9 Day Photo Workshop in North & West Iceland | Waterfalls & Mountains

Our bus will pick us up from the hotel in the early morning, and we will start our journey to the beautiful Snæfellsnes peninsula where we will spend the next two nights.  On your way to Snæfellsnes, you will travel past majestic mountains and through the farmlands of West Iceland. Once at the peninsula, the towering Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano will greet you. There is a lot to see at the Snæfellsnes peninsula such as charming fishing villages, beautiful coastlines, and iconic mountains. You’ll spend your day shooting some of the stunning scenery found on the peninsula. In the nights, we will try to hunt some Northern Lights over Kirkjufell mountain before spending the night in the town of Grundarfjörður.

Today, you’ll have the chance to explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula in depth. You’ll photograph the cone-shaped mountain Kirkjufell and the nearby waterfall. Fans of the HBO series Game of Thrones might recognise this iconic feature as it was used as a backdrop in the show. You will also see some of the area’s dramatic coastlines and photograph the pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean as it hits the peninsula’s cliffs. If the conditions are favourable in the evening, you will hunt and photograph the Northern Lights as they dance across the evening sky. You will then return to your accommodations in Grundarfjörður town for the night.

You’ll get up early today to capture the sunrise at Kirkjufell mountain. This fantastic site provides you with endless opportunities to capture the diverse Icelandic conditions on film. From there, we will head towards the northwest, where you’ll stop at the strange rock formation, Hvítserkur. Some say this majestic monolith looks like a prehistoric creature, others say it resembles an elephant drinking out of the surrounding water. According to folklore, however, it is a troll which has been turned into stone by the sunlight. Afterwards, you‘ll head further north and spend the night in the Vatnsnes Peninsula.

After your sunrise shots and breakfast you will head up North where there are plenty of epic sights to photograph. One of those is Goðafoss waterfall which is likely to be clad in ice around this time of year, making for a truly impressive sight. This is one of Iceland‘s most famous and beautiful falls, and according to the Icelandic sagas it was there that law speaker Þorgeir Þorkelsson, who settled the religious strife in Iceland at the time, threw the old idols of the Nordic gods, symbolising the end of paganism as an officially accepted religious custom. It is said that the fall takes it‘s name, “The Fall of the Gods“, from this act, but one can just as well agree with the name simply by witnessing the fall‘s sheer beauty. You will visit the famous lake Mývatn which is set with many small islands and pseudo craters. Close by is the dramatic, indeed chaotic lava field Dimmuborgir, from which a Norwegian symphonic metal band takes its name. Another testimony to how inspiring the scenery is, is the fact that the producers of the TV series Game of Thrones shot many of the scenes beyond the wall at the Mývatn area. Overnight at Mývatn. You will spend the evening in the Mývatn area. 

On day 6, two more of Iceland‘s most beautiful waterfalls await you. On this day you‘ll travel by a super jeep towards the central highlands, where the highlights will be the waterfalls Aldeyjarfoss and Hrafnabjargafoss, both located in the mighty Skjálfandafljót river. Of note is the contrast between the huge black bent basalt columns at the 20 meter high Aldeyjarfoss and the whiteness of the fall. Hrafnabjargafoss similarly offers an impressive sight, immersed with snow and set with icy columns. These falls are a challenge to reach in winter but being clad in ice and snow, coupled with the contrast of the aforementioned colours at Aldeyjarfoss and a clear blue pool at its feet, they make for a photographing opportunity which is certainly worth the effort. Overnight, you will stay in accommodation in the Mývatn region.

You will be spending your day further exploring the majestic Mývatn region. You will get to explore the colourful geothermal area by Námaskarð mountain, an area that is alternatively known as Hverarönd or Hverir. There you can photograph the many solfataras and boiling mud pots, which are themselves surrounded by sulphur crystals. As the area gives off a lot of hot steam, caution is advised. Afterwards if you wish you will get to climb Hverfjall, one of the world‘s largest explosion craters, and have a great view of the wild snow-clad landscape. Altogether, this is a perfect day to explore and photograph stunning evidence of earth‘s inner powers. Once again, you will spend overnight in the Mývatn region. 

Today, you have further opportunities for photographing Goðafoss waterfall at sunrise before returning to Reykjavík, concluding your adventure with a shared dinner with your traveling companions.  In the evening, you are free to stroll the city as you so desire, making sure to capture some fantastic urban shots of the capital's major landmarks. These include the likes of Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, The Sun Voyager sculpture and the University of Iceland.  In the evening, you will retire to accommodation in Reykjavík. 

This will be your final day in Iceland. There is no doubt, however, that your portfolio will be now brimming with fantastic new photographs. After breakfast at the hotel, you will make your way back to the Keflavík International Airport, where you will board your flight home. Until your next visit to the land of ice and fire, we hope you've had a fantastic time!