Iceland Photography Tour in Autumn: Snæfellsnes, Mývatn, Jökulsárlón and the South Coast

Arrival in Reykjavík begins with travellers making their own way from Keflavík International Airport into the city and checking into their hotel. The day then brings the group together for an informal welcome meeting in the hotel lobby, where travellers meet the photo guide and fellow photographers. This is followed by an included dinner at a nearby restaurant and a briefing on the days ahead, setting the tone for the photographic journey.

Day 2 begins with an 8 AM transfer from Reykjavík to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, often called Iceland in Miniature. Stop at Arnarstapi to photograph jagged coastal rock formations in autumnal light and Atlantic haze. Visit the black church of Búðir beneath the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano, then photograph Mount Kirkjufell at sunset, with its cone shape, surrounding waterfall, rivers and hills. After dark, hunt for the Northern Lights with a photo guide following the aurora forecast; sightings are never guaranteed. Breakfast is included in the package.

Spend day three photographing the Snæfellsnes peninsula, returning to a favourite viewpoint or discovering a new corner of the coastline. Photogenic little villages line the shore, framed by mountains and fjords, with autumn colour all around. Continue to Lóndrangur, dramatic basalt plugs rising from the sea near the coast and an excellent photo subject. As the light softens, your photo guide selects a location for golden-hour photography, making the most of the warm sunset light. Breakfast is included before the day’s exploring.

The journey heads north from the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the wild Vatnsnes peninsula, where Icelandic horses roam and resident seals may be seen along the western shore, with sea views toward the Strandir coast on clear days. The highlight is photographing Hvítserkur, a 15-metre basalt rock stack rising from the sea, said to resemble a drinking dragon or a troll turned to stone, captured from multiple angles and light conditions. The day closes with Northern Lights hunting under dark skies, following the aurora forecast, though sightings are never guaranteed.

From Vatnsnes, the route heads north past Akureyri, the ‘Capital in the North’ on Eyjafjörður fjord, and on to Goðafoss waterfall, known as the ‘Fall of the Gods’, where its semicircular shape and autumn colours offer many angles. Continuing to Lake Mývatn, formed by volcanic eruption, you explore Dimmuborgir, an immense lava field of eerie rock formations and craters. After breakfast, the day ends with Northern Lights aurora hunting under dark skies, with sightings never guaranteed.

Day 6 of the tour heads into the Icelandic Highlands to photograph two waterfalls shaped by volcanic rock. First is Aldeyjarfoss, where dark basalt columns frame clear water cascading over them, reached by an off-road drive and a trek through the autumn landscape. The route continues to Hrafnabjargafoss, set in volcanic rock above a blue pool, with the same off-road approach and a possible transfer to a super jeep if conditions require. Breakfast is included before the day’s photography.

Begin day seven around Lake Mývatn with breakfast before exploring the Námaskarð geothermal area, where colourful orange sands, bubbling vents and rising steam create striking photo opportunities. Continue to Hverfell explosion crater, one of the world’s largest, roughly 1 km in diameter, with time to hike its sides and photograph the views. Finish with a soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, warmed by the earth’s volcanic processes, bringing the region’s geothermal character up close on this Iceland day tour.

Departing the Mývatn region, the route heads east toward the dramatic Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, home to Dettifoss waterfall, described as Europe’s most powerful at 100 metres wide and 45 metres high. The journey continues across a highland desert and several mountain passes, with a stop at Rjúkandi Falls, a layered waterfall cascading down a mountainside amid autumn colours. Breakfast is included in the package before the transfer, which ends in the remote and timeless Eastfjords at Djúpivogur.

The journey continues from Djúpivogur toward Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Vatnajökull National Park, south-east Iceland. Breakfast is included in the package before the transfer. At Jökulsárlón, often called the Crown Jewel of Iceland, ancient icebergs drift slowly toward the sea, their white and blue ice marked by black ash scars from historical eruptions. The lagoon can be viewed and photographed from many angles in changing light, with the golden hour a highlight of the visit.

Begin with sunrise photography at Jökulsárlón, watching first light illuminate the lagoon and its icebergs. Continue to Diamond Beach, where ice chunks rest on black sand and make striking photo subjects. Depending on group preferences, the day may include further glacial sights around Vatnajökull National Park. After breakfast, included in the package, the evening turns to Northern Lights hunting, with the photo guide following the aurora forecast and choosing foreground landmarks; sightings are never guaranteed. This day blends ice, coast and night-sky photography in Iceland’s glacial landscapes.

Begin day 11 at Vestrahorn from Stokksnes, where the black sand beach of the Stokksnes peninsula frames the steep peaks of the 454-metre Vestrahorn mountain stretching toward the sea. Morning light or a dying sunset over the rolling tide offers a compelling scene, with the chance of the aurora. Later, join a Northern Lights hunt under dark skies, as the photo guide follows the aurora forecast and selects foreground landmarks to suit any display. Sightings are never guaranteed. Breakfast is included in the package.

Travel south from the Jökulsárlón area to the fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal on Iceland’s South Coast. In Vík í Mýrdal, take in views of the black sand beach and the Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks. Continue to Reynisfjara black sand beach, where the Reynisdrangar sea stacks appear from another perspective alongside towering hexagonal basalt columns. The coastline is especially striking in sunset light. Breakfast is included in the package.

The journey returns from Vík í Mýrdal to Reykjavík, with numerous stops at scenic highlights along Iceland’s South Coast. Explore the headland of Dyrhólaey for views over its sea arch, the coastline, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Walk close to the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue between rugged cliffs. Continue to Skógafoss, a towering waterfall over 60 metres high, and Seljalandsfoss, where a path leads behind the falling water. Breakfast and dinner are included in the package.

On the final day of the tour, travellers begin with breakfast included in the package before leaving Reykjavík. The route then continues with a transfer from Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport. From there, travellers make their own way onward for their international departure. This closing day marks the end of the Iceland journey, providing a straightforward transition from the capital to Keflavík International Airport for outbound flights.