Iceland Interior by 4WD
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Overview
The Visionary Wild Iceland Expediton 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., 2017 Iceland Overland participant
Our journey to the inner highlands of Iceland in September 2017 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., 2017 Iceland Overland participants
You may think you know Iceland…
Maybe you’ve already made a trip or two there, and you’ve seen the standard sights on the south coast. You’ve lined your tripod up next to the multitudes on the beach at Jökulsárlón, and waited for tourists snapping selfies to get out from behind the waterfall at Seljalandsfoss. The typical visitor wouldn’t know it, but much of Iceland 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 eight 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 snorkeled “Superjeeps”—customized Nissan Patrols and Toyota Land Cruisers—each driven by an experienced Icelandic mountain guide. 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 comfortable 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.
Helicopter aerials extension (optional): Those who wish also have the option to join us on the South Coast September 19-21 for a extension to do “doors-off” aerial photography aboard our private charter Eurocopter AS350 (at additional cost). Click here to read more about the helicopter extension.
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.
When we aren’t staying at the mountain huts, we will stay in high quality hotels. All meals are included throughout. On the last evening of the overland itinerary, we’ll return to Reykjavík, enjoy a final celebratory dinner together at one of Reykjavik’s finest restaurants, and spend the night at the excellent new Canopy Hotel, located in the city center.
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.
PLEASE NOTE:
- VISA: No visa is required for stays less than 90 days.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: We always strongly recommend arranging travel insurance.
- FLIGHTS: No travel to or from Iceland is included. Please contact us if you would like recommendations regarding flights to and from Keflavik, Iceland (airport code: KEF)
- GRATUITIES: Basic gratuities are included. Our local guides, driver, and lodging staff work very hard to make our experience in Iceland the best it can be, and Visionary Wild budgets for a group tip in recognition of their services. Guests may tip additionally if they would like to recognize exceptional service.
Itinerary
Sept 8 – Arrival day in Reykjavik: Transfers to Reykjavik’s Hotel Holt will be arranged for inbound guests from Keflavik International Airport (KEF). 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 in Reykjavik at Hotel Holt. (D)
Sept 9-10 – Landmannalaugar: After an early breakfast at the hotel, our guides pick us up to begin our photographic expedition. We will leave paved roads behind as we navigate through the spectacular Fjallabak nature reserve to the Landmannalaugar region. This is the start of the world-class Laugavegur trail, and boasts some of Iceland’s most stunning landscapes: multicolored rhyolite cliffs, twisted lava formations, and steaming fissures. We will bunk here for two nights to allow time for sunrise/sunset shoots at the best locations, hiking among the hot springs, lakes, and lava fields. Overnight at the Landmannalaugar Hut. (B, L, D)
Sept 11 – Tungnafellsjökull area: Today we venture where very few tourists dare to tread: Iceland’s infamous Sprengisandsleið, the ‘Route of the Outlaws’. This desolate, lunar region is like nowhere else on Earth, and yields wonderful photographs. Our experienced guides will ensure safe fording of the many small rivers. In the evening, we will keep an eye out for the northern lights. Overnight at Nýidalur Hut. (B, L, D)
Sept 12-14 – 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 three nights, including a full moon on September 14th. We will explore compositions of the 5,000-foot peaks of the Dyngjufjöll mountains, Öskjuvatn lake, Viti crater, and Drekagil – the Canyon of Dragons. Overnight at Dreki hut. (B, L, D)
Sept 15 – Mývatn-Akureyri area: 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. Overnight at Hotel Reynihlíð. (B, L, D)
Sept 16-17 – Kjolur Route: We complete our circuit of Iceland’s rugged interior via the Kjolur Route. We will spend two 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)
Sept 18 – 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 in Reykjavik at Hotel Holt. (B, L, D)
Sept 19 – 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)
Optional Helicopter Aerials Extension, Sept 19-21: On the morning of the 19th, those carrying on 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 inquire if interested in this extension. The additional cost for the extension is $6,000; $5800 per person double occupancy, which includes two hours of doors-off helicopter time per participant (two participants per flight, plus a photo instructor directing the pilot to ideal positions), as well as two nights hotel accommodation, ground transportation throughout, returning to Reykjavik by mid-day on the 21st, with a drop-off at Keflavik International Airport.
Instructors
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 ...
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 ...
Gallery
Pricing
Please note that registrations on or after August 15, 2019 are subject to lodging availability. Please contact us if you would like to register for this expedition.
All costs are per person.
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
- Four 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 eight 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 by 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.
Please note: the single-occupancy booking option for this trip refers to hotels in Reykjavik and Myvatn only.
Travel
Expectations
The locations chosen were superb and well off the tourist path. The trip lived up to its promise of taking us to unique locations with the best photographic opportunities. The instructors are both experts in their fields, very nice people and facilitate teachers. I also appreciated their slightly divergent styles and photographic interests. –Alex E., 2017 Iceland Overland participant
Justin and Chris are very knowledgeable and eager to share their experience and skills. Because each approaches photography in his own way, I learned how various aspects of their differing styles gel with how I approach making my own pictures. Being surrounded by other people who are just as passionate about photography was invigorating and relaxing. The Icelandic guides were out of this world and really helped make the trip even more fun. –Leona D., 2017 Iceland Overland participant
Iceland Interior by 4WD
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