Day 1 – Arrival to Reykjavik

After flights from Germany or Switzerland to Keflavik we will pick up our four-wheel drive vehicle there. We then drive to our accommodation in Reykjavik. Perhaps we will be able to photograph northern lights already in the first evening.

Day 2 – Onward journey to Hvammstangi

We drive north along the ring road. On the way, we have the opportunity to photograph lava fields, watercourses and great views of the mountains. Icelandic horses on the pastures along the road are also always very desirable photo motifs.

In the evening we try to photograph the Hvitserkur rock at sunset, and later with the northern lights.

Day 3 – Hvitserkur

Our hotel is located only few kilometers away from the famous Hvitserkur basalt cliffs. This allows us to photograph this fantastic sight at sunrise, sunset and also at night during the Northern Lights. In the vicinity of our hotel there are also very beautiful waterfalls and the barren Vatnsnes peninsula with lighthouses and a seal colony on the west coast.

Hvítserkur is a basalt rock on the east coast of the Vatnsnes peninsula in the northwest of Iceland. The approximately 15-metre-high rock, which is hollowed out in two places, is located on Húnafjörður and is a nesting site for various bird species, such as kittiwakes and fulmars.

Day 4 – Journey continues to Akureyri

We leave the N1 ring road and drive along the north coast. We stop in the small picturesque village of Siglufjördur and the fishing port of Dalvik. In the afternoon we reach Akureyri. Our hotel is located outside the town.

Day 5 – Grindavik – Laufaas – Godafoss

On our onward journey, we visit the old peat farm Laufas and the small fishing village of Grenavik. From there we continue through barren valley landscapes to Godafoss. Our hotel is located in the immediate vicinity of the impressive and beautiful waterfall.

Today we try to photograph the sunset and the northern lights over Godafoss.

Day 6 – Godafoss & Aldeyarfoss

Today we spend most of the day with landscape photography. Godafoss and the inland Aldeyjarfoss are our photo locations, which we want to photograph in the best light. If the weather forecast is good, we will try to photograph Aldeyjarfoss early in the morning. Aurora hunting is planned also for the evening.

Goðafoss is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. It is located in the municipality of Þingeyjarsveit in the north-east of the country near the start of the Sprengisandur highland road within sight of the ring road. The village of Laugar lies to the east of Goðafoss. The water of Skjálfandafljót plunges about 11 meters in a wide arc over a width of 158 meters, which is interrupted by three rocks. According to legend, the god and law-speaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði Þorkelsson threw the last pagan images of the gods into Goðafoss around the year 1000 AD after the decision to adopt Christianity as the state religion. Hence the name (= waterfall of the gods). A stained glass window in the cathedral church of Akureyri (Akureyrarkirkja) commemorates this story.

Aldeyjarfoss is a waterfall in the Icelandic highlands. It is located at the northern end of the Sprengisandur highland route. The waterfall is very attractive because of the contrast between the black basalt columns surrounding it and the foaming white water. In this respect, it is reminiscent of the much smaller Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park. The Skjálfandafljót river plunges some 20 meters into the depths here. The basalt is part of a lava field called Frambruni, which is called Suðurárhraun here in the southern part. A pseudo-crater was also cut by the river.

Day 7 – Further to Husavik

Today’s drive is short. On the way, we visit an old Icelandic farm with a beautiful little church. Husavik has a very picturesque harbor. In the afternoon we plan a whale watching tour (optional) in the fjord. Humpback whales, blue whales and dolphins can often be seen here. The small lighthouse north of Husavik is a perfect spot for aurora borealis.

Day 8 – Waterfalls

From Husavik we follow the north coast of the island and arrive at Asbyrgi. The horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi gorge is part of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park in North Iceland. From here we follow the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and reach three impressive waterfalls: Hafragilsfoss, Dettifoss and Selfoss.

Hafragilsfoss is a waterfall on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river in the north-east of Iceland. The waterfall is located about two kilometers north (downstream) of Dettifoss, almost 30 kilometers before the river mouth into the Arctic Ocean. This is where the Jökulsá valley joins the Hafragil gorge coming from the west, after which the fall was named. With a height of 27 meters, Hafragilsfoss is the second highest waterfall in the course of the river after Dettifoss. The gorge of Jökulsá in the area of Hafragilsfoss is called Hafragilsundirlendi.

Dettifoss (Icelandic for “falling waterfall”) is the largest waterfall in north-eastern Iceland. The combination of volume flow and drop height makes it the most powerful waterfall in Europe, just ahead of the Rhine Falls.

Selfoss is a waterfall in the north of Iceland. It has nothing to do with the town of the same name in the south between Hveragerði and Hella. The waters of Jökulsá á Fjöllum first plunge 10 meters over Selfoss and after about a kilometer over the 45-metre-high Dettifoss. The third waterfall is the 27-metre high Hafragilsfoss a few hundred meters downstream.

We can spend the sunset at one of these three waterfalls. We continue south and shortly before we meet the ring road again, we reach our accommodation located in a secluded area. In the event of aurora borealis, we choose one of the waterfalls as a photo location.

Day 9 – Studlagil Canyon

If the forecast is good, we can drive to one of the impressive waterfalls again at sunrise. We then continue north-east to Studlagil Canyon. The canyon has basalt columns on both sides and offers a spectacular landscape. We take photos of the canyon at sunset, and also visit the canyon at night when the Northern Lights may occur.

Day 10 – From Studlagil Canyon to Myvatn

After the sunrise photo shoot and breakfast, we head west again. Our destinations are the Hverir geothermal field, the Viti crater in the Krafla area and Lake Myvatn (Mücken) with its many volcanic rocks and islands. Myvatn is our destination for the day.

Day 11 – Offroad-Tour to Askja

Today an optional excursion by super jeep to Askja stands on the plan (not included).

Day 12 – Drive back to Varmahlid

From Myvatn we drive to the west of the island. We reach the small town of Varmahlid via Godafoss and Akureyri. On the way, we make various photo stops along the ring road. There is an old wooden and peat church near our accommodation.

Day 13 – Varmahlid – Kjölur – Gardur

From Varmahlid we set off on our highland crossing on the Kjölur route. If this highland road is closed, we will follow the ring road back to Reykjavik and from there on to Gardur near the airport.

We will visit the lighthouse or an abandoned farmhouse in the evening. They provide ideal backgrounds for aurora photographs.

Day 14 – Reykjanes peninsula

We explore some of the many photographic highlights on the west side of the Reykjanes Peninsula. There are volcanoes, geothermal fields, rocky peaks in the raging surf, historic churches, lighthouses and much more. In the evening we will go again for aurora hunting.

Day 15: End of the photo tour

The photo tour ends today. We drive to the airport for the return flight to Germany/Switzerland.

Weather

On the Iceland meteorolgy and weather site you can see the current weather conditions as well as the average temperatures and total precipitation throughout the year. Safetravel warns you of current dangers regarding waves, wind and avalanches so that you can travel safely on Iceland’s roads and paths.

Auroras are a natural phenomenon. Visibility depends, among other things, on the activity of the sun and the weather (cloud cover). Auroral sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Volcanoes

In the overview of all volcanoes in Iceland you can find more information about the characteristics, current situations and recent eruptions.

Earthquakes

As a rule earthquakes are only felt from a magnitude value of 3 and above. If necessary, check the earthquake list for the last 7 days.

Culture

You can find out more about the history of Iceland, its language and cuisine as well as informative key data on Wikivoyage.

Fitness level

You have a good basic level of fitness to be able to take part in short, moderate hikes. Depending on the weather, we will go on short, easy hikes of up to two hours.

Clothing

Due to the changeable weather in Iceland, you need to be prepared for all weather conditions. We therefore recommend breathable functional clothing based on the layer principle, which transports sweat to the outside without losing heat and dries quickly.

Half double room

Single travellers can book half of a double room. If there is no other guest who wants to share the room, the single room surcharge will apply.

Insurance

We strongly advise you to purchase insurance for cancellation and return journey costs, which will be needed in the event of a secluded region being evacuated, a local hospital stay or return travel costs to your home country.

Travel information FDFA

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) regularly publishes information on countries where there are potential security or other risks. The FDFA’s travel advice is based on its own sources of information that are considered to be trustworthy. This travel advice can be found on the FDFA website: www.eda.admin.ch

The Terms and Conditions

TCs of Amazing Views Adventure Tours apply, as well as all other conditions which are listed in the descriptions for the respective trips.

Prices

We reserve the right to change prices (especially due to exchange rate fluctuations).

Organization

This trip is organised by our partner Freiraum Fotografie.