the best of iceland - autumn...photograph seascapes and few of the majestic waterfalls on the south...

Backcountry Journeys – The Best of Iceland: Autumn 1

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

The Best of Iceland - Autumn

"In Iceland, you can see the contours of the mountains wherever you go,

and the swell of the hills, and always beyond that the horizon. And

there's this strange thing: you're never sort of hidden; you always feel

exposed in that landscape. But it makes it very beautiful as well."

-Hannah Kent

Trip Packets

Our PDF Trip Packets are being

updated all the time. Ensure you

have the most recent version by

clicking here.

Last Published: April 9, 2020

Pricing, Dates & Booking

For current pricing, trip dates

& online reservations please

see our website.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.backcountryjourneys.com/

http://backcountryjourneys.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Best-of-Iceland-Autumn.pdf

http://backcountryjourneys.com/photography-tours-workshops/best-iceland-autumn/




Trip Overview

It is the ‘Land of Ice and Fire.’ A place of natural contrast.

Iceland sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, which separates the

Eurasian and the North American plates. Because of this location, the

tiny island is one of the most geologically restless areas on earth.

As the two plates at this junction split, the intensity of Iceland’s

volatility increases. All the active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs,

fumaroles, faults, black-sand beaches, snow-capped mountains and

huge waterfalls litter the landscape here.

Join Backcountry Journeys this September as we explore this dazzling

geologic anomaly. Our trip is timed when vegetation will be in peak

autumn splendor, and when the tourists from the busy summer are

gone.

The landscape photography here is world-class but is especially

wonderful in autumn when fall colors soften the harsh edges of this





volcanic terrain. The beautiful, yet rugged, arctic character here is due

to the island’s northerly latitude.

On our “Best of Iceland – Autumn” photography adventure we’ll explore

the famous Ring Road as well as spend a few days in the central

highlands.

This Ring Road travels for 828 miles around the island, connecting the

majority of the populated areas and passing by many of Iceland’s most

popular attractions. The highlands encompass a vast part of the island

and contain some of the country’s best natural scenery, with some

mountain peaks reaching heights between 3,000 and 6,500 feet!

Snow and glaciers here make for some nicely contrasting landscape

images, and the Northern Lights are often visible in autumn when clear

skies and dark nights combine to allow for the otherworldly lights to

present themselves.

We will make stops at various glaciers, glacier lagoons, black sand

beaches, geothermal areas, lava fields, seascapes and several of

Iceland’s 10,000 waterfalls while on our journey around this arctic

island nation. In the evenings we’ll focus our attention on searching for

the Aurora that we can compose along with beautiful landscapes..

This is a fantastic photography tour & workshop for landscape

photographers who desire a great introduction to the diverse landscape

Iceland has to offer – and in one of its most colorful seasons.

If Iceland hasn’t been on your radar – it should be!





Highlights • The Best of Iceland

• Great time for Northern Lights

• Massive waterfalls, glaciers, geysers etc.

• Stunning Fall Colors

• Small Groups

• Great local hotels

• Fantastic meals included

• Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro

• The best local guides





Noteworthy Travel Logistics • This trip begins & ends in Reykjavik, Iceland

• We will meet at our hotel in Reykjavik at 5pm on Day Two (Day

One is a travel day):

Hotel Klettur*

Address: Mjoelnisholti 12-14, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland

Phone: +354 440 1600

*Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted.

If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us.

• The airport to fly in/out is Keflavik International Airport (KEF)

Transportation On-Tour

• We will provide ground transportation throughout the trip from

Reykjavik throughout Iceland.

Iceland immigration The easiest airport in the world! If asked the purpose of visit,

please say you are on a photographic holiday if they want to know

where you are staying, you can give the names of our hotel.

Airport Transport Transportation from (KEF) Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik Hotel: Just

outside the doors of the Keflavik Airport there will be a big white

bus, “Reykjavik Excursions / Grayline” they will take you right into

Reykjavik, right to the hotel. It’s called “Flybus” and the info is

here: re.is/flybus. You will receive your ticket ahead via email the

ticket is flexible and is valid for every arrival and departure. Tell the

driver at what hotel you want to get off. You’ll also use Flybus to

take you back to Keflavik Airport on your return. They pick up

directly from the hotel on an hourly basis. The bus also has wifi.



https://www.re.is/flybus/



• Passport:

You must have a current passport to enter the country.

Immigration may deny entry if your passport is damaged. Visitors

are required to carry appropriate documentation at all times.

Tourists should carry their passports when taking domestic air

flights, driving, planning to use a credit card, traveling overnight

or a considerable distance from their hotel. You must have at least

two blank passport pages to enter Iceland.

• Tourist Visa:

Not required for stays less than 90 days, but return ticket

required

• Money:

The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK). Many places

(restaurants, bars, tourist attractions) will take US dollars,

Canadian dollars, Euros, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish

currencies. Payment: Icelanders usually pay for everything by

credit or debit card.

The local currency is ISK and is about $USD 1 = 100 ISK

(currency rate does change fast – please click here for an updated

rate). Due to capital controls in Iceland, this currency is not

traded outside of Iceland. You don’t have to bring large sums of

cash as credit cards are accepted everywhere in Iceland and local

ATM´s will provide you with cash if needed. If you use a credit

card it is a good idea to let your bank know that you will be

travelling as in some cases they do block credit cards when

transaction appear from a different corner of the world.

• Voltage

Iceland uses 220V, 50Hz AC. Most modern chargers accept both

110V and 220V. Make sure yours does and remember to bring

outlet adapters if needed. Iceland uses the two round pole outlets

common in Europe.



https://www.cb.is/statistics/official-exchange-rate/



• Cellphone

You can purchase a prepaid sim card on Icelandair flights, or you

can purchase one at the airport on arrival. If using your home

service, be sure to check for deals for using data and calling

service while in Iceland.

• Wi-Fi

All the places we stay at have Wi-Fi internet access. A couple of

places might charge for internet access but otherwise, it is free.

• Time Zone

Iceland is all year on GMT





Itinerary

Please note: This is a “standard” tour so there is little to no hiking on

this trip. Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day One (Travel Day)

Depart from home.

Day Two (D)

Arrive in Iceland and check into your hotel in Reykjavik. Group dinner

and meeting at 5pm.

Day Three (B,L,D)

We start early from our hotel in Reykjavik and start our tour by

travelling to Þingvellir National Park, known for Alþing (Althing), the

site of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. The park

sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of two tectonic plates, with

rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault.

We travel onwards to the Highlands of Iceland and make a stop at the

122m high Háifoss, the fourth highest waterfall in Iceland. We then

continue to Landmannalaugar in the Nature Reserve Fjallabak.

Day Four (B,L,D)

We start early from our hotel in Reykjavik and start our tour by

travelling down to the south coast and overnight in Vik area, we will

photograph seascapes and few of the majestic waterfalls on the south

coast. We’ll take a walk right behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall (hope you

brought along a weather-sealed camera body!), and photograph

Skógafoss.

Next, we’ll spend our evening around the small town of Vík in Mýrdal

(which has a beautiful country church surrounded by fields of lupine





wildflowers), and photograph the Dyrhólaey sea arches, sea stacks, and

puffin colony.

Day Five (B,L,D)

We start the day shooting some of the unique landscape in Vik area and

then head east and we drive past the smallest grass-roofed church in

Iceland at Núpsstaður on our way to Skaftafell National Park, where

we’ll photograph more glaciers, Hvannadalshnjúkur (the highest

mountain in Iceland). We spend the day around the Vatnajökull area

and spend the next two nights at a nice hotel.

Day Six (B,L,D)

We start the day shooting some of the unique landscape in Vik area and

then head east and we drive past the smallest grass-roofed church in

Iceland at Núpsstaður on our way to Skaftafell National Park, where

we’ll photograph more glaciers, Hvannadalshnjúkur (the highest

mountain in Iceland). The iceberg-filled glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón is

another classic postcard scene, and we’ll have a unique Icelandic farm-

stay experience that night.

Day Seven (B,L,D)

The picturesque east fjords are calling us. More glacier lagoons as we

will visit the off the beaten track Heinabergslón before heading further

east to photograph the jagged peaks of Vestrahorn & Eystrahorn. We

will stop at the more jagged coastal peaks of Vestrahorn and

Eystrahorn and we’ll stop in ample locations to photograph sea stacks,

the winding roads and cascading streams down the steep terraced

mountains. Perhaps Reindeer (the trademark of East Iceland) will cross

the road on this summer tour. We make our way further East with

some off the beaten track locations and spend the night at Djúpivogur.





Day Eight (B,L,D)

We head towards the heart of North Iceland, Mývatn, where we spend

the next two nights. We’ll feel the plummeting power of Europes’s

largest waterfall by volume, Dettifoss, from it, better yet less-visited

side, and take some shorter hikes in the river canyon of Jökulsárgljufur

National Park to see rock stacks dividing the powerful Jökulsá á

Fjöllum. In Mývatn, we’ll photograph geothermal steam vents, bizarre

volcanic formations, and fields of craters that will make you feel like

you are on the moon, then check out or swim in warm, silica-rich water

with an amazing blue-colour, from a nearby geothermal power plant.

Day Nine (B,L,D)

The Northern part of Iceland is known for three waterfalls that are

often called “The Majestic Waterfalls”. Dettifoss is one of them but we

visit the second two on day seven. Both large in volume and surrounded

by great landscape. First Aldeyjarfoss with its basalt column front, &

second Goðafoss, nicknamed by one local as ‘The Beauty’ in comparison

to ‘The Beast’ of Dettifoss, the name Goðafoss could be translated

roughly as The Waterfall of The Gods. We then visit our favourite puffin

spot up North.

Day Ten (B,L,D)

After sunrise and our breakfast at the Myvatn hotel, we head back to

the north-coastline and travel towards Reykjavik. We will stop at some

lesser known locations on our way and spend the night in Northwest

Iceland.

Day Eleven (B,L,D)

We start the day with sunrise at seascape Hvítserkur, a 15-meter high

monolith or sea-stack. The legend goes that Hvítserkur is a petrified





troll but the if you don’t believe that the truth is that is a volcanic plug

from the long time ago. Whatever is correct it is an impressive photo

opportunity. After lunch, we head towards Reykjavik and make a stop

at a few waterfalls. West of Iceland is known for impressive waterfalls,

salmon fishing and Viking Sagas. We will also make a stop to

photograph Icelandic Horses before we arrive at our hotel in Reykjavik.

Day Twelve

Transfer from the hotel in Reykjavik to Keflavik international airport.

Flights home can be booked anytime today.

Please Note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.





Trip Details

Physical Requirements All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability

to hike/ walk with camera equipment and essential hiking gear. For

example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water (up to 2 liters

person), snacks, and extra layers (if necessary). The weight of your pack

largely depends on what gear you choose to bring on each hike.

Typically backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. For those serious

photography buffs packs could reach 35 lbs! But remember the choice is

yours

Group Size

We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the

guide/instructor.

Trip Length

12 days





Fitness Level:

Easy. Standard trip with light walks.

Meeting Time and Place

5pm on Day Two in the lobby of our Reykjavik Hotel.

Trip Conclusion

International flights home can be booked anytime starting the morning

of day twelve.

Price/Dates:

Please see our website for current pricing and dates.

Accommodation

We will be staying in quaint & cozy local hotels throughout the country.

The first night of the trip and last will be at our hotel in Reykjavik.

Meals

Most meals are included during the trip dates. Our lodges generally

serve a buffet breakfast while lunches will mostly be picnic style in the

field. Dinners will be served at our place of accommodation or at a local

restaurant.

Weather

Expect temperatures with highs in the 50s and lows in the mid 30s to

40s at night. The weather can do just about anything in the fall,

however it makes for breathtaking photos. Remember some of the best

photographs are made before, during and immediately after a storm

cycle. There is generally a good mix of both stormy and clear weather –

which makes September an optimal time of year for photographing the

aurora. There is no such thing as bad weather just poor layering and

gear choices – please plan accordingly! For more info on what to bring

please email or call us. Make sure you are prepared for rain and/or

snow!






General links to Weather Conditions: Reykjavik, Iceland

We recommend checking the weather prior to your trip departure to

plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly.

Price Includes

Most meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip

dates, professional photography instruction, medically certified guide &

local Icelandic guides, & gratuities for service personnel such as drivers,

pilots, captains as well as hotel & restaurant staff.

Price Does Not Include

Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip

dates, Souvenirs, one meal on your own & trip leader gratuities (industry

standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience.)



Reykjavik,%20Iceland



Gear List

This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read

through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.

Your clothing should be a system of layers that you add and subtract

according to the weather and temperature. A good pair of good synthetic

“Smartwool” type socks under sturdy boots works well. Clothing should

be light-weight nylon pants (maybe base-layers), a polypro shirt and

either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather

conditions change add insulating and waterproof layers to your base

setup. Don’t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator

and once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans!

Photo and Field Gear

Recommended Camera Gear:

• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) • Medium telephoto zoom Lens (100–400mm zoom or equivalent) • Wide-angle Lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom) • Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)

• Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for walks)

• Memory Cards

• Batteries & Chargers

• Lens cleaning pen & cloth

• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera

& hiking gear and have a rain cover)

• Camera Rain Sleeve





Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear: • Back-Up Camera Body

• Filters such as a circular polarizer and neutral density

• 1.4x tele converter

• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed (for

personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour)

• External Hard Drives

• Remote Shutter Trigger

• Camera’s Instruction Manual

Suggested Field Gear & Clothing: • Personal Field Clothing (think layers)

• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket

• Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or

lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night

• Warm Hat & Gloves (This is a Must!)

• Down Jacket (This is a Must!)

• “Softshell” Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket for

layering and protection from wind

• Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom)

• T-Shirts for warmer temperatures

• Hiking Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)

• Sunglasses

• Sturdy Boots

• Waterproof over-boots (optional – we recommend N.E.O.S)

• Casual wear, for your evenings out of the field

• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket

• Rain Pants

• Gaiters (optional) • Headlamp (with extra batteries)

• Shooting Gloves

• Binoculars (optional) • Trekking Poles (optional)

• Sunscreen

• Personal toiletries & medications

• Money, for tipping your guides (industry standard is generally 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience), and for any



https://www.overshoesneos.com/



personal expenses not included in the tour package such as alcoholic

beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc.

This is a general list. Please Call with any questions!

Note on Packing for the tour: Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries, extra camera gear, and other travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel bag. One suitcase or duffel bag per person plus camera gear bag is optimal. You will not bring all your camera gear on every outing. Each evening you will be briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to carry the following day on the scheduled tour. Even though our transportation is spacious we kindly ask you to pack light as it will make everyone’s life on the tour easier. During the days when we travel between hotels, your suitcase will not be easily accessible.



the best of iceland - autumn...photograph seascapes and few of the majestic waterfalls on the south...

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