Scheduled flight with Icelandair from Frankfurt to Iceland at noon (departure 2 p.m., arrival 3:35 p.m.). Get a first impression of the volcanic island with the 45-minute transfer from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík. During a city tour we visit the most important and at the same time most photographically attractive buildings in the capital: Perlan, Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa. Dinner in the hotel and brief presentation of the travel program. 1 night / half board in the Hótel Cabin in Reykjavík.

Today we take the ring road from Reykjavík to the northeast of the island to Mývatn, where we stop on the way. Which route to take in the west of Iceland is decided spontaneously based on the weather and light conditions. A longer stop at Skagafjörður, the epitome of rural Iceland, is firmly planned. Glaumbær’s church and historic peat yard offer attractive photo opportunities.

In the late afternoon we finally reach the Mývatn. In the middle of the North Atlantic, we are in one of the regions with the lowest rainfall in Europe and often with clear skies. Since the aurora oval is almost always above this region, the chances of observing the northern lights after dark are extremely good.

5 nights / half board in the Hótel Gígur or Sel Hotel.

The course of the program today and for the following 3 days is primarily based on the weather and light conditions with regard to photography. This can lead to adjustments and changes in the process shown here.

On the first morning (14.09.18) there will be an introduction to the wonderful world of the northern lights. Further lectures and seminars will be held by Stefan Seip after breakfast or before or after dinner.

In the evening it is dark enough from 8:30 p.m. to see the northern lights.

In and around the Mývatn, almost all known volcanic forms on earth can be found in a very limited geographical area. Mývatn’s surroundings were largely created by the active volcanic system of the Krafla. An asphalt road leads into the central caldera, under which there is a magma chamber at a depth of only 3 km. We walk to the lava flows that flowed in the 1970s and 1980s and to Maar Víti. Even before the last series of eruptions, NASA was so fascinated by the strange environment that it sent its future lunar pilots there for training. From a photographic point of view, the bizarre constructions of a geothermal power plant and the solfataras field at Námafjall a little further south on the ring road are particularly attractive.

In the afternoon there is the option of visiting the Mývatn Nature Spa (entry ISK 4300, -). If you don’t want to swim, you will find attractive photo opportunities in the immediate vicinity or you can take a look around the town of Reykjahlið, which is located on the lakeshore.

Today’s tour takes us around the Mývatn on a distance of around 50 km. In the unique area there are numerous strange lava formations, attractive bays, pseudocraters and rare bird species. Among other things, we can admire the pseudocraters of Skutustaðir right next to our hotel on a peninsula, which were created by the collision of lava and water. The lava formation Dimmuborgir (the dark castles), the bizarre rocks on Kalfaströnd and the rapids of the Laxá are further highlights in today’s program. En route stops will again be decided spontaneously.

The waterfall of the gods, the Goðafoss, is our first destination today. The historic waterfall in the Skjálfandafljót River is one of the most beautiful and famous on the island. According to legend, the god þorgeir is said to have thrown the last pagan images of gods into the Goðafoss around the year 1000 after the adoption of Christianity as the state religion.

The further route leads us more or less along the Skjálfandafljót to its confluence with the Atlantic. There is the pretty town of Húsavík by the bay of Skjálfandi. It has become famous for the whales, which can be found in the bay with a high degree of certainty. In addition to dolphins and humpback whales, blue whales are also spotted time and again. You have the opportunity to take part in a whale watching tour (optional, 3 hours, approx. ISK 10,500, bookable on site). The whale museum (ISK 1800, -) and the harbor front with a view of the year-round snow-covered mountains beyond the bay are also worth a visit.

On the way back to Mývatn we visit the geyser Ystihver, whose eruptions occur every few minutes.

The endless lava deserts Oddáðahraun and Mývatnsöræfi extend east of the Mývatn. The only body of water in this bone-dry environment is the mighty glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. In its lower reaches it falls over several waterfalls into the deep canyon Jökulsárgljúfur. We visit the Dettifoss, Iceland’s most powerful waterfall, as well as the somewhat smaller Hrafnagilsfoss. The further organization of the day is decided spontaneously.

Today we leave the Mývatn. First stop is Akureyri, the capital of Northern Iceland. Here is the largest population center in the country outside of the capital district. We take a tour of the sympathetic city, which, thanks to its favorable climate, is astonishingly green despite its northern location. Among other things, we visit the botanical garden, the Akureyrarkirkja(Akureyris Church) and the cozy city center.

From Akureyri there is a short stop in Blönduós to Víðidalur in the north-west of the country. The Kolugil Gorge invites you to stop here – because of the photogenic waterfall, maybe we will see also around 600 – 700 Icelandic horses are herded together from the high pastureshere. From the Kolugil it is only a short drive to the Hotel, where we will spend the night.

2 nights / half board Hotel near Laugarbakkinear

The accommodation / lodge Laugarbakki is one of the most famous Reirerhöfe in Iceland. Today we are allowed to take part in a horse demonstration at the nearby Gauksmyriequestrian center and visit the stables. Then we pay a visit to the Vatnsnes peninsula. You can see a seal colony at the famous elephant-shaped rock Hvitserkur. We get even closer to the marine mammals at a farm on the other side of the peninsula. Finally we make a stop in the village of Hvammstangi. There you have, among other things, the opportunity to buy typical wool products directly from a manufactorer.

With several short stops we drive to Reykjavik after breakfast, free time and transfer to the hotel.

In the morning transfer to the airport and flight back to Germany