Dates June 11–23, 2005
Leader Wayne Lynch and local guide
Fee $5,895 from Keflavik, Iceland
Deposit $400
Limit 16
Terms and Conditions

The island of Iceland, the second largest European island after Great Britain, lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge—a major seam between the European and North American tectonic plates. These two plates are splitting apart at remarkable geologic speed, making Iceland one of Earth's most geologically restless areas. Iceland is a veritable cauldron of geothermal activity, whose twisted lava forms, geysers and bubbling hot springs are honed by the power of the relentless North Atlantic.

Located only a few degrees south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland attracts great numbers of colonial seabirds to nest on its precipitous cliffs and offshore islets. Each year, millions of breeding birds converge on Iceland, forming some of the most spectacular nesting colonies to be seen anywhere in the world. We will be visiting one of the most populous sites—the outstanding Ingolfschofdi headlands—where we expect to photograph puffins, murres, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and gulls. At this time the birds are actively feeding their hungry chicks, and the activity is nonstop.

Numerous lakes, ponds and tarns with their adjacent habitats give rise to a host of breeding waterfowl of 18 species, including whooper swans and harlequin ducks. Loons, shorebirds, terns and ptarmigans may provide us good opportunities to shoot many arctic species.

Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the summer countryside of Iceland sports green moorland, grasslands and heaths. The grasslands and wet meadows at low altitudes can be dotted with beautiful flowering members of the pink, saxifrage, rose and daisy families softening the harsh edges of the volcanic terrain.
Swift rivers and 10,000 thunderous waterfalls flow across the tortured volcanic landscape. Rhyolite hillsides, striking basalt columns, imposing glaciers, a spectacular rugged coastline—including an awe-inspiring iceberg lagoon—and an ever-changing light on the land spawn seemingly endless possibilities for images of powerful graphic intensity.

Join Wayne Lynch in one of the richest locations for puffin photography—and some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in the world—during the long radiant days of Iceland’s short summer.



Day 1
Depart from home.

Day 2
Non-stop flights from the US arrive in Keflavik in early morning. After arrival, transfer to Fludir, stopping for photography en route. (LD)

Day 3
We visit the famed Geysir area with hot springs and the active geyser, Strokkur. Not far away is Gullfoss waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in a land of many outstanding ones. (BLD)

Day 4
Today we photograph in Thingvellir National Park. Here the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is spreading apart and we will be able to actually walk in the tectonic fault—the geological border of Europe and America. Later we drive to Borgarnes and continue to Budir at the shores of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. (BLD)

Day 5
We spend a full day on Snaefellsnes, including the Arnarstapi seabird cliffs. We photograph birds and the spectacular coastline. (BLD)

Day 6
After a morning of photography in the area, we drive to Reykjavik. We will visit the President’s homesite and photograph common eiders, graylag geese and swans on a downtown pond. (BLD)

Day 7
Today we head toward the coast traveling through dramatic volcanic landscapes. We shoot the impressive Skogafoss waterfall and a variety of wildlife on our eastward route. (BLD)

Day 8
We photograph arctic terns at Dyrholaey and then continue to Skaftafell National Park. (BLD)

Days 9–11
We explore the spectacular glacier country at Skaftafell. Svartifoss, one of Iceland’s fantastic basalt-based waterfalls, will be on our agenda, plus seabirds at the Ingolfschofdi headland, glaciers, the Jokulsarlon iceberg lagoon and a variety of other photo subjects. (BLD)

Day 12
We drive the coast route photographing our way back to Reykjavik, stopping en route to shoot waterfalls and the rugged Icelandic landscapes. (BLD)

Day 13
Depart for home on late afternoon flights. (B)


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