itinerary

WELCOME, your icelandic adventure is about to begin

MEET your aweventurer guide, beth and fellow travellers

HEAD straight to the geothermal blue lagoon

TRAVEL to your hotel while enjoying scenic views of Reykjavík during the season of the midnight sun

HARMONISE with nature during your private golden circle tour

TOUR the stunning national park, Þingvellir, decorated with lupins

WITNESS the hot water at strokkur geysir blasting 20m in the sky

HIKE to the mesmerising sight of the gushing golden (gullfoss) waterfall

JOURNEY to the centre of the earth, snæfellsjökull

MARVEL at the 700,000 year-old glacier-capped volcano

CLIMB kirkjufell aka game of throne’s “arrowhead mountain”

WATCH the sun set over the shimmering lake surrounded by indigo lupins

DRIVE to landmannalaugar aka the ‘people’s pool’ in the southern highlands

HIKE the colourful rhyolite mountains with shades of red, green and yellow

BE AWED by the jagged, black obsidian of a lava field

UNWIND in the natural geothermal baths and soothing springs

CURL your toes in the sand of the black beach, ground down from black volcanic rock

VISIT the charming, picturesque coastal village of vík í mýrdal

MAKE a stop at a 120m high natural rock arch/bird sanctuary, dyrhólaey

REFLECT under the iconic, gushing seljalandsfoss and skógafoss waterfalls

PREPARE yourself for a 4 to 6 hour private volcano hike

HIKE through the rugged, moon-like landscapes of reykjanes peninsula

OBSERVE the bubbling mud pots, large lava fields and geothermal spas

PHOTOGRAPH the striking Fjadrargljufur Canyon

WONDER at your final icelandic sunrise as you celebrate the end of your life-changing adventure

RISE for your final icelandic sunrise

FAREWELL breakfast altogether

CATCH a last glimpse of the mossy lava fields, desolate volcanoes and vivid lupins

MISS you already

inclusions

• 6 nights accommodation

• beth’s guidance throughout the trip to:

  • develop or hone your personal style / aesthetic

  • take self-portraits (or portraits of others) with natural and captivating poses that tell a story - including tips on props, clothing and compositions

  • work with natural light and the elements to create atmospheric, otherworldly images, with no need for Photoshop

  • achieve timeless and subtle editing on adobe lightroom to turn your photographs into artworks, without sacrificing any of the raw integrity of the images

• beth’s complete collection of lightroom presets

• 24/7 aweventurer guide on hand to help with any details

• private airport pick-up and drop-off (at a set time)

• english speaking local guide for all tours at the golden circle, snæfellsnes, landmannalaugar, south coast, reykjanes peninsula & volcano hike

• 6 breakfasts

• private transport for 7 days

• entrance/admission fees with included activities

• soak in the hot waters of blue lagoon

meet your host

as a child, british photographer beth hodgson lived deeply within her imagination. with an affinity towards nature and the magic she saw in it, she captured the world around her with disposable cameras, learning from her photographer father. but, as beth grew up and began to monetise her hobby by becoming a wedding and product photographer, she grew disenchanted. that child who saw a world of wonder in every ray of sun and curl of a bracken leaf seemed to have got lost amongst briefs and invoices and other adult mundanities.

longing to reconnect to nature and the imagination that had been so bright in childhood, beth challenged herself to create images solely for her own enjoyment in lockdown 2020, allowing every whim to develop into a finished piece of art. this led to her developing an extensive collection of atmospheric, dreamlike imagery that teeters on the edge of fantasy, but is, in fact, made up of authentic moments captured in collaboration with the wonders of nature.

an invitation from beth

on this trip, as well as making lifelong connections with likeminded creatives and exploring some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world, you will be able to learn everything that beth has to teach you about nurturing your creative inspiration and the visual art of storytelling through photography. with the photogenic icelandic scenery as your artist’s playground, beth will help you:

• develop or hone your personal style / aesthetic.

• take self-portraits (or portraits of others) with natural and captivating poses that tell a story - including tips on props, clothing and compositions.

• work with natural light and the elements to create atmospheric, otherworldly images, with no need for Photoshop.

• achieve timeless and subtle editing on adobe lightroom to turn your photographs into artworks, without sacrificing any of the raw integrity of the images. (all attendees will also receive Beth’s complete collection of lightroom presets).

the aim of this trip will be to light a creative fire in each of the attendees, leaving them with a sense of excitement and direction in regards to their own work, and memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. from long days exploring and capturing photographs together, to evenings swapping stories and ideas and editing images from that day, the voyage to the land of fire and ice will surely act as a catalyst of inspiration to everyone who attends.

locations

during your tour with us, you’ll be staying in two 4-star hotels, each catering to a different experience. the first hotel is a modern lifestyle hotel located in the heart of reykjavík, situated by the old harbour area. exeter hotel offers a sauna and fitness room, along with an in-house restaurant and bakery. you will also stay at the luxury landhotel in south iceland, inspired by scandinavian architecture. in the midst of diverse icelandic nature, landhotel has stunning views of highlands and lowlands and is also nearby to iconic, scenic sites.

FAQs

How will we experience awe?

Iceland is one of the most popular travel destinations around the world due to the diverse array of breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty it offers. We have specifically chosen a time of year where you will see the natural phenomena of both the midnight sun and the lupins in full bloom. Nature lovers will be charmed by the Icelandic mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, beaches and lagoons, as well as be awed by the vibrant blooming purple flowers, lupines, decorating all of the scenic wonders. Over the course of seven days, our schedule is filled with both adrenaline rushes such as during the treks and hikes, to relaxation zones sporting wondrous sights of beaches and waterfalls. Trust us, these locations will inspire awe.

How is the trip themed?

The trip is designed to expose you to as much awe and inspiration as possible. As our focus is nature, we will visit mesmerising waterfalls, lagoons, mountains, volcanoes and beaches. For instance, from the geothermal blue lagoon filled with mineral salts, blue-green algae and silica renowned for skin-healing properties to the twin-peaked Snaefellsjökull volcano to the colourful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar.

How do I get there?

Our journey begins and ends in Reykjavik so fly into RKV, Reykjavik Airport. You’ll first meet your tour guide and other travellers at the airport, where we will then head straight to the renowned geothermal Blue Lagoon. After this unforgettable bathing experience, you will be privately transferred to your hotel, enjoying views of laval fields and purple lupines from the coach window.

What is the rooming configuration?

The trip is priced on a twin share basis, so you get to know your fellow travellers and have a bestie for the entire journey.

When should I book my flights?

Airfares are subject to change without previous notice until the issue time. Flight details are needed 45 days in advance. Please confirm allotment and departure date when booking on our website.

How can I pay?

Pay the deposit now, and we will contact you for final payment due 60 days prior to trip departure. Prices on all our trips are in $USD. We also have flexible payment plans so you can pay in instalments that work for you - just email us at operations@aweventurer.com to set it up. Final payment will be via bank transfer. We recommend using Wise, which is also a great way to pay while you’re on the trip - a digital safe app with preferential foreign currency exchange rates. If you’d like to pay the remainder by credit card, there will be a surcharge.

What should I pack?

• Day pack for carrying essentials and for hiking

• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes with good grip

• Warmer layers of clothing (as Iceland is known to be very cool)

• Swimmers

• Sunglasses for that midnight sun and an eye mask for sleeping

• Electrical universal adaptor

• Water bottle

• Umbrella and wet weather gear (just in case)

• Camera

Will there be downtime?

Whilst our days are designed with plenty of activities to give you the best Icelandic experience, there will be time for downtime in the evenings or days when you are free to explore on your own.

Will I need a visa?

Obtaining a visa is the individual responsibility of the traveller. Please note that entry requirements can change at any time. Be sure to check with your government’s foreign travel advisories and consular websites to ensure you have the correct information.

What should I do about travel insurance?

It is required for all travellers embarking on an Aweventurer trip to sign up for travel insurance.

What does the Aweventurer team do?

We provide the most thorough support for you to have an epic travel experience with us. From an on-the-ground local host to our team at HQ, there is always someone available to help solve any issues you may encounter. Throughout your expedition, a local host will accompany you and your fellow travellers to make sure you have everything you need for an inspiring and safe. You are also able to reach out with any concerns or questions – before, during and even after your trip. We pride ourselves on prompt responses and are happy to hear from you, whether by email, phone or via a Zoom call, on how we could improve your stay or anything we need to prepare before your arrival.