Arctic Fox Cubs of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
- July 1st, 2025 - July 7th, 2025
- Spaces Left: SOLD OUT! (Maximum 5 Photographers)
WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE
This bespoke, custom-tailored workshop in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the far northwest of Iceland, is for keen and passionate wildlife photographers who want to capture photographs of Arctic Foxes and Arctic Fox cubs. The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is one of the best places in the world to photograph Arctic Foxes and their cubs under the midnight sun. We have a small group size and personal, one-on-one tuition for the duration of the workshop. There will also be landscape opportunities during this workshop, although our primary focus is Arctic Foxes.
- Dates: 1st July 2025 until 7th July 2025 (Duration 6 Nights / 7 Days)
- Why Travel with Us: Wild Nature Photo Travels Point of Difference
- Investment: $8,950 USD ($1,450 USD Single Supplement). Wild Nature Photo Travel Team members pay no single supplement.
- Deposit: The deposit to secure your place is $3,500 USD, with the balance due 120 days before the workshop commences.
- Participants: Maximum 5 Photographers plus leader
- Start and Finish: Isafjord, Iceland
- Trip Leaders: Joshua Holko Master Photog II
- Fitness Level: Easy
- Temperature: Moderate
- Experience Level: Beginner to Professional
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
In early July 2025, I am leading an exclusive wildlife workshop for just five photographers to the remote Hornstrandir Nature reserve in the far northwest of Iceland to live with and photograph wild Arctic Foxes and Arctic Fox cubs under the midnight sun.
This workshop has been timed to take advantage of both the summer solstice as well as the ideal time to photograph young Arctic Fox cubs as they are emerging from their dens.
Arctic Foxes are unfortunately hunted and shot across most of Iceland, making them extremely shy and difficult to find (and even more challenging to photograph). In the remote northwest, however, the Arctic Foxes are protected inside the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and can be more easily approached and photographed.
This photography expedition will last for seven days (6 nights). We will be staying in a rustic but functional and clean small, remote cabin. During our stay in the cabin, we will have a dedicated staff member to clean and prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us (all included). However, this expedition is all about photography, and we will put in long hours in the field to ensure we give ourselves the best possible opportunities to photograph the Arctic Fox. We may take food and drink into the field to ensure we are positioned and ready to photograph when the foxes are active.
If you are excited about photographing Arctic foxes and their cubs in their natural environment with a small group of like-minded photographers, now is the time to register your place by using the Register Online link at the bottom of this page. Places are very limited, and once they are spoken for, that's it.
WATCH THE ADOBE SPARK PRESENTATION
Accommodation: Our workshop accommodation is a cozy but rugged haven where photographers can enjoy a great atmosphere after a day out in the cold, photographing Arctic Foxes. The house was originally built in 1921. In 1948 (just 27 years later), the last inhabitants left this isolated arctic peninsula for a better life. The cabin was abandoned for many years and has only recently been restored. Although no one lives here permanently, the cabin is a great getaway and the perfect place to accommodate us whilst we search for and photograph wild Arctic Foxes. Curious Arctic Foxes frequently stop past the cabin to investigate visitors, and it is possible to even photograph them from right outside the cabin on occasion. Life is simple in the cabin, and you’ll be taken back in time as you enjoy how people lived in the area more than sixty years ago.
The cabin includes a bathroom, toilet, and hot shower. Bunk-bed accommodation with duvets provided (BYO Pillow), a Full kitchen (chef to prepare meals and clean), and Hydronic and log-fire heating. There is power for laptop battery charging (generator provided) and an outdoor sauna. Please note that there is no Internet access in the cabin, and cell phone coverage is sporadic and not guaranteed. A Satellite Phone and Radio are available for emergencies.
Photography: Arctic Foxes are predominantly territorial animals that roam and patrol vast areas of the Arctic. The Icelandic arctic Foxes are particularly tough and hardy. They have to deal with constant freezing and thawing conditions throughout the winter months in areas where little or no food is available. Arctic Foxes are, by their nature, inherently very curious animals and will approach quite close if we are patient. Over the years, we have photographed the foxes with lenses as wide as 14mm.
The number of Arctic Foxes we expect to see and photograph in the area of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve where we will be staying will likely vary between one and two pairs (two to four individual foxes) of both white and blue morph varieties. Each pair may have a litter of up to six cubs. As the foxes are territorial, they will visit us repeatedly on a daily basis (often several times per day), which provides us with multiple opportunities to photograph them.
In addition to the Arctic Foxes, there is also bird life along the coastline, including Iceland Gulls, Eider Ducks, Ravens and Ptarmigan in summer plumage. Harbour seals, White-Tailed Eagles and Gyr Falcon are also occasionally seen.
The landscape in this part of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is simply stunning in its wild beauty. During this workshop, you will have many opportunities to make landscape photographs, and you should plan to bring both wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
Dietary Requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.
Travel: We will travel by private charter boat from our starting location in Iceafjord, Iceland to our private cabin. Once on location, we will work from the cabin as our base and make morning and afternoon excursions on foot for photography. Typically, we work within 200 metres of our accommodation.
Equipment: Telephoto lenses from 300 mm to 600 mm are recommended. Zoom lenses generally provide more flexibility for fast-moving foxes. A wide-angle lens and tripod are also recommended if you wish to take advantage of the lack of light pollution and the clear night sky for astronomy photography.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY
We officially start our workshop in the small town of Isafjord in the north-east of Iceland on the morning of the 1st of July with a visit to the Arctic Fox Center in the nearby town of Sudavik. Here, we can learn a little bit more about the biology and history of the Arctic Fox in Iceland before departing for our workshop in the afternoon. After our short visit to the Arctic Fox Center, we will return to Isafjord for lunch and final preparations. You will then be transferred from your hotel in the early afternoon to the docks, where we will board our private charter boat for the ride to Hornstradir Nature Reserve - a ride of approximately one hour.
From the small town of Isafjord, we will travel by private charter boat to the remote north-western Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, where we will be staying for the next six nights in a small, remote private cabin. The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve can only be accessed by boat (there are no roads or other services in this part of Iceland). Once we arrive in the reserve, we will have no contact with the outside world except via satellite phone for emergencies.
Once we are situated at our remote cabin, we will have the next seven days to photograph Arctic Foxes and their cubs in the spectacular summer landscape of the Nature reserve. The landscape in this region is stunning and provides the ideal backdrop to photograph the Arctic Foxes.
We will be met by the boat again in the morning of the 7th of July. We will sail back to Isafjord and be transferred to the airport in time for our return flights to Reykjavik. We conclude our expedition on arrival back in Isafjord of the 7th of July.
Weather in Iceland: The weather in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve can be dramatic and wild. During this workshop, we expect to experience sun and rain at various times. Along with dramatic weather comes dramatic light, and there are often opportunities to make incredible photographs during difficult conditions. We reserve the right to make last-minute changes to the itinerary to both avoid bad weather and to take advantage of good weather and light as the conditions permit. We can take no responsibility for weather-induced delays and ask for your patience if we are delayed by weather for any reason. We strongly recommend you allow a minimum of two days after our expedition in case we are delayed on our return.
Flights to Isafjord: Flights to Isafjord can be booked online with Air Iceland. There are daily direct flights from Reykjavik to Isafjord (a short one-hour flight). We recommend you plan to arrive in Isafjord on the 29th or 30th of June or before in case of bad weather delays or lost luggage.
INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions
- Transportation: All in-tour land transportation and guide services from our starting location in Isafjord, Iceland (including return private charter boat transfers to our remote cabin) for the workshop duration.
- Accommodation: Accommodation for six nights in shared rooms at our private cabin in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Private rooms are available.
- Food and Beverages: Includes breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (excluding alcohol) for the duration of the workshop
- Tuition: Expert one-on-one Photographic tuition and guiding services
Exclusions
- Transportation: Any travel required to arrive at the workshop starting location in Isafjord, Iceland.
- Duties and Taxes: Any taxes, levies, insurances, Immigration, duty, and visa fees where applicable.
- Personal Items: Any personal items, including alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and travel insurance. Tipping is not required.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A deposit of $3,000 USD must be paid at the time of booking to secure your place, with the balance due 120 DAYS before the workshop commencement date. Deposit Methods Accepted: Credit card Visa/Master (+3%) or Direct Deposit / Wire Transfer.
Refunds and Cancellations: Our standard workshop policy requires an initial non-refundable deposit for the reservation of your space and your payment balance in full 120 days before the commencement of the workshop date unless otherwise noted. If we do not receive the balance on or before the due date, and we are unable to get in contact with you via the contact details you have provided, we will try to fill your spot off the waiting list. At our discretion, we may apply your deposit to be used for another workshop within one year. Please note that price increases may apply in this instance.
If the workshop is cancelled for any reason, your deposit will be refunded in full. Wild Nature Photo Travel Pty Ltd., trading as Joshua Holko Photography and Joshua Holko, is not responsible for any financial commitments that registered attendees have with third parties such as airlines or other travel services.
READ FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Travel Insurance: You must purchase travel and evacuation insurance in the event of illness or any other emergency that delays or otherwise prevents you from travelling on the trip. Wild Nature Photo Travel partners with and recommends Global Rescue for Evacuation and Medical insurance.
REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP
If you are excited about photographing Arctic foxes and their cubs with a small group of like-minded, passionate photographers, now is the time to register your interest. Places are extremely limited, and once spoken for, that's it.