14 Day Iceland 2014 – Iceland Unrivaled Beauty
Dates: July 19 – August 1, 2014
Professional Photo Leader: Dee Ann Pederson
To Insure an Intimate and Personal Experience: Max. Group Size 8
July 18th – Depart Home
July 19th & 20th – Reykjavik & Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Our local guide and Dee Ann will greet you at Keflavik Airport in the early morning to transfer you to the hotel in Reykjavik for July 19th. The 19th will be a day to relax, stroll around Reykjavik at your leisure with an early evening orientation followed by a “Welcome” dinner. Early on July 20th we travel northwesterly to Snaefellsnes peninsula; photographing Iceland’s only dark wood church; continuing along the peninsula to Arnarstapi, known for its stunning basalt cliffs and unusual rock formations in the ocean teeming with Kittiwake and Fulmar bird colonies. Further along the south coast of the peninsula we will stop at Pufubjary sandstone bird cliffs and will close our first day of photography at Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall on the northern coast of the peninsula.
Accommodations: July 19th, Radisson 1919 / Reykjavik - July 20th, Guesthouse / Stykkishofmur
July 21st – Dynjandi Waterfall & Latrabjarg Cliffs
Our local guide and Dee Ann will greet you at Keflavik Airport in the early morning to transfer you to the hotel in Reykjavik for July 19th. The 19th will be a day to relax, stroll around Reykjavik at your leisure with an early evening orientation followed by a “Welcome” dinner. Early on July 20th we travel northwesterly to Snaefellsnes peninsula; photographing Iceland’s only dark wood church; continuing along the peninsula to Arnarstapi, known for its stunning basalt cliffs and unusual rock formations in the ocean teeming with Kittiwake and Fulmar bird colonies. Further along the south coast of the peninsula we will stop at Pufubjary sandstone bird cliffs and will close our first day of photography at Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall on the northern coast of the peninsula.
Accommodation: Hotel Breidavik
July 22nd – West Fjords & Latrabjarg Cliffs
Since the Puffins and seabird are out on the ocean fishing during the day, we will spend the morning photographing coastal vistas between Breidavik and Patreksfjordur Fjord returning to our hotel for an early dinner. On the second evening, everyone is always anxious to return to Látrabjarg cliffs so we try to get a little earlier start this evening with the enchanting puffins and other seabirds. Puffins…Puffins…Puffins and the Land of The Midnight Sun.
Accommodations: Hotel Breidavik
July 23rd – North Iceland Bound & Hvítserkur Sea Stack
After breakfast we will depart the West fjords and drive along the south part of the peninsula taking in more of picturesque Iceland. If we are lucky as we drive today we may get a chance to photograph the famed Icelandic horses. Since we will start our day at the western most point of Iceland, this is our longest driving days, but we will be rewarded in the evening when we reach our northern destination with two dramatic photo stops; the waterfall at Kolugljúfur canion in Vididalur valley and the Sea Stack named Hvítserkur off the shore of Vatnsnes peninsula; old remains of a central volcano enveloped by the ocean.
Accommodations: Country Hotel Gauksmyri / Hvammstangi
July 24th - Kjölur highland route, Hveravellir and Kerlangafjöll mountain geothermal areas
After an early breakfast we pack our gear and head further north until we hit the highland road Kjölur; a well known route between north and south since the Viking era. On this route we will find Hvervellir, a small but very photogenic geothermal area which we will spend time exploring for that unique image. Our next stop is in Kerlingafjöll (woman's mountain), old volcanic mountains with stunning striations of red, green, yellow and white colored by sulfur. Steam rises from bubbling hot spring vents adding even more variations to this location. This location will draw you right in with one dramatic composition after another. If time permits we will also photograph the canyon just below Kerlingafjöll.
Accommodation: Efsti Dalur Geysir
July 25th - Fjallaback Nature Reserve (or south-coast route)
This day will greet us with a rather early rise , before breakfast, to photograph these famous hot springs before tourists flood the area. We will then continue towards the south coast. It will depend upon weather which route we will take. If weather is favorable, we take the south highland route through barren fields of lava and volcanic sand, mossy green mountains, open rivers and wide fields of the highlands surrounded by Rhyolite and Hyaloclastide Mountains. At the end of our day’s journey the hospitality of Hadda and Haukur; and the warmth of their Guesthouse await us with on of Hadda’s fabulous dinners.
Accommodation: Hrifunes Guesthouse
July 26th – Landmannalaugar Area
The next two days will be very special days…some of my personal favorite locations…with one breathtaking photo stop after another of the southern interior. We will take north Fjallabak route towards Landmannalaugar making fissure dating back to 900AD at over 18 miles in length. The most spectacular part of the fissure is adjacent to the Fjallabaksvegur Road, where it reaches a depth of nearly 2,000 ft. and Nyðri-ófæra River falls into the canyon in two cascading waterfalls. Continuing to Landmannalaugar a geothermal area surrounded by colorful Rhyolite mountains and lava fields we spend the afternoon hiking to explore this incredible area, returning in the evening to the natural hot springs (Bring your swim suit), dinner cooked under the evening Icelandic sky and our comfortable but basic accommodations at Landmannalaugar huts. (There are indoor showers & bathrooms)
Accommodation: Landmannalaugar Hut
July 27th - Langisjór Lake Skaftá River and Sveinstindur Mountain
As we continue to explore the southern interior of Iceland today, the remote Langisjór Lake (Long Lake) lies southwest of Vatnajökull glacier in a beautiful and picturesque landscape. It is 20 km long and up to 2 km wide. The lake is among the most beautiful mountain lakes in Iceland with aqua water, islands, and mountain cliffs. To the east of Langisjór Lake are the Hyaloclastide Mountains Fögrufjöll, Breidbakur Mountain on the west, famous for its moonscape and south of the lake is Sveinstindur Mountain and glacial river Skaftá. The vista overlooking Skaftá River is another "Guest Favorite" photo location and may very well be my favorite along with the puffins and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Accommodations: Hrifunes Guesthouse
July 28th - Jökulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and Skaftafell National Park
Today will be waterfalls, glaciers, a glacier lagoon and aqua icebergs resting on black volcanic sand beaches….Truly eye candy for photographers. We will head to the east towards the Vatnajokull Glacier and make a stop in Skaftafell National Park for a hike to the stunning columnar basalt backdrop of Svartifoss waterfall . From there our Iceland photo safari day will be about “ICE”. We will stop at Svinafell glacier and Fjallsarlon glacial lagoon. Over the past 60 years the tongue of the Breioamerkurjokull Glacier has been retreating creating an extraordinary lagoon which flows to the ocean. As the glacier calves aqua blue icebergs and ice formations fall into the lagoon gradually making there way to the ocean; some washing back up onto the black beach. This is a day we will hope for overcast skies to saturate the incredible colors of the ice.
Accommodation: Hrifunes Guesthouse
July 29th - Hrafntinnusker
Another day saturated with photo opportunities. We will departure in the early morning for a drive up to the remote Hrafntinnusker; Iceland's second most powerful geothermal area. The route to Hrafntinnusker will be an adventure all it’s own with river crossings and vast expanses of grandeur, and all along the way there are beautiful photographic opportunities. From tiny springs flowing through viberant green moss, to rhyolite mountains that resemble watercolor paintings, to steam vents and, bubbling mud pits. We will then drive back using the same route but in totally different light offering more photographic opportunities.
Accommodation: Hrifunes Guesthouse
July 30th - Öldufell's route
If you love waterfalls, you will enjoy the parade of waterfalls along the Öldufell route traveling towards Fjallabak south route along side Hólmsa River with Fountain apple green moss areas, black volcanic sand dunes, streams and cascading waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. Two of those that are most notable to photograph on this day are Bláfjallafoss waterfall and Axlarfoss waterfall. Following another memorable day of unrivaled Iceland beauty, we will enjoy our last evening at the cozy Hrifunes Guesthouse.
Accommodation: Hrifunes Guesthouse
July 31st - Fjallabak Nature Reserve (South-coast route - Collumnar Basalt Skogafoss & Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls)
Our last full day experiencing The Land of Fire and Ice we will drive along the south coast of Iceland as we gradually make our way back to Reykjavik for our last night. Along the south coast we will have more photographic opportunities visiting the cliffs of Dyrholaey cape, Reynisfjara black sand beach with columnar basalt rock formations, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and The Skogarfoss Waterfall; cascading down from Iceland’s southernmost glacier, Myrdalsjokull. As we close out our last evening in Iceland we will check into our hotel and enjoy sharing our Iceland memories during our farewell dinner together.
Accommodation: Radisson 1919 / Reykjavik
August 1st – Reykjavik / Airport Departure
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel, rest, organize and repack for our afternoon flights back home…or if time permits based on your flight schedule, at your leisure you can explore and photograph Reykjavik. You will also be able to pick up those last gifts and souvenirs.
If flying Icelandic Air, these flights depart between 4:30pm & 6:00pm. Haukur will pick up those of us flying Icelandic Air to transport to the airport. If flying Delta, these flights depart mid-morning and your transport to the airport will be at your expense. We will provide information to assist you with booking your airport shuttle reservation (Approx. cost $25).
Our Icelandic Country-Side Guest House
Host & Hostess: Hadda & Haukur
To fully appreciate any destination as we travel across the world, it is the local people we connect with who enrich our experience to the fullest.
Our local Icelandic guide, host and photographer Haukur and his wife, our hostess at their Hrifunes Guesthouse, offer more local flavor, comfort and hospitality than any hotel.
Practically on the doorstep of the interior routes to many of the major sights, cozy country-style bed & breakfast (and dinner), misty ocean view, rolling hills with the occasional Icelandic lamb which Hadda is quick to encourage to move-along to prevent them from eating her flowers, home made breads and fabulous home prepared meals. What more could you ask for to experience all that Iceland has to offer. for to experience all that Iceland has to offer. This is one of my personal favorite parts of this trip.
August 2nd – Arrive Home