I just finished a VIP Private Winter Photo-Tour to an impassable part of the North Highlands of Iceland. Photo-tours in North Iceland during Winter are one of a kind. We call it a tour through a winter wonderland -is that a cliché? Yes maybe but that’s exactly what it is. The North is a great example of why this island is called ICELAND.
Hrafnabjargafoss is a gem missed by many
Unlike other more visited parts of Iceland the snow usually stays all winter long on the north coast, which is great, but it comes with the price that some of the roads to the best locations are impassable. So in order to still get to those locations during the Photo Workshop we use a Super Jeep, which is also great, big trucks on huge tires to take us where we need to go. Great for adventure seekers and great for those who prefer to photograph the unspoiled winter setting.
This winter has been unusually rough to say the least with heavy storms, a lot of snow and very cold temperatures - unusually cold temperatures. Even I was cold, although wearing all my layers and running around all the time. This how ever was expected because we had an exceptionally good summer with high temperatures and alot of sunny days. All Icelanders know a summer like that comes with a very high price and extremely difficult winter.
This route we took is closed off for normal tourists during Winter due to high maintenance with heavy snowfalls. In collaboration with my friends at ICEAK, who run a specialised 4x4 SuperJeep company with modified vehicles to drive on snow and the best mountain-drivers available, I can safely and comfortably offer Private Photo-tours to the area and I tell you it´s always an experience.
Dettifoss is one of the coolest Waterfalls in the world!
On this VIP Photo-Tour I had 2 very nice ladies. Seasoned travelers like myself, dedicated to using the time and photo opportunities to the utmost. In total we traveled 4 days. We visited locations like Aldeyjarfoss, Hrafnabjargarfoss and Dettifoss and the easier to reach Goðafoss. All these Waterfalls offer spectacular winter sceneries and the best thing for us photographers because it is so difficult to get there during winter there are usually no tourists… so we basically have the place to ourselves. The snow is untouched, the duration at each location is totally up to the group and no outside disturbances. As we started the tour in Reykjavík we enjoyed other scenes along the West and North-West coast like: Barnafoss, Hraunfossar, Hvítserkur & Kolufoss. This VIP Photo-tour to impassable parts of Iceland included some of my all-time favorite winter locations in Iceland, I have got to consider myself one of the most privileged photo-guides out there.
On the tour we had both difficult weather and circumstances, a bit of a snowstorm, getting the truck stuck, digging it out, slow travels, very cold temperatures, deep snowfields to cross by foot, dangerous snow edges and I must say it was an absolute real adventure - it is going to be one of those unique trips I won´t forget and my clients were tough as nails. With the stormy weather and rough conditions we had on this tour, our talents as photographers were tested. The waterfalls partially frozen and some completely covered by snow, the sky completely white and no contrast between the untouched snow covered ground and the heavy clouded sky. Exactly the reason I love this place, it challenges you mentally and technically and professionally.
You can see the conditions, locations and some of our adventures on this VIP Photo-Tour to Impassable Parts of Iceland in my latest video: