Day 1 Various locations → → Shanghai ★Departure day
All day
Today is the departure date. Tourists from all regions are requested to meet at Shanghai Pudong International Airport by 21:30 (the specific meeting location will be provided on your itinerary) according to their preferred transportation method. They will then check in with their tour leader. International flights are advised to arrive at the airport four hours in advance. Please plan your schedule accordingly and avoid being late.
Day 2 Shanghai → Brussels → Reykjavik
All day
We took an early morning flight, transferred in Brussels, Belgium, and flew to our destination this time - Iceland.
When we were transferring at Brussels Airport in Belgium that day, our luggage was not checked in directly and we had to check in and re-check in at the airport. The flight we selected had reserved a transfer time.
Upon arrival, we will be picked up at the airport and take a bus to Reykjavík for a city tour. We will visit Hofdi House (where former US President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in 1986), the Herringbone Boat, Harpa Concert Hall, Törnin Lake, Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral (exterior), and other scenic spots in Reykjavík, giving us a glimpse into the unique charm of Iceland, a country steeped in Nordic fairy tales.
Dinner is included today. After a long flight, everyone is likely a little tired. After dinner, you can rest early in the hotel and prepare for the next day of Iceland photography.
About air tickets:
Due to flight suspensions by several airlines, including Scandinavian Airlines, the current flight options between Shanghai and Iceland are limited. This itinerary requires a transfer in Brussels, Belgium, and baggage will not be directly transferred, requiring rechecking during the transfer. However, we have reserved ample connecting time. The current flight options are an optimal solution based on a comprehensive consideration of flight availability, registration fees, and other factors. Please confirm flight availability before registering. International flight departure times vary by departure group, so please refer to the flight times in the group departure notice. Thank you for your support and understanding!
丨 Full refund if visa is rejected:
How to cancel the visa:
After the trip, you need to collect your passport and round-trip boarding passes and send them to the consulate for visa cancellation. This is expected to take about half a month. Please arrange your itinerary after returning home.
About the team:
This trip is an independent China-TravelNote tour, and we will arrange 1 China-TravelNote photography leader + 1 Chinese tour guide to lead the group.
Day 3 Reykjavik → Golden Circle (Parliament National Park + Gullfoss + Geysir) → Kedringa Mountains → Reykjavik
All day
Today we will officially start our photography tour in Iceland, starting with a visit to the [Parliament National Park]. This is the junction of the Eurasian and American tectonic plates, and has great historical, cultural and geographical significance.
We then went to Geysir for photography. This large geyser area erupts with a jet of water over 20 meters high every five minutes or so. The vibrant colors under the sun create a vibrant and powerful photo. Among them is the Storkull Geyser, which reaches a height of 40 meters and is the world-renowned crown of Iceland's geysers.
Afterwards, we'll head to the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall for photos. Located on the Hvita River, this waterfall has a drop of approximately 32 meters and boasts stunning scenery. On clear days, you'll often see rainbows, which shimmer like gold in the sunlight, earning it the nickname "Queen of Waterfalls."
Depart at the right time for your creative journey to the breathtaking Kedelinga Mountains. Here, pristine moss, ribbons of snow, and geothermal sulfur springs create a desolate, lunar-like atmosphere, perfect for photoshoots.
After the photoshoot, we returned to Reykjavik and checked into the hotel.
Day 4 Reykjavik → Seljalandsfoss → Skógafoss → Plane wreck → Black Sand Beach → Southland
All day
Today we'll travel to Iceland's South Coast, enjoying spectacular waterfalls and beaches along the way. We'll first arrive at Seljalandsfoss, a majestic waterfall with a 63-meter drop, perched atop a cliff. In summer, the waterfall blends beautifully with the surrounding hillsides, meadows, wildflowers, and streams, creating a picturesque scene. A stone path leads behind the waterfall, offering a rare opportunity to take photos.
We then headed to Skogafoss for some photography. Skogafoss, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters, is one of Iceland's largest and most famous waterfalls. The mountains on either side of the waterfall are covered in lush greenery, and the cliffs on either side frame the falls. When the sun shines, rainbows often appear above the falls, earning it the nickname "Rainbow Falls," making it a truly photogenic sight.
Departing in the afternoon, we will go to photograph the mysterious [DC-3 plane wreckage]. The broken metal fuselage forms a sharp contrast with the vast and desolate black beach, which is even more poignant and shocking.
Then we drove to Reynisdrangar Black Sand Beach. The mysterious black sand beach, the spectacular Reynisdrangar stone pillars, the powerful waves of the North Atlantic Ocean, and the lonely lighthouse near Cape Dyrholaey not far away, all these wonderful combinations of scenes have created a unique creative sanctuary for photographers.
After the filming was finished, we went to stay in a small town in the south.
Day 5 Southern Region → → Westman Island → → Southern Region
All day
After breakfast, we'll gather for a unique destination today: Westman Islands. Located off the southern coast of Iceland, Westman Islands comprises 15 islands of varying sizes, the largest of which is Heimaey. From its cape, you can see puffins up close. We'll take a ferry from the pier to Heimaey Island and search for puffins once we're there, eager to capture their charming displays.
After the tour, take the ferry to the island and return to the hotel to rest.
Day 6 Southern Region → Jökulsárlón Lake → Diamond Beach → Bat Hill → Eastern Region
All day
Today we continued to travel east, and along the way, we saw vast expanses of green tundra outside the car windows, just like the Wizard of Oz.
We arrived just in time for our photoshoot at the renowned Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. We arranged a special lagoon cruise, allowing us to explore and photograph the stunning glacier lagoon. The lagoon boasts stunning scenery, and nearby we were able to photograph numerous unique Nordic birds. This lagoon has been featured in Hollywood films such as Tomb Raider, Batman, and James Bond.
After the end, we drove away and arrived at the small town of Hofn, located in the southeast of Iceland. As a famous fishing port, the port of the town is full of large and small ships, and the various beaches on the coastline are all good creative materials.
At dusk, we will head to Bat Mountain (West Point Mountain) to photograph the sunset. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel to rest.
Day 7 Eastern Region → Bat Mountain → Seydisfjordur (Daydreamer Town) → Eastern Region
All day
After breakfast, we will leave and take photos at Bat Mountain again. Bat Mountain is not included in the regular tour group route, so most tourists have never seen its true appearance. We can take photos of this highly recognizable and unique mountain.
We'll continue our journey northeast, capturing breathtaking views of Highway 1 and the magnificent East Fjords. With luck, we might even encounter the rare wildlife that inhabits this area, such as Iceland's wild reindeer.
We will then arrive at Seyðisfjörður, a must-see destination in Iceland. Afterwards, we will return to Egilsstaðir for overnight stay.
Day 8 Eastern Region → Puffin Island → Dettifoss → Krafla Volcano → Lake Myvatn
All day
After breakfast, we'll drive to a small island off the coast, where we'll have another chance to photograph Iceland's adorable puffins. Unlike Westman Island, this island is accessible without a boat, and the chances of encountering puffins are higher in the summer.
We left just in time to take photos at Dettifoss. Dettifoss is 45 meters high and 100 meters wide. It's known as the "Devil's Falls" for its massive volume and deafening roar. It was the filming location for the opening scene of the sci-fi film "Prometheus."
We then headed to Krafla Volcano for photography. Located north of the Javier Geothermal Area, Krafla offers a unique vantage point for panoramic views of Rehenuku, a volcano filled with mud pits and fumaroles. In the heart of the volcano lies the beautiful crater lake, Víti Crater Lake, a pure turquoise that reflects stunningly in the sunlight. We hiked around the crater to capture this volcanic wonder from various angles.
We descended at the right time and passed through the Havel Geothermal Area, a classic location for geothermal photography in Iceland. The burning surface, the boiling magma, and the sulfur springs emitting yellow smoke are both shocking and photographic.
After the filming, we went to stay near Lake Myvatn.
Day 9: Lake Myvatn → Hvar volcano → Dark Castle → Skútustad crater → Godsfoto Waterfall → Akureyri
All day
After breakfast, we will depart for the Hval Volcano for photography. This is a tuff ring volcano. We will hike for 30-40 minutes from the foot of the mountain to the top of the volcano for photography. The scenery at the top of the mountain will be even more amazing.
Descend at the right time and explore the complex and lumpy Dark Castle Lava Field, one of Lake Myvatn's wonders. In Norse mythology, Dark Castle is believed to be the landing place of the devil Satan, expelled from Heaven. The third season of "Game of Thrones" was filmed here.
Then we continued forward and came to [Skutustad] to take pictures. This is a very unique terrain - a pseudo-volcanic crater. When the water gradually dried up, large volcanic lava columns, lava caves and rock structures of various shapes formed a lava maze on the east side of Lake Myvatn.
I visited the Godsfossen waterfall for a photo op. This spot, a testament to Iceland's rich history and culture, is said to have been abandoned here around 999 or 1000 AD when Iceland converted to Christianity. This is where the statues of the Norse gods were abandoned, hence the name. In summer, the area is covered in moss and green grass, and the sound of water echoes through the air. In winter, the area is frozen over, a truly breathtaking sight!
After the filming, we went to Akureyri to stay.
Day 10 Akureyri → Whale Watching → Rhino Rock → Northern Region
All day
Akureyri is located on the edge of the Arctic Circle, backed by snow-capped mountains and facing a blue lake. It has beautiful scenery and is the "Northern Capital" of Iceland.
After breakfast, we will go whale watching from Akureyri Harbor to search for Iceland’s unique minke whales and humpback whales. If you are lucky, you may even encounter rare species.
After whale watching, we'll drive to the Skagafjörður region, known for its famous singers, rich history, and charming horses. We'll also take photos of the Turf Church, a distinctive architectural feature of the area.
Continuing on, we'll pass by Iceland's famous Rhino Rock. This unique volcanic rock, formed by weathering and wave erosion, resembles a rhino standing in the sea. Its ever-changing scenery under different water levels and lighting conditions makes it a favorite among photographers.
After the filming, we returned to the northern town and checked into the hotel.
Day 11 Northern Region → Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Strømberg Mountain + Strandberg Waterfall + Red House for Eyesight Test)
All day
After breakfast, we set off for a photoshoot at Straw Hat Mountain (also known as Church Mountain), located near the town of Grundarfjörður. Resembling a straw hat, Straw Hat Mountain is Iceland's most photographed mountain. The Straw Hat Waterfall and Straw Hat Mountain complement each other, creating a picturesque scene. This iconic Icelandic landmark is a favorite spot for photographers.
We then left for the vicinity of Hydelsund National Park to shoot the [Red House for Vision Testing]. After the shoot, we returned to the hotel to check in and rest.
At dusk, we will arrange to go to Straw Hat Mountain again to shoot, waiting to photograph the Icelandic landmark under the twilight light.
Day 12: Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Arnarstapi + Búdir Black Church + Seal Observation Site) → Reykjavik
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart and drive to the southern town of Arnarstapi. This charming port village boasts crystal-clear waters, steep cliffs, rock pillars, and diverse sea caves. Don't miss the Grandpa Octopus statue, the Kissing Bridge, and the internet-famous Natural Bridge, all excellent photo spots.
Continue to photograph Búðir Black Church. This is one of Iceland's oldest wooden churches, standing among snow-capped mountains and waterfalls surrounded by grasslands. It feels isolated and very photogenic.
We then continued along Highway 54, passing a seal resting point where we encountered and photographed cute and charming baby seals.
After the photoshoot, we'll drive back to Reykjavik and check into our hotel. Upon arrival, we'll have some free time to explore Reykjavik on our own or do some souvenir shopping, bringing this Iceland trip to a successful conclusion.
Day 13 Reykjavik → Helsinki → Shanghai
All day
Today we will set off for home. After breakfast (packed), we will go to the airport to gather and take the international flight back to China.
When we were transferring at Helsinki Airport in Finland that day, our luggage was not checked in directly and we had to check in and re-check in at the airport. The flight we selected had reserved a transfer time.
Day 14 Helsinki → Shanghai ★ Disbandment Day
All day
You will arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport around 7:00 AM this morning. Please hand your passport and boarding pass to your tour leader for delivery to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate for visa processing. Due to Chinese Embassy or Consulate requirements, some guests may be required to visit the Chinese Embassy or Consulate for an interview and visa processing. Please prepare in advance. Passports will be returned to you as soon as possible after visa processing. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
With that, our Iceland summer photography trip concluded with a happy ending. Everyone bid a tearful farewell, still feeling a bit overwhelmed. After returning, remember to leave a review on the China-TravelNote app to win a voucher. You can also share your wonderful memories by posting a travelogue or photo on the China-TravelNote Community and China-TravelNote Photography Network!
