ICELAND PHOTOGRAPHIC WITH JOHN GRAVETT

Transcription

1 A photo workshop in southern Iceland Learn new skills from a professional photographer Geysers, waterfalls, icecaps and icebergs Dramatic landscapes and the amazing northern lights A photo exploration of the land of fire and ice HOLIDAY CODE IPW Iceland, Photo Special, 8 Days 1 night lodge, 6 nights guesthouse, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, max group size: 10, 6 days photo workshop VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Created by volcanic action, Iceland has one of the world's most amazing landscapes and this photo workshop has been designed to take full advantage of this. Incredible rock formations, both inland and on the coast, contrast with the unbelievably vivid greens of the mosses and lichens that grow at these northerly latitudes. There are geysers and hot springs and some of the most impressive waterfalls that you will ever see, as well as mountains, icecaps and even icebergs on the famous 'glacier lagoon' at Jokulsarlon. In early April, the landscape will be carpeted with snow and this will bring new photographic opportunities, as the traditional farmsteads, churches, chunky 4WD vehicles and even the black-sand beaches are offset against the whiteness. The other big plus of travelling to Iceland when there is significant night-time darkness, is the northern lights. It will be dark at around 9pm each evening and if the aurora forecast is good, there's every chance of being able to capture this amazing natural phenomenon. A visit to the dramatic Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Station and an afternoon in the quirky ciy of Reykjavik (so photogenic that everyone you meet in the streets seems to be carrying a proper camera) is a great way to end this photographic extravaganza. John Gravett, our guide, has for 20 years run the very successful Lakeland Photo Holidays near Keswick in the English Lake District. He has a passion for passing on the skills he has acquired over the course of his career and is very much looking forward to this workshop in Iceland. You will be blown away by the wealth of photographic opportunities that Iceland can offer! Is this holiday for you? This is a touring and sightseeing holiday with a professional photographer (John Gravett) and a local Icelandic guide. There will be the opportunity to undertake short walks in search of the best viewpoints. There are no long walks or unduly difficult underfoot conditions. There will be a couple of half-day transfers by minibus and the accommodation outside of Reykjavik will be in simple guesthouses. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group's guesthouse accommodation in Reykjavik. Evening briefing from the guide. Rendezvous at the group's guesthouse accommodation in Reykjavik. KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight in the Icelandic capital. Reykjavik is a modern city that is home to 190,000 of Iceland's tiny total population of 280,000. Its centre is small and easy to walk around from our accommodation and there are several restaurants within walking distance for the evening meal. There will be an initial meeting with the local guide at the guesthouse at 6.30 pm. He or she will give a briefing about the trip and advise you on your choice of restaurant for your evening meal. Day 2: Thingvellir, Geysir and Gulfoss - Iceland's 'Golden Triangle'. We have an early morning drive out to Thingvellir, a World Heritage Site and the place where Iceland's original parliament was established. It is located in the Almannagja fissure, where the European and Atlantic continental plates are separating. We will also visit the Geysir geo-thermal area where the name 'geyser' originates from. We will watch, and take pictures, as the 'butterchurn', Strokkur, shoots water 30 metres or more into the sky every few minutes. We will also spend time at the dramatic and powerful Gulfoss - 'golden waterfall' - where a deep channel has been eroded through basalt columns. Tiny flowers can be seen along the walk to the falls, and striking Icelandic horses live in the fields close to the viewing area. There are lots of opportunities for creative

3 PAGE 3 photography. Overnight at a lodge near to the lake of Laugarvatn. Each evening during this holiday we will be on the look-out for the northern lights which can put in an appearance at any time, once it is dark. LODGE MEALS BLD Day 3: Drive eastwards to Kirkjubaejarklaustur via the waterfall of Skogafoss. Today, we will head eastwards along the coast road towards the picturesque Skaftafell region. En route, we will stop off at the amazing waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Depending on the level of the rivers feeding these mighty falls, there can be a lot of spray about, which does add to the drama, as spectacular rainbows are often visible - but do take something to keep your camera dry, a plastic bag perhaps. At Seljalandsfoss you can actually walk right around underneath the falls. Our route continues, beneath the icecaps of Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull (where the volcano erupted in 2010). Look out also for the impressive Icelandic superjeeps, 4WD vehicles on steroids, which make great photographic subjects. Our accommodation tonight is at a recently-built lodge beside a river that cuts through the lava fields on the south side of the coast road and in the vicinity of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. The road out to our lodge takes us across an open plain, with many farms and views back to the peaks and icecaps of the island's interior. MEALS BLD Day 4: A day in the Skaftafell National Park, then on to Jokulsarlon. After a reasonably early breakfast, we drive to Skaftafell and, as we cross the huge outwash plain beneath the Kristinartindar peaks, there are great views of Hvannadalshnukur (2119m), Iceland's highest peak and the icecap that it emerges from, Vatnajokul. There is a choice of hikes, including to the foot of the icecap or to a viewpoint on a hill (one of the lower Kristinartindar peaks) that sits above one of the glaciers flowing down from the icecap. At low level, there is a great walk to a very picturesque waterfall that is framed by perfect basalt columns. Also on this walk, there should be a range of lovely alpine flowers (depending on how well advanced the season is) and a couple of traditional and well preserved Icelandic timber houses. In the late afternoon, we will drive on to our accommodation in the vicinity of the amazing Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon. MEALS BLD Day 5: Photographing the amazing Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon. One of the highlights of the trip is the chance to spend a day at Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon, where one of Iceland's biggest glaciers calves huge icebergs into a 5 kilometre-wide lagoon. The lagoon is almost 200 metres deep. The scenery is something you would expect to see in Greenland, the Antarctic, or maybe in a James Bond movie (at least 2 of them have been filmed here). There are some great photo opportunities here, from the blue ice of the icebergs to the curious terns that nest nearby and seem keen to get involved. There are regular boat tours onto the lagoon and these can be booked and paid for directly. Don't forget to check out the unusual ice sculptures that are washed up on the black volcanic sand of the nearby beach (icebergs washed out to sea, eroded, cleaned and returned to the beach). We spend a second night at our guesthouse close to Jokulsarlon. Once again, if the aurora forecast is good, we will be keen to try to capture photographs of the northern lights in the amazing setting of Glacier Lagoon. MEALS BLD

4 PAGE 4 Day 6: Drive back to Hveragerdi with excellent coastal photographic opportunities en route. Setting off to drive back towards the west, there are a number of great photo opportunities that we can include. On our drive this morning, we will also enjoy some final perspectives on the Myrdalsjokull Glacier. The black sand beach and well-known columnar basalt rock formations at Reyninsdrangar, close to the town of Vik, will occupy us for an hour or so. Nearby is another striking bit of coastal architecture, the rock arch of Dyrholaey, which is capped by a striking lighthouse. There are great views along the coast from here, with the Atlantic breakers rolling onto the black beach, possibly accentuated by late-lying snow. Continuing our journey westwards, the very accessible Seljalandsfoss Waterfall provides some interesting perspectives, especially as we can walk right around behind it. We overnight in Hveragerdi. MEALS BLD Day 7: Hot springs at Hveragerdi, Hellisheidi Power Station and return to Reykjavik. Hveragerdi is known as the hot springs capital of the world and in the colder months, pillars of steam rising up from the numerous hot water pools are particulalry impressive. A final photo stop before ereturning to Reykjavik is at the Hellisheidi Power Station, the third largest geothermally powered plant in the world. Stunning architecture, sinuous pipework and lashings of steam make this a very interesting photographic objective. Returning to the Icelandic capital at around lunchtime, we check in at our accommodation and have the afternoon free for photographing the very compact city centre. John will be keen to show off some of his favourite spots. Old wooden houses, the stunning cathedral, outrageous graffiti and out-of-place, grime-covered 4WD vehicles are just the most obvious photo opportunities. In the evening, we will find a suitable restaurant in which to celebrate the completion of our adventure. MEALS BL Day 8: Departure day. KE Land Only package services end with breakfast at the group's guesthouse. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included John Gravett will provide photo tuition throughout the holiday There will be a professional English speaking Icelandic guide Private transport throughout All accommodation as described Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan What's Not Included Travel insurance Airport transfers between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik are not included Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc

5 PAGE 5 Joining Arrangements & Transfers Transfers between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik are not provided. The Flybus provides the best airport transfer service. The Flybus ticket office is situated just inside the terminal and is clearly signposted. When you buy your ticket let them know which hotel you need to be dropped of at. The Flybus leaves the airport following each incoming flight, minutes after each arrival. The Flybus will take you to the bus station in Reykjavik and you will need to ask the bus driver which bus takes you on to your hotel (the cost of this 'second' bus is included in the Flybus ticket). For the return journey to the airport, your guesthouse reception will assist with booking your ticket and advising you where you will board the bus. For more information please visit ( the cost is around each way. Meal Plan Meals are provided, with the exception of lunches and dinners when in Reykjavik. Food & Water All food is purchased in Reykjavik, with the emphasis on fresh produce and easily-prepared meals. The local tour guide will prepare the group s evening meals. Local specialities predominate, including excellent sea-fish and Icelandic lamb, as well as the chance of fresh Arctic char. Breakfasts will consist of porridge, muesli, bread, jam, cheese, ham, plus tea and coffee. At breakfast, snack items and sandwich materials will be made available so that group members can make up their own packed lunches. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend 3 nights in basic hotel or guesthouse accommodation, situated within a short walk of central Reykjavik. The accommodation here will be based on twin room sharing although it may be possible to book a single room at an additional cost. We cannot guarantee en-suite facilities at any of the accommodation used on this trip. Whilst travelling outside of the Icelandic capital, we will use simple guesthouses, generally with twin-sharing rooms and shared facilities. There is also one night at a simple lodge. For hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary. Group Leader & Support Staff John Gravett will be assisted by an expereinced English-speaking Icelandic guide who will also drive the support vehicle. Spending Money Approximately (in local currency) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses, including your meals in Reykjavik. You can withdraw cash from ATMs in most towns in Iceland using a credit or debit card. If you wish to bring your travel money in cash this can be changed into Icelandic Krona at the airport. Guidance On Tipping Tipping is not really expected in Iceland, but if your guide has done a good job, it would not be unreasonable for the group to invite him or her to your final meal, pay for their meal and offer a small token of your appreciation.

6 PAGE 6 Free KE Gift We would like to give you a free gift as a way to say thank you when you book your holiday. Choose from exclusive KE branded t-shirts, caps, neckwarmers, trek bags* and more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your MyKE account after booking. You will need to select your free gift at least 6 weeks before you depart and all items will be posted out at 5 weeks prior to departure. For all late bookings, we will endeavour to send your FREE gift to you before you travel, however this cannot always be guaranteed. Please visit our Free KE Gifts page for more details of all our KE Branded goodies on offer. Baggage Allowance Your baggage will be carried in the support vehicle. There is no weight restriction other than that imposed by your international carrier. However, we do ask you to restrict your luggage to one main bag (Your KE trek bag) and camera-specific day pack that is small enough to travel with as hand baggage. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Recommended Outdoor Retailers Many of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 15% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers. >> Find out more General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Iceland UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g.

7 PAGE 7 diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an active holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. The best training is to do some walking in hilly country with your camera gear. Climate The weather in Iceland in June is generally fairly good. We can expect daytime temperatures anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees centigrade, dropping to just above freezing in the evenings. At any time of year in Iceland, there is a chance of poor weather, with wind, rain and even snow. But, equally, we can also encounter good days that are clear and sunny. In short, you need to be prepared for English Lake District walking. Bring your waterproofs! Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Books The Rough Guide to Iceland Lonely Planet Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands The Insight Guide to Iceland Iceland. Photo Book. Colin Baxter Maps Island. Mal og Menning. 1:600,000 The Icelandic maps published by Mal og Menning are good. There are several series.

8 PAGE 8 Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Land Only Notes We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis and recommend that you book your flights to Reykjavik (Keflavik) Airport Please refer to Joining Arrangements and Transfers in the trip notes for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the trip is shown on our website as Guaranteed Limited Spaces. If flying from the UK, there are a number of low cost airlines offering flights to Reykjavik. These include Easyjet, who have flights from Luton and from Manchester, WOW Air (and Iceland Express), who have flights from Gatwick & Bristol and Flybe who have flights from Birmingham. Click on the Flight Information link below for further information on booking low cost airlines. Alternatively, if you would prefer to book a Flight Inclusive package using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Operating since 1984, KE Adventure Travel has some of the most experienced staff in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Everyone has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trip support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and other accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

9 PAGE 9 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. You Must Bring The Following Items: Lightweight hiking boots or good walking shoes Socks Trekking trousers / pants Lightweight gloves Lightweight waterproof overtrousers / rain pants Underwear Baselayer shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve) T-shirts and/or casual shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Waterproof jacket Torch / flashlight and batteries Basic First Aid Kit Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 litre / 1 quart Small daypack Washbag and toiletries Small towel Sunhat Warm hat Eyewear Sunglasses Small padlock (to lock trek bag) The Following Items Are Optional: Sleeping bag liner Shorts Warm jacket (down) Travel clothes Trekking poles Insect repellant Antibacterial hand wash Pen-knife (remember to put all sharp objects in hold baggage) Camera Equipment Checklist: Camera body(s) Lenses (wide-angle, telephoto, macro) Filters Flash unit Media (film or memory cards) Tripod Cable release Batteries

10 PAGE 10 Please note: This document was downloaded on 22 Nov 2018, and the trip is subject to change.