Babak Tafreshi | National Geographic Photographer, Explorer, Speaker

Iceland Aurora PhotoTour March2018

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2018 March 11-18 + March 7-11 (optional)
Chase and photograph aurora borealis in the best time of the year at one of the world’s best destinations for the northern lights. The photo workshop is led by the National Geographic night sky photographer who takes you to some of his favorite location, fills you with practical information on when to expect to aurora, what to see in the night sky, and guides you in both aurora and general nightscape imaging, while also sharing tips on day-time photos. The Iceland partner company who locally coordinate the trip also contribute with a tour leader who is both an astronomy expert and a knowledgeable person about nature and history of the area.

Iceland has much more to offer than only aurora. The main photo tour takes you to west Iceland and Snæfellsnes peninsula, home to the iconic Kirkjufell mountain & waterfalls. The area is regarded as a miniature of the entire country due its diverse unearthly landscape, from waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, to cultural landmarks. We begin from the capital in the southwest and end in Keflavik near the airport. Iceland weather is challenging but we depend on our mobility and excellent access to local weather information. Every single clear night during the trip we will have a practical session on both aurora and nightscape photography and timelapse imaging.

How to Join
Step 1: Secure your spot by paying $300 deposit here with credit card or PayPal.
Step 2: Complete the booking and fulfill the payment by 2018 Jan 15 with a check (US) or bank transfer. You can also cancel until this date with full refund. After this date the deposit won’t be returned.
Step 3: Babak and Iceland team will be in touch with you over emails to prepare you for the trip.
Magnificent aurora above Kirkjufell during a major solar storm in March 2015. Appeared on the cover of National Geographic special issue Hidden Earth.
Itinerary & Cost
7-day/7-night program  $3450 +$850 single occupancy
Day 1 Sun Mar 11: arrival, Reykjavik sightseeing, Aurora chasing near Grotta lighthouse (weather depending)
Day 2 Mon Mar 12: To the north, Deildartunguhver hot spring, Hraunfossar waterfalls, Hallmundarhraun Lava Cave
Day 3 Tue Mar 13: An adventure drive on a snow truck to visit inside a glacier tunnel! Back to the main road and continue north to visit the Viking living museum/village
Day 4 Wed Mar 14: To Snæfellsnes, visit Kirkjufell
Day 5 Thu Mar 15: To Snæfellsjökull National Park, home to the iconic volcano of the same name, featured by Jules Verne in the Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864).  Visit to Arnarstapi coastal cliffs
Day 6 Fri Mar 16: Visit more of the national park and possibly an ice cave
Day 7 Sat Mar 17: Drive back, visiting Akranes Lighthouse, coastal attractions in Reykjanesskagi (Southern Peninsula), night in Keflavik
Day 8 Sun Mar 18: departure

Optional Iceland Icons Package March 7-11
5 day/4 night Golden Circle & Southern Shore  $2200  +$500 single occupancy
Mar 7: arrival, Reykjavik sightseeing
Mar 8: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss
Mar 9: Skogafoss, Sólheimajökull glacier tongue, Vik (southern tip)
Mar 10: Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
Mar 11: Seljalandsfoss & Urriðafoss on return to Reykjavik

The first night of September 2017 Iceland Photo Tour in Reykjavik. Photo: Parham Ashoori
All inclusive
Both programs include not only the workshop lessons and night outs, also private bus (from Reykjavik), all accommodation, main meals (breakfast & dinner) and snacks, as well as side programs such as the glacier tunnel. Lunch is not included but we will make stops for the group to purchase food when needed.
On the arrivals, airport transfer to Reykjavik is easy and affordable by flybus, every half an hour from the airport.

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Reservation is closed (booked out). See the Sep 2018 program, or contact me to be on the March 2018 waiting list.