July 25 -
Departure.
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July 26 - Reykjavik
This morning on arrival in Reykjavík you will meet with your guide Haukur and transfer to the hotel to rest until lunch. Later this afternoon take a boat ride to look for puffins and other wildlife. Overnight Hotel Leifur Eiríksson (LD)
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July 27 - Hrifunes
Depart for Bakki early this morning to catch the ferry to the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). After a 40 minute boat ride you’ll arrive in the archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland. Heimaey is the largest of the islands and is one of Iceland’s main fishing ports, with a population of about 4,000 and good opportunities here to photograph puffins. After spending the day in the Westman Islands, you will ferry back to the mainland and continue on to the farm Hrífunes, the ideal base for a photo tour. Here you will meet Hadda (Haukur’s wife) who will be waiting with one of her delicious homemade meals. Accommodations are farmhouse style with shared bathrooms. Overnight Hrifunes Guesthouse - shared facilities (BLD)
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July 28 - Hrifunes
Today will be spent in the eastern part of the southern interior. You’ll visit the fire gorge Eldgjá, a volcanic fissure 30 kilometers in length, which is believed to have erupted in 934. The most spectacular part of the fissure is adjacent to the Fjallabaksvegur Road, where it reaches a width of 600 meters and a depth of 270 meters. At this point the Nyðri ófæra River falls into the ravine in two waterfalls. A beautiful natural rock arch across the lower cascade was swept away by the river a few years ago. Another photo spot today is Lake Langisjór, a breathtaking place in the remote highlands. The blue water lined with the green mountains on its shore asks for plenty of photos. After photographing you’ll return to Hrífunes and Hadda. Overnight Hrifunes Guesthouse - shared facilities (BLD)
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July 29 - Hrifunes
You’ll depart after breakfast on the track Oldufellsleið, passing Mælifellsandur, Hvanngil, Alftavatn, and Laufafell before reaching Hrafntinnusker to spend 3-4 hours photographing. Ice caves, green moss, and colorful rhyolite mountains provide an excellent photo location. Haukur will show you his secret hidden favorite photo spot. Return to Hrifunes the same way you came, which will give you the opportunity to revisit some sights but in totally different lighting conditions. Overnight Hrifunes Guesthouse - shared facilities (BLD)
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July 30 - Hrifunes
After the chance to sleep in a little, you’ll leave at about 11:00 for the southern interior and visit the must see photo sights along the ring road. Your first stop is national park Skaftafell. The Skaftafell National Park lies between high mountains, Lómagnúpur, and the Oræfajökull Glacier, an extinct volcano whose peak, Hvannadalhnjúkur, is Iceland’s highest point at 2,119 meters high. Skaftafell is a wooded area surrounded by expanses of sand desert deposited by glacial rivers. The Skeiðará River floods massively from time to time, when melt water bursts out. Skaftafell boasts varied natural beauty, with thriving vegetation, wooded slopes, and waterfalls plunging into gorges. Next stop is the famous glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón. Since 1950 the glacier tongue of Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier has retreated and a lagoon, gradually increasing in area, was created. The edge of the glacier calves into the lagoon and icebergs of different sizes are created. The lagoon is very deep, at least 190 meters. It is an unforgettable
adventure to take a boat trip between the icebergs to admire the natural ice sculptures and the blue green color of the ice. After
photographing you will return to Hrífunes. Overnight Hrifunes Guesthouse - shared facilities (BLD)
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July 31 - Hrifunes
We drive on the northern Fjallabak Road to Landmannalaugar. At the edge of a geothermal area, Landmannalaugar is surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains, and both hot and cold springs emerge
from the earth to provide excellent natural bathing pools. Driving back on Nyðra Fjallabak will provide you with more opportunities in different light. Overnight Hrifunes Guesthouse - shared facilities (BLD)
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August 01 - Hrifunes
This morning you’ll visit the hidden waterfall Fagrifoss before heading to the main sight today, the Laki Craters. Lakagígar is a row of craters on a 25 km long volcanic fissure southwest of the Vatnajökull Glacier. An eruption in Lakagígar in 1783 produced more lava than any other eruption in the world. The eruption led to a natural disaster unparalleled in Icelandic history. Ash and poisonous gases from the eruption caused the death of animals, followed by a famine in which one fifth of the population died. Photo opportunities here include lava fields, bizarre lava formations and craters. Overnight Hrifunes Guesthouse - shared facilities (BLD)
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August 02 - Hrifunes
This day will be used to travel back to one of the places you visited before or see something new. The group can decide in the field. It is also good to have this additional day in case the weather has not been favorable on one of the previous days. When you return to Hrífunes, celebrate the last evening in the highlands with a campfire and a beer down by the river. Overnight Hrifunes Guesthouse - shared facilities (BLD)
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August 03 - Hrifunes
After leaving Hrífunes behind you’ll visit the major sights of the south coast, including the cliffs of Dyrholaey where you will have an opportunity to photograph puffins. Later you’ll visit amazing waterfalls such as Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. In the early
evening, Hadda will drop you off at the airport for the flight home. (BL)
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August 04 - Hrifunes
Arrive home.
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