The Rugged Highlands

Hörður Kristleifsson is a photographer specializing in aerial photography. Born and raised in Iceland, the Arctic is more than just a destination for him; it is his heritage and his home.

Through his work, Hörður collaborates with DJI, the global leader in drones. Working on their product launches and campaigns allows him to put the latest tech to the ultimate test in Iceland’s harsh conditions. This insider experience keeps him at the forefront of the industry, enabling him to teach the most current and effective techniques for the modern aerial photographer.

Over the years, he has flown more than 30,000 kilometers across multiple drones, flying through everything from active volcanic eruptions to the notorious Icelandic highland winds, encountering virtually every flight condition imaginable. For workshop participants, this means having a guide who knows exactly how to handle the elements, keeping gear safe while helping to capture the shot of a lifetime.

As an instructor, Hörður prides himself on a down-to-earth teaching style. His passion lies in making advanced drone techniques accessible to everyone, while also sharing Iceland’s deep history and the stories behind the landscapes visited.

Day 1 — Introduction & Gear Check (Reykjavík)

We meet in Reykjavík at 15:00 for a full workshop briefing, weather overview, and expectations for the week.
We’ll conduct a detailed gear check (including drones, batteries, chargers, and camera equipment) and help resolve any missing or forgotten items before departure the next morning.
This session also helps us understand your goals—whether you want to strengthen drone skills, improve composition, or focus on editing and workflow.
In the evening, we’ll enjoy a group dinner, finishing around 21:00.

Days 2–5 — Field Days in the Southern Highlands (Flexible Plan)

These are our main expedition days, where we leave the paved roads behind to capture the raw wilderness of the interior. Expect adventurous days traveling in modified Sprinter Van, crossing unbridged rivers, and navigating rough tracks to reach the most remote corners of the island. We will explore extensive volcanic crater rows, deep highland lakes, colorful rhyolite mountains, and vast black deserts, choosing the best routes each day based on weather and light. Evenings include time for image review, editing sessions, and guidance, with optional sunset missions when conditions allow.

Day 6 — Return to Reykjavík

We make our way back to Reykjavík and spend the day exploring a few extra spots on the way. In the evening, we’ll have a goodbye dinner

This is our final day, and you’ll leave with a stronger aerial workflow, refined visual approach, and a portfolio of stunning aerial images from Iceland.

Day 7 — Farewell

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading back home.

For practical details on what to pack and how to prepare, please see the FAQ.

Our workshops are open to any experience level. Because we work with small groups, the pace and level can be adapted to each individual participant. Whether you are completely new to flying drones or have many years of experience, you will be supported at your own level.

Hörður brings deep technical and creative expertise and can adapt instruction and guidance to each person’s needs in the group. The workshop is equally suited for beginners who want to build a strong foundation and for experienced photographers looking to refine their skills.

Our goal is to create a safe, flexible, and inspiring learning environment where everyone can progress confidently.

Professional Instruction: Full-time guidance by aerial landscape photographer and licensed drone pilot Hörður Kristleifsson (@h0rdur)

The Truck: Travel in a custom-modified 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter van on 35” tires designed for off-road capability and comfort.

Guaranteed Power: Access to our on-board charging stations. Keep all your drone batteries, remotes, laptops, etc., charged while we drive.

Accommodation: 6 nights’ accommodation in twin rooms (double occupancy) with private or shared bathrooms. Single room supplement adds $1000.

Permits: Includes all necessary drone permits.

Selected Meals:

Breakfast: Daily breakfast at the accommodation (six mornings total)
Welcome Dinner (Day 1)
Goodbye Dinner (Day 6)

Domestic Flight when applicable (Return):

One-way flight from Höfn (HFN) to Reykjavík (RKV) at the end of the workshop.
Skip the long drive back and enjoy a scenic 1-hour flight over the South Coast to conclude the trip.

Image Critique & Post-Processing:

Editing Sessions: Dedicated indoor time at our Hali Base (and other accommodations) to edit the images you capture during our trip.
Masterclass: Our guide Hörður will teach his personal workflow for processing, stitching panoramas, and color grading aerial shots.

International Travel: Flights to / from Iceland.
Airport Transfers: Transport between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík
Daily Dinners (Days 2 – 5): Meals on these evenings are at your own expense. We will visit local restaurants or hotel dining rooms where you can order from the menu.
Lunches & Snacks: To maximize our schedule, we grab lunches “on the go” at grocery stores, bakeries, or gas stations.
Drinks and alcohol.
Insurance: Personal travel insurance and equipment insurance (for your drone/camera gear) is highly recommended.

As luggage space in the vehicle is limited, we kindly ask all participants to bring a duffel bag, as it fits best in the vehicle we will be using. In addition, you should bring a small photography backpack for shorter hikes.

No matter where you’re going in Iceland, it’s important to choose the right clothing and dress according to the weather. We strongly recommend dressing in layers so it’s easy to add or remove clothing as conditions change.

Good waterproof shoes with ankle support (hiking boots)
Thermal underwear
Wool/fleece thermal mid-layer
Hiking pants
Waterproof pants & jacket
Warm gloves & hat (photography gloves or touchscreen-supported gloves)
Socks (wool or synthetic)
Sunglasses
Small day-backpack
Reusable water-bottle

Drone Equipment (Essential)

A drone suitable for aerial photography in all weather conditions. See the next dropdown for advice.
At least 3 spare batteries for your drone (more is better)
Spare propellers
Charging equipment for batteries, controller, and accessories
Extra memory cards for your drone
A Backup Drone. Accidents happen. If you own two drones, bring both.
- Replacement: If you need a replacement mid-trip, we can help arrange a rush order for a new unit from DJI Reykjavík, but please note that delivery can take 24+ hours.

Optional Camera Equipment

DSLR or Mirrorless Camera for ground-level shots
ND Filters for your drone/camera if you’d like to shoot long-exposures or videos
Tripod

Computer & Software

Laptop or tablet for image review and editing
Adobe Lightroom Classic or similar photo-editing software (required for group review and editing sessions)
Card reader and necessary cables for data transfer

Additional Recommended Items

Photography Backpack for carrying your gear on short hikes
External hard drive or SSD for daily backups
Power bank for charging your phone or drone remote on the go
Power Strip for hotel rooms with limited outlets. A power strip lets you charge your drone, camera, computer, and phone simultaneously from a single outlet.
Travel Adapter: Iceland uses the standard European Type F (2-pin) plugs.
Microfiber Cloths and Rocket Blowers for dust cleaning

This list ensures you are well prepared, whether you focus solely on drone photography or complement your aerial work with ground-based images.

For practical details on what to pack and how to prepare, please see the FAQ.

What drone to choose for the trip?

Iceland has unpredictable and strong winds. To ensure you can capture the best footage in all conditions, we strongly recommend bringing a drone with high wind resistance, such as the DJI Mavic 3/4 Pro or the DJI Air 3/3S.
Hörður currently flies the DJI Mavic 4 Pro paired with the RC Pro 2. If you are looking to upgrade your current drone, we have a contact at the DJI Reykjavík store. They price-match to European retail prices, and as a visitor, you also get a 14% Tax Refund at the airport. This combination means you can buy a drone here for significantly less than in the US or Europe (saving up to $ 500/€500, depending on the model).
If you only have a sub-250g drone (like the DJI Mini series), please be prepared to fly less, as Icelandic winds can overpower smaller frames. On top of that, the Mini drones from DJI are limited to 120m/394ft, which can be very limiting when flying in mountainous areas. Strongly consider upgrading before the trip or buying locally upon arrival. Regardless of your drone choice, always consider bringing your DSLR or mirrorless camera as a backup for ground-level shots.

Learn from a Pro: Master drone photography and post-processing workflows.

Travel with a Local: Experience the history, geology, and hidden gems of Iceland.

Fly with Confidence: Gain the skills to fly safely in challenging conditions on a stress-free trip focusing on great company and beautiful landscapes.

Know how to read Iceland: We don’t just “visit” locations; we chase the light, adapt to the elements, and find unique compositions that others miss.

Hörður’s goal is to tie all these elements together: technical skill, local knowledge, and creative vision, to ensure you get the absolute most out of your workshop experience.

Terms and Conditions

Glacier Adventure

By booking or participating in any workshop, tour, or activity organized by Glacier Adventure, you agree to the following Terms and Conditions.

Liability & Assumption of Risk

Participation in Glacier Adventure workshops involves inherent risks. By enrolling in a workshop, you acknowledge and accept that travel and outdoor activities; particularly in Iceland’s remote and natural environments, carry risks, including but not limited to injury, illness, loss, damage to personal property, or death.

By accepting these Terms and Conditions, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation and release Glacier Adventure, its owners, employees, guides, contractors, and partners from liability for any injury, loss, damage, or expense, whether physical or mental, known or unknown, arising from your participation.

Activities may take place in remote, mountainous, coastal, or wilderness areas where infrastructure and medical services may be limited or unavailable. Glacier Adventure assumes no responsibility for medical treatment, evacuation, or dietary requirements.

Unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and with written approval, participants must be at least 18 years of age.

Physical Fitness & Responsibility

You are responsible for selecting a workshop appropriate to your physical condition and experience. By booking, you confirm that you are in sufficiently good health to participate and that no condition exists that could endanger yourself or others.

Glacier Adventure reserves the right to request medical clearance when deemed necessary and to refuse or discontinue participation if a participant is unable to safely take part in workshop activities.

Itineraries & Flexibility

Workshop itineraries are carefully planned but serve as guidelines only. Weather, road conditions, safety considerations, government regulations, or other unforeseen circumstances may require changes to locations, timing, or activities.

You acknowledge that flexibility is required and that no refunds or discounts will be issued for itinerary changes, shortened activities, or missed locations due to circumstances beyond our control.

Glacier Adventure cannot guarantee visits to specific locations, wildlife sightings, natural phenomena (including northern lights), or specific flying conditions for drones.

Drone Use & Regulations

Drone use in Iceland is regulated. Participants are responsible for ensuring their drone is legally registered and operated in accordance with Icelandic and EASA regulations. Please find information about how to obtain the A1/A3 licence through the following link: https://flydrone.is/register

Glacier Adventure will guide participants on permitted flight areas and safe operation, but bears no responsibility for fines, confiscation, or legal consequences resulting from non-compliance with regulations.

Health, Pandemics & Travel Risk

You travel at your own risk at all times. Glacier Adventure is not responsible for disruptions caused by illness, pandemics, government restrictions, or other events beyond its control.

Participants are encouraged to follow Icelandic health authority guidelines. Glacier Adventure assumes no financial responsibility for delays, cancellations, or additional expenses caused by health-related issues.

Arbitration & Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by Icelandic law.
Any disputes arising from participation shall be resolved before the District Court of Reykjavík, Iceland.

Cancellation or Changes by Glacier Adventure

Glacier Adventure reserves the right to cancel or modify a workshop at any time due to insufficient bookings, safety concerns, or circumstances beyond our control.

If a workshop is canceled by Glacier Adventure, we may:

Reschedule the workshop
Offer credit toward a future workshop
Issue a full refund

Our financial liability is limited to the amount paid directly to Glacier Adventure and does not extend to other travel expenses such as flights, accommodation outside the workshop, insurance, or personal equipment.

Participant Conduct

Participants are expected to behave respectfully toward guides, fellow participants, locations, and the environment.

Harassment, abusive behavior, or unsafe conduct—verbal or physical—may result in immediate removal from the workshop without refund or compensation.

Payments

A workshop seat is not confirmed until the required deposit has been paid and written confirmation has been issued by Glacier Adventure.

Full payment deadlines are stated on each individual workshop page. Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in loss of your reservation.

Glacier Adventure reserves the right to adjust workshop pricing due to significant currency fluctuations.

Cancellation & Refund Policy – Multi-Day Workshops

Written cancellation must be sent to [email protected] and confirmed by Glacier Adventure to be valid.

Iceland Workshops

More than 45 days before start: refund minus deposit
30 days: 75% refund minus deposit
20 days: 50% refund minus deposit
Less than 20 days: no refund

Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferred to another workshop if availability permits.

All refunds are subject to an administrative processing fee.

What Is Not Included

Unless explicitly stated:

International flights
Optional activities
Insurance of any kind
Personal expenses and drinks
Meals not listed as included
Single room supplements

Travel Documentation

You are responsible for holding valid travel documents, including passports, visas, and ETIAS authorization where applicable.

Insurance

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering:

Trip cancellation
Medical treatment
Medical evacuation
Equipment loss or damage

Some workshops may require proof of insurance.

Third-Party Services

Glacier Adventure may rely on third-party providers for transportation, accommodation, or meals. We are not responsible for delays, cancellations, or errors caused by third parties and accept no liability for their actions.

Offers & Promotions

Discounts and promotions are valid only during stated periods, are non-transferable, and cannot be combined. Glacier Adventure reserves the right to modify or cancel promotions at any time.

Contact

For all inquiries regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact:
📧 [email protected]