Total Solar Eclipse Spain Photography Tour 2026
- Date: August 6–14, 2026
- Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
- Languages: english / spanish
- Places: 10
- August 6–14, 2026 (available)
The Trip
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the heart of Spain during the Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026. Over 8 days we will explore the medieval city of Toledo, the desert landscapes of the Bardenas Reales, the waterfalls and caves of the Monasterio de Piedra, and the historic corners of Soria.
The highlight will be the observation and photography of the eclipse from the iconic Molino de Malanquilla, under pristine dark skies. This adventure combines history, nature, and astronomy for an unforgettable photographic journey.
About the Tour
- Price: $6.000
- Date: August 6–14, 2026
- Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
- Languages: english / spanish
- Places: 10
- Activity Level: All levels
- Airport Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD)
Highlights
- 8-day photography tour in Spain
- Capture the Total Solar Eclipse 2026
- Landscape, heritage, and night photography
- Milky Way sessions in unique locations
- Small groups with expert guidance
- Night photography at the iconic Castle of Zafra
- Cultural and culinary stops in historic towns
Description
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime photographic journey through the heart of Spain in the summer of 2026. This 8-day tour blends the historic charm of Toledo, the serenity of Soria, the dramatic geology of the Bardenas Reales, and the natural wonders of the Monasterio de Piedra.
Each day is carefully crafted to capture the essence of every location: golden light over medieval walls, the stark contrasts of Spain’s desert landscapes, and the timeless beauty of waterfalls and caves hidden in ancient forests.
The highlight of the journey comes on August 12, 2026, when we will witness and photograph the Total Solar Eclipsefrom the iconic Molino de Malanquilla, surrounded by pristine skies free from light pollution. A rare celestial event that will become the crown jewel of your portfolio.
This adventure is more than a photography tour – it’s a deep dive into landscape, culture, astronomy, and technique, designed to ensure you return home with both breathtaking images and unforgettable memories.
Map
Itinerary
Arrival in Madrid and transfer to the historic city of Toledo. In the afternoon we will enjoy a panoramic introduction: the Valley viewpoint with sweeping vistas, the monumental Puerta de Bisagra, and the impressive Cathedral towering over the old town. At sunset, Toledo reveals its medieval soul bathed in golden light — the perfect start to our photographic journey.
At sunrise, we will capture Toledo reflected in the calm waters of the Tagus River. We’ll wander through the maze of medieval alleys, the Jewish Quarter, and discover the elegance of Mudéjar art. The focus will be on architectural details, textures, and light play. At sunset, we’ll shoot from the San Martín Bridge, framing the city’s silhouette against a glowing evening sky.
Transfer to Soria, a quiet city by the Duero River. We’ll explore the Romanesque church of San Juan de Rabanera, the Plaza Mayor, and the cloister of San Pedro. At sunset, the Hermitage of San Saturio and the riverbanks will offer a mystical atmosphere, where stone and water blend under golden and purple hues.
Excursion to the Bardenas Reales, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its clay and sandstone formations, such as Castildetierra and Pisquerra, resemble landscapes from another planet. The harsh midday light will allow us to capture textures and striking contrasts.
Visit to the Monasterio de Piedra, a natural wonder steeped in history. We’ll photograph waterfalls such as Cola de Caballo, Iris, and Trinidad, as well as caves, lagoons, and Cistercian ruins covered in vegetation. At nightfall, we’ll enjoy a special astrophotography session under the Milky Way.
Arrival at the Molino de Malanquilla, where we’ll prepare equipment and frames for the eclipse. At night, a dedicated astrophotography session at the Castle of Zafra, its silhouette rising dramatically beneath a star-filled sky.
Total Solar Eclipse. We will witness and photograph all phases of the eclipse from a rural location with pristine dark skies. The windmill will become a striking silhouette in our compositions. After the excitement, we’ll close the day with a celebratory sunset session.
Return to Madrid with a stop in Brihuega, famous for its lavender fields, or the Entrepeñas Reservoir, with its turquoise waters. The journey ends with a group review of the best images, sharing experiences, and a warm farewell.
return flight
Included
- 8 nights of accommodation in charming, well-located hotels
- Daily breakfasts included at all accommodations
- All ground transportation during the itinerary
- Full photographic guidance and mentorship throughout the tour
- Entrance fees to Monasterio de Piedra and scheduled sites
- Two night photography sessions
- Logistical support and group coordination
Not Included
- International flights to/from Madrid
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary
- Single room supplement
- Optional activities (e.g., guided 4x4 tours in Bardenas Reales)
- Personal expenses, tips, and any services not mentioned under “Included”
Extras
- Participants may request accommodation in a Single Room ($1.200)
Ours guides
About the trip
- A Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera or a mirrorless camera
- A sturdy tripod with a ball head
- A wide-angle lens, such as a 14-24 mm
- A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70 mm
- A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens
- It is important for a lens to have a good aperture for Northern Lights, such as a 14 mm f/2.8
- A camera bag to carry all your equipment
- 6-stop ND filter
- A headlamp for night sessions
- Batteries, cleaning kit, and memory cards
- Drone
Our Photographic Tour will take place during the winter season, and we recommend following the guidelines for appropriate clothing to withstand low temperatures, especially during night excursions.
- FOOTWEAR: Crampons for shoes (mandatory for walking on ice) – Mountain footwear (waterproof boots) – Foot and hand warmers “warmer” (optional, for those who feel very cold).
- UPPER CLOTHING: Thermal shirt or inner thermal shirt. – Sweater or fleece pullover (brands like The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, or similar) – Down jacket suitable for temperatures up to -10 degrees. – Waterproof/windproof jacket. – Neck gaiter. – Thermal gloves for snow. – Woolen hats for the head.
- LOWER CLOTHING: Thermal leggings. – Waterproof pants (for skiing or snowboarding). – Woolen socks. For winter technical clothing, we recommend brands like The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, Helly Hansen, or similar.
- In Iceland, the tap water (cold) is of the highest quality in the world. We recommend buying a small reusable water bottle on the first day of your stay, which you can refill at hotels or any convenient location.
- Wi-Fi will be available in all hotels. For participants from outside Europe, if you wish, you can purchase a SIM card with data. You can buy one at the supermarket right in front of the luggage claim area. Alternatively, you can acquire a virtual e-SIM in advance from websites like https://esim.holafly.com/ or other similar services and activate it upon landing in Iceland.
- It is not necessary to exchange dollars for Icelandic krona in Iceland; you can use your credit card to make payments everywhere. If you want to exchange your currency for krona, you can do so at the airport.
- Iceland uses European type C plugs, so if you are coming from the United States, you will need an adapter.
Flights to Iceland
Round-trip flights to Iceland from Europe and the United States cost approximately $400 to $800. You should book your flight to or from Keflavik International Airport (KEF).
We recommend arriving at Keflavik before 12:00 noon on the start day of the tour so you don’t miss the orientation session.
Some participants choose to arrive a day before the start of the tour, which could be an excellent idea to begin the journey well-rested, especially if you have had a long flight.
Documentation
Iceland follows the visa regulations of the Schengen Area. Depending on your nationality and length of stay, you may need to obtain a visa. If you encounter any problems, feel free to consult us. It is crucial to verify the specific visa requirements for your country of residence before the trip.
Meals
Meals and dinners are not included in the tour price. Generally, we will have breakfast at our accommodation and enjoy meals and dinners at local restaurants.
During the day, we might opt for snacks and picnics on some days to streamline and maximize our time dedicated to photography.
Since both supermarkets and restaurants are relatively expensive in Iceland, we suggest you be prepared to allocate approximately $60-$80 USD daily for your food expenses.
Acommodation
During our photographic adventure through Iceland with Ice Monkey Tours, we will stay in a variety of charming hotels, carefully selected for both their proximity to the photographic destinations on our route and their comfort. To keep pace with our ever-changing photographic itinerary, we will move to different hotels throughout the journey, ensuring we are as close as possible to each day’s points of interest. You will enjoy comfortable double rooms with private bathrooms to fully enjoy your photographic adventure.
- Single room supplement: + $900.
FAQs
The workshop is scheduled for October 20 to 29. Check our calendar on the registration page for detailed information.
The workshop will take place in Iceland, a unique and stunning landscape that offers a variety of extraordinary photography opportunities.
We have experienced nature photographers who will share their knowledge and techniques. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to learn about aerial photography with drones.
The workshop is designed for photographers of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Sessions will be adapted to meet the needs of all participants, including an introduction to using drones for photography.
Absolutely! We recommend that you bring your drone to capture stunning views from the skies over Iceland.
Yes, there will be specific sessions during the workshop dedicated to aerial photography with drones. Our experts will guide you on best practices and techniques for capturing spectacular images from the air.
Yes, our instructors will be happy to provide guidance on selecting and configuring drones for photography, both before and during the event.
Yes, we recommend it for learning editing techniques.
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$6.000
- August 6–14, 2026 (available)
- Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
- Languages: english / spanish
- Places: 10
- Activity Level: All levels
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Legal terms for all tours ICEMONKEY
Deposit Policy: A reservation is confirmed upon a deposit of US$ 1,000. No spots will be reserved without the deposit.
Final Payment: The final amount must be paid 30 days before the trip begins.
We understand that attending our workshops requires prior commitment, and also that life events can occur that force you to cancel a trip. Depending on the cancellation date, the following conditions will apply:
- More than 90 days before the start date of the workshop: Full refund of payments made.
- Between 90 and 60 days before the start of the workshop: 50% of the booking will be refunded.
- 60-30 days before the start of the workshop: 35% of the booking will be refunded.
- Within 30 days prior to the start of the workshop: No refund will be made.
Accidents:
- IceMonkey is not responsible for accidents to workshop participants and will not cover medical expenses if necessary. During the workshop, each participant is responsible for their own safety and physical integrity.
- IceMonkey is not responsible for accidents or loss of photographic equipment during the workshop. Each participant is responsible for their own photographic equipment.
Travel insurance is mandatory.
Punctuality:
- Each day of the expedition, all participants must be punctual at the established time. All participants must be at the starting point of the expedition for its beginning. In case of delays due to inconveniences, the participant must communicate with someone from the IceMonkey staff as soon as possible.
- Respect:
Participants may be at different levels of knowledge about the subject, which requires patience when explaining topics that are already familiar to them. The photographic area of each participant must be respected. Disrespect towards a participant or staff member will not be tolerated.
This is a discrimination-free space. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Climate:
- The tour and its itinerary depend on the weather and can change at any moment. We will always be attentive to the best weather conditions to determine where to go and optimize the taking of photographs.