Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Iceland in Summer

This twelve-day tour exposes the adventurous traveler from the diverse lakes of the interior, to the seabird colonies of the South Coast, and to the puffin, and kittiwake regions at the most western point of Iceland, Latrabjarg. Together with the intense colors of the rapidly changing landscape, and the varied wildlife, this beautiful land is certain to make every photographer’s heart jump! The traditional theme and image of Iceland has been ice and fire, but it is much more than that. Mother nature has painted a magnificent tapestry of colors with geological phenomena unmatched elsewhere in the world. Inexorably intertwined with this exotic natural environment are the 280,000 Icelanders, who along with their Nordic and Celtic ancestors have called this North Atlantic Island their home for over 1100 years. While living mostly along the coast, over one-third of the residents live within a 20-kilometer radius of Reykjavik, the capital city.

Experience the vast volcanic landscape, breathtaking glaciers, and hardy Viking hospitality that have been celebrated for centuries in Icelandic sagas. On this unique expedition, view towering volcanic pillars, hike to stunning waterfalls, and languish in ancient geyser springs. From the capital city to remote farms on the tips of exposed fjords, Iceland is picturesque, including some features of the moon surface. Volcanoes, hot springs, and glaciers influence the look and feel of the country. At every turn, the vistas will astound you. Join us on this exploratory adventure of one of our planet’s most fascinating and unique environments.

Tom & Pat Cory welcome enthusiastic photographers of all skill levels on their tours. While their emphasis is on the creative aspects of photography, they are happy to help you with any technical-artistic concerns that you may have. They typically offer six to eight short instructional programs as well as portfolio reviews on request. What they really enjoy is helping you one-on-one in the field, giving you as much--or as little--instruction as is needed. Tom & Pat believe that workshops should be enjoyable educational experiences that not only emphasize photography, but also allow the time and opportunity to learn about the history, and culture of each location. They enjoy having participants who work in mediums besides photography, non-participating partners, and others who can enjoy spending extended periods of time in a single location. Tom & Pat are delighted when these ‘non-photographers’ who intended to take a few, point and shoot pictures discover the wonderful world of photography while they are on one of their journeys. While there are specific itineraries, they allow time for "unscheduled" stops for opportunities found along the way.

Itinerary

July 1: Home

Our journey to Iceland begins with an overnight flight, arriving early morning the next day, at Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland.

July 2: Reykjavik - Snaefellsnes

After a very early arrival in Keflavik Airport, our local guide will meet us as we start our tour driving to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We will check into our hotel at Stykkisholmur town, where we will have a brief respite and begin our tour of this vast, yet intimate country. Overnight Hotel Breidafjordur. (L, D)

July 3 - July 4: Stykkisholmur – Flatey Island - Westfjords

The best-kept secret of Iceland is the Westfjords. This part of Iceland is an unspoiled pearl, shaped of deep fjords and steep mountains. The Westfjords are Iceland’s most sparsely populated region apart from the highlands. There, life means seabirds on rugged cliffs, Arctic foxes in their lairs, and little fishing villages huddled against sheer mountains where for centuries, people have battled with the forces of nature to harvest the ocean’s riches.

This morning we will take a ferryboat across the beautiful Breidafjordur Bay, stopping en-route to photograph the beautiful and serene Flatey Island. Flatey is one of the thousands of islands on the bay and one of the largest. A monastery was founded there in 1172, and then moved to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We continue our ferry crossing to Vatnsfjordur, arriving in time for dinner, and settle into our lodge.

The next day we head west to Bjargtangar, where we can watch the Puffin and view the largest Razorbill colony in the country. An impressive mountain road leads us down to the wide-open golden-red beach of Raudasandur, deriving its name from the reddish looking scallop shells, where seals are often seen. Contrast abounds in the Westfjords, at Latrabjarg cliff, land meets sea head-on at the 400 meter sheer cliff, the westernmost point of Europe and one of the world’s biggest seabird colonies.
Overnight Hotel Brediavik (B, L, D both days)

July 5: Vatnsfjordur - Dynjandi

Another day in the Westfjords, an impressive mountain road leads us down to the wide open golden-red beach of Raudasandur, where seals are often seen. We will take time explore hidden treasures with impromptu stops as we make our way to Dynjandi Falls. As Pat describes their visit in 2008 ~ our real destination, Dynjandi Waterfall. Wow! The top part was still in the mist, giving it a very ethereal appearance. The falls is also known as Fjallfoss (mountain falls). The 100 meter high cascade fans out to 60 meters at the base. Below it are a series of cascades Hundafoss, Strokkur, Gongumannafoss, Hrisvadsfoss, and Baejarfoss. Each of these was worth the trip in its own right. Overnight Hotel Flokalundur. (B, L, D)

July 6 - July 7: Vatnsfjordur – Dalir – Saudarkrokur

Over the centuries, Icelanders relied on the horse for all transport and farm work, and Skagafjörður is especially famous for its horses and equestrian traditions. We drive across the beautiful curved coastal road through the fjords and valleys, passing through some nesting areas of the White-tailed Eagle.

We will have two nights to explore the Vatnsnes and Skagi Peninsula’s. Our lodging is in Saudakrokur, which occupies a triangle of suburban streets with brightly painted houses and views of the bustling harbor. Nearby is the historic turf-roofed farmstead of Glaumbaer, where the first Viking to be born in America lies buried, south of town. Overnight Hotel Tindastoll (B, L, D both days)

July 8 - July 9: Kjolur – Gullfoss

We start the day traveling south, on the Kjolur Highland Road, bisecting the Langjokull and Hofsjokull glaciers. The Kjolur trail leads from the coast of Northern Iceland through a remote area filled with hot springs, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, windy plateaus, moorlands and eventually also green, lush fields to south Iceland. At Hveravellir there is both steam and water hot springs. Amongst them there are Eyvindahver (Eyvindur´s hot spring), Bláhver (blue hot spring) and Öskurhólshver (roaring mound hot spring). Eyvindahver draws its name from Fjalla-Eyvindur, who was a famous outlaw that survived twenty years in the rough wilderness. He lived about two years with his wife at Hveravellir and still today Eyvindarhellir (Eyvindur´s cave) can be found. In the center of Iceland, on a mountain road called Kjalvegur, there is an unspoiled and protected area called Hveravellir (hot spring plains). Hveravellir with its natural hot springs provide a respite for those that would like to take advantage of an optional bath in the natural pools. In the afternoon we reach the famous sight of Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring.

The next day we explore the highlands region of Iceland. Veidivotn is among the youngest and wildest pearls of the central highlands. It includes about fifty lakes of various sizes, many of which are crater lakes. Most of the lakes are fed and discharged underground because of the lava fields and porous scoria. The Fjallabak region takes its name from the numerous wild and rugged mountains with deeply incised valleys, which are found there. Overnight Hotel Highland (B, L, D both days)

July 10 - July 11: Landmannalaugar – Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Skaftafell

The next two days are devoted to the southern interior of Iceland. We stop at the Landmannalaugar nature reserve, proceeding to Eldgja (Fire Gorge); a huge fissure formed an eruption just after the settlement of Iceland. This area of Iceland will take us through various rhyolitic colors, green moss, and the red colors of the volcanic craters.

On our second day we head east, in the realm of Vatnajökull, where the land is greener, the glacier whiter, and the volcanic sands blacker than elsewhere. At the foot of the great glacier lies Skaftafell National Park, founded in 1967; this was Iceland’s first National Park founded purely for its nature. Farther east we will stop at the picturesque Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Weather permitting an optional visit to the bird paradise in Cape Ingolfshofdi may be planned, to view the colonies of Great Skua, Northern Fulmar, Common Eider, and Arctic Tern. Black sand beaches and picturesque rocks line the seashore including columnar basalt grottoes, sea stacks, and bird cliffs. Hotel Geirland (B, L, D both days)

July 12: Thingvellir - Reykjavik

Today we start out taking a scenic drive to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest inland lake, and the Thingvellir region. The first Icelandic settlers established the first known Parliament here. This area is scarred by one of the world’s great geological boundaries, a rift valley marking where the North American and Eurasian continental plates are physically tearing apart. We will end our tour in Reykjavik, where we will have a farewell dinner. Overnight Hotel Holt (B, L, D)

July 13: Reykjavik - Home

We return to the airport today for flights home (appropriate flight time to be given later). (B)

Accommodations

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Guides

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Food & Drink

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Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $5,595 US Dollars based upon minimum of 8 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $400 if 6-7 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: $595; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

General Tour Info (includes, excludes and other details)