Iceland Highlands
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Overview
https://vimeo.com/371998445?from=outro-embed
The Visionary Wild Iceland Expedition was an extraordinary and wonderful experience. The locations were superb and unique and the instructors are technical experts who offered great instruction. I literally could not have asked more from the trip – it exceeded all my expectations. I would recommend Visionary Wild to all photographers and aspiring photographers who want experiences off the tourist path and to take their photography to the next level. –Alex E., Iceland Highlands expedition participant
Our journey to the inner highlands of Iceland was beyond anything we could have imagined. Every day was unique and awe-inspiring, featuring starkly beautiful landscapes of volcanic rock and glacial ice. We would highly recommend Visionary Wild for serious photographers; traveling with experienced guides who shared our passion to explore and photograph the world was invigorating, educational – and tremendous fun. The mentorship and organizational planning from our group leaders, Justin Black and Chris Linder, was truly world class. We are already planning our next adventures with Visionary Wild!” – Ray M. and Leona D., Iceland Highlands expedition participants
You may think you know Iceland…
The typical visitor wouldn’t know it given how popular the standard tourist destinations in Iceland have become over the last decade, but the bulk of this spectacular island is still remote, uncrowded, and unspoiled. The middle of this country is home to the largest wilderness area in Europe—the vast Highlands—where, according to Icelandic legend, outlaws, dragons, and evil spirits once lurked, and some believe elves are still in residence. This expedition is intended for those who want to get off the beaten track—literally and figuratively—to make truly unique photographs in the otherworldly landscape of the Land of Fire and Ice. Getting into Iceland’s rugged Highlands is a challenge in itself. There are no paved roads or bridges over the rivers. To find your way through this wilderness, a competent 4WD vehicle and experience is mandatory.
Chris Linder and Justin Black will lead this eleven-night photo expedition limited to six participants. The itinerary has been carefully crafted based on Chris and Justin’s numerous prior assignments and explorations in Iceland, and features incredible locations that can be accessed only be 4WD vehicle. Chris and Justin’s extensive knowledge of the Icelandic landscape and environment makes them the perfect fit for getting to the best locations for prime photographic opportunities. Our small group will travel in comfort in four “Superjeeps” — customized Nissan Patrols and Toyota Land Cruisers — driven by experienced Icelandic mountain guides who we’ve worked with before. Every participant will have a window seat, lots of elbow room in the vehicles, and ample space for their equipment. In the Highlands, we will spend each night at Icelandic mountain huts in spectacular locations close to our dawn and dusk photo locations. As always, we will make the most of light and weather conditions each day.
Our accommodations will be a mix of excellent hotels when we are in “civilization,” and comfortable, tidy, well-maintained mountain huts scattered around the undeveloped interior highlands. The mountain huts are Scandinavian-style bunk houses with comfortable beds, hot showers, large kitchens and dining areas (in which our guides prepare and serve tasty meals), and often natural hot spring pools to bathe in. At the huts, we will typically share a bunk room private to our group only. At one of the huts, we will be accommodated in several double-occupancy private rooms.
The focus of this expedition is photography in the field. Chris and Justin will provide generous hands-on mentorship, sharing their expertise and professional insights on developing creativity and personal vision, composition, working with various qualities of light and changing weather, and working landscape scenarios to best effect.
Constructive critiques will be included in the schedule to help participants identify where they are succeeding and how they might focus their energies to advance their vision and skills. During critiques, emphasis is first placed on identifying what participants are doing right with regard to chosen subject and composition, followed by discussion of ways to improve the execution of the image in light of the emotional response, concepts, and aesthetics that led the photographer to make the image in the first place.
Attentive group support during the workshop will be provided by experienced Icelandic mountain guides and camp staff. Sleeping bags, for use at the mountain huts, are available for loan.
All meals are included throughout. After being picked up and transferred from Keflavik Airport to the conveniently located Hotel Holt, our favorite in Reykjavik, we will enjoy a festive group dinner at one of the capital’s fine restaurants. On the last evening of the overland itinerary, we’ll return to Reykjavík, enjoy a final celebratory dinner, and spend the night at Hotel Holt.
Optional Extension: Aerial Photography
For those interested in aerial landscape photography, Iceland offers incredible opportunities for compelling, graphic compositions of colorful glacier-fed braided rivers, the black-sand beaches of the coast, waterfalls, and more. We invite you to join Justin and Chris on the South Coast for a two-day extension to do “doors-off” aerial photography aboard our private charter Eurocopter AS350. Click here for more information, and let us know when you register that you would like to include the helicopter extension.
Itinerary
September 5 – ARRIVAL DAY IN REYKJAVIK
Fly in to Keflavik International Airport (KEF), where a drive will meet you and transfer you to Reykjavik’s Hotel Holt. During the afternoon, there will be group introductions and orientation in the hotel’s library. Our first dinner as a group will be held at one of our favorite restaurants in Reykjavik, with a menu designed especially for us by the restaurant’s chefs.
Overnight Hotel Holt (D)
September 6-7: ÞJÓRSÁRDALUR VALLEY AND LANDMANNALAUGAR
After an early breakfast at the hotel, our guides pick us up to begin our photographic expedition. We will visit the Lava Centre in the morning. After lunch we will drive to Þjórsárdalur Valley. Þjórsárdalur is traversed by Þjórsá river and three other rivers as well, a landscape of sharp contrasts such as flourishing birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers and waterfalls. Gjáin is a stunning ravine with lush vegetation, numerous springs, bizarre rock formations and a picturesque little waterfall, Gjárfoss. Other remarkable waterfalls in the valley are Hjálparfoss and Háifoss. A flourishing farming community lived in Þjórsárdalur after the settlement, until the valley was swamped by ash from an eruption of Mt. Hekla in 1104. One of the ruined farms, Stöng, has been excavated and served as the model for the nearby farm reconstruction, Þjóðveldisbærinn.
On September 7 we will expore the Landmannalauger area, which boasts some of Iceland’s most stunning landscapes: multicolored rhyolite cliffs, twisted lava formations, and steaming fissures. We will enjoy sunrise/sunset shoots at the best locations in the region, hiking among the hot springs, lakes, and lava fields.
Overnight Hungurfit Private Hut (B,L,D)
September 8: HÁIFOSS WATERFALL AND NÝIDALUR
Today we drive to Nýidalur Hut, stopping at the amazing Háifoss waterfall in the the river Fossá, where a spring water tributary of the glacial river Þjórsá, drops from a height of 400 ft (122 m). This is the second highest waterfall in Iceland.
Overnight Nýidalur Hut (B,L,D)
September 9 – 10: ASKJA AREA
After a morning photo shoot, we’ll continue the drive to the Askja Caldera region. This massive caldera complex will be our base for two nights. We will explore compositions of the 5,000-foot peaks of the Dyngjufjöll mountains, Öskjuvatn lake, Viti crater, and Drekagil – the Canyon of Dragons. We will also explore the Ódáðahraun desert, notable for unusual geological formations, sands and broad lava fields. With its spooky, barely passable lava outcrops, its chilly, dangerous glacial rivers and its treacherous outlaws, Ódáðahraun has long awakened fear among Icelanders, but for our group it will inspire fascinating photographs.
Overnight Dreki Hut (B, L, D)
September 11: LAKE MÝVATN
Today we head west to the Lake Mývatn. Along the way we will photograph the steaming, bubbling geothermal areas at Námafjall, and fall color in the bizarre twisted lava landscape at Dimmuborgir. Bird life is extremely diverse and more species of duck are believed to live around Lake Myvatn than anywhere else in the world. The natural environment of the area is very diverse and the landscape has a unique character formed by volcanic activity.
Overnight Hotel Reynihlíð. (B, L, D)
September 12 – 14: KJÖLUR ROUTE
We complete our circuit of Iceland’s rugged interior via the Kjolur Route. We will spend three nights in this region, where we will photograph the multicolored geothermal features there, including the incredible blue pool of Bláhver and the dramatically steaming red hills of Kerlingarfjöll.
Overnights at Hveravellir Hut and Kerlingarfjöll Hut (B, L, D)
September 15: RETURN TO REYKJAVIK
We travel back to Reykjavik and finish with a session on some hidden gems—moss-covered waterfalls off the beaten track. Arrive back in town to stay at Hotel Holt and gather for a last celebratory dinner and slideshow together.
Overnight Hotel Holt (B, L, D)
September 16: DEPARTURE DAY
Wake up for breakfast, followed by time to see the sights and do souvenir shopping in Reykjavik’s city center and waterfront for those leaving later in the day. Transfer provided to Keflavik airport. (B)
September 16-18: OPTIONAL HELICOPTER AERIAL EXTENSION
On the morning of the 16th, those staying for the optional helicopter aerial extension will depart for the Hvollsvöllur area to do aerial photography of braided rivers and the coastline, as well as an additional excursion to some of our favorite waterfalls in the southern interior. Please click here for more information about this itinerary.
Instructors
Justin Black
- JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer, writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers (ILCW), a former executive director of the International ...
Chris Linder
- Chris Linder is an award-winning professional photographer, filmmaker, workshop leader, and lecturer. Chris earned a master’s degree in oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods ...
Gallery
Pricing
PRICING AND OCCUPANCY
All costs are per person
Participants booking on a single-occupancy basis will have their own private accommodation in Reykjavik and Myvatn. When staying in mountain huts, our group will share a bunk room that is private to our group or in double occupancy rooms. We will attempt to pair guests of the same sex, but given the small group size we cannot guarantee this.
INDIVIDUAL TRAVELERS
Individual travelers are welcome to book at the double occupancy rate and we will pair you with another guest. We will attempt to pair you with a guest of the same sex, but given the small group size we cannot guarantee this.
PAYMENT POLICIES AND SCHEDULE
Given current uncertainties around international travel, we are offering a flexible deposit policy for this expedition. A 5% deposit is required to register. This deposit is non-refundable unless the expedition is cancelled by Visionary Wild. Once the minimum number of five participants have registered, participants will be notified and will have 30 days to make a 25% non-refundable payment. The following payment schedule will then apply:
- 30% payment due March 9, 2021
- 40% payment due May 8, 2021
This payment schedule may be extended if necessary depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time of payment due dates.
Please note that due to significant financial commitments required to offer this unique expedition, all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If the expedition is sold out as of the start dates, refunds for cancellations will be offered as a courtesy. All other terms and conditions apply.
Highlights
- Top-notch instruction throughout by Chris Linder and Justin Black
- Creativity and visualization: learn to find new and unexpected compositions
- Breaking through creative block and making great photographs in challenging situations
- Three guides driving two guests per vehicle for 10 days on our customized route to rarely-visited locations of the Icelandic interior
- Dramatic lakes, mountains, cliffs, craters, and volcanic formations
- Waterfalls, among the most stunning and photogenic in the world
- Small group of just six participants
- Inclusive of excellent lodging and dining, including meals prepared at our mountain huts by a chef using fresh ingredients
- First-rate local guides and logistical support
- Timed for dramatic light, photogenic weather conditions, and a good chance to photograph the Aurora Borealis
Accommodations
Two nights at Hotel Holt in Reykjavik’s city center (one at the beginning, one at the end), and eight nights in comfortable mountain huts along our route in Iceland’s interior highlands. At the north end of the overland route, we also spend one night at Hotel Reynihlíð in Myvatn (recently renovated, and now called Icelandair Hotel Myvatn).
Please note: the single-occupancy booking option for this trip refers to hotels in Reykjavik and Myvatn only.
Travel
Iceland Highlands
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