KERLINGARFJÖLL
Kerlingarfjöll is a mountain range in the Icelandic Highlands and forms one of the larger geothermal areas on Iceland. The mountains have varying heights of between 800 and 1 500 meters and some of the peaks have glaciers that have been formed over the years. The thing that is unique about Kerlingarfjöll is the yellow-coloured mountains and the dramatic landscape. Due to the high altitude and cold air, the weather is often dramatic here as the ground is very hot. We reach many of the nicest areas by car – but if you want to go higher up, the hike can be quite demanding. The weather here is usually very dramatic! Rain, snow and hail one minute and sun the next. The gusts of wind are usually very strong.

KRAFLA/LEIRHNJUKUR LAVA FIELD
In the area around the Krafla volcano there are lots of motifs to choose from. The lava fields with their lovely colours are a fascinating sight and the crater landscape brings pictures from Mars to mind. Krafla is surrounded by small crater lakes with boiling water, and in the crater of the volcano today there is a large blue lake. The smoke and steam rising from the ground give the place an even more mystical feeling, which is very effective in our image composition.

HVERIR
Hverir is a geothermal area on North-eastern Iceland that is teeming with smoking hot springs and boiling clay pits. The sulphur crystals give the soil a reddish tone and together with an almost non-existent vegetation it almost feels like being on another planet. The possibilities for spectacular shots are great. During the day there are usually a lot of people here – but we use the early mornings and late evenings/night as that’s when we usually get to be completely alone here, thus providing the best photo opportunities.

WHITSERKUR
Hvítserkur is a rock formation sculpted by wind and water, about 15 meters high, protruding from the sea. According to legend, Hvítserkur was a troll who intended to destroy the bells of a nearby monastery because he was bothered by the noise. But the road to it took too long. When the sun rose and the troll was hit by its first rays of light, he turned to stone.

KIRKJUFELL
Kirkjufell is beautifully surrounded by beaches and waterfalls in an area that offers many beautiful photo opportunities. In the surroundings are several hiking trails of varying difficulty and from the top is an astonishing view. For those of you who are interested in geology, here you can find fossils from both fish and birds. The waterfalls with the majestic and characteristic mountain in the background are perhaps one of Iceland’s most famous motifs. Indescribably beautiful.

JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2023

DAY 1, (30/7) – ARRIVAL & EVENING PHOTOGRAPHY
In the morning we gather at Keflavik airport, where Mats Andersson meet us. We begin our photo adventure by moving towards the Icelandic Highlands and the fascinating Mountain area of Kerlingarfjöll. On the way to Kerlingarfjöll we pass two famous sights, Geysir and Selfoss. Here we will make short stops. Geysir is perhaps best known for the Strokkur geyser, which is still active and throws water about 20 meters up into the air every 3-5 minutes.

Arriving at Kerlingarfjöll, we check into our accommodation before we share a welcome dinner. After dinner it’s time for our first photo session in Kerlingarfjöll. This mountain range is a paradise for any landscape photographer. It’s easy to understand why, when we explore the beautiful surroundings in the evening light that vary in colours and shades. The weather in Iceland is constantly changing, which adds new dimensions and challenges to our photography. (D)

DAY 2, (31/7) – PHOTOGRAPHY & INSPIRATIONAL LECTURE
Early in the morning we set out to photograph the stunning landscape. The weather in this area often changes quickly and with a little luck we get dramatic clouds that add another dimension to our image composition. Back at the hotel. with today’s first photo harvest on our memory cards, we listen to a lecture by Mats Andersson. He will introduce us to his unique imagery and inspire us with pictures from the areas we will visit together in the coming days. In the evening we take another photo trip in the evening light. (B, L, D)

DAY 3, (1/8) – LAVA FIELD
In the morning we move on with our photo adventure, the goal is Ljosavatn where we will stay for the next two nights. On the way, we will make a short stop for photography at the thermal area of Hveravellir. In the afternoon, we check in to our accommodation and shortly thereafter go out to photograph the area around the Krafla volcano. We are greeted by a landscape of many different colours where steam and smoke rise from the ground. On a clear day, the area offers a fantastic view of the lava fields that spread as far as the eye can see. Just as during all photo sessions on the trip, Mats is on hand for inspiration and personal guidance. In the evening there will be time for image editing, and Mats will be there to share some tips and tricks. (B, L, D)

DAY 4, (2/8) – SMOKING HOT SPRINGS AND VOLCANOES
Early in the morning we leave for a full day out in the field that will offer us fantastic photo opportunities. Our first stop will be Hverir and its thermal areas where we will spend the morning. As we wander around the landscape, it feels as if we have been transported to another planet and we find ourselves surrounded by smoking hot springs and boiling clay pits. Mats will guide us on our hike around the area and only our imagination will set the limit in our image composition. We can capture the magnificent landscape, take detailed pictures of the geothermal springs or of the cracked ground. After lunch we’ll take the opportunity to relax in a thermal bath, an absolute must when visiting Iceland. The lava field of Dimmuborgir and an imaginative landscape with caves and rock formations that are remnants of volcanic activity will greet us during the afternoon. After a day filled with photography, we return to the hotel for dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 5, (3/8) – WATERFALLS AND MIGHTY ROCKS IN THE SEA
In the morning we go for a photography session of what many call one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls, Aldeyjarfoss. The water rushes through a narrow gorge and lands in a lagoon of clear blue water. The fall is framed by a formations that make the landscape even more spectacular. After a morning filled with photography, we continue towards the next destination of the trip and in the evening we photograph Hvitserkur, a mighty and inspiring cliff that rises about 15 meters out of the sea. Depending on the water situation it can be possible to get very close to this huge stone colossus. (B, L, D)

DAY 6, (4/8) – KIRKJUFELL’S BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS
Our last full day on Iceland’s dramatic landscape will offer some of the most beautiful motifs of the trip. On the way to Kirkjufell there will be a photography journey through a lava landscape and we’ll make a stop to take pictures of the fantastic lava fields east of Kirkjufell. In the afternoon we are greeted by an impressive sight as the mountain Kirkjufell appears in front of us. Kirkjufell is considered by many to be Iceland’s most beautiful mountain. We spend the afternoon in the fabulous surroundings of this fascinating mountain. Among other things, we will photograph Kirkjufell with the waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss in the foreground where long exposure times help us create atmospheric images. After the last photo session of our trip, we head towards Reykjavik where we have a nice ending dinner and sum up our days together. (B, L, D)

DAY 7, (5/8) – IMAGE OF THE TRIP AND RETURN JOURNEY HOME
In the morning we work with our photos from the trip to select the best ones. We end our days with Mats appointing “Image of the trip”, which goes on to the final of “Image of the year 2023” and will compete for great prizes. (B)

MATS ANDERSSON – NATURE & FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER

HIGHLAND BASE****

PRICE

Price per person: £ 1 800 or USD 2 175

Included:

• All ground transfers according to the itinerary.
• Accommodation in a shared room.
• Meals according to itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• Activities according to the itinerary.
• Participation by Mats Andersson during the entire tour.
• Workshops during the tour.
• A tour leader from Zoom Photo Tours.
• Hotel taxes and other local fees.
• Travel documents and other travel information.

Excluded:

• Single room supplement 620 or USD 750
• Flights to Iceland.
• All expenses of personal nature like drinks, laundry etc.
• Cancellation & travel insurance. For more details, click here.
• Any other item not mentioned as included.

FLIGHTS

Airfare to  and back from Iceland is not included in the price. You should arrive not later than 11:00 on June 30 . Your return flight you can book after 12:00  August 5th

Should you wish, we will be more than happy to help you arrange all your flights. Just send an email to info@zoomphototours.com and we will respond with flight suggestions and prices.

GROUP SIZE

In order to for you to get personal photo guidance and the best experience with our photographer our groups are always small. On this tour the minimum and maximum number of guests are 6/8.

PHOTO GEAR

• A DSLR Camera
• 70-200mm
• Wide-angle lens, like a 24-70mm
• Tripod
• A Laptop computer with Photoshop or Lightroom software.
• Extra batteries, chargers etc.

LANGUAGE

Languages: English & Swedish

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For more information about Terms & Conditions click here.