Iceland O3C Photo Tour Itinerary - June 29th to July 12th, 2024

Day One: Saturday, June 29th, 2024  Mid day coach departure offered from London and Woodstock to Toronto with pick ups available along the 401 corridor upon request. Toronto and area guests will meet at Pearson International. We are flying from Terminal 3 via Iceland Air to Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport International Airport in Iceland. Our overnight flight departs at 9:05 p.m. arriving in Iceland at 6:05 a.m. the following morning.

Day Two: Sunday, June 30th, 2024 Our flight arrives at 6:05 a.m. and after clearing customs and immigration, we will be met by driver guide who will assist with luggage as we transfer to our motor coach. Since we have such a early arrival we havve made arrangments to stop for breakfast at a hotel located close to the airport.

After breakfast our first photo stop will be at Gunnuhver thermal springs. Gunnuhver is close to the so-called “toe” of Reykjanes, not far from where Reykjanes lighthouse stands and the roaring waves hit the dramatic sea cliffs. A unique characteristic of the hot springs is that the groundwater here is 100% seawater, unlike other geothermal areas on the island. The colorful minerals in the ground provide vibrant hues, but danger is very real with ground temperatures over 300°C (570°F) so it is important to tread lightly and stick to the trails. Iceland´s largest mud pool resides at Gunnuhver; it is 20 meters (65 ft) wide of violently boiling earth. This is all part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark, where you find the geothermal area Krysuvik, ‘The Bridge Between Continents‘ and the amazing Blue Lagoon. This morning will offer up many photo opportunities. This mornigs activities recap - Bridge between continentals, Gunnuver geothermal area, Krísuvík, Bessastaðir, Perlan, Hallgrímskirkja and the Harpa i Reykjjavik.

Mid afternoon we will arrive into the capital Reykjavík. We will check into our hotel have same time to freshen up, have lunch then spend the afternoon photographing around the hourbour of Reykjavík, vist the Harpa concert hall. The first concert was in May of 2011 to the structure in relativly new, the building features a distinctive colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. We will also visit Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran parish church located in the heart of the city. At 74.5 metres high, it is the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country. If time permits we can take the elevator up to the obervation level of the church tower as it offers a great view of the city and surrounding area. Late in the afternoon return to our hotel and freshen up for dinner. Reykjavik Lights Hotel and Dinner at Kopar restaurant (B) (D).

 

Day Three: Monday, July 1st, 2024 Happy Canada Day! Breakfast, check-out and board our motor coach to begin our day exploring and photographing waterfalls and gysers during our Golden Circle tour. Our first photo location will be at the waterfalls called Þórufoss waterfalls. 

Þórufoss waterfalls makes up part of the 25 km (16 mi) river Laxá í Kjós which renowned for its healthy population of Atlantic salmon. The waterfall was also used as a shooting location for HBO's Game of Thrones as the home of the Children of the Forest. A beautiful location to start are our days photography.

Our next photo stop this morning will be Þingvellir National Park, (Thingvellir) is a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík. It's known for the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland's parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. On the site are the Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault. 

We will then visit Geysir geothermal area to photograph geysers. Geysir is a series of hot spring in the geothermal area the Haukadalur Valley. You plenty of chances to photograph Strokkur erupting into the sky., there is also a range of smaller geysers, geothermal pools and steam columns of the 'fumaroles' located at Geysir.

After Geysir we wil carry on to Gullfoss Waterfall. Gullfoss waterfall is listed as one of the top ten waterfalls in the world. The mighty Hvítá (White River) is a glacial river flowing southward straight from Langjökull (Long Glacier) giving Gullfoss an amazingly high flow rate. In the summer, when the supply of meltwater from Langjökull is particularly abundant, the Hvita River rises to an average of 140 cubic meters per second. The waterfalls drop a total of 32 meters in two stages as it flows through the rugged, at times 70 meters high, canyon. About a kilometer from Gullfoss, the river turns very sharply to the right where it flows down through a dramatic, wide canyon before the vast volume of water is very powerfully forced into a narrower channel. The powerful force of the river downstreet is used for hydro eleectic power.

We will continue to Stracta hotel Hella our accommodations for this evening and dinner at the our hotel restaurant. (B) (D)

Day Four: Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024  Breakfast check out of our hotel and begin our first photo location today a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the Diamond Beach. Jökulsárlón is a beautiful glacial lagoon, bordering Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland. Its still, blue waters are dotted with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, part of larger Vatnajökull Glacier. The Glacier Lagoon flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach. Diamond Beach ... Glistening orbs of ice that seem to absorb the sunlight itself sit against the volcanic black sand at the Diamond Beach Iceland. Photographers flock here to capture the perfect image of the ice glowing against the sand, as the sea laps at the shore. 

We wll also visit Skógafoss, a waterfall on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliff marking the former coastline. It's amazing to the the massive drop of this waterfalls and how close you can get to the base.

Our next waterfalls stop is Seljalandsfoss - Seljalandsfoss is located in the South Region in Iceland near Vik. The waterfall drops 60 m and is part of the Seljalands River that has its origin in the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. This is a beautiful waterfalls and guests have the ooprtunity to walk behind this waterfalls for another spectactulatir view.

While visiting Seljalandsfoss we will walk a short distance to Gljúfabúi waterfalls. A hidden gem of this region .. Gljúfrafoss or Gljúfrabúi is a small waterfall north of the larger falls of Seljalandsfoss in Iceland. The falls are partially obscured by the cliff rock, but we can follow a trail to enter the narrow canyon where the water plummets to a small pool. More great photo oppprtunities. 

Weather permitting we will visit the viewport of Vestmannaeyjar. This offers great photos of the coastline from an upper vantatge point, We will carrly iob to iur accommodation of the night: Stracta hotel Hella our dinner will be at the hotel. (B) (D)

Day Five: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024  Breakfast, check out and travel to our first location Hella Caves. - Twelve man-made caves have been discovered on the land of Ægissíða by Hella on the South coast of Iceland. The historical site is Iceland's oldest still standing archaeological remains and have been maintained by the same family for 200 years. Some believe the caves to date even further back than the settlement of the Nordic Vikings. The wonders of the Caves of Hella include ancient crosses, wall carvings and carved seats. Mystery surrounds the caves and for centuries people have wondered; Are the caves the handiwork of the Celts? or were the caves a place of ancient worship?We will spend some time this morning discovering the secrets they hold and experience the magical Underworld of the South. Plus opportunity for some great photographs. We will then depart for Urriðafoss waterfall.

Urriðafoss waterfall - Urriðafoss is a waterfall located in the river Þjórsá (Thjorsa) in southwest Iceland. The Þjórsárhraun lava field is the result of on of the greatest lava flow on earth since the beginning of Ice Age. Þjórsá river has cut its path down between the lava and the hills as it descended from the Þjórsárhraun down to the formation below. Þjórsá was a big road obstacle earlier in the day and dangerous to cross. It was first bridged in 1895, and it was second bridge of bigger size in the country after the bridge across Ölfusá river. The bridge over river Þjórsá was rebuilt in 1949.

We will then visit Selfoss old town center. Welcome to the heart of the sout ... Selfoss New Old Town is a pioneering tribute to Icelandic architecture – the perfect stop to photograph, sip and socialize with locals. The brand new town centre is an innovative architectural experiment, A pioneering tribute to Icelandic history, with a very modern twist. Offering a variety of photo opportunites. Selfoss is ideally located in the South of Iceland, making it a great hub between the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Later this afternoon we will return to Reykjavík for some free time to expolore the capital. We will check into our accommodation Reykjavik Lights and dinner wil be at Matarkjallarinn Food Cellar. (B) (D)

Day Six: Thursday, July 4th, 2024  Happy 4t of July to our America Friends ... Breakfast, and then travel to Borgarnes ... This town, though small, has deep roots in Iceland's Viking history. Along with a strong cultural heritage, Borgarnes is rich in natural beauty as well, with many natural attractions located nearby. Then on to the hot springs of Deidatunguhver. 

Deildartunguhver is considered Europe's most powerful hot spring, due to it's high flow rate and very hot water that emerges at 97 °C. An amazing site to experience the power of mother earth.

We will contiue on to experience and photograph Hraunfossar Lava Falls. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of about 900 metres out of the Hallmundarhraun, a lava field which flowed from an eruption of one of the volcanoes lying under the glacier Langjökull. The waterfalls pour into Hvítá, from ledges of less porous rock in the lava. More great landscape photograpy opportunities. 

After our visit to Hraunfossar Lava Falls we will tavel back to Reykjavík again stayin the night at Reykjavik Lights and dinner tonight Grillmarkaðurinn. (B) (D)

Day Seven: Friday, July 5th, 2024 Breakfast, and some time this morning for more photograhy along the hardour and city streets of Reykjavík. Just after 1:00 p.m. we will depart for the pier where our Windstar ship the Star Pride will be docked and waiting to welcome us onboard to begin our sailing. Over the next seven days we will circumnavigate the entire island sailing from Reykjavik to Reykjavik. As we settle onboard we will sail towards the small island of SURTSEY. Towards 11:00 p.m. witness a world still in transition. We will circle Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which rose from the sea in the 1960s. Overnight we will sail to Heimaey Island, where a volcanic eruption created a modern-day Pompeii in 1973. (B) (L) (D)

Day Eight: Saturday, July 6th, 2024  Breakfast, and some time this morning to enjoy our sail into port. Heimaey, is an Icelandic island. At 13.4 square kilometres, it is the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, and the largest and most populated island off the Icelandic coast. Heimaey is 4 nautical miles off the south coast of Iceland. We will be docked here from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. this evening. This is a beautiful island offering many landscape opportunities just a 10 minute walk from our ship. We will meet our motor coach and travel to nature reserve offering up opportunities to photograph puffins. After our puffin shoot we will stop at various loctions for some landscape photography along the coast.  (B) (L) (D)

Day Nine: Sunday, July 7th, 2024  Breakfast, as we continue to sail towards Seydisfjord. Seydisfjord is 11 miles of long, narrow, beautiful waterway surrounded by high mountains that ends at the town of Seydisfjordur, known for its old multi-colored wooden buildings and cascading waterfalls even in the town.  This is home of the Skalanes Nature Reserve with its wide variety of wildlife including more than 45 bird species. The first high-voltage electricity in Iceland was opened here in 1913 and is still in operation today. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the east bank of the Fjardara River that flows through the center of town. We will be docked in Seydisfjord overnight giving us plenty of time to photograph and explore this region of Iceland. (B) (L) (D)

Day Ten: Monday, July 8th, 2024  Breakfast, and some time this morning to continue our photogarphy and exploration of Seydisfjord. Located just 10 minutes walk from our ship is a beautiful waterfalls and in the centre of town beautiful bulindings including a small  blue church. Many of the colorful old timbered houses were imported from Norway by wealthy merchants and whalers. Perhaps the most remarkable building, though, is the Blue Church. Leading up to the church is the vibrantly colored Rainbow Street presenting a scene worthy of a fairytale. During your exclusive Destination Discovery Event, you’ll enter the church to find it’s as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. In this idyllic setting you’ll be treated to an exclusive cultural performance by local entertainers. The singer and guitarist are natives of East Iceland and they’ll entertain you with stories and songs they grew up with. From tales of ghosts, elves and trolls to joyful songs and ballads about lost sailors, you’ll get a feel for the real Iceland and its people. We set sail today at 1:30 p.m. (B) (L) (D) 

Day Eleven: Tuesday, July 9th, 2024  Breakfast, then by 9:00 a.m. this morning we will sail into Akureyri. This is an important port and fisheries center especially because of its ice-free harbor so close to the Arctic Circle.  It lies at the end of Iceland’s longest fjord, which is 37 miles long, at sits at the base of snowcapped peaks that offer some of Iceland’s best skiing during the winter.  Must-sees in Akureyri include the Listagil (art canyon) which is home to many arts and crafts galleries and shops, the beautiful church in the center of town, the botanical garden, and Hafnarstraeti, the main shopping street. We will meet our motor coach and drive to Godafoss. Goðafoss is a waterfall located about 45 minutes from Akureyri. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 metres over a width of 30 metres. We will have plenty of time to explore and photograph this spectacular waterfalls. We sail this evening at 7:00 p.m. (B) (L) (D)

Day Twelve: Wednesday, July 10th, 2024  Breakfast, Welcome to Isafjordur this small and easily walkable town has one of the largest fisheries in Iceland. But the sever decline of the fishing industry has caused Isafjordur to look elsewhere for work. Despite its small size, this town has a school of music and has become a center for alternative music and they host a yearly festival that provides a platform for local musicians, band from around Iceland and the world to perform. We will visit and photograph Dynjandi waterfalls. This evening we set sail at 8:00 p.m. (B) (L) (D)

Day Thirteen: Thursday, July 11th, 2024  Breakfast, and a 9:00 a.m. arrival at Beautiful Grundarfjordur. This small town and harbour are located between a mountain range and the sea. The road nearby crosses a lava field that is partially warm so snow does not always stick there. The main attraction of the area is Snæfellsjokull National Park full of regal glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, caves, calderas, and basalt cliffs. The peninsula there received the EARTHCHECK Sustainable Community Award in 2010, the first area in Iceland to win such an award. This evening we set sail at 6:00 p.m. to being our overnight sailing back to Reykjavík. Be on the lookout for whales and dolphins. (B) (L) (D)

Day Fourteen: Friday, July 12th, 2024  Breakfast, and welcome back to the world's most northerly capital Reykjavík. In the summer time this region enjoys almost 24-hour sunlight all the better to show off the city’s eclectic architecture and dazzling natural wonders. We will have some time this morning for more photograhy along the harbour and city streets of Reykjavík. Early afternoon we will depart for Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport for our return flight to Canada. Guest retuning to Canada our Iceland Air flight departs at 5:05 p.m. arriving in Toronto at 7:10 p.m. After clearning customs say goodby to GTA and connecting guests and board our motor coach for our return to London and drop off points en route. We should arrive in London at approximatly 10:00 p.m. (B) 

About our Ship:

View Star Pride Virtural Deck Plan           View Star Pride Cabins and Categories

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Iceland has an July temperature of 14C to 16C (57F to 61F) Thus making July a great time to visit Iceland, this time of year is the midnight sun, to it is daylight 24/7. It is important to bring the proper foot ware and covers for your photo equipment and things can get misty around the waterfalls.

Pre-tour Information Night:  As with all our photo tours, we will hold a photo information night approximately three weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents. The pre-tour presentation is designed to give our photographers all the information needed for our trek. This also allows a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers, and host. 

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Iceland Registration  Contact Us  Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy

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The cost of our  Iceland Photo Tour Departing from Toronto is $11,019.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including airfare departing from Pearson International Toronto, plus air tax of $356.96 CAD plus HST $12.61. Single supplement available land cruise for an additional $3,948.00 CAD.

A non-refundable deposit of 15% CAD is due at the time of booking and final payment 90 days prior to departure.

Upgrades available onboard: based on double occupancy

S - $250 | S1 - $365 | SS1 - $390 | S2 - $425 | S3 - $525 | BS - $1,150 | SBS - $1,250 | BS1 - $1,450 | SBS1 - $1,550

Ugrades avaiable for single supplement upon request.

You may also choose to pay over 12 monthy payments through our Uplift finance program estimate -  $985 per month. You select 12 month payment option under the payment section during registration.

The cruise portion we include wifi a value of $200 USD plus a $100 USD onboard credit and the unlimited beverage package. Value of $600.00

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Includes:

- Round trip coach for departures from London and points along the 401 corridor to Pearson Airport

- Round Trip Airfare via Iceland Air, departing from Toronto other departure locations available upon request

- 5 Day Iceland - Land Tour

- 7 Day 6 Night Cruise Onboard Windstar Pride curcumnavating the entire island of Iceland

- Wifi Onboard Windstar Pride

- $100 Onbaord Ships credit

- 5 nights accommodations land

- All airport and hotel transfers

- Breakfast included morning of arrival in Iceland

- Breakfast included each day of land and cruise

- Lunch each day of the cruise portioin

- Dinners each day of land and cruise

- All excursions by coach from out ship each day we are at dock during cruise portion (value of $3000 USD per guest)

- All admissions 

- Admission to Hella Caves

- English speaking guides

- Private Services

- Photo Workshops as we travel

- Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

Excludes:

- Items of a personal nature, laundry, phone calls, etc.

- Local guide tips and gratuities

- Alcoholic beverages

** Schedule may vary according to weather or traffic

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