Iceland - Secret Highlands
Key Information
Dates:
26 Jul - 02 Aug 2025
Duration:
7 days
Accomodation:
tents
Physicality:
challenging
Group Size:
6 clients
Price:
£1700 (£500 Deposit)
This workshop is fully booked. Please sign up to the mailing list or email me.
What to Expect
Spend 6 days hiking in seldom photographed areas of the Icelandic Highlands through remote valleys and across open plains with some of the most incredible scenery imaginable. We'll photograph conical volcanos, ice-caps, jade coloured lakes, red craters and wide mountain vistas. There are no cliches and no tourists. We'll be seeing an Iceland few have ever seen before and it will blow you away! Every night we will be staying at outstanding locations to give us the best possible opportunity to capture stunning images.
Although we'll be focussed on our photography this trip also allows you to experience real adventure and immerse yourself in the outdoors. We'll ford rivers on foot, trek across vast plains, over moss covered hills and along remote lakes. One night we'll even camp right next to a natural hot pool with views on the doorstep! I've spent almost 20 weeks hiking in the Southern Icelandic Highlands so I know the areas very well indeed. The kit I provide is the best available. You'll be in safe hands throughout giving you the freedom to explore at will.
Itinerary
Saturday- 6pm meet and greet at the Reykjavik Hostel where we are staying in two private bunk rooms. You may book private rooms or a separate hotel if you prefer but the hostel is a good base to sort kit and explain its use - the hostel adjoins the campsite so I can demonstrate use of the tents and stoves as well as buy gas. We'll go out for dinner in town.
Sunday - an 8am SuperJeep pickup takes us right into the heart of the Highlands where we will hike a few kilometers to camp with an incredible wide view of the surrounding landscape.
Monday - Thursday - Each day we will hike to a new and spectacular location. Although on most days the distances we cover will actually be quite small. This is an area with a lot of photographic potential so to race through it would be a bit of a pity!
The highlight is our camp at a remote hotpool. Unlike many of Iceland's hotpools which have become commercialised this really is a hidden gem! The hike finishes by walking the length of a highland lake to camp at a red crater - it's a photographer's playground!
Friday - After a short walk the SuperJeep will pick us up and we'll drive back to Reykjavik stopping off at a spectacular Highland waterfall.
Saturday - Flights home
Tuition
I will be on hand at all times to help you with your images should you wish. There will be plenty of opportunity for 1-to-1 time. We'll cover technique, lighting and composition making sure you come away with incredible shots. The level of independence and tuition is entirely flexible, depending on individual interests and needs.
Fitness And Experience
You do not need prior wilderness camping experience to join this workshop. You will be provided with all the advice you need prior to the start date. This route can be completed by anyone with a good level of fitness. The fitter you are, the easier the route will be, but you don't need to be a professional athlete to come along! I have guided many men and women of all ages and abilities over recent years.
Each day we will be walking with our backpacks around 6-10km, on one day we will walk 15km. Whilst there are a few climbs and descents the route is predominantly undulating or fairly flat. We'll be taking a steady pace to make sure we can have a good time hiking as a group.
Equipment
I can provide the very best lightweight camping equipment perfectly suited to our route. This includes 2-man Terra Nova Quasar tents (sharing), Rab Neutrino 400 sleeping bags, NeoAir Xtherm sleeping mats and MSR Windboiler stoves. If however you would prefer to use your own kit then you are welcome to (I will check with you that it is suitable). I will be sending out a detailed guide and equipment list once the trip is booked.
Additional Expenses
The trip does not include food (advice in the provided guide, we will eat out on the first and last nights of the trip), flights or the bus transport from the airport to Reykjavik campsite (around £40 return Flybus+ ticket will take you to and from the Laugadalur campsite/City Hostel). Camping fees are included if we have to stay at a designated campsite. However hut fees are not included if severe weather requires us to spend a night in a hut. You will also require travel insurance.
Price And Booking
This workshop is priced at £1700 with a £500 deposit required to book your place. The remaining £1200 is due 2 months before departure.
This workshop is fully booked. Please sign up to the mailing list or drop me an email.
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