Aurora Borealis & Ice Cave January Photo Workshop 2026

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About this workshop

For nine years, Arctic Exposure has proudly hosted the Aurora Borealis & Ice Cave Photo Workshop, establishing our expertise in this breathtaking region of Iceland. This workshop is dedicated to capturing the stunning northern lights (aurora borealis) and the magnificent ice caves formed by the country’s glaciers.

Participants will have the opportunity to visit some of Iceland’s most iconic sites, including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and the glacier lagoon, all located along the South Coast. These remarkable locations are familiar from travel shows, movies, and countless photographers’ portfolios. The winter landscape enhances the beauty of these sites, providing an ideal backdrop for northern lights photography.

In addition to well-known attractions, we will explore lesser-known gems and beautiful ice caves. Each year, new caves are formed by the glaciers, requiring us to scout both new and existing sites to ensure safety. Our specially modified super trucks enable us to approach these remote glaciers and ice caves comfortably.

Throughout the workshop, our focus is on you and enhancing your photography skills in these incredible settings. The soft winter light in South Iceland casts a magical glow on the glaciers and ice, transforming them into stunning sculptures. With a maximum of eight participants in each group, you will receive personalized attention from our skilled photography guides, who are eager to assist with any questions. This workshop is ideal for photographers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. Experience the captivating beauty of Iceland’s glaciers in winter, set against the striking contrast of black volcanic sand.

Workshop Summary

duration
Date – January 8 - 15, 2026
8 days / 7 nights
payment
Price – $5,600
Deposit of $2,000 upon booking. Single room supplement adds $950
Guide_Sigurdur_Hrafn_Stefnisson
Guide – Sigurður Stefnisson
Or just Siggi, has years of experience as a photography guide and has published a book about the northern lights!
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small-groups
Available – Available
Maximum of 8 participants
activity-level
Activity Level – Easy to Medium
See our FAQ page for our acitivity level guide
More info
location
Location – Iceland
South Coast of Iceland
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Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival in Iceland and check into your hotel in Reykjavik. Check-in starts at 3 p.m. In the evening, we meet for a group dinner in Reykjavik where we briefly go through the tour itinerary, safety instructions, and some practical things before we start our adventure in Iceland.

DAY 2

Þingvellir National Park and Vik i Myrdal. This area has some of the most iconic waterfalls and dramatic seascapes in the country, such as Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skogafoss waterfall, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and Dyrholaey peninsula.

DAY 3 & 4

Glacier Lagoon, Ice Beach & Ice Caves. We will photograph the Jökulsárlón or Glacier Lagoon area for the next two and a half days and have a plethora of great locations to choose from. We will explore the best available ice cave deep under the Vatnajökull glacier, for which we will provide all safety gear such as helmets and crampons. Never enter ice caves without an Icelandic guide and safety equipment.

DAY 5

Höfn, Stokksnes and Vestrahorn mountain. The Stokksnes area is below Vestrahorn. It is a very picturesque mountain with black sand dunes in the foreground and a shallow beach with reflections. In winter, we can expect spectacular light on the mountain.

DAY 6

Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Vik i Myrdal. All of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve is surrounded by spectacular scenery such as glaciers, some of the highest mountains in Iceland, and waterfalls such as Svartifoss (Black Falls), to name a few. To visit Svartifoss there is about an hour hike.

DAY 7

Vik and finish in Reykjavik. After a morning shooting in the Vik area, we travel back to Reykjavík, visiting some excellent shooting locations on the way. We check into our hotel in the capital and say farewell as the workshop concludes here. You then have some time to go out for dinner, explore, photograph or just rest for your flight home tomorrow.

DAY 8

Departure day. Breakfast is included at your hotel, and check-out is at 11 am. You can schedule your flight at any time that’s suitable for you.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Send us your name and email, and we'll get back to you.

If photographers would like to extend their stay in Iceland it is easy to arrange private day tours before or after the workshop. Popular day-trips include the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or Reykjanes Peninsula. For cancellation and refund policy for our workshops, please visit the Terms & Conditions page.

What's included

  • All accommodations with private bathrooms during the workshop
  • Guided by a professional Icelandic photographer
  • Image critique and post-processing session
  • 4x4 truck transportation
  • All meals, except dinner on the last night
  • Ice cave tour
  • Safety gear will be provided, such as helmets and crampons
  • Northern lights photography
  • Packing list and equipment recommendations for this workshop

What's not included

  • International flights
  • Cancellation and travel insurances
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Dinner on the last night
  • Gratuity for your photography guide
  • Airport transfers from KEF airport to Reykjavik and back
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Workshop photo gallery
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Testimonials

Ice Caves, Aurora Borealis and Winter on the South side of Iceland Arctic Exposure’s Photo Workshop of Northern Lights, Ice Caves, and diamonds on the black beach was a fabulous week of capturing beautiful photos. Our guide Aron was so knowledgeable, showing our small group all of his special spots and knowing when to be there depending on the weather plus avoiding the many tourists. I am so glad I chose Arctic Exposure’s trip around the southern part of Iceland. It was Awesome....! Workshop date February 2020
Peggy Sue
Epic photo tour with Skarpi Awesome trip!!! I highly recommend choosing Skarpi if you want to take this epic photo trip. Went on week long photo tour with Skarpi in Dec 2019 along the south coast of Iceland. Skarpi took us to stunning locations to shoot several waterfalls, 2 ice caves, horses in the snow, a glacier lagoon, chunks of glacier looking like massive transparent ice cubes on a black sand beach and my favorite: the northern lights (Aurora Borealis). Skarpi is a native icelander who has been running tours for many years. He knows just about everyone. We went in his jacked up 4x4 mercedes sprinter that got us easily over iced up backroads to cool spots where the run of the mill photo tour bus can't go. Skarpi keeps it to small groups so all get his help and all get to know one another. Keeping it small also allows him to be flexible one what we do and shoot based on weather and needs and wants of our group. I learned a bunch about landscape longer exposure photography, merging images in lightroom and other lightroom techniques to get the most out of these stunning settings. I took my 82 year old dad who had just as good a time as I, with amazing photos and great stories. The daylight is very short and the landscape and ice caves are surreal like another planet. well worth the adventure. Skarpi arranges all hotels and meals and generally less touristed places outside of Reykjavik. Skarpi loaned us all a set of crampons for walking the icy trails when needed. But i highly advise many layers as it gets cold out in the wind. there are a bunch of stores to buy extra gear if you are underprepared in Reykjavik. Highly recommend a bag of ski type hand and foot warmers for the week. I researched other providers who looked like they tried to copy Skarpi's itinerary but none had his local knowledge and experience. Workshop date December 2019
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