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WILD PHOTOGRAPHY H O L ID AY S NORTH ICELAND MÝVATN BIRDS & PUFFINS IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

HIGHLIGHTS INTRODUCTION burrows on the edge of the sea cliffs. Located right on • Peak time for birds in Iceland This is a brand new three base bird trip dedicated to the Arctic Circle it is magical to enjoy Puffns lit by the • Puffns in the Arctic Circle photographing the birds of North Iceland. After several midnight sun when most other folks are asleep. In • Grímsey Island and Hrísey Island years running bird photography tours in Mývatn area, a Mývatn we will have the opportunity to use hides to pho- • Lake Mývatn and breeding ducks world renowned breeding area for ducks and otherworldly tograph the abundant waterfowl and other species. In • Opportunity to photograph birds from a hide landscapes, we have decided to extend our tour to Ice- addition to Grímsey and Mývatn we have added two • Colourful geothermal areas and volcanic landscapes land’s far North Hrísey Island and the Arctic Circle where nights based in Dalvík overlooking Eyjafjörður. The Eyjaf- • Eyjafjörður & Nature Reserve we will focus on the Puffns and Sea birds of Grímsey jarðará, Hörgá and Svarfaðardalsá river estuaries and in • Sunrises and sunsets in dramatic locations Island. This creative adventure photographing birds in particular the magical Hrísey Island are among the best • Sigurgeir’s famous bird museum the Icelandic landscape starts at the beginning of June places in Iceland for bird photography. At this time of • Midnight sun when the birdlife is at its most active and prolifc. Mi- year in Iceland the alpine fowers are in bloom and the • Goðafoss Waterfall grants have arrived and all are very conspicuous defend- Icelandic landscape is enhanced by hours of soft ambi- • Fabulous spring fowers ing their territories. Grímsey Island is possibly Iceland’s ent light cast by the midnight sun, welcome to Iceland in • Two fights across Iceland best location for photographing the Puffns who live in summer!

Day 2,3,4: Lake Mývatn After breakfast we leave Akureyri to drive South to Lake Mývatn. En route we may spend some time at one of Ice- land’s most spectacular waterfalls Goðafoss before travel- ling to our comfortable cottages are situated right next to Lake Mývatn, Iceland’s fourth largest lake located at the edge of the volcanic zone cutting through the north of Iceland. It is fed by water welling up from a number of Some of the birds we hope to see and photograph on springs on the lakeshore. Craters and volcanoes domin- here too. The River Laxá fowing from the lake is the this tour: Atlantic Puffn, Razorbill, Ptarmigan, Kittiwake, ate the landscape. The shoreline is deeply incised by prime habitat for Harlequin and Barrow’s Goldeneye in North Atlantic Fulmar, Arctic Tern, Arctic Skua, Great numerous small inlets and speckled with about 50 is- Iceland. These two ducks do not breed anywhere else in Skua, Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Eurasian lands and small islets. Mývatn is famed for its birdlife Europe. Wigeon, Teal, Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck, Common both on and around the lake. In May all migrants have Over the next two days we will make the most of the long Scoter, Northern Shoveler, Long-Tail Duck, Great North- arrived and the birds are very conspicuous, defending hours of daylight by exploring the best of what this area ern Diver, Red-throated Diver, Horned Grebe, Red-necked their territories. In summer more species of duck have has to offer both in terms of birdlife and the unique Phalarope, Snipe, Redshank, Golden Plover, Ringed made their homes in the Mývatn region than in any other landscape. The area is starkly beautiful, an otherworldly Plover, Whimbrel, Gyrfalcon, Black Tailed Godwit, Mer- location on earth, it is a paradise for bird photographers. landscape of spluttering mud pots, weird lava forma- lin, Northern Pintail, Oystercatcher, Pink-footed Goose, We have often photographed the Great Northern Diver tions, steaming fumaroles, volcanic craters, serene pools Raven, Dunlin and Purple Sandpiper. and breeding birds crazy with hormones. We always do our best to meet our guests expectations. We will con- DAILY ITINERARY centrate on photographing birds in the landscape, some- Day 1: Flight to Akureyri times from a hide. Our tutors will be helping you to do Wild Photography Holidays services commence with a this in a creative way. They will also to make sure that fight from Reykjavík to Akureyri where we will meet and you have a full grasp of the technical skills required for transfer you to our frst night hotel. Following dinner at modern bird photography. Keep a look out for the Gyr our hotel we will have a group meeting, introductions Falcons who nest in the area and fnd rich pickings dur- and a trip briefng followed by an image presentation. ing the breeding season. During the times when we are Should you wish to fy up to Akureyri a day earlier we not out in the feld our tutors will be helping you to re- would be able to book you into the hotel for an extra view and process images together with showing you ex-

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com amples of their own work for inspiration. we will photograph around the coastal end of the nature breeding colonies. Weather permitting we will hope enjoy Cottages Lake Mývatn (B,L,D) reserve around the Lake Hrísatjörn. The Slavonian Grebe the evening light and to return on the last ferry at 23:30. and Whooper Swan breed here every year. At the east of Hotel Dalvík (B,L,D) Day 5–6: Dalvík and Hriséy Hrísatjörn there is a hide. After breakfast we leave the Mývatn area to drive North, Day 7–8: Grímsey On our second morning we will take a leisurely drive through Akureyri and on to our hotel in Dalvík located on This morning we take the 09:00 ferry (3 hrs) to Grímsey along the fjord to visit various bird locations before re- the edge of Eyjafjörður. En route we will visit bird loca- Island where we’ll be staying for two nights. The ferry turning to Árskógssandur for an afternoon ferry to the tions. We will have an early evening meal before explor- journey is a fne opportunity to see some stunning vistas tiny Island of Hrísey, it takes just 15 minutes. Around ing Svarfaðardalur Nature Reserve, the frst wetland area of North Iceland, we often see whales en route. After 40 bird species nest in Hrísey, some can only be counted granted protection in Iceland. The area of Húsabakki at settling into our comfortable guesthouse we will begin in a few pairs while others are in thousands. The main the inland end of the Svarfaðardalur Nature Reserve is our exploration of this serene island which is basically reason for this unusually large concentration of birds is just 5 km from our hotel. From the path a wide variety of just one giant bird colony. Grímsey is the northernmost that all hunting and gathering of eggs is banned plus waterfowl and waders maybe seen; also Ptarmigan and inhabited Icelandic territory, just 5 square kilometres there are no predators such as foxes, minks, mice or rats. passerines. Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and Greylag with around sixty residents and it is located on the Arctic The Ptarmigan is a protected species on Hrísey, although Geese are abundant and Harlequin Ducks are often seen Circle. The north Atlantic current brings some warmth it is hunted elsewhere in Iceland. Waders have dense on fast-fowing reaches of the river. In the evening light from the Gulf of Mexico, promoting a surprisingly mild

Day 9: Grímsey & Akureyri We will have a whole day to continue our explorations of Grímsey before taking the 17:00 sailing for Dalvík. From here we will make the short drive to Akureyri and our last night hotel where we will enjoy a fnal dinner together. Hotel Akureyri (B,L,D)

Day 10: Homeward Flights Following breakfast we will transfer you to the local airport for fights back to Reykjavík. WPH services fnish at climate despite its northerly position. The main commer- from Reykajvik’s domestic airport and you will need to be this point although if necessary we are able to book a cial activity here is fshing, there are a few sheep and at the airport at the latest 30 mins before the fight de- hotel for an extra night in Reykjavík, please enquire at collecting seabird eggs is also common. This small island parts. If you prefer to stay in Reykjavík the night before the time of booking. (B) is the best location in Iceland for photographing the At- this fight, we can arrange a hotel for you, although this lantic Puffn, especially in fight. Puffns are easily pho- is not included in the price of the holiday. It is totally JOINING ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSFERS tographed at numerous locations almost any time of day. possible to travel from most European airports to make There will be one single transfer meeting the recommen- Fulmars, Murres, Razorbills and Kittiwakes nest on these the internal Iceland connection in the same day. The ded fight in Akureyri. This fight is included in the price same cliffs. There is a colony of Arctic Terns right out- fight to Akureyri takes around 45 minutes and departs of the holiday. Please double check with the offce for side our guest house. Red Guillemots nest and fsh in the from Reykjavík’s domestic airport which is close to the the time of this fight, but it will probably be the 18:55 pretty harbour and Red Phalaropes dart energetically BSÍ Flybus Terminal. Return Flybus tickets are included around the village pond. Also vying for our photographic in the price of this holiday and will be sent to you in ad- attention are the nesting Oystercatchers, Sandpipers, vance of your arrival. It is important that you let the of- Plovers, Wagtails, Wheatears and Buntings that are fce know the times of your international fights well in widely distributed across the island. advance of your arrival in Iceland. The journey into Reyk- Our guest house on Grímsey is perfectly located close to javík takes about forty fve minutes. If you plan to fy the bird cliffs. it is clean, simple and guests will share a through to Akureyri the same day that you arrive in Ice- room. We will have the whole house for ourselves. Grím- land, then you will need a fight that arrives in Kefavík sey is the only place in Iceland located on the Arctic International Airport by no later than 15:00 on Day 1. Circle. The seascapes, including an array of wild fowers, On Day 10 the group will fy back to Reykjavík after are fabulous and the dramatic Arctic light makes for breakfast on the 08:25 fight from Akureyri to Reykjavík’s Domestic airport. If you wish to catch a homeward fight

ACCOMMODATION We will be using a variety of accommodation. In Akureyri we will stay in a comfortable hotel surrounded by trees close to the domestic airport and fairly close to the city centre. Our accommodations outside Akureyri are chosen for their locations and proximity to great birdlife and landscapes. In Mývatn we stay in attractive 2 bedroomed or single bedroomed cottages by the lake. The single cottages are limited so enquire at the time of booking. The two bedroomed cottages are spacious with a shared bath- room, small kitchen, inside and outside sitting area. In Grímsey we stay in a large house very close to the bird cliffs. We will have shared room/ bathrooms. In Dalvík we stay in a Hotel with private bathrooms.

FOOD on this day you would be advised by ourselves to make it WHAT’S INCLUDED All meals are included in the price. The most common for the afternoon. Please contact the offce for advice if • 9 nights accommodation Icelandic dishes are fsh and lamb and we can of course there is anything that you do not understand. • Two fights Reykjavík – Akureyri and back cater for a wide variety of culinary tastes as long as this • Flybus transfers is mentioned on the booking form. Flybus Airport Transfer • All meals The Flybus is included in the price of this holiday and it • Transport and ferries ALCOHOL is the most convenient way to get from Iceland’s interna- • Photographic tuition This is rather expensive in Iceland. It is worth consider- tional airport to Reykjavík and back. The coach takes you • Transfers to and from Akureyri Airport ing bringing a bottle of your favourite ‘tipple’! All the to the BSÍ central bus station. There you will be directed restaurants that we eat in serve alcohol. to a smaller bus that will take you to the domestic airport.

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com origin. Visas are not required but a return ticket will need to be shown by Australian, Canadian and USA nationals. Other nationalities please enquire before booking.

COVID RESTRICTIONS Please contact the offce for up to date information.

LANGUAGE Icelanders speak Icelandic. They also tend to speak rather good English.

CLIMATE SPENDING MONEY CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS Iceland’s climate is tempered by the Gulf Stream. Sum- Icelandic Krona can be easily obtained at the airport The best solution to temperature control is to have a mers are mild and winters rather cold, the weather is ATM machine; these are plentiful throughout Iceland. number of layers available from lightweight thermal un- very changeable at all times of the year, there may be There will be opportunities to buy presents and souvenirs derwear through mid-layer insulation to a windproof rain, sunshine, drizzle and snow all in the same day. As in some of our locations. Credit cards are accepted in all jacket. For the lower body choose a pair of trousers that far as we can make a guess, expect weather that is prob- places for even very cheap purchases. you can move in easily rather than jeans as the latter ably similar to April/May in the UK. Most importantly for take a very long time to dry should we be caught in a us, the lack of pollution means that the clarity of the TRAVEL INSURANCE shower and provide little protection against wind-chill light is often exceptional with phenomenal ‘big skies’ Please ensure that you have adequate Travel Insurance when wet. If you have any questions feel free to contact and really atmospheric cloud patterns. that includes repatriation in case of accident. Please us at anytime before the trip. make sure your equipment is insured too. Iceland is not in the EU, so please check with your insurance company SUGGESTED CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT that cover extends to non-EU countries. • Warm trousers (not jeans) • Long sleeved thermal tops and leggings PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS • Long sleeved shirt/tee-shirt A passport valid for at least three months beyond length • Light feece/wool jumper of stay required by all except nationals of Austria, Belgi- • Warm feece type jacket um, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, • Waterproof jacket Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and • Waterproof trousers Sweden who are only required to produce national iden- • Warm socks tity cards issued by the authorities in their countries of • Lightweight walking boots/shoes

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com • Wellington boots • Although not essential camera flters such as neutral • Light warm hat density, graduated flters and polarisers can be useful. • Gloves At least one neutral density flter in the range of 4–6 • Casual clothes for hotel wear stops would be a good addition to your kit.

• Sun cream, sunglasses & sun hat • Lens cloth • Small basic frst aid to include plasters, blister repair • Sensor cleaning device (optional) e.g. Compede, needle/cotton & any personal medicines • • Small penknife Lightweight ‘trekking’ absorbent towel for drying cameras and equipment

PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION • Rain cover for camera and camera bag

• Specially designed camera bags or rucksacks like F- • Suffcient memory cards for the whole holiday as it may Stop, Lowepro and Peak design. not be possible to buy more during the trip. more questions, please get in touch. Talking to us on the phone (we will always call you back) can often be a quick • A camera with interchangeable lenses such as a digital • A laptop with the image editing applications of your way of sorting out individual questions. It also helps us SLR or a mirrorless system camera. choice, essential for checking and presenting images to get to know each other before the holiday. • A set of lenses to cover the whole range from wide- during the trip and for one-on-one sessions with the tutor. All of the places we stay in have Wi-Fi. angle to telephoto, for example… BOOKING THIS HOLIDAY For full-frame cameras: 16–35mm wide-angle, 24– • Backup storage device (optional) Fill in the online booking form, or give us a call on 105mm mid-range and a 70–200mm or longer tele • Spare batteries and chargers +44 (0)1270 440222. zoom. For crop format cameras: 10–20mm wide-angle, • All the electrical sockets are European three-pin, so 17–50mm mid-range and a 70–200mm or longer tele you might need a travel plug adapter. LINKS zoom. View images and information for this tour on the website. • As long a telephoto lens as you own and are comfort- PARTNERS Read about our approach to teaching photography able to carry in the feld. Tele zooms of 80–400mm or Although this is primarily a photography holiday, non- 150–600mm are a good choice. If you own a fxed 500 photographer partners will be very welcome as there are or 600 mm telephoto, bring it. many options and interesting possibilities in addition to • Spare camera taking photographs.

• Sturdy tripod – not only useful for low light photography but also for accurate framing and composition MORE QUESTIONS? of landscape and close-up images. While we hope that this information has answered most of your questions about the holiday, we know it will not • Remote release to avoid shake on long exposures give you all the information you need. If you have any