Ice Climbing on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

A Photo Essay: Iceland

We had an amazing time exploring Iceland as you can see in our Iceland video–now, here is a preview of our adventures through photos.  The beauty of Iceland is immeasurable, so rather than trying to summarize it, I’m going to let the photographs speak for themselves and get right to it in our Iceland photo essay:

Snorkeling Silfra Under the Midnight Sun Tour in Iceland

Evening snorkeling in Silfra at Þingvellir National Park.

Snorkeling Silfra Under the Midnight Sun Tour in Iceland

We went on the “Under the Midnight Sun” evening snorkeling tour and along with our guide, we were the only people in the river so we had the entire area to ourselves.

Snorkeling Silfra Under the Midnight Sun Tour in Iceland

The water in Silfra is a stunningly bright blue and some of the clearest water on earth.

Crossing a bridge on Road 1 along the south coast of Iceland

Crossing a single lane bridge while driving along Route 1 in south Iceland.

Twisted bridge girders seen while driving along the south coast of Iceland

In 1996, following a volcano eruption, a flood destroyed bridges and Route 1 in southern Iceland. This is a memorial created from twisted bridge girders that were destroyed in the flood.

Glacier outlet in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Lookout spot along Route 1 for viewing a glacier outlet in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Scenery along the ring road in the south coast of Iceland

Rock formation spotted in a field while road tripping the south coast of Iceland.

Scenery along the ring road in the south coast of Iceland

Near the entrance of Vatnajökull National Park with a glacier in the background.

Scenery along the ring road in the south coast of Iceland

There was a dust storm in this lava field near Route 1 when we were driving by.

Scenery along the ring road in the south coast of Iceland

The ever changing landscape in Iceland always makes for interesting scenery when driving Route 1.

Driving to Drumbó Base Camp for the White Water Canoeing trip in Iceland

Driving on a rainy day out to the Drumbó Base Camp for our White Water Canoeing trip.

White Water Canoeing on Hvítá River in Iceland

Relaxing in a stretch of calm water of the Hvítá River while white water canoeing.

Cliff Jumping while White Water Canoeing on Hvítá River in Iceland

Cliff jumping into the Hvítá River during our white water canoeing trip. Micah and I were too cold to jump into the freezing water, but others from our group were more brave.

Boat for the tour of Jökulsárlón-Glacier lagoon

Boat that gives tours of Jökulsárlón, the glacier lagoon.

Ice at the Jökulsárlón-Glacier lagoon

Ice at the glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón.

Walking the beach near the Jökulsárlón-Glacier lagoon

Walking along the black sand beach where the icebergs from Jökulsárlón float out to the ocean.

Walking at Þingvellir National Park in Iceland

Walking around the lava fields at Þingvellir National Park

Exploring a cave at Þingvellir National Park in Iceland

Exploring inside a secret lava cave located in Þingvellir National Park

River at Þingvellir National Park in Iceland

River running through Þingvellir National Park near the area where the world’s oldest parliament was established in 930.

Waterfall at Þingvellir National Park in Iceland

Öxarárfoss, a waterfall along the tectonic rift in Þingvellir National Park.

Gullfoss - Golden Falls along the Golden Circle in Iceland

The upper falls at Gullfoss, which translates to mean Golden Falls. Gullfoss is located along the famous Golden Circle route.

Gullfoss - Golden Falls along the Golden Circle in Iceland

Gullfoss is located in the canyon of the Hvítá river and plunges over a cavern that is105 ft. deep.

Strokkur geyser at the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur in Iceland

The Strokkur geyser in the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur erupts every few minutes to heights anywhere between 15-40 meters high.

Geothermally active valley of Haukadalur in Iceland

Hot Spring at the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur.

Gunnuhver geothermal area in the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland

Steam from the hot springs and mud pots at the Gunnuhver geothermal area in the Reykjanes peninsula

Walking around Gunnuhver geothermal area in the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland

Taking a stroll with Inga from Tiny Iceland at Gunnuhver, a geothermal area in the Reykjanes peninsula.

Valahnúkur black sand beach in the Reykjanes peninsula

Camper van parked near Valahnúkur, a black sand beach in the Reykjanes peninsula.

Ship in the field along the road in the Reykjanes Peninsula

Ship resting in the field along the road in the Reykjanes peninsula.

Plane in the field near the Ring Road in Iceland

Plane in the field just off of Route 1.

Lava engulfed house along the Ring Road in South Iceland

This barn looks as though it was engulfed by a lava flow many years ago. We spotted numerous houses like this along the coast.

Icelandic Horse along the Ring Road in South Iceland

Beautiful and friendly Icelandic horses that came to say hi to us.

Hvalsneskirkja Church in the Reykjanes Peninsula

Hvalsneskirkja is a church that was built out of stone in 1887.

Pools near the entrance of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Pools near the entrance of the Blue Lagoon. Don’t try to swim here though, as the water is not warm like it is once you get inside to the actual lagoon.

At the base of the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Pools of glacial water at the base of the Falljökull outlet glacier.

Skógafoss - a waterfall in south Iceland near the Ring Road

Skógafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland and drops around 200 ft. off of a cliff.

Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík, Iceland

The famous Hallgrímskirkja Church and statue of Leif Ericson in downtown Reykjavík. The statue was a gift from the people of the United States to the people of Iceland.

The Sun Voyager sculpture in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland

The Sun Voyager sculpture in Reykjavik is an ode to the sun.

Funky buildings with street art in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland

Funky buildings with street art making a statement in Reykjavik

Drinking glacial water on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

How to get a fresh drink of pure glacial water from a small stream.

Guide for a glacier hike on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Our glacier hike guide, Magnus, pointing out some interesting facts.

Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

View from the start of our hike on the Falljökull outlet glacier.

Glacier Hiking on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Our guide showing us how to walk on the glacial ice.

Getting the ropes ready for Ice Climbing on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Getting the ropes ready for ice climbing along the icefalls coming from the Vatnajökull ice cap.

Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Looking out to the coast while standing on the icefall of the Falljökull outlet glacier.

Ice Climbing on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Our guide climbing up the icefall walls without any ropes.

Glacier Hiking on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Working on setting up the second rope line along a steeper wall for even more ice climbing.

Ice Climbing on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Rappelling down the ice wall after climbing all the way to the top.

Glacier Hiking on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

It was hard to tell where the glacier stopped and the clouds started when we were hiking.

Crevice on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Looking down into a water filled crevice on the glacier.

Glacier Hiking on the Falljökull outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland

Finishing up the remainder of our hike, our other guide, leading us in, out and around the crevices.

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