



ICELAND
The Majesty and Magic of Icelandic Horses
​​Prepare to embark on an unforgettable Icelandic horse photography adventure with acclaimed equine and wildlife photographer and advocate, Sandy Sharkey. This curated adventure brings you to Skalaot Manor Hotel and farm located in Iceland's iconic south coast.
Price: USD $6898.00 per person for 7 days/6 nights based on double occupancy, single supplement add USD $ (based on room availability)​
























































A Photographic Adventure
​A curated week at luxury award-winning Skalakot Manor horse farm retreat and spa in southern Iceland with wild horse photographer and advocate Sandy Sharkey! The horses of Iceland are the original Viking settlement horses and one of the purest horse breeds in the world. With over a thousand years of integration into Icelandic culture, these horses have evolved to thrive in a unique landscape. Tens of thousands of Icelandic horses still live on the island, and are a beloved icon of their native country. This exceptional trip includes photographing Icelandic horses in a mountain farm setting, Vik black sand beach, and near spectacular streams.
​"The Icelandic horses are a photographer's dream. With gorgeous manes, and tails to the ground, these spirited horses have big personality in a small package. The historic existence of the Icelandic horses comes alive before your eyes ~ as these magnificent animals charge across a sweeping landscape, frozen in time." - Sandy Sharkey
Expedition overview
Kattuk Expeditions and Sandy Sharkey Photography are proud to offer a uniquely curated 7-day equine photography tour in south Iceland. Working with Skalakot Manor hotel and horse farm, we have put together a full week of incredible photographic opportunities in a variety of settings, including the Skalakot property, the spectacular highlands and Vik black sand beach.
​The manor itself is a place of luxury, comfort, fine dining with a beautiful nordic spa. You can read about the location here: https://skalakot.is/ Photographing at the Skalakot property will include 2 full days and one half day in different locations.
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On day 3 we'll travel to Vik Beach for a morning photoshoot with horses. Ranked as one of the top 10 most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world, with is black volcanic sand and basalt columns, Vik beach will be a highlight of the trip.
On day 5 we will embark on an adventure to the highlands, The highlands in Iceland are the gems of the country and contain many of the priceless wonders of the wild nature of Iceland. The landscape, natural forces, and wildlife are diverse. Some sights worthy of mentioning are: Maelifell , Markarfljótsgljúfur, and Gluggafoss.
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​​​Activities
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Guided equine photography
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Walking / hiking on grassy, rocky wilderness terrain and beaches
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Wildlife viewing / observation
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Ecological interpretation
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Bird watching
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Flying
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Solitude
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On site spa
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Fine dining
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Horseback riding (optional)
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ATV tour (optional)
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Fishing (optional)
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Glacier walk (optional)
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Helicopter flight (optional)
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Itinerary
July 6th: Arrive Reykjavik Airport, check in to airport hotel, suggested hotel is Hotel Keflavik located near the airport.
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July 7: check-in to Skalakot
(insert departure time for shuttle) Depart Reykjavik Airport via included transportation to Skalakot Manor and check in. Afternoon photoshoot of Icelandic horses in stunning scenery at Skalakot Manor (B,L,D)
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July 8: full day photoshoot at Skalakot with horses. No transportation required. Two different locations 2-3 hours each (B,L,D)
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July 9: morning photoshoot at black sand Vik beach with 2 horses.We will stop for a short walk at Skogarfoss, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country (B,L,D)
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July 10: full day photoshoot at Skalakot with two horses, sightseeing on the way back. No transportation required. Two different locations 2-3 hours each (B,L,D)
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July 11: full day Highland tour – sightseeing scenery and spectacular landscape (B,L,D)
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July 12: Morning photoshoot (2-3 hours) at Skalakot with horses. Afternoon is
free time for guests. Optional tours from Manor (including horseback riding option, not included in trip cost) (B,L,D)
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July 13: checkout, transport to airport, check out time 11:00AM (B)
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What's included
Accomodation at Skalakot Manor, all meals, guides, all excursions mentioned in the itinerary (except optional afternoon July 12th), use of spa, airport transfer, guides (Sandy Sharkey, Fred Stillman, Skalakot staff), transportation to and from Vik Beach, transportation to and from Highlands.
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Things that aren't included
Air transportation to and from Keflavík International Airport, overnight accommodation on July 6th, travel insurance, gratuities, items of a personal nature. Optional excursion on the afternoon July 12th, additional spa services (massages).
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Activity level / mobility
Strolling around the property at Skalakot should not be strenuous, however the day in the highlands and morning at Vik Beach will require sturdy footwear and the ability to navigate hiking paths, grassy, rocky or wet terrain in a mountainous region.
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Guests should be able and prepared to walk up to 4 km or more unassisted. While this is not fast paced hiking, all guests are required to maintain pace with the group and can not be left behind. Please keep your ability in mind when considering this adventure so that you and others on the day of your visit have the best experience possible.
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Suggested items to bring:
July is generally the warmest month of the year in south Iceland. The highlands and heaths will be as green as they get, it's advisable to wear active clothing for the time of year and weather. The average high temperature is 14.9°C (58.8°F) and average lows are 9.1°C (48.4°F). But it can reach as high as 25°C (77°F) (and fall as far as 1.4°C (34°F)). So, you can expect a large range.
Dress in layers, expect cooler temperatures highlands. Don't forget, daylight is almost 24 hours/ day. Following are some suggested items to bring:
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Fleece jacket/lightweight wool sweater
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Light layers (long sleeve tops, soft shells etc.)
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Rainproof/windproof jacket and pants
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Sturdy walking shoes with a good tread/grip
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Sunglasses (during spring/summer it’s bright 24/7 and during winter the sun rises low an reflects from the snow, if there is any)
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Gloves
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Scarf
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Hat (toque/beanie)
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Swimsuit
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Insect repellent/fly nets
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Eyeshades (some find it hard to sleep when there’s daylight up to 24/7)
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Sunscreen
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Gear: Here are some suggested camera gear items to bring along for this particular adventure:
- mirrorless or DSLR camera
- telephoto lens ( such as 70-200mm, 100-400mm or longer)
- wide angle lens (such as 14-24mm)
- tripod or monopod (if you wish)
- extra batteries, extra memory cards
- rain protection for camera/lens​
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Payment, cancellation policy
A deposit of $2000 USD per person is due at time of booking. The remaining payment is due 90 days prior to the arrival date. For cancellations prior to 90 days, a full refund less a 5% admin fee will be returned. After 90 days prior to arrival trips are non-refundable. We recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance that covers tour cancellations. If Kattuk Expeditions has to cancel this trip due to any unforeseen circumstances, 100% of payments will be refunded.
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Trip highlights
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7 days / 6 nights at famed Skalakot Manor hotel located in south Iceland
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Meet and greet and week overview with wildlife photographer Sandy Sharkey
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Included dining at Skalakot Manor
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Two full day photoshoots at Skalakot with horses (4 locations).
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A full day highlands landscape tour
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Half day morning photoshoot with horses at Vik black sand beach
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Additional 1/2 day photoshoot at Skalakot
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One free afternoon for optional sightseeing.
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Transportation to and from Keflavík International Airport to Skalakot Manor