and conditions etc.
After landing in Reykjavík the tour will end with a farewell dinner with the group and guides.
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June 21st Departure
On this day you can depart for your home city at any time.
Those that want to continue onto the Faroe Islands Tour will be departing on a flight this morning with Art, Gavriel and our wonderful guide Iurie.
Services Included
- Accommodations (twin sharing basis)
- All meals (includes 1 non alcoholic beverage per meal)
- Assistance at airports and at the hotels at the time of check in/out in all the major cities.
- Road transfers for entire safari
- Bottled water during all meals, transfers, drives and sightseeing (available in vehicle)
Services Not Included
- Any international Airfare, travel insurance or medical insurance. (health insurance is mandatory and travel insurance is highly recommended)
- Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
- Tipping to accompanying escort is not included in our quote.
- Any expenditure of personal nature like alcoholic drinks, Fruit shakes, sodas, laundry, telephone calls, or internet
- Anything ordered from room service at any hotel including mineral water (other than what being offered by the hotels on their compliment).
- Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of god, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control.