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Iceland Winter Highlands & Ice Cave

with Justin Black, Chris Linder
February 11 - 22, 2023 Expedition
Limited to 7 Participants. From $16,495  
Closed
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  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Instructors
  • Gallery
  • Pricing
  • Highlights
  • Accommodations
  • Travel

Overview

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… but on this winter workshop to the remote Highlands region, we will be exploring sublime snow-covered landscapes accessible only using custom-built Superjeeps driven by professional guides.

Iceland in winter is a landscape photographer’s dream: snow-covered highlands, prolonged sunrises and sunsets, long nights perfect for the aurora borealis, frozen waterfalls, deep blue ice caves, and fewer tourists, particularly when we escape into the highlands in our caravan of Superjeeps.

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 seven 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 by 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 three “Superjeeps” — heavily customized Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, and Jeep Wrangler with 44-inch tires — driven by experienced Icelandic mountain guides who we’ve worked with on several prior trips.  Every participant will have a window seat and ample space for their equipment.  In the Highlands, we will spend two nights at the remote Highlands Hotel, two nights at the Landmannalaugar mountain hut (with a wonderful natural hot spring pool), and two nights at a private mountain hut in Fjallabak Nature Preserve, all in spectacular locations close to our photo locations. As always, we will make the most of light and weather conditions each day. On the coast near Jökulsarlón Glacier Lagoon and the ice caves in the Vatnajökull icecap, we will spend three nights nearby at the excellent FossHotel.

Our accommodations will be a mix of excellent hotels and comfortable, warm, tidy, well-maintained mountain huts at Landmannalaugar and Hungerfit in the undeveloped interior highlands. The mountain huts, which we will have to ourselves, are Scandinavian-style bunk houses with comfortable beds, large kitchens and dining areas (in which our guides prepare and serve tasty meals). The Landmannalaugar Hut has a wonderful natural hot spring pool to relax in.

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 provided.

All meals are included throughout. After being picked up and transferred from Keflavik Airport to the conveniently located Hotel Holt, one of our favorites 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 the southwestern town of Selfoss, enjoy a final celebratory dinner, and spend the night at Hotel Örk. Our drivers will transfer guests to Keflavik airport for flights home the next day.

Itinerary

February 11 – ARRIVAL DAY IN REYKJAVIK

Fly in to Keflavik International Airport (KEF), where a driver will meet you and transfer you to Reykjavik’s city-center Hotel Holt. During the afternoon, we will host a group meeting for introductions and orientation at the hotel. Our first dinner as a group will be held at one of our favorite restaurants in Reykjavik.

Overnight Hotel Holt  (D)

February 12 – INTO THE HIGHLANDS

Our Superjeep drivers will pick up the group at Hotel Holt, for our drive into the remote interior and the snow-covered Sprengisandur volcanic plateau.

Overnight at Hrauneyjar Highland Hotel. Private rooms. (B, L, D)

February 13 – SPRENGISANDUR

Visit Kerlingafjoll mountain range and geothermal area, Setur mountain, and the gorges and waterfalls of Hrauneyjar

Overnight at Hrauneyjar Highland Hotel. Private rooms. (B, L, D)

February 14 – LANDMANNALAUGAR

Drive to Landmannalaugar’s beautiful geothermal area, unique lava formations, and snow-covered hills.

Overnight in spacious mountain hut bunkhouse accommodations at Landmannalaugar Hut. Large spring-fed hot pool. (B, L ,D)

February 15 – FJALLABAK

Day tour through some of Iceland’s most iconic geothermal and mountain scenery.

Overnight Landmannalaugar Mountain Hut. (B, L ,D)

February 16 – FJALLABAK EXPLORATION

Landmannalaugar to Hungurfit, exploring the many mountains, rivers, and lakes in the area.

Overnight Hungurfit Private Hut (B, L, D)

February 17 – FJALLABAK 

Special day tour through the east side of Fjallabak Reserve.

Overnight Hungurfit Private Hut (B, L, D)

February 18 – JOKULSARLON AND VATNAJOKULL

South coast to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Northern lights over the lagoon if weather permits. Visit the glacier lagoon and the black-sand iceberg beach Breidamerkursandur at sunrise.

Overnight at Glacier Lagoon Fosshotel. (B, L, D)

February 19 – ICE CAVE AND AURORA BOREALIS

Sunrise private tour to a large blue glacial ice cave with local guide. Image review today at the hotel, to prepare to make the most of our return visit to the ice cave the following day. Various options for photography in the afternoon, including Jökulsárlón. Northern lights over the Lagoon if possible.

Overnight at Glacier Lagoon Fosshotel. (B, L, D)

February 20 – ICE CAVE AND AURORA BOREALIS

Sunrise private tour to a large blue glacial ice cave with local guide. Northern lights over the Lagoon if possible.

Overnight at Glacier Lagoon Fosshotel. (B, L, D)

February 21 –  ALONG SOUTH COAST TO SELFOSS

Photographing at locations south coast we will make our way to Selfoss for our celebratory final group dinner.

Overnight at Hotel Örk. (B, L, D)

February 22 – DEPARTURE DAY

Transfer to the airport to catch flights home.

Instructors

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    • 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

Single Occupancy $16,995

Full $16,995
Register

Double Occupancy $16,495

Full $16,495
Register

PRICING AND OCCUPANCY

All costs are per person

Participants booking on a single-occupancy basis will have their own private room in Reykjavik, Hrauneyar, Jokulsarlon and Selfoss. When staying in mountain huts, our group will share a bunk room that is private to our group or in double-occupancy rooms.

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. If we are unable to pair an individual double-occupancy booking with a roommate, a single-occupancy supplement will be charged.

PAYMENT POLICIES

  • 50% deposit upon booking
  • 50% final payment due October 14, 2022

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. Please review our terms and conditions even if you have participated in previous Visionary Wild trips so that you are aware of current policies

INCLUDED

  • Photographic instruction throughout by Chris Linder and Justin Black
  • All ground transfers
  • Eleven nights’ lodging
  • All meals and beverages (including wine and beer with dinner) from dinner on February 11 to breakfast on February 22.
  • 4WD group transportation to field locations
  • Expert guides

NOT INCLUDED

  • R/T airfare to and from our starting and ending point at Keflavik Airport, Iceland
  • Additional hotel nights, meals or other costs for arrivals prior to the start date or departures after the end date
  • Cost of passports, any necessary entry visas or reciprocity fees, vaccinations, or other personal travel expenses
  • Travel insurance, emergency medical insurance and evacuation insurance/coverage (Strongly recommended)
  • Alcoholic beverages other than those offered at dinner
  • Telephone or internet charges
  • Any private excursions, massages, activities, or services not included in the itinerary
  • Personal purchases, souvenirs, additional activities, and anything else not listed as included
  • Gratuities for the drivers

 

Highlights

  • Timed for dramatic light, photogenic weather conditions, and a good chance to photograph the Aurora Borealis
  • 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 three heavily modified Superjeeps for 11 days on our customized route to rarely-visited locations of the snow-covered Icelandic winter interior
  • Dramatic glaciers, ice caves, mountains, icy steam-vent towers, craters, and volcanic formations
  • Frozen waterfalls
  • Small group of just seven 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

Accommodations

  • Hotel Holt in Reykjavik’s city center (single- or double-occupancy available) – one night
  • Hrauneyjar Highland Hotel (single- or double-occupancy available) – two nights
  • Landmannalaugar Mountain Hut (large private group bunk room) – two nights
  • Hungurfit Private Hut (private group bunk house)– two nights
  • Glacier Lagoon Fosshotel (single- or double-occupancy available) – three nights
  • Hotel Örk, Selfoss (single- or double-occupancy available) – one night

Please note: the single-occupancy booking option for this trip refers to hotels at Reykjavik, Hrauneyjar, Jokulsarlon, and Selfoss only. In other locations, single-occupancy accommodations are not available, and will be in a private mountain hut bunkhouse at Hungerfit, or in a spacious bunkhouse room private to our group at Landmannalaugar (there is a good chance we will be the only guests at this latter location, but we can’t guarantee it).

Travel

airplane icon
Fly into and out of Keflavik Airport, Reykjavík (KEF).
car icon
Airport transfers are provided. Our group will travel by comfortable Nissan Patrol and Toyota Landcruiser SuperJeeps with 44-inch tires and specialized off-road modifications.
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Most locations are accessed by short walks from vehicles or accommodations. Our longest walk will two miles total on a mostly level trail.
weather icon
Weather is variable, with highs typically between 30-35ºF and lows between 20-25ºF at this time of year. Nights are long (as are sunsets and sunrises), but days are short. We will likely experience a mix of conditions from sunny to overcast to snow or rain, with wind varying by local microclimate. Be prepared for varying conditions.

Iceland Winter Highlands & Ice Cave

with Justin Black, Chris Linder
February 11 - 22, 2023 Expedition
Limited to 7 Participants. From $16,495  
Closed
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