Iceland Westfjords

Your journey to Iceland begins with an overnight flight, arriving early morning on July 9, at Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland.Iceland.

After a very early arrival in Keflavik Airport, our local guide will meet us as we start our tour driving to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This will be our first introduction to this vast, yet intimate country, with several photographic stops planned along the way. This is a full day of traveling and photography. If you would like to arrive early we can provide hotel recommendations near the airport or in Reykjavik City. (D; B)

The best-kept secret of Iceland is the Westfjords. This part of Iceland is an unspoiled pearl, shaped of deep fjords and steep mountains. The Westfjords are Iceland’s most sparsely populated region apart from the highlands. There, life means seabirds on rugged cliffs, Arctic foxes in their lairs, and little fishing villages huddled against sheer mountains where for centuries, people have battled with the forces of nature to harvest the ocean’s riches.

This morning we will take a ferryboat across the beautiful Breidafjordur Bay, stopping en-route to photograph the beautiful and serene Flatey Island. Flatey is one of the thousands of islands on the bay and one of the largest. A monastery was founded there in 1172, and then moved to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We continue our ferry crossing to Vatnsfjordur, arriving in time for dinner, and settle into our lodge.

The next day we head west to Bjargtangar, where we can watch the Puffin and view the largest Razorbill colony in the country. An impressive mountain road leads us down to the wide-open golden-red beach of Raudasandur, deriving its name from the reddish looking scallop shells, where seals are often seen. Contrast abounds in the Westfjords, at Latrabjarg cliff; land meets sea head-on at the 400 meter sheer cliff, the westernmost point of Europe and one of the world’s biggest seabird colonies. (B, D; B)

Another day in the Westfjords, an impressive mountain road leads us down to the wide open golden-red beach of Raudasandur, where seals are often seen. We will take time explore hidden treasures with impromptu stops as we make our way to Dynjandi Falls.

As Pat describes their visit in 2008 ~ our real destination, Dynjandi Waterfall. Wow! The top part was still in the mist, giving it a very ethereal appearance. The falls is also known as Fjallfoss (mountain falls).  The 100 meter high cascade fans out to 60 meters at the base. Below it are a series of cascades Hundafoss, Strokkur, Gongumannafoss, Hrisvadsfoss, and Baejarfoss. Each of these was worth the trip in its own right. (B, D; B)

Over the centuries, Icelanders relied on the horse for all transport and farm work, and Skagafjörður is especially famous for its horses and equestrian traditions. The local guide may be able to gain access for our private group to a local horse farm, providing us the opportunity to photograph these beautiful horses.

We will have two nights to explore the Vatnsnes and Skagi Peninsula’s. Our lodging is in Saudarkrokur, which occupies a triangle of suburban streets with brightly painted houses and views of the bustling harbor. Nearby is the historic turf-roofed farmstead of Glaumbaer, where the first Viking to be born in America lies buried, south of town. (B, D; B)

If an ice cave is open during your time here, we can arrange access early this morning, as we travel west to Skaftafell National Park. The park is located by the roots of the Vatnajökull glacier. Europe’s largest icecap – larger than all other glaciers in Europe combined. Overnight Kirkjubaejarklaustru Area(B, D)

There will be various photographic stops along the way to Keflavik. We return to the airport today for flights home (flight time 4:30PM or after). (B)