Southern Contrasts – Glaciers, Volcanoes and Waterfalls

Highlights include…

• Several glacial iceberg lagoons including the Jökulsárlon
• Walking on the Svinafell glacier
• Basalt cave and waterfall
• Gullfoss
• Skaftafell National park
• Sparkling sea washed ice sculptures on black sand
• The Blue Lagoon
• Colourful geothermal areas of Hengill Volcano
• Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss and Geysir
• Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss
• Hotels in great locations
• Tuition in Lightroon and other digital processing

“Geraldine and Martin’s knowledge for and love of Iceland were obvious from day one and I was taken to locations it would otherwise have been impossible for me to visit, memories of which will remain firmly with me for years to come and have made me all the more determined to return.”

Bob Hamilton, Photographer

Check out some of Bob’s 2009 images…

General Summary

An early season photographic holiday combining some of Iceland’s classic and iconic sights with some less visited places. Locations include the myriad colours of the geothermal areas on Hengill Volcano, Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss and three other superb waterfalls, a thrilling walk onto the Svinafell glacier to photograph bluish green crevasses, black and white ice with close ups of awesome mountain scenery! Further East we explore the Skaftafell national park, several glacial iceberg lagoons, black beaches festooned with sparkling sea washed ice sculpture, a basalt columnar waterfall and magnificent views of Iceland’s highest mountain Hvannadalshnúkur

Although 1st May is the official first day of summer in Iceland, the roads and tracks through the interior of Iceland will remain snowbound until the end of June. During May, the mountains and highlands will still have a covering of snow providing the perfect back-drop for those spectacular and unusual wintery shots. At the end of May the temperatures are increasing and we will be just three weeks from the summer solstice, essentially it will be light all day with the sun disappearing for around three hours only. This will give us several hours of ambient light with sunrises and sunsets that go on and on!

Brief Itinerary

For full details download the PDF dossier

Day 1 – Blue Lagoon

There will be a single transfer meeting the flights arriving in Keflavík international airport at approximately 3.00 pm. After clearing customs we will travel directly to one of Iceland’s most famous destinations: the Blue Lagoon, after relaxing in the warm milky waters we dine in their famous Lava Restaurant; a fine introduction to Iceland.

Day 2 – Þingvellir National Park & Hengill Volcano

The spectacular cliffs and rift valleys of Þingvallavatn together with amazingly varied and impressive geothermal terrain of the Hengill Volcano

Day 3 – Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss

Today we get the opportunity to photograph three superb waterfalls combined with Geysir and the vivid aquamarine colours of Kerið crater lake.

Day 4 – Svinafell Glacier

Today we drive along the wild and awe-inspiring south coast of Iceland to Skaftafell National Park, periodically stopping to capture those special landscapes.
A thrilling afternoon walk on the Svinafell glacier allows us a remarkable and close up perspective of bluish green crevasses and the magnificent surreal icy landscape.

Day 5-7 – Skaftafell National Park

Skaftafell National Park is an oasis wedged between sand and glacier. Its is uniquely beautiful encompassing a breathtaking collection of peaks and glaciers, there will be plenty of superb photographic locations here to keep us occupied for the three full days that we spend here. Late in the evening of day 7 we drive West to our hotel in Dyrhólaey,

Day 8 – Dyrhólaey to Reykjavík

A morning to photograph the black sands, sea stacks and superb basalt column cave of Vik. We should arrive back in Reykjavík late afternoon, depending on photography stops. After hot showers in our comfortable city centre guest house we head out for a celebratory dinner in the city.

Day 9 – Early morning transfer to Keflavík international airport

Homeward flights

What’s included

• All Accommodation 8 hotel nights
• Meals: all breakfasts and lunches, dinner on the first night in Reykjavík
• All in country transport
• Transfers to and from Reykjavík’s international airport
• Guide
• Photographic tutor
• The Blue Lagoon

What’s not included

• International flights
• Alcoholic beverages
• Snacks and beverages other than with meals
• Travel Insurance
• Swimming Pool entrance fees (optional visits)
• Museum entrances (optional visits)

Complete itinerary and full details

This page is only a brief summary. A complete itinerary and full details can be found in our PDF dossier. It is important that you read the full day-to-day description and further information for this holiday before making your booking.

Booking this holiday

As an incentive for people who would like to book a group holiday, we are offering one totally free place for each 7 people booked. The free place can be used as a perk for the organisor, or maybe spread the reduction to benefit the whole group or to donate the savings to a worthy cause – this is entirely up to you.

To book contact us by email, phone 00354 5888939 or download a booking form.