THE ICELAND SAGAS
》TRIP INFO
LOCATION: ICELAND
DATES: JANUARY 10-17, 2026
INSTRUCTORS: PAUL ZIZKA* + CO-LEADERS
PHOTOGRAPHY LEVELS: ALL
PHYSICAL RATING: EASY
WHERE YOU’LL STAY: NORTHERN LIGHT INN + FOSS GLACIER LAGOON HOTEL
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 15
COST: $6,250 CAD
A payment plan is available for this workshop. See below.
Iceland has become one of the must-see destinations for photographers, and for good reason. This incredibly dramatic country is home to an astonishing array of stunning natural features. It’s truly a photographer’s wonderland.
Join celebrated Canadian photographer Paul Zizka for seven intense and creative days exploring the unparalleled scenery of southern Iceland. As we hop between some of the classic and lesser-known gems of the Land of Fire and Ice, Paul and his co-leaders will assist you in getting the most memorable images possible in a way that’s fun and engaging. Ice caves, northern lights, icebergs, jagged skylines, wild weather and epic volcanic landscapes are all on the menu for this unforgettable journey! Oh and you can bet if lava makes an appearance, we'll be doing everything we can to rearrange our itinerary and catch a glimpse of it (from a safe distance of course)!
Largely held in and around the icy realm of Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland this workshop will challenge you to think large (dare we say “epic”).
We hope you’ll join us for this photography workshop in Iceland!
》WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
1. How to hone your landscape photography skills, form capturing the small details to the big scenes
2. How to shoot the northern lights
3. How to efficiently assess a scene
4. How to put your own spin on some iconic locations and develop your vision as a photographer
5. How to edit your gems. We'll definitely make some time for impromptu post-processing sessions!
》YOUR OFFBEAT INSTRUCTORS*
PAUL ZIZKA
Specializing in photographing in difficult conditions and hard-to-reach places, Paul has a passion for shooting alpine sports and backcountry experiences, capturing the spirit of adventurers and finding unusual angles of common mountain subjects. As a landscape photographer, he particularly enjoys the challenge of capturing nature’s beauty at night and the unique features that come with a dark sky – stars, Northern Lights and dramatic silhouettes. Paul’s award-winning photos have been featured in a variety of publications, including National Geographic, Maclean’s, Alpinist, Huffington Post, The Guardian, Islands, and Climbing magazine.
* As per our Terms and Conditions, OFFBEAT reserves the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any workshop.
》INS AND OUTS
What’s Included:
One-on-one and group photography instruction from Paul Zizka and co-leaders.
All transportation within Iceland during the workshop times (Note: we will be offering a shuttle pick-up time to and from Keflavik Airport on the mornings of January 10th and 17th 2026. Participants intending on arriving in Iceland before the workshop start date or extending beyond the workshop end date are responsible for their own transfer to and from the workshop).
All accommodation within Iceland during the workshop dates. Note: workshop price is based on shared/double participant per room occupancy. A premium will be charged if a participant desires solo accommodation. For those participating in the workshop that are not traveling with a friend, partner, or spouse, we will ensure all participants are partnered with a roommate of the same sex.
Breakfast daily and finale celebratory dinner the night before the workshop ends.
Entrance to the Blue Lagoon.
Location scouting and itinerary planned by OFFBEAT instructors.
Lifetime membership to OFFBEAT Community.
What’s Not Included:
Travel insurance.
Flights to Iceland.
Any alcoholic beverages.
Lunch/Dinners with exception of group finale dinner.
Any weather-caused delays/extensions to stay.
》ITINERARY
Note: Subject to change as we finalize all details.
》January 10, 2026
Shuttling from Keflavik. Participants are advised to book flights into Keflavik International Airport, arriving in the morning of Jan 10th, and ideally sooner to give yourself a window against potential weather delays. We will pick you up at the airport between 10AM and noon and start the cross-country transfer to southeastern Iceland. After checking in at the FossHotel Glacier Lagoon, our home for 5 nights, we will kick off our event with a wonderful group dinner.
》January 11, 2026
Starting the day with a hearty breakfast, we prepare for an adventure-filled day ahead. We will next embark on our journey to Diamond Beach, eager to capture the sunrise. Our second location for photography will be Jökulsárlón. As the golden hour faded into dusk, we conclude our day with a delightful dinner before our first opportunity for astrophotography, eagerly anticipating the night sky's display.
》January 12, 2026
After breakfast we depart for a sunrise shoot at Fjallsárlón. Lunch in Hali. In the afternoon, we head to Vestrahorn for a sunset shoot, where we spend hours capturing the changing hues of the sky against the majestic landscape. As evening approaches, we wrap up our shoot and made our way to Höfn for dinner. With nightfall, we seize the second opportunity for astrophotography.
》January 13, 2026
After breakfast, we're on our way to Svartifoss for the sunrise shoot. Around noon, we take a break for lunch in Skaftafell, before our sunset shoot in Svínafellsjökull. That evening presents our third opportunity for astrophotography.
》January 14, 2026
After breakfast we depart for our sunrise shoot at the ice cave, exploring the intricate formations and capturing their magnificence. As evening approaches, we wrap up our photography session at Diamond Beach, where evening light dances on ice-filled shores. Later, we gather for a well-deserved dinner.
》January 15, 2026
We kickstart the day with a hearty breakfast before beginning our transportation back to Reykjanes, making several stops along the way. We check in at the Northern Light Inn and have dinner before we potentially explore the Gunnuhver or Blue Lagoon area.
》January 16, 2026
After breakfast we depart for explorations around the Reykjanes peninsula. Our itinerary includes the potential exploration of iconic spots like Gunnuhver or the Blue Lagoon area. At day’s end, we retreat back to the comfort of the Northern Light Inn.
》January 17, 2026
After our final breakfast we take a trip to relax at the Blue Lagoon. Later, we shuttle back to Keflavik Airport.
》MORE INFO
Accommodations
Both hotels we're staying are top-notch. We think you'll be very impressed, especially given the remoteness!
Note: workshop price is based on shared/double participant per room occupancy. A premium will be charged if a participant desires solo accommodation. For those participating in the workshop that are not traveling with a friend, partner, or spouse, we will ensure all participants are partnered with a roommate of the same sex.
MEALS
For this work, daily breakfast and a finale celebratory dinner the night before the workshop ends are included in your workshop fee. There are several lunches and dinners not included to allow participants to order to taste and to experience various Icelandic cuisine of their own choosing.
Breakfast are buffet-style. Lunches are a mix of cafeteria-style, and à la carte. Dinners are à la carte.
TRANSPORTATION
All transportation within Iceland during the workshop times is included. Note that we will be offering a single shuttle pick-up time to and from Keflavik Airport on the morning of January 10, 2026 and a shuttle back to the Keflavik Airport on the final morning of January 17, 2026 participants arriving in Iceland before the workshop start date or extending beyond the workshop end date are responsible for their own transfer to/from Keflavik airport.
We'll be traveling in mini-vans. They are 9-seaters, but we will limit occupancy to 5 so everyone has plenty of room.
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT OFFBEAT WORKSHOPS
”
“I have attended a number of OFFBEAT Workshops and have loved them all. Dave and Paul are two of the most genuine people I have met and they are both so enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. They always ensure that you have the best time and are always willing to share their time and experience with you. My photography has definitely improved since learning from these two. I have also only meet decent and friendly people on these workshops. Everybody is there for the common goal - photography and everybody has such fun. I can not recommend Offbeat highly enough.”
— Claire C.
“I felt the level of collaboration and support among the participants in this one was exceptional and so was the size of the group. It is easier to hide in bigger groups when I feel insecure with my skills and talent. The content was timely, appropriate and exceedingly well organized. The facilitators’ presentation skills were exceptional. I came away with a little more confidence and a lot more knowledge. Thanks, Dave and Paul!!!”
-Jan L.
PRICE/PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full Cost: $6250 CAD
Deposit: $1250 CAD
Single Supplement: $1250 CAD**
Spousal Rate $4,950 CAD**
**Let Dave know at sales@offbeatphoto.ca and he will build this into your payment plan.
Payment Options: Full payment or non-refundable deposit to secure a space with remaining four payments spread over the year.
Payment Schedule:
Non-Refundable Deposit: CAD $1250 (due upon booking), then:
Sept 1, 2024 - $1250 CAD
Feb 1, 2025 - $1250 CAD
June 1, 2025 - $1250 CAD
Sept 1, 2025 - $1250 CAD
Note: Failure to pay by due dates means forfeiting deposit and spot will be freed up and potentially sold to another interested participant (see more in cancellation policy below).
If unforeseen circumstances arise, participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant. In such case, participants are responsible for handling payment for the transfer.
》IMPORTANT INFO
Please visit our FAQs for more information on What to Bring, our Physical Ratings and Photography Levels.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Physical Rating (Easy): Most locations will be readily accessible from the road, although we may hike short distances on occasion.
The workshop will include several short 2-3 kilometre hikes over uneven terrain such as rocky terrain, hills, ice, and shorelines. There is nothing technical involved, but participants should be comfortable and prepared to walk and/or climb areas in cooler temperatures with a backpack for periods of up to an hour at a time.
This workshop includes a portion held in the dramatic Iceland ice caves. Although we will be guided by experienced local Iceland guides, ice caves are inherently unpredictable and this is a higher risk activity. By signing up you acknowledge the risks associated with ice caves. Participants, of course, will have the option of sitting this portion of the workshop out
Hiking experience // None necessary.
Pace // Slow.
Distance/Description // <5km/day (3 miles) on well-defined trails, with slight noticeable elevation change, and perhaps slightly uneven terrain.
Footwear // Light hiking shoes or sneakers.
Photography Level (All): This workshop is open to both amateur and professional photographers.
INSURANCE POLICY
It is not only advised but required that participants have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as emergency medical/illness insurance and rescue coverage (proof required within 4 months of departure).
Weather and other unforeseen factors can cause delays in travel, particularly from some of our more remote locations. It is the participant’s responsibility to cover any costs in the case of a travel delay of any length. Please ensure your trip cancellation/interruption insurance accommodates this possibility.
By purchasing a spot you are acknowledging that you accept these conditions.
Please see our Insurance page for more information about our insurance partner, World Nomads.
》OFFBEAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please take the time to review OFFBEAT’s Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policies. You are required to agree to these in order to confirm your registration. Effective June 16, 2022.