Itinerary for South Iceland Photography Workshop

September 6:  Arrival in Iceland (flights to Iceland not included)
Transfer to Reykjavik is not included but you can either take the Flybus to Reykjavik or we can arrange for a private taxi transfer (40 min. drive).
Since most people arrive in the morning, after an overnight flight from the US, there will be a introductory photo tour around Reykjavik.  Those who are also joining us on the North Iceland Photo Tour will be staying at this same hotel.
Hotel: Hotel in Reykjavik

Sept. 7: Hjalparfoss, Gjain and Haifoss Waterfall
We drive out of Reykjavik and on the way to the highlands we stop at Hjalparfoss, Gjain and Haifoss, Iceland’s third highest waterfall.
For sunset we go to Sigalda canyon for a photography session.
In the evening, we photograph the Northern lights (aurora borealis) if the skies are clear. This applies to all nights.
Hotel: Hotel Highland

Sept. 8: Veidivotn Crater Lakes or Hrafntinnusker in Fjallabak
Today’s plan will depend on the weather. We will either go to Veidivotn, a series of crater lakes with amazing reflections against the neon green mossy lava but it also has black sand deserts, red lava, river deltas and mountains. If the weather is cloudy and moody, we will probably select this option.
If the weather is bright, we will probably go into Fjallabak, to Hrafntinnusker to photograph the black obsidian against a small ice cap with streaks of ash and all the colorful geothermal areas of Fjallabak.
Aurora photography at night if weather permits.
Accommodation: Hotel Highland

Sept. 9: Fjallabak to Landmannalaugar
It is said that every nature photographer in Iceland goes through a Landmannalaugar-phase, the colours of the mountains, the lava and hot springs provide endless opportunities for a great landscape and nature photography. Of course we need to stop there for at least a couple of hours. We then drive through highlands, to an area known as Fjallabak („Behind the Mountains”). The landscape and scenery changes with every turn and on every hill on this winding mountain track. We will stop at your request and shoot – but there are so many amazing landscape photos to be taken that we almost certainly need to be a bit selective – just so that we reach our hotel before dinner. The Fjallabak route takes us to the south shore, to the ring road and then we drive through the Laki lava field which is among the largest lava fields in the world before reaching Skaftafell National Park. Our hotel is at the edge of the glacier so you can take an evening or morning walk to the edge of the glacier on your own – you can even photograph the glacier from your hotel room window.
Enjoy and photograph Northern lights (aurora borealis) if the skies are clear.
Accommodation: Hotel Skaftafell

Sept. 10: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Vatnajokull National Park
Sunrise photography session: Glaciers at Skaftafell
Easy morning with breakfast and then after check out you have the option to take a boat cruise on Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon which is one of the most spectacular places in Iceland and a location for numerous films and ads. We also visit another glacier lagoon which is much less frequently visited, Fjallsarlon and dramatic glacier tongues of Vatnajokull glacier. We will also visit the black sand beach where the icebergs from the glacier lagoon drift ashore. This is a must see location for photographers and you will hardly find a photo book that does not include many photos from Jokulsarlon.
Sunset photography session: Icy beach by Jokulsarlon
Hopefully we will photograph the Northern lights (aurora borealis) over the glacier lagoon
Accommodation: Gerdi Guesthouse

Sept. 11: South Shore & Black Sand Beach
Sunrise photography session: Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon
After breakfast you will have some down time to relax and the guides will be available to assist with image processing.
Later we drive to Stokksnes for the the afternoon and sunset photography, perhaps with a short scenic detour to Skalafellsjokull glacier on Vatnajokull ice cap.
Sunset photography session: Stokksnes
Accommodation: Gerdi Guesthouse

Sept. 12: South Shore & Black Sand Beach
Sunrise photography session: Icy Beach by Jokulsarlon
After breakfast and check out we drive to Laki Craters, a series of volcanic craters that created the largest lava flow that has flowed on earth in historical times. We also stop at Fjadrargljufur canyon before we drive to Iceland’s south shore at Vik and stop at all the classic sights; black sand beach and lava pillars at Vik and Reynisfjara.
Sunset shots of Reynisdrangar – and hopefully auroras in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Edda Vik

Sept. 13: South Shore to Reykjavik
Morning shot of Reynisdrangar and the black sand beach.
On our way to Reykjavik we stop at all the classic sights; hexagon basalt columns at Dyrholaey, Eyjafjallajokull volcano, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls.
Accommodation: Hotel in Reykjavik

Sept. 14: Departure
If your flight is in the afternoon, it’s ideal to enjoy a relaxing soak in the Blue Lagoon on your way to the airport (not incl.)

Note: You can easily extend your stay in Iceland and we will gladly help.

Nature Explorer Tours: Iceland’s Best Tours!
I just spent a week on a photography tour of Iceland in winter, led by Nature Explorer Tours. If you’re looking for the best way to capture stunning photographs of Iceland, book your tour through Nature Explorer! Every detail was looked after, from pinpointing the most scenic locations in changing weather conditions, (including northern lights opportunities), traveling in a comfortable and safe customized, Super Duty truck, and booking excellent hotels and restaurants during the tour. Throughout the week, Hawk, our engaging guide, and owner of Nature Explorer Tours, also shared Iceland’s culture, history, politics, and humor so that I not only came away with incredibly beautiful photographs, but I have an understanding of the complete Iceland. When I return to Iceland, I’ll book my trip through Nature Explorer Tours!

Reviewed on Trip Advisor on February 8, 2016 by SusieL38, USA