Location: Greenland
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Greenland Disko Bay and Iceland

  • Accomplished photographers and tour leaders Tom and Cree Bol.
  • Small group tour – away from the typical crowded areas – maximum 9 fellow photographers.
  • Icebergs, glaciers, and Disko Bay landscape of Western Greenland, six evenings.
  • Boat excursions explore and photograph fjords, islands, and melting glaciers calving before you into the sea.
  • Photograph and learn about the culture of Ilulissat at the mouth of the Ilulissat Fjord, designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
  • Less touristy areas of Iceland on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Region

Europe

Destination

Greenland

Dates

TBD

Duration

TBD

$9995

per person, double occupancy*

This tour is not currently scheduled. Contact us if you want details when tour dates are announced, or if you are interested in running a private trip for your group.

*U.S. dollars based upon minimum of 9 participants. There is a small group surcharge of $600 if  8 participants. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested (subject to availability), or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, there is a single room surcharge of $1395.

Tour Overview

Greenland & Iceland

Greenland is a destination high up on the bucket list of many, and for good reason. The local landscape is unspoiled and spectacular. The weather and climate can be unforgiving, although August is one of the warmest, with average high for the month being low 60’s. All these elements align and make Greenland every photographer’s dream. Ilulissat, the official Greenlandic word for iceberg, is a town located on the west coast, right at the mouth...

Greenland & Iceland

Greenland is a destination high up on the bucket list of many, and for good reason. The local landscape is unspoiled and spectacular. The weather and climate can be unforgiving, although August is one of the warmest, with average high for the month being low 60’s. All these elements align and make Greenland every photographer’s dream. Ilulissat, the official Greenlandic word for iceberg, is a town located on the west coast, right at the mouth of the Icefjord. Ilulissat is the third largest town in Greenland, with approximately 4500 residents. The Ilulissat Icefjord, Disko Bay, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and the fjord is filled with giant icebergs from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere. The monstrous Sermeq Kujalleq, the world’s fastest glacier, advances 140 feet daily and creates over 11 cubic miles of icebergs annually.
Don’t miss out on this six night adventure in Greenland, highlights include three 4 hour private evening boat excursions where we will position ourselves perfectly to be able to capture the gorgeous light illuminating the icy landscape. Each session leaves plenty of time to explore the Ilulissat Icefjord and find the ideal compositions. There will also be time to explore during the day, and with the mid-night sun night photography in and around the town of Ilulissat. There are several UNESCO hiking trails to explore just outside of the village.

Join a local guide and accomplished photographer and guides The Bol’s across Western Greenland. Flights to Greenland are limited and may not take place every day. Therefore we have included one night pre and post trip in the town of Keflavik Iceland. This should ensure everyone is there and prepared for the group flight August 17 to Ilulissat Greenland. If someone would like to add on evenings in Iceland beyond that please get in touch with Strabo.

Strabo Tours has included the group flight from Iceland to Greenland, therefore you will have to purchase your round trip airfare from home to Keflavik Airport (KEF), Iceland. Please note the Greenland airfare is currently estimated at $1400 per person, should there be additional taxes and fees this will be added to the Land Tour Cost listed below.

• WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SIGN UP EARLY SO EVERYONE CAN BE ON SAME PLANE ROUND TRIP ICELAND/GREENLAND.
• DATES REMAIN FLEXIBLE UNTIL AIRLINES DETERMINE THEIR SCHEDULES FOR 2022, THEREFORE ACTUAL TRIP DATES MAY NEED TO BE ADJUSTED AT A LATER DATE. WE WILL NOTIFY REGISTRANTS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

Photo Instructors

Tom and Cree have been guiding trips together for over 25 years, and both are passionate photographers. Their teaching philosophy is simple; ‘teach the student, not the subject.’ They love teaching and helping others develop their creativity and technical skills. Their trips often sell out well in advance.

Tom has been called one of America’s visionaries for his photography by National Geographic Adventure, and he is a frequent contributor to many photography magazines. He has taught hundreds of workshops over the past 25 years and is a KelbyOne Instructor. Photo District News called him one of the best photography workshop teachers in America. You can watch his backstory here http://vimeo.com/120904640. His images have been published worldwide by hundreds of clients, and his assignment work ranges from editorial travel features to national tourism campaigns.

Cree taught high school photography for twelve years, and her students regularly won national awards for their work. She runs a portrait photography business and is known for her evocative images and friendly nature. She loves to experiment in post processing and is often sought out for help with Lightroom and Photoshop. She is a veteran traveler and speaks 4 languages.

Note from instructor:
I think tours are a fantastic way to develop as a photographer, both technically and artistically, and have a lot of fun during the process. I’m available at any time to offer advice and critique of images. I will offer formal classes as well as field demonstrations on technique and creative choices in image making. For those that are interested, we will explore flash technique and light painting. I will also provide participants with “workshop notes”, excerpts from magazine articles I have written on a variety of topics.
I really enjoy working with participants one on one, being able to focus on specific areas with individual’s results in faster, more effective learning. What I enjoy most on workshops is seeing how participants can improve their skills in such a short time.

Please join tour leaders Tom & Cree Bol for this incredible cultural and photographic opportunity. The emphasis of the trip is on photography, yet this is much more, one that non-photographic travelers can enjoy just as well. Days will be filled with unique photographic opportunities, in that there are so many wonderful hidden places to explore. Your leader will seek out obscure settings to visit and photograph, places you would not find on your own.

What to ExpectThe average high temperature during this time period will be 62F in Greenland, with the low being 35F. All participants need to be agile to climb in and out of boats, be prepared for cold, and long hours outside. The hiking trails in Greenland (range from 1-4 miles) begin with well-maintained boardwalks, however they can be quite slippery given certain weather conditions. Eventually the boardwalks become trails, which could be dirt, rocks, even boulders to traverse, having proper and sturdy footwear is necessary. Given this information, you will be amazed by the landscape, and imagery you can capture in this beautiful, untamed country. It’s a must see for all photographers.

All accommodations in Iceland and Greenland will be in ensuite hotel rooms. Single rooms are available throughout the journey. Meals will be of the local variety, which will consist of seafood, lamb, meat and chicken may also be available. Notify Strabo Tours of any diet restrictions, you may wish to take specific snacks in your checked luggage.

Photo Leader TBD

Tour Itinerary

August 13: Home-Keflavik, Iceland

It will be necessary to depart home (from US or Canada). Typical flight schedules to Iceland are overnight and would land very early the next morning.

Please note The group flight to Greenland is currently blocked for August 17th, and the estimated $1400 ticket cost has been INCLUDED in the land cost. If this amount changes it will be reflected on your invoice.

August 14-15: Keflavik

You can land at any time on August 14th. Today and tomorrow will be on your own* (please note typical check in time is 3PM or after). Everyone can take a taxi from the airport to hotel, we will notify you if you can share with anyone.
*In order to meet current entry requirements for Greenland everyone will need to take the required PCR test in Iceland on August 15th. Details on location, time and cost will be announced. Overnights Keflavik (B)

August 16: Reykjanes Peninsula

Your local Icelandic guide will pick you up at the group hotel and you will depart to various areas on the Reykjanes Peninsula for photographic opportunities. You will explore a diverse landscape that most tourists never see. Your local guide will take in to account the light and weather, to determine the photo opportunities. There are cliffs located just south of Hafnir, an old fishing town. Watch the ocean beating along the beach and cliffs. There is also a lovely lighthouse that stands on a hill guarding another spectacular beach.

Depending on the tide, there is also a unique bridge to photograph, standing where there used to be a trading post, swept away in 1799 by a tidal flood. A short hike will take you to the tidal area looking up at the bridge. Taking the weather into consideration, we may visit the unique Viking Ship and Museum.

Your guide will drop you at the hotel around 5PM where you will have the rest of the day and evening to enjoy the small fishing port of Keflavik on foot. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group and prepare for group flight tomorrow. Overnight Keflavik (B, D)

August 17: Iceland-Greenland

Strabo has included the estimated cost of round trip airfare between Iceland and Greenland. Pending any changes flight times are listed. Your Keflavik hotel offers transfer service back to Keflavik Airport. Tom and Cree will arrange time with the hotel staff. Flight is at 8AM.

Upon your Greenland arrival you will be transferred to your accommodations at your 4 star hotel in Ilulissat. During dinner you will be briefed on what’s planned for the coming days and get to know your local Greenland guide. After dinner enjoy your first sunset shoot of Disko Bay, the sea amid the outlet of the Icefjord and Disko Island. The giant icebergs in and around the bay are constantly changing and hopefully will be illuminated by the midnight sun. . (You will have a total of 3 evening – 4 hour boat tours during your stay in Greenland) Overnight Ilulissat (B, D)

August 18-22: Disko Bay Greenland

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by a briefing on the basic theory of how to capture images from a moving boat. During the day explore the Inuit town of Ilulissat and photograph the Greenlandic huskies and those who want can photograph the harbor and document typical everyday life in Ilulissat. You will have other boat adventures a couple evenings. Depart for your Icefjord private boat excursions at 7PM, until around 10PM. In total, each boat excursion lasts four hours, meaning that you will not be back at the hotel till just before midnight

Enjoy your first morning with a late breakfast at the hotel followed by image review and critique on the images from the last couple of nights. During the private boat excursions in the Ilulissat Icefjord, we will instruct the boat captain on how to position themselves in order for us to capture the best compositions and sunset conditions. If lucky, you will also be greeted by humpback, minke and fin whales.

You have time for photography education and walks in this Inuit city. Photography subjects include Greenlandic huskies and their owners, colorful buildings and homes that will captivate you with the local architecture and daily life of these fine people.

One evening enjoy an early dinner and then head out to the old heliport via taxi and start hiking the Kangia hiking trail. The hike takes you along the Icefjord Kangi, where you will spend around 4 hours in and around this area. Here you can photograph the icebergs from viewpoints overlooking the massive Disko Bay and mouth of the icefjord. Those who are interested in photographing geology, flora and local fauna will be in heaven. You will have plenty of time to practice photography in this land of the midnight sun. Overnight Illulisat (B, L, D all days)

August 23: Disko Bay Greenland - Reyjkavik

Depart early this morning for your return flight to Iceland. As of January 2022 an Antigen Covid 19 test will have to be performed to prepare for your flight home tomorrow. You may have to take test kit with you, or appointments will be made for the group near Keflavik Airport. Prepare this evening for flights home tomorrow. Overnight Keflavik (B)

August 24: Keflavik-Home

You can depart at any time today. Given timing of your and Tom & Cree’s flights, there may be time to enjoy a photography walk with them around Keflavik harbor after breakfast. Strabo has requested late check out at the hotel however if it is not available the staff can hold your bags until you transfer back to Keflavik Airport in time for your flights home. (B)