THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Photograph glaciers, volcanoes, fjords and mountain villages in Iceland and Norway, with time at night to look for the northern lights. Aurora appearance, strength and visibility depend on natural activity, cloud cover and weather.
About the route
Iceland & Norway A Premier Northern Lights Destination Snæfellsnes Peninsula | Hvítserkur | Lake Mývatn Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon | Vík | Gullfoss Lofoten Islands | Tromsø | Sommarøy Goðafoss Iceland and Norway, two sparkling Nordic jewels, reveal primal beauty at the edge of the world. Glaciers dance with volcanoes, and fjords embrace the aurora. As brilliant green curtains flow across the night sky, the entire land becomes a stage for myth. Here, nature is more than scenery: it is a spectacle that reaches the soul. 01 / Iceland Iceland, a Nordic land of wonders celebrated as the 'aurora capital,' offers a dazzling stage in the night sky. Its eight-month aurora season, from September through the following April, makes the entire country an excellent place to watch the northern lights. Here, that brilliant glow eclipses everything else; only seeing it yourself can convey its true power. Beyond the aurora, Iceland has many more natural wonders to explore. Walk before Gullfoss and feel the power of its water; witness the boundary between the Eurasian and North American plates in Þingvellir National Park; hike through colorful mountains in Landmannalaugar; and admire the peaceful sight of icebergs floating on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. 02 / Norway February in Norway continues the Nordic fairytale. Snow-covered land resembles a dream world, while moonlight casts a silver glow on the snowy mountains. At their feet, islands are scattered across the water with small wooden houses dotted among them, opening onto exquisite fjord scenery. When the northern lights bloom among the stars, every moment immerses you in nature's grandeur.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Owen Ou →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Owen Ou
Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University in 2009. Specializes in landscapes, property environments and commercial portraiture. He has worked with the Shenzhen procuratorate, land bureau, Shenzhen Library, cultural centers, China Merchants Bank, Standard Chartered, Agricultural Bank of China, China Telecom, China Mobile, Guosen Securities, Topway Video, and BMW and Porsche owners' clubs. Photography journeys He regularly leads organizations and photography schools on trips to the Balkans, Iceland, Germany, Greenland, Cuba, South Korea, Canada, Kenya, Laos, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Japan, Chiang Mai, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Semporna and New Zealand. Chinese destinations include Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Sichuan, Suzhou, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Zhejiang. Selected awards Outstanding Work award at the 2009 Pingyao International Photography Festival; silver in the art category of the 2014 Guangdong provincial exhibition; gold in the monochrome category of the 2014 Al-Thani International Photography Competition; Zeyida Photography Club's 2022 Outstanding Instructor award and a 2023 instructor appointment issued in 2022; Fujifilm's 2022–23 Club Gardener Award, received in 2023.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Feb 24 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 1: February 24 — Various departure points–Tromsø
DAY 02Feb 25 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 2: February 25 — Tromsø–Sommarøy
Fly into Tromsø, meet the guide at the airport, and drive 1 hour (53 km) to the hotel in Sommarøy. If the aurora appears at night, it can be photographed directly outside the hotel.
DAY 03Feb 26 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 3: February 26 — Sommarøy–Senja
Take a morning ferry across the strait to photography locations on Senja, often called 'Norway in miniature' (Devil's Teeth, the elevated road, rocky fjords, and more). Overnight at Mefjord Hotel, a 15-minute drive from Devil's Teeth, convenient for aurora photography.
DAY 04Feb 27 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 4: February 27 — Senja–Svolvær
Today is a road trip. Drive in the morning to the fjord town of Bjerkvik, approximately 3 hours (199 km), and have lunch there. In the afternoon, continue to Svolvær, approximately 3 hours (204 km), and photograph the harbour. Overnight in Henningsvær. If the aurora appears, photograph it directly outside the accommodation.
DAY 05Feb 28 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 5: February 28 — Svolvær–Hamnøy, Lofoten
Photograph various viewpoints in Henningsvær in the morning. Afterwards, drive 2 hours (120 km) to Hamnøy, photographing along the way. Overnight in Hamnøy. If the aurora appears, photograph it directly outside the accommodation.
DAY 06Mar 1 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 6: March 1 — Hamnøy, Lofoten
Spend the full day photographing various viewpoints in Hamnøy and Sakrisøya. Stay another night in Hamnøy. If the aurora appears, photograph it directly outside the accommodation.
DAY 07Mar 2 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 7: March 2 — Hamnøy, Lofoten–Å
Photograph various viewpoints in Reine in the morning, then visit Å at the end of the E10 highway for afternoon photography. Overnight in Å. If the aurora appears, photograph it directly outside the accommodation. (Note: Accommodation options in Å are limited. Only this hotel offers one-bedroom cabins with private bathrooms, 4 units, and two-bedroom cabins, 2 units, each with a bathroom shared by its two bedrooms.)
DAY 08Mar 3 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 8: March 3 — Å, Lofoten–Evenes Airport
In the morning, drive 1 hour (56 km) to a Lofoten beach frequented by photographers. Have lunch and photograph in Svolvær at midday. In the afternoon, drive approximately 2.5–3 hours (164 km) to an Evenes Airport hotel, convenient for tomorrow's early flight to Reykjavík, Iceland.
DAY 09Mar 4 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 9: March 4 — Evenes Airport–Reykjavík
Morning transfer to Lofoten's EVE airport. Fly from Evenes to Reykjavík, arriving at Reykjavík Airport in Iceland at 15:20. Stay at a hotel near the cathedral and photograph the cathedral. [Reference flights] DY361, March 4: Harstad/Narvik Evenes–Oslo 06:35–08:20 FI319, March 4: Oslo–Reykjavík 13:10–15:20
DAY 10Mar 5 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 10: March 5 — Reykjavík–Arnarstapi
Today we head to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, beginning our circuit of Iceland. Pass the classic Black Church, experience the peninsula known as Iceland in miniature, and photograph small seaside villages. Volcanoes, glaciers, wilderness, and fjords all come together here. Continue to Arnarstapi, a busy harbour and popular destination where unusual sea cliffs with hollow centres can be seen.
DAY 11Mar 6 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 11: March 6 — Arnarstapi–Snæfellsnes Peninsula
At dawn, photograph sunrise at Kirkjufell, then explore and photograph beautiful Snæfellsjökull Glacier, coastal cliffs, beaches studded with jagged rocks, long canyons, and lovely fishing villages. On the western Snæfellsnes Peninsula, dormant volcanoes and icefields stand side by side. Many of Iceland's oldest volcanoes are here. Though dormant for millennia, their well-preserved volcanic landforms vividly evoke ancient flowing lava.
DAY 12Mar 7 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 12: March 7 — Snæfellsnes Peninsula–Hvítserkur
After photographing Kirkjufell early in the morning, head to Reykholt to photograph Hraunfossar, then continue to Hvítserkur. Hvítserkur is a 15-meter-high basalt formation rising from fjord waters in northwestern Iceland. It formed from an ancient volcanic magma eruption. After surrounding rock was washed away by the sea, the remaining formation came to resemble a prehistoric rhinoceros. Its unusual shape appears to be an inspired masterpiece of the sea.
DAY 13Mar 8 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 13: March 8 — Hvítserkur–Lake Mývatn
The Lake Mývatn area is famed for its unusual volcanic landscapes, with striking black volcanoes and jewel-colored hot springs. Must-see places include the Námaskarð geothermal area, the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters, and Dimmuborgir's 'dark castle' lava formations. We will select characteristic volcanoes and lava landscapes, capturing the colors of this natural palette. Overnight near Goðafoss for convenient aurora photography!
DAY 14Mar 9 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 14: March 9 — Photography at Goðafoss and nearby locations
In northern Iceland's wilderness, Goðafoss shines like a jewel set into the earth, linked to the land by veins of volcanic rock. Sculpted by ice and fire, this region is dotted with countless waterfalls, large and small, and winding river meanders. Every bend conceals a natural wonder that takes photographers' breath away. Iceland's northern and southern landscapes have distinctly different characteristics. Glaciers and lakes dominate the south, while volcanic terrain defines the north, with Mývatn a prime example. Temperatures here are at least 7 degrees lower than in the south. Beneath the white snow, reds, yellows, greens, and oranges remain faintly visible, seemingly random yet unified like colors on Van Gogh's palette. Overnight at a hotel in Mývatn
DAY 15Mar 10 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 15: March 10 — After photographing the basalt canyon, descend and stay nearby in Egilsstaðir
Stuðlagil Canyon lies in eastern Iceland's Jökuldalur, meaning 'glacial valley,' and is one of the country's newly popular attractions. Magnificent, sharply defined hexagonal basalt columns stand in orderly ranks on both sides of a rushing glacial river, creating an expansive and spectacular scene. Increasing numbers of visitors make a special journey to this lesser-known eastern Iceland location for hiking and photography.
DAY 16Mar 11 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 16: March 11 — Vestrahorn, the Bat Mountain
Iceland's Bat Mountain lies between Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon on the south coast and the Eastfjords. This beautiful southeastern peak is known locally as Vestrahorn, or 'West Horn.' Because its shape resembles a bat with wings spread, it is also called Bat Mountain. An immense black-sand beach stretches beneath it, a powerful and unforgettable sight.
DAY 17Mar 12 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 17: March 12 — Diamond Beach
DAY 18Mar 13 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 18: March 13 — Vík Black-Sand Beach
Rows of many-sided columns stand vertically along steep cliffs. Their appeal lies less in fanciful jagged shapes than in rich colors and natural forms. They were formed from hot magma: as lava surged to the cliff edge, it flowed rapidly downward and continued down the rock face for a prolonged period. Freezing weather cooled and solidified the molten lava quickly. Nature's careful carving produced orderly rows of columns along the cliffs, resembling Reykjavík's cathedral at first glance, hence the name Organ-Pipe Cliffs. Nature has sculpted dark, hard basalt into an exquisite organ, an astonishing sight. The organ-pipe cliffs and black beach stand together, watching over this magnificent sea.
DAY 19Mar 14 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 19: March 14 — Vík–Golden Circle–Reykjavík
DAY 20Mar 15 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 20: March 15 — Reykjavík–Flight home
DAY 21Mar 16 · Atlantic/ReykjavikDay 21: March 16 — Arrive home
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Owen Ou
- IncludedServices of excellent local Chinese- and English-speaking driver-guides throughout;
- ExcludedGuide and driver tips: EUR 10 per person per day, EUR 190 for the trip, payable before departure;
View trip staffing details
Photography leader · Owen Ou Included · Services of excellent local Chinese- and English-speaking driver-guides throughout; Excluded · Guide and driver tips: EUR 10 per person per day, EUR 190 for the trip, payable before departure; Excluded · Drivers work 10 hours per day; overtime is EUR 100 per hour per vehicle. For this photography tour, the operator includes 3 overtime aurora shoots free of charge. From the fourth outing onward, overtime costs for aurora photography are shared equally among participants;
Transport
- IncludedTravel in 9-seat passenger vans throughout;
- ExcludedInternational flights and taxes between participants' departure points and Iceland/Norway;
- ExcludedDomestic airfare and taxes;
Travel details and reference schedules
The instructor's outbound and return flights are: [Outbound] February 24, 2027: Hong Kong T1–Helsinki AY100/21:50/05:45+1 February 25, 2027: Helsinki–Tromsø AY935/07:40/08:30 [Suggested flights from Norway to Iceland] March 4, 2027: Evenes–Oslo DY361/06:35/08:20 March 4, 2027: Oslo–Reykjavík FI319/13:10/15:20 [Return] March 15, 2027: Reykjavík–Helsinki AY992/10:00/15:30 March 16, 2027: Helsinki–Hong Kong T1 AY099/00:50/19:10 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website. Included · Travel in 9-seat passenger vans throughout; Excluded · International flights and taxes between participants' departure points and Iceland/Norway; Excluded · Domestic airfare and taxes; Excluded · Drivers work 10 hours per day; overtime is EUR 100 per hour per vehicle. For this photography tour, the operator includes 3 overtime aurora shoots free of charge. From the fourth outing onward, overtime costs for aurora photography are shared equally among participants;
Photography
- IncludedPhotography instruction and service fees for the accompanying instructor throughout;
Photography details
About the route Iceland & Norway A Premier Northern Lights Destination Snæfellsnes Peninsula | Hvítserkur | Lake Mývatn Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon | Vík | Gullfoss Lofoten Islands | Tromsø | Sommarøy Goðafoss Iceland and Norway, two sparkling Nordic jewels, reveal primal beauty at the edge of the world. Glaciers dance with volcanoes, and fjords embrace the aurora. As brilliant green curtains flow across the night sky, the entire land becomes a stage for myth. Here, nature is more than scenery: it is a spectacle that reaches the soul. 01 / Iceland Iceland, a Nordic land of wonders celebrated as the 'aurora capital,' offers a dazzling stage in the night sky. Its eight-month aurora season, from September through the following April, makes the entire country an excellent place to watch the northern lights. Here, that brilliant glow eclipses everything else; only seeing it yourself can convey its true power. Beyond the aurora, Iceland has many more natural wonders to explore. Walk before Gullfoss and feel the power of its water; witness the boundary between the Eurasian and North American plates in Þingvellir National Park; hike through colorful mountains in Landmannalaugar; and admire the peaceful sight of icebergs floating on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. 02 / Norway February in Norway continues the Nordic fairytale. Snow-covered land resembles a dream world, while moonlight casts a silver glow on the snowy mountains. At their feet, islands are scattered across the water with small wooden houses dotted among them, opening onto exquisite fjord scenery. When the northern lights bloom among the stars, every moment immerses you in nature's grandeur. Included · Standard twin rooms at local three- or four-star hotels throughout (note: in parts of Norway, holiday homes or apartments will be used for convenient photography access; thank you for your understanding); Included · Photography instruction and service fees for the accompanying instructor throughout; Excluded · Drivers work 10 hours per day; overtime is EUR 100 per hour per vehicle. For this photography tour, the operator includes 3 overtime aurora shoots free of charge. From the fourth outing onward, overtime costs for aurora photography are shared equally among participants;
Accommodation
- 20 nights
- ExcludedIf a male or female participant has no roommate, or requests a single room, the supplement is RMB 13,000 for Iceland and RMB 9,000 for Norway;
Accommodation details
20 nights Included · Standard twin rooms at local three- or four-star hotels throughout (note: in parts of Norway, holiday homes or apartments will be used for convenient photography access; thank you for your understanding); Excluded · If a male or female participant has no roommate, or requests a single room, the supplement is RMB 13,000 for Iceland and RMB 9,000 for Norway;
Meals
- ExcludedLunches, dinners, and admission tickets throughout;
Visa
- ExcludedTourist visa and visa service fees (the organizing team can handle applications on your behalf);
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
1. Standard twin rooms at local three- or four-star hotels throughout (note: in parts of Norway, holiday homes or apartments will be used for convenient photography access; thank you for your understanding);
2. Travel in 9-seat passenger vans throughout;
3. Services of excellent local Chinese- and English-speaking driver-guides throughout;
4. Photography instruction and service fees for the accompanying instructor throughout;
5. International travel insurance with high coverage.
Not included
1. International flights and taxes between participants' departure points and Iceland/Norway;
2. Domestic airfare and taxes;
3. Lunches, dinners, and admission tickets throughout;
4. Tourist visa and visa service fees (the organizing team can handle applications on your behalf);
5. Guide and driver tips: EUR 10 per person per day, EUR 190 for the trip, payable before departure;
6. Local optional activities are excluded, such as Iceland's Blue Lagoon or Mývatn hot springs and blue ice cave adventures. Participation is voluntary;
6. If a male or female participant has no roommate, or requests a single room, the supplement is RMB 13,000 for Iceland and RMB 9,000 for Norway;
7. Drivers work 10 hours per day; overtime is EUR 100 per hour per vehicle. For this photography tour, the operator includes 3 overtime aurora shoots free of charge. From the fourth outing onward, overtime costs for aurora photography are shared equally among participants;
8. In force majeure circumstances, such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or exceptional events including flight delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary. Additional costs, including extended visas abroad, accommodation, meals, transport and national airfare adjustments, may be charged at cost. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimize participants' losses;
9. Other additional costs not listed under inclusions;
10. Prices above exclude tax. An additional invoice-related tax charge applies if an invoice is required.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements. The images above were taken by the organizing team's instructors.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
The daily itinerary continues through 16 March. The final end date and total duration await confirmation by the operator. Please confirm the full travel dates before booking.
Itinerary dates use Atlantic/Reykjavik. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.