Iceland Photo Tour Itinerary - July 21st to 25th, 2022

Welcoming fully vaccinated guests on all our tours.

Day One: Thursday, July 21st, 2022  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 vernight flight departs at 9:05 p.m. arriving in Iceland at 6:05 a.m. the following morning.

Day Two: Friday, July 22nd, 2022 Our flight arrives at 6:05 a.m. and after clearing customs and immigration, we will be met by diriver 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.

Mid day we will begin to our approximatly 45 minute drive to 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. (B) (D).

 

Day Three: Saturday, July 23rd, 2022 Breakfast, check-out and board our motor coach to begin our day exploring and photographing waterfalls and the black beaches along the south coast. Our first photo location will be at the waterfalls called Seljalandsfoss. The waterfalls is located in the South Region in Iceland along Route One and flows over a 60 m drop and is part of the Seljalands River that has its origin in the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The volcano beneath this ice cap was the one that erupted in 2010 and caused havoc at airports across Europe. 'Seljalandsfoss', the Icelandic name of the waterfall, literally means 'selling the land of waterfalls' in English. The most distinguishing feature of Seljalandsfoss is a pathway that stretches around it. The cliffs behind the falls have a wide cavern, and rocks and paths allow guests to fully encircle it in summer walking behind the falls. Though a mesmerising opportunity, guests should be prepared to get dampened due to the perpetual mist of the falls. 

Our next photo stop this morning will be to the waterfalls called Skógafoss on the Skógá River not too far from our first photo stop, the 60 m cliffs mark the former coastline. Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls with an astounding width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters (197 feet). Due to the amount of spray the cascade produces, at least one rainbow is present any time the sun emerges from behind the clouds. The land underneath the waterfall is very flat, allowing guests to walk right up to the wall of water. Skógafoss can also be viewed from the top as a staircase leads to an observational platform above the cascade. Many nesting seabirds can be found on the route up.

We will continue alone Route One to Vik and after lunch spend time photogarphing along the coast and beautiful black basalt beaches. Vík is a remote seafront village in south Iceland with a population of around 300 residents. It sits in the shadow of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers the Katla volcano. Will will have opportunity to photograph Reyniskirkja,  an iconic wooden church dating to 1929. Reynisfjara beach has black pebbles, basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar offshore rock formations. Just before Vík are the popular birdwatching cliffs of Dyrhólaey, where you can also find an enormous rock arch curving out into the ocean. This is one of the best places for birdwatching in Iceland, with thousands of puffins nesting here from May to August. This region will round off our day of photography. We will be staying in this region tonight. (B) (D)

Day Four: Sunday, July 24th, 2022 Breakfast check out of our hotel and begin our first photo location today will be at the Caves of Hella. 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 photography. 

From the Caves of Hella we begun our Golden Circle tour with our next photo stop at the two tiered waterfalls called Gullfoss. The water in Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 32 meters (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages in a dramatic display of nature’s raw power. Because of the waterfall’s two stages, Gullfoss should actually be thought of as two separate features. The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 metres (69 feet). The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres (230 feet), descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon. Geologists believe that this canyon was formed by glacial outbursts at the beginning of the last age.

Our next stop is the Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 metres (100 ft) into the air every few minutes. The geothermal field is believed to have a surface area of approximately 3 km². Most of the springs are aligned along a 100m wide strip of land running in the same direction as the tectonic lines in the area, from south to southwest. The strip is 500m long and culminates near what once was the seat of the lords of Haukadalur. The area became active more than 1000 years ago and comprises more than a dozen hot water blow holes.

Our final photo loction is Þingvellir National Park (Thingviller).  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. Many come for the opportunities of  snorkelling and diving. The underground ravines opened by the tectonic movement fill with the meltwater from Langjökull glacier, which has travelled underground for decades through porous lava rock, undergoing a very thorough filtration process. When it enters the ravines, therefore, it is pristinely clean and crystal clear. The visibility of the water within it exceeds a hundred metres, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a world of magical blue light, and witness incredible geology beneath the surface. We will be photographing above the water surface.

Late this afternoon we will travel back to Reykjavík and check into our hotel and have opportunity to freshen up before our goup dinner. We will have some evening photo opportunities after dinner. (B) (D)

Day Five: Monday, July 25th, 2022 Breakfast, and some time this morning for more photograhy along the hardour and city streets of Reykjavík. Mid morning check out and mid morning depart for Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport for our return flight to Canada. Guests continuing on with our Greenland photo tour will head to the port early afternoon to board our ship for our evening departure to Greenland. 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)

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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. The tentative date for our information night is Thursday July 7th, 2022. Location and time will be updated closer to our departure.

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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 $2790.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including airfare departing from Pearson International Toronto, plus air tax of $550.00 CAD plus HST $17.55. Single supplement available for an additional $475.00 CAD.

A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 CAD is due at the time of booking an additional deposit of $400.00 CAD is due January 2nd, 2022. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

You may also choose to pay over 12 monthy payments through our Uplift finance program estimate -  $299 per month. You select 12 month payment option under the payment section during registration.

Iceland Only Tour Registration

Photo Tour Trekkers and Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of July 25th, 2022.

Guests joining us on our Greenland Tour - Iceland as a pre tour add on: is $2090.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy. Single supplement available for an additional $475.00 CAD.

If booking our Greenland Photo Tour no furter deposit is required when registering for both tours below: 

Iceland+Greenland Tour Registration

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

- 3 nights accommodations

- All airport and hotel transfers

- Breakfast included morning of arrival in Iceland

- Breakfast included each day

- Dinners each day

- 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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