Dates Jul 6–19, 2008
Leader Perry Conway
Fee $6,895 from Keflavik, Iceland
Deposit $400
Limit 16
Terms and Conditions

They are the most wonderful and accessible puffin colonies I have ever seen, anywhere. In all of my travels to photograph northern seabird colonies, the name of the game has been to pick out the few puffins from the throng of other seabirds. In Iceland it is just the opposite. At this puffin stronghold it is possible to visit colonies and see thousands and thousands of Atlantic puffins in the air at once. At one notable location, the puffins are so unwary that it is literally possible to touch them! No place else in the world compares to photographing puffins in Iceland!—Joe Van Os

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 spring, millions of breeding birds converge on Iceland, forming some of the most spectacular nesting colonies to be seen anywhere
in the world. We will visit two sites known for their impressive Atlantic puffin populations, where we also expect to photograph murres, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and other gulls. Our trip is timed to coincide with the latter part of the Atlantic puffin nesting season. Now, the birds are foraging for numerous small fish to feed their single voracious chick. At this time of year, we'll be able to capture the “classic” image of puffins standing with fish draping from their colorful bills. They stand outside their burrows, often among tiny but prolific bouquets of dwarf alpine flowers, as they watch for predators before delivering the meal. We’ll spend three full days at the impressive Ingolfschofdi headlands on Iceland’s southern coast and three full days on the western coast at the Latrabjarg cliffs.

Although this trip is designed for photographers who wish to unabashedly produce copious images of these endearing puffins, as we journey from one colony to the next we will also stop to photograph landscapes and other wildlife. The distance between these colonies usually requires a long oneday drive.

If you’ve ever wanted to work on photographing one charismatic species and have the time to thoroughly capture it on film, then this trip is for you. The photography and warm Icelandic hospitality, coupled with Iceland’s natural scenic beauty, the cry of the seabirds, and the smell of salt air blend marvelously in this concentrated summer photo shoot.



Day 1
Depart from US on overnight flights.

Day 2 (Jul 7)
Nonstop flights from the US arriving Keflavik Airport in early morning will be met by our tour bus. After a drive to Reykjavik, we will visit the President’s homesite, photograph common eiders, graylag geese and swans at a downtown pond and rest from our flight. (BLD)

Day 3
We travel through the dramatic volcanic landscape of the southern coast to Skaftafell National Park, stopping at two waterfalls—Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. (BLD)

Days 4–6
We’ll visit the Ingolfschofdi headlands, with their extraordinary puffin cliffs, each day. One of these days will include a visit to Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon with floating icebergs. (BLD)

Day 7
Return to Reykjavik. (BLD)

Day 8
After breakfast, we drive to Budir on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and photograph at the Arnarstapi seabird cliffs. (BLD)

Day 9
We take the early morning ferry across Breidafjordur Bay and continue to Breidavik. (BLD)

Days 10–12
We spend these three days at the Latrabjarg bird cliff. The immense cliff is about 14 kilometers long and teems with birds. (BLD)

Day 13
Full day drive back to Reykjavik. (BLD)

Day 14 (Jul 19)
We depart Reykjavik for Keflavik Airport in time for late afternoon flight departures to the US. (B)





Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.