Start day is September 5th, 2015 in Reykjavik. It's advised to get to Iceland a couple of days earlier to get over any jetlag and to explore the immediate area before launching into the broader countryside. Note that I have also included a three-day side trip in East Greenland for those wanting to get a broader sample of this arctic wonderland.
DAY 1: Thingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding geysers, waterfalls.
Pickup from Reykjavík hotel (TBA), then head out to explore Thingvellir - drive to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake, and Thingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world’s first parliament held outdoors. We then continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur geysers plus numerous other hot springs.
Dinner and overnight stay in Hvolsvöllur area.
DAY 2: Hvolsvöllur - Seljalandsfoss – Skógarfoss – Dyrhólaey - Kirkjubæjarklaustur Waterfalls - Puffin Colony - Black Sand – Lava fields
Here we start by exploring two waterfalls, one that you can walk behind. From there we continue to Dyrhólaey nature reserve. Continue on to explore the black sand beaches of the South Shore and Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks situated under the mountain Reynisfjall. Cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the earth, before reaching the small town Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.
Dinner/overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
DAY 3: Photograph the town’s architecture, drive into the Vik area, photograph black sand beaches, seascapes, more seabirds...
Because we stay two nights in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area we have time to focus on the landscapes and shorelines - return to places seen the previous day or move ahead to try for an early morning sunrise at Skaftfall National Park or visit some of the locations for films such as Game of Thrones, Die Another Day (Bond), Interstellar and Batman Begins, to name a few!
Dinner/overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
DAY 4: Kirkjubæjarklaustur – Skaftafell - Jökulsárlón – Höfn, Europe’s Largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier
The tour continues over Skeiðarársandur sands to Skaftafell National Park. Continue to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. Throughout the day we are afforded magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Höfn area.
DAY 5: Höfn – East Fjords – Egilsstaðir, Narrow Fjords – Steep Mountains – Picturesque Coastline – Mineral Collection
Drive from Höfn through Almannaskard pass, stop and admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Explore Petra’s renowned collection of local stones and minerals. Hiking available to see Litlifoss waterfall and Hengifoss waterfall, this is the third highest waterfall in Iceland.
Dinner and overnight stay in Egilsstaðir area.
DAY 6: Lake Mývatn Area, Highland Desert – Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal area - Volcanic Activity – Rich Birdlife – Salmon River
Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Mödrudalsöræfi, heading to the Lake Mývatn area. On the way, a stop at Dettifoss, Europe‘s most powerful waterfall. Onwards to Námaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the Lake Mývatn area, including the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and Laxá salmon river. Mývatn is home to more species of ducks than anywhere else, with very diverse birdlife in general. At Lake Myvatn we´ll visit Sigurgeirs Bird museum.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area.
DAY 7: Lake Mývatn Area - Visit waterfall “Of the Gods” – Folk Museum
Travel towards the magnificent Godafoss waterfall and the old turf farm Laufás. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to go walking in the countryside, or just take it easy, maybe do some birdwatching, in the resort area.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area.
DAY 8: Lake Myvatn – Blonduos - Hrutey nature reserve - Fertile Farmlands – Glacial Rivers
Majestic mountains and narrow pass leads you to the village of Blönduós built on both sides of the river Blanda with Hrútey Island a protected nature reserve located in this popular salmon river.
Dinner and overnight stay in Blonduos area
DAY 9: Depart from Blonduos to get to Bogarnes in good time. Fabulous scenery, marine settings...
Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau through Borgarfjörður to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.
Dinner and overnight stay in Borganes
DAY 10: Reykjavík via Borgarfjörður, Europe’s Largest Hot Spring – Picturesque Waterfalls, beautiful scenery
Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in the world. A stop will be made to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, before continuing via Hvalfjörður fjord to Reykjavik. Hiking available in Hvalfjordur up to Glymur Waterfall, this is the second highest waterfall in Iceland.
Overnight Reykjavík.
DAY 11: Departure - Transfer to the airport or spend more time in Reykjavik prior to a regional side trip (Optional: 3 day trip to Greenland. Details below.
East Greenland (optional extension to the Iceland trip)
Tasiilak; Kulusuk,
East Greenland
Visit Tasiilak (also known as Ammassalik), the largest village in East Greenland (pop. 2000), just south of the Arctic Circle. Enjoy taking walks in the beautiful surrounding valleys, boat trips, jeep tours and even helicopter rides over the icebergs and fiords*.
On these trips you might see: reindeer, musk ox, wolves, arctic foxes, mountain hares, walrus, narwhal, whales and (maybe) even the elusive polar bear - not to mention over 60 species of birds.
Day12: Take an Air Iceland flight from Reykjavik (domestic airport) to Kulusuk, East Greenland. The flight is about two hours (Note: there’s a two hour time difference between countries. Price quoted here does not include transfers from your Reykjavik accommodation to the domestic terminal).
Once in Kulusuk, take a short ten-minute transfer to the village of Tasiilak by helicopter. (Note: there might be a wait here as the helicopter can only take a few passengers each trip).
Transfer to Hotel Ammassalik for check-in.
The hotel offers twin bedded rooms with private facilities, shower, WC, TV, restaurant, bar, internet access (at a small cost), souvenir shop with fine local arts and crafts, currency exchange, as well as an information service.
Day 13: Free day for a range of optional excursions.
Please note that these excursions are
weather dependent and therefore only bookable and payable on site:
Valley of flowers hike (1-2 hours)
Iceberg boat tour (2 hours)
Mittivakkat glacier chopper flight (20 minute flight, 20 minute ground stop).
Boat trip to the remote and uninhabited hunting village of Ikateq (5 hours)
Valley of flowers hike (1-2 hours)
Iceberg boat tour (2 hours)
Mittivakkat glacier chopper flight (20 minute flight, 20 minute ground stop).
Boat trip to the remote and uninhabited hunting village of Ikateq (5 hours)
Day 14: Departure day. The hotel will advise about exact
pick-up time for the transfer to
the airport, followed by a helicopter flight to Kulusuk, and then
you continue with an afternoon flight to Reykjavik.
(*due to the variable
weather conditions all bookable tours and side trips from Tasiilik have to be organised once in the
area).
Depart date: September 16, 2015
Cost: €1,100 (approx)
Depart date: September 16, 2015
Cost: €1,100 (approx)
Gear Suggestions for Iceland
Iceland is: abundant birdlife, sweeping landscapes, impressive waterfalls and incredible scenery...
DSLR/Micro 4/3 or small form camera, landscape lens, macro lens, solid (but light) tripod, electronic shutter release, Polarising filter, ND (neutral density) filters for running water photography (2, 4 and 6 or 9 f-stop filters for your best landscape lens), graduated neutral density filters, laptop or iPad, memory cards, several spare camera batteries, waterproof or moisture proof camera pack (some walking will be involved), thin gloves.
Reykjavik Stopover: Though the tour starts with a pickup from your Reykjavik hotel, I shall be there several days prior to the start date so if you’d like to spend a couple of days exploring the local urban sights before we hit the countryside, all are welcome.
Come prepared: The weather is notoriously changeable in Iceland - I have seen tours running through the summer months that have experienced an astonishing mix of driving rain, low cloud, then sunshine - it’s so unpredictable that good wet weather gear is recommended any time of year, plus, of course, sensible walking boots to handle the [short] walks we will be doing on this trip. Waterproof over-trousers, thermal underwear, dry bags, gor-tex jacket, mosquito repellant.
Flights from Australia are around $2600 rtn, depending on the airline, route and time taken to get there.
Cost: $6900 per person (price based on twin share, $700 single supplement)
Tour start: September, Saturday 5th, 2015, Reykjavik.
Tour finish: September 15, 2015, Reykjavik.
Deposit: $500 to secure your booking (note this is non-refundable from June 01, 2015).
Note: We advise you to take travel insurance as soon as a booking deposit has been made.
Tour size: Minimum 6 pax, max 10 places.
Photo skill level required: absolute beginner, up
What’s included:
• Photo tuition and guidance for the entire trip, plus tuition pre-, and post trip, where required.
• Ten day guided tour, as per itinerary, from/to Reykjavík with bus and a private driver-guide
• Accommodation 10 nights w/breakfast and w/facilities in countryside.
• Nine dinners in the countryside
• Boat tour on Jokulsarlon lagoon
• Entrance to Petra’s stone collection
• Entrance to Sigurgeir’s bird collection
• Entrance to Laufás folk museum (inc. refreshments)
• Farewell group dinner in Reykjavik
What’s not included:
• International airfares
• Airport pickup + departure taxes
• Pre-trip accommodation in Reykjavik
• Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature
• Horse riding (approx €80) and ice caving on Langjokull glacier (approx €120)
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