What you get on this adventure: An award-winning photojournalist and a professional local guide with extensive knowledge of the area Seven days of hiking, photography, and workshops One-on-one mentoring, photo critiques, and portfolio reviews Transportation from Keflavik to Reykjavik and back Private driver guide & mini van for 5 days Three and four-star hotel accommodations for the duration of your tour Meals as indicated in the itinerary All activities listed in the itinerary What’s not included: Transportation to Iceland Meals not included in the itinerary Guide gratuities — optional Activities on day 8

How fit do I need to be?

This is an educational photography tour, not an intense hiking adventure, meaning that hiking and photography beginners with decent fitness levels are welcome. You will be traversing variable terrain several hours a day for 6 days and spelunking in an ice cave with crampons on your feet on day 5. Keep in mind that you will also be carrying your camera gear and a daypack loaded with things you’ll need throughout the day and that there’s a good chance you’ll encounter challenging weather conditions.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Durable hiking boots or shoes Hotel clothes and shoes Warm, weather-resistant outer layers Spare clothes for layering and 6 days of hiking Waterproof rain jacket Waterproof gloves Warm hat Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera and all necessary gear A laptop — recommended Crampons — provided by guide Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: This tour usually consists of a professional hiking guide, a photography expert, and up to 8 participants. The minimum number of participants for this tour to operate is 4. Gather your photography friends and go on a private tour! It takes a minimum of 7 people signed up for a tour to operate. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. Hiking and photography tours in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Reykjavik, Iceland, the starting point of this tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport 45 minutes away. From there, your guide will arrange for your transportation to the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina in downtown Reykjavik.

On recent volcanic activity in Iceland

Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice”, has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact. However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation. Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on. First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do. Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever. And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed. In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit: https://safetravel.is/ https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3-BXYuYrw

Covid measures in Iceland

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s official guidelines for international travelers . Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

A hiker crossing an icy landscape in Iceland

A photographer taking pics at sundown in Iceland

Vik Hotel with an amazing natural backdrop.

A map of the Northern Lights Photography Tour program.

The Northern Lights dancing above a forest in Iceland.

Some glacier with a snowy backdrop in Iceland

A hiker admiring the green skies above Iceland.

A hiker traversing glacial landscapes with an ice ax.

Northern Lights over an icy landscape in Iceland.

A dark road next to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon creates a contrast of colors.

The Aurora Borealis dancing in Iceland's skies.

Iceland

Northern Lights Photography Tour in Iceland

Season

March

Duration

7 days

Difficulty

Guide

Tate Drucker

Questions, additional dates, private groups

Book a call

From $4,400 () / 7 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Iceland is so spectacular that it’s hard to take a bad photo there. But how about a perfect one? Join award-winning photojournalist, Tate Drucker, for a hands-on photography workshop along the south coast of Iceland to learn the tricks of the professional trade. You’ll sharpen your photo-taking skills capturing towering waterfalls, search for herds of wild reindeer amid multicolor lava fields, and hike to horizon-shattering glaciers and deep-blue ice caves. As you level up through individual mentoring, portfolio reviews, and post-production workshops, you’ll be ready for one of outdoor photography’s greatest achievements: capturing the evasive Northern Lights in all their glory! People say that a camera can’t do Iceland justice—prove them wrong, and have a great time in the process.

Adventure highlights

Join a tour led by Tate Drucker, a renowned photojournalist

Master the art of wilderness photography with an award-winning photojournalist
Landscapes seemingly made to be snapped

Explore some of Iceland’s most iconic (and photogenic) landscapes, and go home with spectacular pics
Go on a hunt for Northern Lights

Follow an itinerary carefully crafted for capturing the Northern Lights in all their glory

Itinerary

Round up your photographer friends! It's time for the most unique photography workshop imaginable.

Over the course of seven days, you will hone your photo skills in the setting of Iceland's otherworldly nature alongside an award-winning photojournalist. Visit and photograph the island’s most iconic landscapes, such as black sand beaches, glaciers, waterfalls, and the Northern Lights, while improving your technique with educational hands-on workshops and one-on-one mentoring. Spend your off-time in scenic hotels on an itinerary custom-made for Aurora Borealis chasing. This special tour will run with a minimum of 7 photographers signed up.

Meet your guide and photography expert at your hotel in downtown Reykjavik. Explore the city’s bustling streets with colorful storefronts, and great restaurants. Then, retreat to your hotel and regroup for an early-evening photography workshop.

Hotel: Reykjavik Lights Hotel
Set out for the small seaside village of Vik. Along the way, visit two of Iceland’s most powerful and iconic waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. In Vik, go for a golden hour photo walk on the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, taking pics of its basalt sea stacks, before retreating to the hotel for your evening workshop. Time for your first night of searching for the Northern Lights.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Hotel Búrfell
After a sunrise shoot, you’ll follow Iceland’s coastline through the sprawling Eldhraun lava fields populated by wild reindeer, stopping to hike along the ridge of the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. Explore the jagged lava columns of Svartifoss waterfall and trek the spectacular Svínafellsjökull glacier. Then, visit Diamond Beach, a black-sand beach covered in fluorescent blue icebergs.

Proceed to the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, your hotel for the next two nights, chosen for its remote, light-pollution-free location and dark skies. Enjoy an evening workshop by the fireplace before setting out to the glacier lagoon to look for and photograph the Aurora Borealis.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Gerði Guesthouse
Make an early start for Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s most spectacular glacier lagoon with building-sized icebergs calving from the Vatnajökull glacier. Look for seals and herds of reindeer as you walk and take photos along the water’s edge.

From Jokulsarlön, travel towards the village of Höfn, stopping to hike the windswept Stokknes valley. After lunch in the village, take a photo tour of its sleepy harbor and colorful houses before heading back towards Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach for an evening workshop and more Northern Lights hunting.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Gerði Guesthouse
From Fosshotel, you’ll set off into Vatnajökull National Park to explore one of its spectacular ice caves. Strap on your crampons and head deep into the belly of the glacier with a professional ice guide. After a day of exploring and photographing the caves, travel west to the village of Vík. Settle back into a familiar hotel, enjoy a workshopping session, and head back out on a final bout to capture the Northern Lights.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Hotel Búrfell
From Vik, head inland to photograph Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle. Here, you get to wander multicolor hot springs and watch the magnificent Geysir erupt. Visit Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most photo-worthy waterfalls, and hike along the craggy boulders that separate the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park. Then it’s back to the Icelandair Hotel in the Reykjavik Marina, where you’ll enjoy a final photography workshop.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Hotel: Reykjavik Lights Hotel
This final day includes another day of shooting, as well as more time to finish photo editing, critiques, and portfolio reviews. Get to last chance to enjoy Reykjavik and spend some quality time with fellow photographers. Your adventure finishes tomorrow.

Meals included: Breakfast
Hotel: Reykjavik Lights Hotel
Say goodbye to your photography instructor, fellow photographers and to Iceland—or continue touring on your own!

Meals: Breakfast

Get free trip brochure

Download Northern Lights Photography Tour in Iceland Brochure

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Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guide

5.00

Tate Drucker

Born and raised in New York, Tate’s travels and work have taken her to over 70 countries around the world. After receiving her B.A. in Photojournalism from San Francisco State University, she moved to East Africa and started her work as a news and travel photographer, writer, and guide. She has seven years of experience designing and leading photography workshops in places such as the Arctic, Peru, Finland, Morocco, Italy, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An award-winning photojournalist and a professional local guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Seven days of hiking, photography, and workshops
  - One-on-one mentoring, photo critiques, and portfolio reviews
  - Transportation from Keflavik to Reykjavik and back
  - Private driver guide & mini van for 5 days
  - Three and four-star hotel accommodations for the duration of your tour
  - Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  - All activities listed in the itinerary
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Iceland
  - Meals not included in the itinerary
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Activities on day 8
This is an educational photography tour, not an intense hiking adventure, meaning that hiking and photography beginners with decent fitness levels are welcome. You will be traversing variable terrain several hours a day for 6 days and spelunking in an ice cave with crampons on your feet on day 5. Keep in mind that you will also be carrying your camera gear and a daypack loaded with things you’ll need throughout the day and that there’s a good chance you’ll encounter challenging weather conditions.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Durable hiking boots or shoes
  - Hotel clothes and shoes
  - Warm, weather-resistant outer layers
  - Spare clothes for layering and 6 days of hiking
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Waterproof gloves
  - Warm hat
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera and all necessary gear
  - A laptop — recommended
  - Crampons — provided by guide
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
- - This tour usually consists of a professional hiking guide, a photography expert, and up to 8 participants.
  - The minimum number of participants for this tour to operate is 4.
  - Gather your photography friends and go on a private tour! It takes a minimum of 7 people signed up for a tour to operate.
  - The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Hiking and photography tours in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Reykjavik, Iceland, the starting point of this tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport 45 minutes away. From there, your guide will arrange for your transportation to the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina in downtown Reykjavik.
Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice”, has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.

However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.

Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.

First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.

Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.

And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.

In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
https://safetravel.is/
https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info

Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3-BXYuYrw
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s official guidelines for international travelers.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund.
  - For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen(119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - For cancellations seventy-five (75) to eighty nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.