In celebration of their forthcoming trip, PTR recommends reading our previously published articles about this fabulous place.  From our experiences and those of our readers, Iceland is a must place to visit for anyone seeking adventure travel.

Interview with Jure-Kravanja

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Guest Article — The Land of Ice and Fire by Daniel Arenas Pintado

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PTR Recommended Tours – Iceland Photo Tours

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Iceland Aurora Tours

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Wild Photograph Holidays

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The PTR Team Goes to Iceland in April

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April 2011. I caught a train in England at 8am, a plane at 12:30, landed in Iceland at 3:00, travelled for 5 hours by jeep dumped my bags and then found myself at midnight on a different planet watching the scene below.

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If you live in the UK this is almost on your doorstep. It is now a relatively affordable location and one that will leave you with lasting memories and, I can guarantee, a desire to return and explore further.

This trip was suggested by my Polish friend Hania. We had 12 days and the first decision was where to head. It was tempting to just hire a car and go where the mood took us but after consideration we decided to be more specific and planned. This was partly due to experience that tells me that chasing the light can result in running around in circles. Seeing lots but really experiencing  nothing. We were also travelling in April and the weather at this time is unpredictable and the interior inaccessible. Many run around Route 1. A road that is open all year and takes you around the whole island. But it is a big place to take in in 12 days. Did I want to spend hours in a car, hunting the next bed for the night? No.

We decided to stick to the south as first timers. A safe option as it is well travelled but in April it is empty- a different story in the summer when it is a tourist hotspot. We also made what was a good decision and took a four day tour with Tony Prower (PTR interview and details here). We were collected from the airport and were only at the above location as a result. It was the only night clear enough to see the aurora and would certainly have been in the wrong place without his help.

The following morning at 5am, having got into bed after 2am, I woke and was greeting by a beautiful dawn that was well underway. A frantic scramble took us back to the lagoon.

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We were staying at a guest house that is just minutes away from this location. The rural guesthouses are NOT like the UK equivalent. Most have kitchens you can use. They  welcome people who keep strange hours letting you come and go as you please. In the UK I avoid B&Bs as don’t like that awkward conversation ” um, do you mind if I get up at 3am and come back for breakfast later?”

Returning from this dawn shoot I was entranced by the location of the guesthouse, too excited to sleep I went for a walk and found a new friend.

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It was time to sleep and while I did the weather decided to change. From this point on we faced some challenges, the biggest being the wind. We were in fact lucky as the people on the flight from the UK 24 hours after mine were forced to sit in the plane on the tarmac for 6 hours as it was too windy to let them off!!

There are some locations however that are so unique that the weather doesn’t matter. Or every sort of weather just adds a new element and this has to be true of the beach we visited and returned to over the next few days.

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Black volcanic sands. Ice that has fallen from a glacier and is slowing melting in the sea, completing a cycle that takes thousands of years. Jewels that can be crystal clear or turquoise with a colour that seems to glow from an inner core. Every piece of ice unique, each dawn throwing new light, every wave creating new patterns. An infinite variety of pictures.

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Bliss. Even with wind that was ripping through us. Wellies that were soaked as the waves are totally unpredictable in a gale. I even managed to get a mouthful of sea within the first few minutes and the good old kitchen towel was hard at work clearing off the spray. But what fun!!!

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We spent time within a relatively small area over the next few days but found plenty to point our cameras at, even though good light was limited. The black sands make good reflections.

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Glacier views are very accessible, or you can undertake hikes with guides.

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With water everywhere you can quickly find  a nice spot when the wind does briefly die down, this was a view from the side of the main route one.

Our guide dropped us off in Reykjavik and the following day we got our wheels. I had researched options and this company gave the best deal. They dropped off the jeep at our hotel on time and their vehicle was perfect. I am glad we went for a rugged 4WD considering the terrain as we were able to explore safely and the unseasonable weather found us negotiating icy roads. To be honest they weren’t that bad but in a foreign climate you just don’t know if the blizzard is going to turn into a nasty experience and it is comforting to know the vehicle has these strange metal studs in them that look very reassuring but must really chop up the roads – though the potholes in UK at the moment are much worse than any I saw, even on the dirt tracks. I can say that there is a lot of hype about the roads in Iceland. Yes, they are often dirt tracks and you must decide if your vehicle is able to negotiate what is in front of you but if you go at a sensible speed they are in fact easy. You’ll soon know if you are going beyond your comfort zone – so go back.  River crossings – I’ll leave that to the summer as that is where people have come to grief. A case of needing experience to know what is safe.

When I hire a car I always take out independent insurance. It is cheap, comprehensive and a great peace of mind. Do NOT use the car rental excess policy, it costs a lot more. DO ensure you are covered for all excesses though.

For the rest of the trip we were based on the south coast in a cottage. The intention was to explore the coast and some of the more well known waterfalls and hot spring areas. As it transpired the weather kept wrong footing us. The wind never really relaxed, and at times it felt unwise to be stood by the raging sea. We experienced snow, icy roads and painful hail storms. There were however moments when the sun appeared but this was unpredictable and we had to make the most of whatever location it decided to shine on.

One of the most unexpected spots was a beach about 30 minutes from Eyrarbakki. Most beaches are black but this one revealed striations where the wind was blowing away sand and icy pools added a strange impact. It is part of the magic of the country, so many surprises.

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Whilst wind adds challenge it also gives opportunity. A steep beach coupled with a gale gave some chances to do what I like best – play with water.

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Many of the buildings are clad in corrugated, painted metal. Not the most attractive of building materials but the churches are pretty and often in glorious and remote locations.

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One evening in Flói  found us watching a snow storm drifting over the distant mountains, turning them white in an instant.

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Not long after we were engulfed in the white stuff.

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The last day came all too soon, a disappointing dawn was quickly blown away and a final dash to the beach gave a final chance to catch a wave or two — or maybe it caught me?

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I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. I will certainly return, there is so much more to see and every season promises something entirely different from the midnight sun in the summer to fleeting winter light but with extreme ice and frozen waterfalls.

I’d like to head to the Western fjords and Snaefellsnes next. Both offer a rugged and wild adventure and in the summer are quieter than the south, which can get busy with accommodation hard to find without early bookings.

The only negative I can mention is the price of food. Self catering is recommended if costs need to be kept down. Getting Kroner in the UK is difficult, I exchanged some pounds in the airport but this turned out unnecessary as everywhere takes visa debit cards or credit cards – even if you just want a pint of milk.  Petrol is bought by card from self service machines that give a 24 hour service – all very easy and civilised. Out of season (the tourists don’t really start arriving until late June) it is easy to find a bed with good kitchen facilities to hand or book a cottage and these can be booked for short stays which is nice if you want a trip with a few different locations.

If you are hunting the aurora we proved that April is possible but ideally you would want to be there earlier in the year when they can be viewed in the evening. In April it didn’t really get fully dark until past 10pm. I was told midnight until 2am is the optimal viewing time at this time of year, this isn’t a great time to be on watch if you plan to also do dawn and dusk shooting unless you want to sleep during the daylight hours. In the summer you’ll be shooting at night (if you can call it night when it never really gets dark) and catching sleep in the day – this is when your own private/quiet cottage comes in handy.

Whilst away an unseasonably warm spring had arrived in the UK. I arrived home to a world that seemed impossibly warm and green. Very pretty, but give me the wild and wintry Iceland with its unpredictability and peculiarities any day.

Claire Carter

We all have places in the world that appear in our “must photograph before I die” list. Iceland has been in my top 10 for as long as I can remember. I was a geography student, I learnt about glaciers and volcanoes but they remained unseen and theoretical – known but unknown. At last I found myself heading to this land of ice, steam and fire. I had 12 days and knew I had to make the most of it so decided to see if I could start the trip with the help of a guide. I didn’t want to join a normal photo tour and anyway finding one that fitted my available dates proved impossible.

I also wanted to ensure the guide understood the needs of a photographer. After extensive internet searches I struck upon the ideal solution in the form of Tony Prowers  Iceland Aurora Tours. Tony runs an unusual outfit (though I think he is unaware that what he offers is fairly unique) as he will book both individual and small groups (up to four participants) for tailor made trips. What makes this special for photographers is that he is a master of light, his portfolio is simply stunning and totally devoted to Iceland. He knows the best locations and when the light will work for them.

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Photos by Tony Prower, Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved

I have now returned from my trip which was a great success. I was in Iceland for 12 days and spent the first four with Tony. This proved to be an ideal way to start my trip as we were immediately on location and it quite simply took the stress out of those first few days when you are often running around in circles trying to orientate yourself.

Below are Tony’s responses to some questions which explain how his business operates. I strongly recommend a look at his gallery of pictures to get a real taste of his ability with a camera and see some of the delights Iceland has to offer.

Claire: Can you describe the format of your tours?

Tony:  The format of my tours can only be described as flexible. this is because of not only the various needs of clients, but the changing conditions.

People want to come away with great landscapes and this can rarely be achieved with a rigid format. Some clients know exactly what they want to achieve before they come, some require help to achieve this, and others want a comprehensive guide to both photography and Iceland.

Summer Iceland is like a different country to Winter Iceland. The daylight hours range from just 3.5 in mid-winter to 24 hours throughout the summer. There are parts of Iceland which cannot be reached until the mid-summer months. Tours have to be flexible enough to cope with the changing conditions.

The flexibility can only be achieved by keeping things small and simple. Basically it involves a Jeep, a driver and up to four passengers. Our Jeeps have been modified to challenge most Icelandic terrains which adds to the flexibility.  I offer half day, full day and long tours (up to 14 days) which allow photographers to nail that shot.

Flexibility doesn’t always work though. Sometimes people have a limited time and just want to see the highlights of Iceland in a one or two day trip. I have several itineraries which although are rigid, they are still designed to achieve great landscape photographs.

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Short tours include pick-up and drop-off from their Reykjavik hotel. Longer tours have the option of airport pick-up and I will also arrange accommodation in a suitable location. The serious landscape photographer can realize their dreams with a single booking.

Claire: Are there opportunities for lone travelers to join a tour to keep costs down?

Tony: Usually, all passengers know each other as they are traveling together, but I also let people share their tours, for example a couple might share with another couple. I usually ask people who want to share to advertise in the TripAdvisor forums. Private jeep tours are not cheap, especially in Iceland, so this is a way for travelers to share the cost and the enjoyment. If people express an interest in a shared tour through my website, I always introduce them via email so that we can discuss the plans in a conference style.

Claire: How do people book?

Tony: In the New Year I designed a booking calendar which enables customers to reserve multiple days with the possibility of specifying a tour and paying a deposit to secure their dates. There is also an option to specify a ‘shared’ or ‘private’ tour which will be confirmed when all participants are in agreement. The booking page also shows my availability. It is also possible to book a tour by simply writing to me via the contact form or by regular email or by phone.

Claire: Can you describe a typical day?

Tony: No! because all days are different with regards timing and location. A tour will start with the intention of being at a prime place during the peak light, they are also planned to include the most laborious traveling during the harshest light. We will head to the prime location with a keen eye on the sky. On popular routes, I am very familiar with photography hot spots and if the sky suddenly springs into life, I will find a good spot fairly quickly. In a nutshell, I want to be in a good location at sunrise and a good location at sunset. This is not always possible.

Claire: Are the tours available all year round?

Tony: Yes, tours are available throughout the year because all months offer something special. Maybe the midnight sun or Aurora, some photographers want snow covered landscapes and some want the luscious green summer pastures and the ability to explore the RAW interior. Travel is challenging during the winter months especially when you consider the limited daylight hours. The summer is extremely beautiful and offers the chance to shoot through the night with several golden hours and ever lasting sunrises. The changing seasons also offer something different with regards to color and mood and there is the chance of seeing the best of both Icelands.

Claire: Do you give photography tuition during the tours?

Tony: Yes, my tours are not workshops, but I am an experienced and qualified teacher and I love helping people who want to learn. I don’t push tuition onto people though, especially if they are experienced photographers. I usually show them what I am achieving and then show them how to achieve the same. Usually I will give them a bit of guidance and let them loose in the nature so that they can apply a technique. Sometimes the tuition is comprehensive and intensive and sometimes it is just a matter of letting a photographer experience a particular type of filter.

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Claire: What level of fitness and stamina are required?

Tony: If I consider you to be capable, then you could expect a cardiovascular tour. But there are no physical requirements. There are locations which require an up-hill hike and there are locations which require five steps from the vehicle. I never force people to exert themselves beyond their own limitations. Iceland is a dangerous place and to have really tired people wandering around in the wilderness with heavy photographic equipment is asking for trouble.

Claire: What vehicle do you use?

Tony: I use a modified Nissan Terrano II which is a fairly comfortable road Jeep and also has very good off-road capability. My other driver has a fully capable Nissan Patrol.

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Claire: What is special about Iceland for a photographer?

Tony: There are many special things about Iceland. It is interesting geologically because it is relatively new and has landscapes which are not yet fully formed. This implies thousands of waterfalls, many volcanoes, plenty of geothermal areas and lunar landscapes. The range of landscapes is extremely diverse. The lack of trees can make it challenging for many people, but, just like the lack of power lines and pollutants, it becomes to shoot just the raw landscapes. Of course, we do have power lines and aluminum factories, but there are many areas which are just uninhabitable and are under-developed. Finding a fantastic landscape with zero human elements is very easy. Then there is the fact that we have volcanoes under huge glaciers, this gives us something very unique — blue ice sitting on a black sandy beach. Of course you have to know where to look. It is interesting also to look at the people of Iceland, who, like no other nation have been shaped by their landscape. The Icelanders love their unspoilt nature, but life goes on, development happens, and I just want to be able to capture much of the raw Iceland before too much change occurs.

Claire: What sort of feedback are you getting from participants?

Tony: Although I am not perfect, my reviews are very positive and can be found on TripAdvisor.com

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Claire: During our tour you kitted us up with waders so we could get into a canyon and get a different perspective. Do you have any other novel ideas up your sleeve?

Tony: I just love photographing water and I like to be prepared and able to access parts of a canyon that no normal photographer can reach. Because of the untouched nature of Iceland  there are not stepping stones to each great viewpoint. We need equipment to get there such as crampons, jeeps with huge tires and fishing waders. I have no more tricks, just good, well thought out equipment.

Claire: I wish Tony continuing success in this venture and can highly recommend his services. I will be posting my own travel blog at PTR shortly with images I took while on this tour and during the following week, I’ll also be posting a more comprehensive selection to my personal website. Iceland was even more beautiful and varied then I had imagined and is a location I most certainly will return to.

Iceland Aurora Tours has earned the Photo Travel Review Magazine five star award ✭✭✭✭✭ for excellence.

Claire

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When one thinks of photography and travel, Iceland always ends up on the list of places to go. Without doubt, Iceland is one of the finest photographic destinations in the world. Iceland adventures, however, require that one find a reputable guide and tour provider as the country, while incredibly beautiful, is difficult to traverse.

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Likewise, finding good lodging, and knowing where to go for the ultimate photo adventure means one needs expert assistance. Iceland Photo Tours provides everything one could want when venturing into one of the world’s most spectacular places.

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Haukur Snorrason, owner of Iceland Photo Tours, is well qualified to provide anyone with the ultimate photographic holiday in Iceland. With a wealth of knowledge about both his country and photography, expect the best Iceland can provide on a tour.

Haukur Snorrason

When considering a photo travel adventure, it is important to learn what others have said about their experiences.

“Thank you Haukur for showing us your secret stunningly beautiful spots around South Iceland far away from what most tourists see! Thank you Hadda for creating that nice hospitable atmosphere  and your fantastic food.” Teresa from Germany

“Thank you for a wonderful stay and great companionship. The Icelandic scenery was my first goal, but the friendship was even better. Haukur, what a great driver. Hadda, what a great cook – I have eaten many new and delicious foods. Iceland is the best photo destination! We will return.” Robert van Baarsel, The Netherlands

“Haukur is extremely knowledgeable of the area as geologial and recent history and of its photographic oppertunities. He was appropiately patient and at the same time did not allow any single individual to slow the entire group.  Haukur is a natural leader, he has a delightful personality, perfect for leading the trip.  All in all this has been a wonderful experience. The best way to descripe it is that I would like to come again.” Steve Penland, Olympia, WA USA.

“What a perfect trip! We loved the ability to visit Haukur’s favorite spots for pictures.We saw lakes, mountains, waterfalls that are not typical for tourists. Perfect days of photo taking were then followed by incredible dinners that could easily be considered gourmet – fantastic ! Thank you both for sharing your home, your faivorite photospots and your home cooking.” Pat Howard, Bottmingen, Switzerland.

“…already filtered through the set of 5 K pics and selected 200 for a short slide show. Think this is the best set I ever took in 25 years of photography..” Andrea Chioato, Bottmingen, Switzerland

“ Wonderful locations and Haukur was the perfect guide giving us so many wonderful photographic stops. Lots of bumpy rides but they were all worth it. Absolutely loved this tour!” Corrado Palumbi, Italy

Haukur Snorrason - Click to see Larger Photo

Haukur and his wife Hadda Björk Gísladóttir, who is an accomplished cook, and caters for tour groups at their home in Reykjavík or in their cottage in Hrífunes, Skaftártunga in the South of Iceland. There the two run a beautiful restored guest house which was once the community hall see http://www.hrifunesguesthouse.is/. Guests are greeted with great service and very much the personal touch.

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Iceland Photo Tours can provide just about anything one could ask in the way of accommodations, planning, and group accommodation. With access to large vehicles, groups of considerable size can book with them. Tour offerings are considerable, from winter to short breaks. All one has to do is ask.

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Costs for tours are absolutely reasonable. One can expect to pay far less than most any destination in the world. For the discerning photo travel adventurer, the offerings of Iceland Photo Tours are well worth considering.

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Photo Travel Review Magazine looks constantly for photo adventures that meet our standards: Opportunities for spectacular photography, expert assistance and experience of the tour provider, reasonable costs for tours, opportunities to go beyond the ordinary and tailor the adventure. Iceland Photo Tours meets these criteria.

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Iceland Photo Tours has earned our five star rating (✭✭✭✭✭). Expertise, experience, opportunities for outstanding photography, adventure, and very reasonable prices — all add up to a tour company that one should seriously consider.

I was very lucky to meet Jure during my time in Slovenia. He told me about his forthcoming trip to Iceland and he kindly agreed to share his experience with us on his return.

More of his work can be seen here and as you can see he is a very talented photographer.

Claire : When did you visit Iceland?

Jure : We visited Iceland in June 2008. As it turned out we chose wisely, since June brings the best out of Iceland.

Claire : Were you travelling with an organised tour or did you plan this trip yourself?

Jure: A travel agency took care of lodgings and car rental. We did everything else on our own.

Claire: Where were you based?

Jure : During the weeklong trip we changed location every day, with exception of the city of Akureyri (located in the north of the island), where we spent two nights.

Claire: What was your itinerary?

Jure : We started our journey in the capital of Reykjavik. We made a circle around the island, passing mostly through small fishing villages (Vik being the most southern point of our trip and Husavik the most northern).

The following image was taken in Southern Iceland

Claire: How did you travel about when you were there?

Jure: We used a rented car. On the fourth day of the trip our car experienced a minor malfunction and our car provider offered an immediate change of vehicle – that was indeed very nice.

Claire: What were your expectations before you went?

Jure: The expectations were high. Before the trip we went through a lot of travel guides and photos, so we were expecting a magnificent arctic desert …

Claire : What was the reality?

Jure : In reality, it was even better than that. We didn’t dare to dream of such incomparable beauty!

Here is an other image taken in Southern Iceland

Claire : What was the weather like when you were there and what time of the year would you recommend visiting?

Jure : The weather in Iceland is as diverse as it’s landscape. In a single day we would encounter sunshine, rain and even a snowstorm. As said before, we arrived in June, in the summit of Iceland’s beauty.

Claire : What accommodation did you use or could you recommend?

Jure : A friend of ours, who happens to own a travel agency, took care of the accommodation. We stayed in various places: countryside hotels, student dorms, and even in a nice wooden cottage.

Claire : What were the highlights of your trip?

Jure : Everything was great, but if I had to single out three landmarks, I’d say extinct volcanoes, sulphur pools, and fields of hardened magma.

Claire: Any lowlights?

Jure : Not a single one!

Claire : Is this a trip you would recommend to readers?

Jure : I’d recommend this trip to everyone; Iceland is definitely one of the sleeping beauties of the Earth. Furthermore, it is the safest and the cleanest of the European countries, with warm and peaceful people. Because of its colourful landscape it is a must-see for everyone interested in our planet and nature, for everyone passionate about those slow, grand and picturesque landscapes, typical of Iceland.

Claire: Do you have any photography tips?

Jure : I would recommend using wide-angle lenses in order to capture those vast landscapes and also a telephoto.

Claire: PTR thanks Jure for sharing his experience and wonderful images with us. This is a destination that has been on my “must do” list for a long time and he has certainly sold it to me.

Some facts and figures

Link provided by Jure

http://en.vedur.is/ – Since weather in Iceland can be quite moody, this site really helps planning your trip.