Faroe Islands

Landscape Gems of the North Atlantic

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The Faroe Islands straddle the 62nd parallel north and are buffeted by the Atlantic’s Gulf Stream and subject to a subpolar oceanic climate of cool wet summers and relatively mild winters. The early northern summer months here provide for a lush velvet green mantle of treeless terrain, stretching to misty mountains and wave-battered sea cliffs. It is this same rugged environment that provides a living to the 50,000 people who call the archipelago home. Forty percent of the population lives in one community, leaving the remainder of the residents spread out over the rest of the islands. Forged from Viking blood, their lives reflect a strong sense of Nordic identity, honed by their time-honored fishing traditions.
"The tour was fantastic. The scenery was beautiful, the tour members were friendly and interesting. The tour leaders were wonderful!"
- Kathleen H.
During our photo tour we travel the well-defined network of roads, bridges and tunnels that provide access to some of the islands’ most photogenic terrain. This excursion is designed to get our landscape shooters to exciting locations to create impressive images in a dramatic and little-known corner of the world. With the North Atlantic just a short distance from nearly every location, the weather can be moody and constantly changing. This dynamic weather often provides for even more dramatic lighting conditions, adding to the mysterious nature of the Faroes. Here, little is offered for flat ground. The angular nature of these mountainous islands, dotted with small rushing streams and quiet reflective lakes, provides many compositional elements—adding impact to the rugged landscape. This is a place where streams plunge from great heights to free fall into the waiting sea or verdant valleys below. Rocky and tortuous basalt cliffs rise vertically out of the silvery ocean depths to offer safe nesting for thousands of seabirds each summer.

Along with photographing the striking scenery of the seaside cliffs and waterfalls, we photograph the quaint, colorful, and well-ordered fishing villages tucked along the jagged coastline. These small communities give the Faroes much of their vibrant and timeless character. Many of the villages and towns have well-preserved buildings with "elfin" turf roofs—the oldest dating back nearly 500 years—adding to the unique strength of this photogenic location.

The Faroe Islands will reach out and take hold of those photographers who come seeking its mystical beauty and will carry them to new insights of landscape photography possibilities. Come along with us as we venture to these far-off isles to capture images in this magical place of light and land.

 

Check out Joe Van Os' trip report from our latest Faroe Islands photo tour
For trip questions or to enroll give us a call at (206) 463-5383

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Depart home en route to Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands. The Faroes are best accessed by limited flights via Iceland or Denmark. We will know the 2024 flight schedule to Vágar from those locations later in the spring of 2023. It is recommended to overnight either in Iceland or Denmark on April 18 and catch an early morning flight to the Faroes on April 19.

Day 2 (April 19)
Seascape in the Faroe IslandsArrive today at Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands and transfer to our four-star hotel overlooking Torshavn, the capital city of the Faroes, on Strenmoy Island. Transfer logistics will be included in a subsequent email sometime after your enrollment. (LD)
 
Days 3–8
From our base in Torshavn we begin our photographic adventure exploring the far reaches of Faroe’s landscapes. A well-established network of roads and tunnels gives us access to the islands and the seascapes spread out before us.
 
A visit to the Fossá waterfall provides an opportunity to photograph one of the archipelago's largest and most photogenic water features. Fossá—translated as river of waterfalls—makes two major plunges of over 360 feet from the uplands to the sea. The longest drop approaches 200 feet and can be easily photographed from the road.
 
Coastline of Faroe IslandsAt these higher latitudes we take advantage of the occasional long and low light counterpointed by awe-inspiring storm clouds that make these remote islands such an exciting photographic destination. Located this far into the North Atlantic, the weather is extremely unpredictable—conditions can change within minutes and miles. We operate a very flexible daily schedule, allowing us to quickly adapt. Gásadalur, Sørvágsvatn, Saksun, Tjørnuvík, Funningur, Norðradalur and Sornfelli, plus many others, are on our itinerary of potential destinations. Weather permitting we take a two-hour ferry ride to dramatic Suðuroy (South Island) as we pass one third of all the islands in the Faroes. Indeed, the entire archipelago is packed with great shooting locations so, throughout our travels, weather and light conditions will determine where we go and when. 

We travel amidst tundra-like vegetation dominated by arctic alpine plants, wildflowers, grasses, mosses and lichens. Seaside farms and fishing villages dot this undulating terrain, and turf-roofed buildings and weathered fishing boats provide a multitude of photographic compositions to capture.
 
Faroe IslandsMulafossur waterfall—one of the most iconic landscapes to photograph in the Faroes—is on Vágar. Just beyond the outskirts of the tiny community of Gásadalur, photogenically set between soaring mountains and the sea, the falls plunge over 130 feet from a precipitous cliff to the waiting blue of the Atlantic below. (BLD)
 
Day 9 (April 26)
After breakfast we say goodbye to the Faroe Islands and transfer to Vágar Airport for our flights homeward. (B)
 
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Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris Enrollment Information

Faroe Islands

Apr 18, 2024 - Apr 26, 2024


ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS
1. REGISTRATION
A deposit and completed and signed Registration Form are required to reserve a place on a Joseph Van Os Photo Safari.

2. PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. For deposits we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Final payment of the trip fee is due 120 days prior to departure and may be paid by check or bank transfer. If you wish to make your final payment with a credit card a 3% convenience fee will be charged.

We must receive written notice of your cancellation. Based on the cancellation date the following apply:

Trip deposits are non-refundable.
150-91 days before the trip start date: We will refund any payments made exceeding 50% of the total trip cost.
90-61 days before the trip start date: We will refund any payments made exceeding 75% of the total trip cost.
Within 60 days of the start of the trip: No refund.

If, on the trip start date, your space has been resold and the tour is full—as designated by “Limit” number of travelers on the tour website page—we will refund your payment, minus the non-refundable trip deposit and any discounts given to resell your space.

No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason. Trips are sold as a package only. This policy also applies to tour extensions and independent travel arrangements. Cancellation fees are not transferable.

3. TRIP INSURANCE
We strongly encourage you to protect your travel investment and purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. We can provide travel insurance options, or it can be purchased online. A CANCEL FOR ANY REASON policy is available. Trip participants without travel protection insurance are considered “self-insured.” Without insurance you assume all risks and losses for any conditions requiring your cancellation.

4. HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris are within the capabilities of average people in good health. Some of these trips require the capability of walking for several miles over uneven trails, stepping from a small boat to a wave-washed rocky beach, flying in small planes and helicopters, and occasionally hiking at high elevations—all while carrying an assortment of camera equipment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire with our office before reserving a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you, or other trip participants and you agree to inform our office in writing if changes in your health, including viral illnesses, occur any time prior to the tour. We reserve the right to request a doctor's statement of good health. The company's or trip leader's judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual's ability to embark upon or to continue a trip. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements. Tour members are asked to refrain from smoking with or near the group.

5. CONTACT SCHEDULE
Participants will receive three emails before the trip departs: 1. Initial Tour Information sheet confirms the deposit and provides pre-departure information. 2. Invoice/Practical Information provides clothing and photo gear recommendations, climate data, and applicable health advisories. Visa information will also be included (if applicable). 3. Final Tour Information includes arrival instructions, itinerary revisions (if any), hotel addresses, trip telephone contact information and participant list. We provide the trip leader's telephone number(s) and/or email address with final documents so you can inquire about special photographic questions you may have regarding your trip. We welcome your calls or email messages to info@photosafaris.com.

6. PHOTO SAFARI TRIP FEE INCLUSIONS
Information supplied upon enrollment describes the specific details that are included in your trip fee. Generally, these include lodging in double room occupancy, all meals (specified in the itinerary as BLD denoting breakfast, lunch, or dinner), ground transportation during the trip in vans or small busses, internal tour air transportation as specified, meal and baggage tipping, and guide services provided by the trip leaders. Not included are airfare or other transportation from your home to the trip staging location, airport departure taxes, insurance, alcoholic beverages, and bar expenses (plus bottled water and soft drink expenses on international tours outside of North America), tips and gratuities to local guides, phone calls, passport or visa expenses, laundry, or items of a personal nature. Gratuities to Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris trip leaders are optional and always appreciated. Rates are based on group tariffs; if the trip does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may be charged.

Most of our trips are priced in double occupancy (shared) accommodations. Single accommodation is available for a supplemental cost in many locations; see the pre-departure trip information or call our office for details. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you desire single accommodation or if you wish to have a roommate, but one is not available. In some remote locations, clients with single rooms are infrequently compelled to share a room due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, appropriate per diem refunds will be made reflecting the direct cost of the single room at the facility where clients are required to share. There is no additional single supplement fee on ship-based cruises if you request a roommate and one is not available.

Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of airfares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations, and currency fluctuations, among others. Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. may be compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without prior notice. An increase in trip prices shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by the terms of our cancellation policy.

7. LOGISTICS
Whenever possible, our trip participants are lodged in comfortable, modern hotels. We select among the best available accommodations but refrain from extravagance. Some interesting photographic destinations are far removed from modern amenities, however, and where necessary we will be accommodated in rustic country inns, cabins, or tented camps.

Meals are always a special part of our trips for the camaraderie they engender and the opportunity they provide to try new foods from different areas. Depending on the trip and specific locale, participants order restaurant meals from the full menu or, less frequently, table d'hôte. Some trips include picnic lunches in the field. Fruit juice for breakfast and coffee or tea is included with the meals. Soft drinks are included with meals on tours within North America. Participants are responsible for their own bar tab (including bottled water, soft drinks, as well as alcoholic beverages on tours outside of North America) at restaurant lunches and dinners.

Our itineraries are intended as examples only. Participants should allow for flexibility due to changes in weather, natural history or cultural events, or other logistical arrangements deemed necessary by Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or our leaders.

The second tour leader (and any subsequent additional leaders) listed for each trip on the website will be added as the group size warrants. If only one space remains on a trip, and logistics permit, we accept two people traveling together, even if it exceeds the trip maximum.

8. RESPONSIBILITY
Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger (trip participant) in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motor coach, automobile, van, boat, ship or aircraft or any other conveyance, and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts, bankruptcy or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the trip.

They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay, cancellations or changes in flights or other tour services, and by force majeure including sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine, epidemics, pandemics and outbreaks, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.

The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in flight schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure due to low enrollment, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non -refundable air tickets, visa fees, travel insurance premiums and medical related expenses; 3) At the company’s sole discretion, suspend or postpone any trip due to force majeure or disease outbreak in which case the trip may be rescheduled, or a refund issued less any non-refundable deposits paid to tour component providers on behalf of the passenger, or a travel credit given, but Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 4) substitute trip leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy; or 5) accept or retain any person as a member of any trip.

Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein.

A signed Registration Form with the Enrollment Conditions and Release and Assumption of Risk sections must be returned by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section, with no trip fee refund. No modification to the Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section will be accepted.

Should Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, the enrolling trip participant(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, the enrolling participant(s) agree(s) to do so solely in the County of Lewis in the State of Washington.


ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS AGREEMENT & RELEASE & ASSUMPTION OF RISK
I have read, understand, and agree to the terms, conditions, and provisions of the enrollment information, as stated on the Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris website and the Enrollment Conditions section of this form, especially noting the policy on cancellations, refunds, and limitations on responsibility.

I am aware that during any trip or tour that I am voluntarily participating in under the arrangements of Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., a Washington corporation, and its employees, agents and associates, certain risks and dangers exist while traveling in the United States, foreign countries, and wilderness areas in any country or territory that include the possibility of property damage, bodily injury, and death. There is a possibility of accident or illness occurring without access to immediate or timely medical treatment or facilities. There is a risk of tropical or communicable diseases that may require quarantine and removal from the tour at my expense, food-related illnesses, the risk of personal injury and property damage or delay or inconvenience by forces of nature, wildlife or wildlife models, quarantine, political instability, acts of terrorism, strikes, government restrictions or regulations change, thefts, and the risk of accidents during travel while on foot or by aircraft, train, automobile, van, bus, boat, ship, or other conveyance. I understand that such risks cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of this trip or tour. In consideration of, and as part payment for the right to participate in such trips, tours and/or other activities and services arranged for me by Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, agents and associates, I have and do hereby assume all risks, and hereby release Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, shareholders, agents and associates, and will hold them harmless from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, debts, claims, and demands of every kind and nature, howsoever caused, which I now have or which may arise of or in connection with any of my trips or tours and participation in any activities arranged for me by Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, agents and associates.

Should Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this Agreement, I agree to indemnify them and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, I agree to do so solely in the County of Lewis in the State of Washington and further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict-of-law rules of that state. The terms hereof shall serve as a release and assumption of all risk for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, and for all members of my family.

If any part, article, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this Agreement is not enforceable, the affected provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, shareholders, agents, and associates, based on any and all claims from which I have released them.

Faroe Islands: Moderate Activity Level

Van travel and overland hiking. Relatively easy walking for most of the trip over uneven ground and sheep trails. Walk as far or as little as you wish. Optional rigorous hiking up steep hills. Vehicles usually close at hand. Photograph at the edge of steep cliffs. 24 hours of daylight. Depending on the weather, photograph into the wee hours when light levels are best. Sleep-in in the morning.
Trip Details
Apr 18 - Apr 26, 2024
Fee: $6,395 from Vágar, Faroe Islands
Deposit: $1,500
Limit: 11 participants
Activity Level: ModerateModerate
 
Highlights
  • Unspoiled, unexplored, unbelievable: The keywords National Geographic Traveler used in its description of the winner of best island destination in the world—the Faroe Islands
  • Ever changing weather conditions create many moods for dramatically lit landscape images 
  • Rugged basaltic mountains rise steeply above treeless alpine terrain, photogenic waterfalls plunge into a wave-tossed sea or a quiet verdant valley
  • One convenient hotel for the entire tour
  • Includes all meals, lodging, ground transportation, entrance fees, photo guides and instruction
 
Tour Leaders
Todd W. Pierce

Todd W. Pierce

And local photo guide
 
"Todd Pierce is an extraordinary leader. I was first impressed with him during the Olympic National Park safari a few years back, and the Faroes tour confirmed my belief his interest in the success and knowledge of the attendees is paramount. Todd took the time to assist those needing and wanting photograpic guidance, including myself. Any safari in which Mr. Pierce leads, I will enthusiastically attend!"
— Frank S.