Autumn Highland photo Tour
Autumn Highland photo tour
2025 Fully booked.
2026 September 13-18th - spots available.
6 days – 5 nights
Group size: Min. 4 – Max 7 persons - 5 spots left.
A combination of the mild autumn light and fewer visitors at this time of year makes this trip to the south Icelandic highlands all the more special. We use a special lifted, modified truck to get us safely over open rivers and primitive roads. Once we reach our destination, we often wind up on our own, enjoying the serenity of pristine nature in peace. Far away from the busloads of tourists, we're surrounded by an amazing volcanic landscape that you will learn about from your photographer/ guide.
Some of the highlights of this trip include the colorful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, black sand moon-like areas and lava fields covered in green moss and black and brown hyaloclastite mountains. You will also see black and red volcanic sand, streams and waterfalls. We go deep in the highlands to secret places which very few people get to see. Still, it's easy to walk around these areas, and our van is always nearby, so you don’t have far to carry your gear. We will also take a pause from gravel roads and visit Vatnajökull National Park with its glaciers outlets and drifting icebergs. Icelandic horses and sheep can often be spotted grazing on the roadside. We will take advantage of good light when presented, early morning and late evening. We stay 4 nights at the same accommodation since it's in a good location for day tours into the highlands, plus it allows us to choose which place to visit depending on the weather. Not all areas are better in the sunlight. This way, we can make this tour as successful as possible. If we're lucky and conditions are right, there is a good chance of capturing the Northern Lights at this time of year.
Price per person includes all meals, accommodation, photographer/guide and all transport in our spacious trucks: Double occupancy ISK 550.000—Single occupancy ISK 635.000
Scroll down for itenirary.
From the Tour
DAY 1: THE THJORSÁRDALUR VALLEY, GJÁIN CANYON, BEAUTIFUL WATERFALLS
You will be picked up around 8 am and head towards the Thjórsardalur area, which is situated at the doorstep highlands. In the late afternoon, we will take the highland road to the moonscape area of Veidivötn lakes (Fishing lakes) Accommodation: Highland hotel.
DAY 2: LANDMANNALAUGAR AREA
In the Landmannalaugar area, you will see ample evidence of volcanic activity, including the multicolor rhyolite mountains, the Laugahraun Lava Field and the multicolored Brennisteinsalda Mountain with its steaming sulfur pots. Have your hiking shoes prepared for a 3-hour (moderate) walk. Optional is a shorter and easier hike. Accommodation: Highland Hotel.
DAY 3: FJALLABAK HIGHLAND ROUTE VIA VOLCANO HEKLA
Today we check out and travel to south east part. We choose our highland road depending on the weather. With a dry and calm day we can travel a remote and moonscape highland route called Krakatindaleid into the colourful Hrafntinnusker Mountains. With less favorable weather we choose a highland route that lies lower in the land. Accommodation: Hrifunes.
DAY 4: KATLA GLACIER & RAUDIBOTN - THE RED CRATER
We begin the day by going to Katla glacier outlet. In the afternoon we drive into the highlands via Snæbylisheidi route and hike into the handsome Red Crater that was formed during Eldgjá eruption in the 10. century. This hike - slow pace is about 2,5 hours. Accommodation: Hrífunes .
DAY 5: GLACIER DAY, PLUS FJALLSÁRLÓN LAGOON AND JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON & FJALLSFJARA BEACH OR NICKNAMED "DIAMOND BEACH"
Time to take a break from the gravel roads in the highlands. We will drive east toward Vatnajökull Glacier National Park, where there are many places to photograph on the way. Yet, our central theme will be Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon area including the Diamond Beach and Fjallsár Lagoon. Accommodation: Hrifunes.
DAY 6: LAST DAY - FJALLABAK MOUNTAIN ROUTE HRIFUNES TOWARD REYKJAVÍK, MT. MAELIFELL AND MARKÁRFLJÓTSGLJÚFUR CANYON.
We will leave Hrífunes Guesthouse and head back to Reykjavik. We will take the highland route south behind Mýrdalsjökull Glacier where we find the amazing Bláfjallafoss Waterfall, Mælifell (the pyramid mountain) and color deposits at Markárfljótsgljúfur Canyon, along with many other highland pearls. Arrival at your hotel in the Reykjavik area will be approx. 6-7:00 pm.
TOUR FACTS
Name of tour: Late summer highland tour
Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Participants: 3-6 persons
Price includes:
Accommodation: All accommodation costs during the tour. Pick up and drop off at hotel in Reykjavik.
Meals: Breakfast from the second day until the last day, picnic or light restaurant lunch every day, dinners from day one until the second to last day.
Transportation & guiding: Professional English speaking driver guide and photographer, Vehicle: 4X4
Not included:
Cost of flight to Keflavik/Iceland, transportation to and from airport (although this can be arranged), hotel accommodation in Reykjavík.
more information: info@phototours.is
Climate and clothing recommendations
The Gulf Stream is what makes Iceland inhabitable, and without it, the whole country would most likely be covered by ice. The winters are fairly mild and summers are cool. The weather can be unpredictable and very windy and rainy at times. A popular saying in Iceland is “if you don’t like the weather right now, just wait five minutes” as you may occasionally experience the four seasons all in one day: sunshine and mild temperatures to windy, cool temperatures with rain or even snow. The average temperature in January is 0 C (32 F) and the average temperature in July is 12 C (54 F)
In the view of the climate description above, we can only advise visitors to be prepared for everything. No matter what time of year you plan to visit Iceland, always pack some warm and water resistant clothes, hats, gloves and good walking shoes.
Practical list, independent of the season of the year
Clothes:
1. Warm underwear
2. Sweater or a warm jacket/coat
3. Wind- and waterproof overcoat and over trousers
4. Extra pair of warm socks
5. Gloves and a cap
6. Hiking shoes (waterproof boots for winter photo tours)
7. Slippers and possibly light trainers
9. Sunglasses (optional!)
10. Electric converter (Iceland uses 220 volts)
11. Torch or headlight (winter photo tours)