From 21 Feb to 1 Mar 2025
Discover the magic of Icelandic winter with its ever-low sun and the wonder of the Northern Lights.
A special journey exploring unique landscapes, in a land where Nature still reigns supreme.
Exclusive tour for 4/6 people with a driver guide and a professional photographer.
At the edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is a photographic paradise where Nature fully shows its wild and primordial spirit. A wealth made of lagoons and waterfalls, mountains and glaciers, volcanoes, and geysers, which is even more enriched in the winter period by the spectacle of the Northern Lights.
The photographic journey is aimed at a small group of 4/6 participants, accompanied by two guides and photographers, making this tour special and exclusive. In addition to myself, Alessandro Gruzza, as a professional landscape photographer (complete profile with biography), you will be accompanied by Mirko Sotgiu, an Italian guide from the College of Alpine Guides with deep knowledge of the Icelandic territory, filmmaker, and photographer.
The program includes the exploration of some of the most fascinating places in the southern part of the island, chosen to experience and photograph the extraordinary natural beauty of the Icelandic winter:
- The unique landscapes of the Snæfellsness peninsula, with the conical shape of Mount Kirkjufell and the arch cliffs of Arnarnstapi;
- The wonderful Jökulsárlón moraine lagoon, glacial lakes, and mountains surrounded by glaciers;
- Majestic waterfalls, including the spectacular Gullfoss, Bruarfoss, and Skógafoss waterfalls;
- Black beaches, cliffs, and sea stacks, including the rock formations of Reynisdrangar and Reykianes;
- The geothermal areas of Geysir and the Vestrahorn massif.
The program is specially designed for photography but is also suitable for those who love visiting a special place where the elements water, air, earth, and fire manifest in their maximum expression.
At the high latitudes of the great north (Iceland is located between 63 and 66 degrees north), day and night exchange the baton much more gradually, sunrises and sunsets last longer, and the photographic opportunities with magical lights potentially multiply.
In mid-February, the sun rises after 10 am and sets around 7 pm, the lights are potentially wonderful almost all day, and the often magical moments of dawn and twilight, before sunrise and after sunset, last about two hours each, double compared to our latitudes.
Moreover, the nighttime hours offer the chance to admire the truly unique phenomenon of the Northern Lights, with the new moon falling on February 10. This is usually one of the best periods, and we will check the solar activity day by day to choose the most favorable days.
Accommodations are chosen in locations as strategic as possible and close to the shooting locations, in 3* and 4* hotels of a good level among those available. Participants are nevertheless required to be flexible and adaptable: the unfolding of the days depends a lot on the weather conditions, to make the most of the best light moments.
Iceland is a wonderful land where Nature still shows itself uncontaminated and wild. We will discover it together, in connection with these places and with the camera around the neck.
Philosophy
This trip is an exploration to be shared together, organized with the spirit of experiencing a full immersion in contact with Nature in one of the most spectacularly scenic places in the world, to translate one’s creative vision into spectacular photographs.
Your photographic eye will be the “notebook” on which to record moments and emotions, with the certainty that these grandiose scenarios will provide moments of pure contemplation, a source of energy for the body, peace for the mind, and inspiration for the soul.
Photographic Equipment
To fully exploit the photographic opportunities, a digital SLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses from wide-angle to medium-telephoto and a solid tripod are highly recommended. Filters (especially polarizer, graduated filters, and neutral density filters) can be very useful in these conditions, with much presence of water, ice, and often wind. In any case, what must absolutely be brought with you are a passion for photography, love, and respect for Nature!
Clothing
In February in southern Iceland, the temperatures “normally” hover around the freezing point. However, the presence of wind, often of strong intensity, increases the perception of cold, especially early in the morning and late in the evening. The recommended clothing is typical for high mountain excursions at our latitudes, with multiple layers that allow for perspiration, insulation from the cold, and protection from the wind. In particular, an inner breathable layer to keep body heat without sweating (e.g., merino wool, perfect for these conditions), one or more intermediate layers that provide insulation and retain body heat without limiting movements, and an outer windproof layer (e.g., down jacket) with possibly a waterproof shell. A warm hat, scarf/neck warmer
Day 1 – Arrival in Reykjavík and Transfer to Hotel
The group gathers in the afternoon/evening at the hotel in Keflavík (the town that names Reykjavík’s airport), for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight: Keflavík
Day 2 – Snæfellsness Peninsula
A transfer of about 3 hours to the Snæfellsness Peninsula with a brief stop in Reykjavík. Arrival in Grundarfjörður, lunch break, and hotel check-in.
In the afternoon, the first visit to the nearby Mount Kirkjufell, an iconic and spectacular landscape with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground pouring into the lagoon, and the striking conical shape of the mountain in the background.
Search for the best spot for sunset and, weather permitting, to view the Northern Lights.
Overnight: Grundarfjörður
Day 3 – Snæfellsness Peninsula
Departure at dawn to the cliffs of Arnarnstapi, a magnificent seascape with sea waves breaking on rocks of varied shapes, a result of relentless water erosion. Among these, the majestic rock arch of Gatklettur, adorned with a large circular hole.
Lunch break followed by further exploration of the peninsula, seeking photographic opportunities along the coast around the Snæfellsjökull glacier of Mount Snæfells, 1,446 meters high and famously the starting point in “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne.
In the afternoon, hike along the winter stream descending from Bjarnarfoss waterfall, and continue exploring the peninsula. Stop at the best location identified for sunset and, weather permitting, to admire the Northern Lights.
Overnight: Grundarfjörður
Day 4 – Waterfalls and Þingvellir National Park
Departure at dawn back to the spectacular area of Mount Kirkjufell, to visit the site under different lighting and conditions and to seek new photographic opportunities.
A transfer of about 3 hours to Þingvellir National Park, an area of particular geological and volcanic importance created by the ceaseless action of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which surfaces in Iceland.
Lunch break and continue to the hotel near Geysir village.
In the afternoon, visit the small and lesser-known Bruarfoss waterfall, formed by a turquoise river flowing over small drops on volcanic black rock, creating a spectacular contrast.
Next, explore the majestic Gullfoss waterfall with its staggered falls, which with its broad front plunges into a narrow canyon of black rock. This location is particularly interesting in winter with grazing light and a snow-covered landscape, with the added possibility of capturing the Northern Lights.
Overnight: Geysir
Day 5 – Geysers, Waterfalls, and the Cliffs of Vik
Depart at dawn to the Geysir area, a geothermal zone where geysers regularly erupt, creating columns of hot water and steam. Then, another visit to the nearby Gullfoss waterfall to seek new photographic opportunities with different lighting.
Transfer of about 2 hours to the southern coast and lunch break.
Next, visit Skógafoss waterfall, one of the island’s most enchanting with its vast front and frequent rainbows, and continue to the hotel in the town of Vik.
In the late afternoon, explore the Dyrhólaey promontory overlooking the sea, with breathtaking panoramic views over the black volcanic rock beach below, along which stand rock sea stacks including a gigantic arch carved by water and wind.
Search for the best location to wait for sunset and, weather permitting, to view the Northern Lights.
Overnight: Vik
Day 6 – Volcanic Beaches, Lagoons, and Glaciers
Depart at dawn to the black beach of Reynisfjara, another captivating location thanks to the stark chromatic contrasts and the unique rock formations of Reynisdrangar rising like pinnacles from the sea.
Transfer east for about 2 hours, crossing first the vast expanse of volcanic sand and then the Skaftafell Nature Reserve within Vatnajökull National Park, with a possible walk, depending on conditions, to reach the terminal tongue of the Skaftafellsjökull glacier.
Arrival at the hotel and lunch break.
The afternoon is entirely dedicated to visiting the stunning Jökulsárlón moraine lake, exploring the area and searching for the best place for sunset and, weather permitting, to admire the Northern Lights in a truly evocative setting.
Overnight: Jökulsárlón
Day 7 – Moraine lagoon, canyon, and marine landscapes
Early in the morning, approximately a 45-minute transfer west and departure at dawn to the moraine lake of Jökulsárlón and the Diamond Beach, characterized by numerous icebergs that often stop on the black beach, forming unique chromatic contrasts. The lagoon is also home to seal colonies, often visible on the icebergs in front of the magnificent glacier behind.
Transfer west for about 1.5 hours to Fjaðrárgljúfur, an ancient canyon carved by the erosion of water from the glaciers.
About a 1-hour transfer and return to Vik, with a lunch break. In the afternoon, depending on current conditions, the best location will be chosen to wait for the sunset lights with the possibility to explore in different light places visited in the previous days, such as the black beach of Reynisfjara or the Dyrhólaey promontory and, weather permitting, to be able to admire the northern lights over the sea and rocks.
Overnight: Vik
Day 8 – Reykjanes Peninsula
For the morning outing, the location will be chosen depending on weather conditions and photographic opportunities, with the possibility to explore in different light places visited in the previous days, such as Skógafoss waterfall or the black beach of Reynisfjara. Transfer west for about 2.5 hours with a lunch break. In the afternoon, exploration of the Reykjanes peninsula with a stop at the geothermal area of Seltún, characterized by fumaroles and hot water springs due to the volcanic activity of the Earth’s crust that here too combines fire and ice together, in a highly fascinating mix. For sunset, visit to the spectacular cliffs of Reykjanes where the ocean waves crash against tall sea stacks of black rock, with basalt columns in the foreground, also in this case created by the intense volcanic history of the island.
Overnight: Keflavik
Day 9 – Return
Transfer to Keflavík airport depending on one’s flight schedule and return
N.B.: The program and activities indicated may be modified depending on weather conditions, road conditions, and organizational and group needs.
General informations
| Duration | Destination | Start in |
| 9 days / 8 night | Winter Iceland, Vik and Ring Road | 21 february |
Group tour (min. 4, max. 6 people): 9 days, 8 nights.
PRICE PER PERSON: EARLY BOOKING, BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15th
4 persons: 4300
6 persons: 3300
Accommodation in shared double room
Tour as scheduled, organisation and assistance in preparing the programme by SUMMIT-8
Teaching and assistance by Alessandro Gruzza, professional photographer.
Accompaniment by Mirko Sotgiu, professional photographer and mid-mountain guide.
Overnight stay and breakfast in hotels (three or four stars).
Common safety equipment and first aid.
Guide’s transfer/accommodation expenses.
Fuel.
Assistance throughout the programme.
Transfers to and from meeting place (Flights to Keflavik, air travel can be quoted and included on request)
Photography equipment, clothing and trekking gear.
Lunches, dinners and drinks.
Trip cancellation insurance.
Health insurance.
Extras and everything not mentioned in “the price includes”.
