What is the Aurora Borealis?

The Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis is a spectacular natural light show. This is caused by sun particles colliding with gases as they penetrate our atmosphere. Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a great option because this phenomena only occurs close to the magnetic poles.

What is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?

Because of Iceland’s high latitude, the seasons dictate not only the weather, but also the amount of daylight. Many choose to visit Iceland in the colder and darker months to maximise their chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

The season is from late August to mid-April. However, from October to February has the highest chances to see them due to the early setting of the sun. For best results, you will need complete darkness.

Many other factors including aurora activity, cloud cover and light pollution affect your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. A good resource for checking for a forecast is the Aurora Forecast website.

Where and How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

So you’ve made it to Reykjavik? I remember how excited I was as soon as I checked into my hostel. Luckily, if you’re in the right season, you might be lucky enough to witness the auroras from town!

Best spot to see the Northern Lights near Reykjavik

If conditions are right, you might be lucky enough to spot the Northern Lights without traveling too far from the capital city. For the best Aurora, it is important to have a little light pollution as possible. A great spot which isn’t too far from the city is a hill beside Reykjavik University.

Follow the map below to get the university. You will see a trail leading up the forest hills where you can find some secluded spots to watch the Northern Lights. We were lucky enough to catch an awesome Aurora spectacle over Reykjavik on our first night in Iceland.

On the road

It’s true that the best Northern Lights in Iceland are a little off the beaten path. Heading away from the city and into the vast landscapes will provide the best viewing conditions. There are several tour companies that operate in Reykjavik. Some hostels even organise trips.

In saying that, by far the best way to see the Northern Lights is to have your own car. Many choose to travel Iceland around the famous Ring Road. If you choose to take this option, and I highly recommend it, then you will be rewarded with some amazing Auroras.

Check out my write up on how I drove the Ring Road for under $50 per day here.

Photography Tips to Capture the Northern Lights

The best way to check for activity is actually to use your camera! Your camera’s sensor, which is more sensitive to light than the human eye, will pick up Aurora activty, often before you do.

A tripod is a must

A tripod, Gorillapod or makeshift stabilising device is crucial for capturing the Northern Lights. Because you are shooting the night sky, slow shutter speed is important, and therefore the need to hold the camera still. There’s nothing worse than capturing epic Aurora beams but everything else is unsharp.

Use a wide aperture

Widening your aperture to the lowest your lens allows will mean sharp images without having to bump up the ISO. It is important to cater to the surrounding light, however generally a 30 second shutter, 2.8 or 4 aperture and 800 ISO will suffice.

Remember to enjoy the moment

There’s a reason you flew to the Arctic Circle and climbed a mountain in the middle of the night. Seeing the Northern Lights with your own eyes is one of the most amazing experiences one can have. Getting an epic shot is awesome, but don’t forget to soak in the moment.

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Try to you arrive at Gullfoss waterfall bright and early, or in the Winter months when the sun hugs the horizon during daylight hours. If you do, you will also notice the golden glow of the water particles as the sun hits.

How to Get to Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss waterfall is a very popular stop on many Golden Circle day-trip itineraries. It’s also one of the closest major falls to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. There are a couple of options to get here, I’ve detailed the two best ways below.

Renting a car – DIY travel option

By far the best way to see Iceland is by renting a car and driving yourself. This still goes for those looking for a great day trip from Reykjavik.

Gullfoss waterfall will take approximately two hours to reach from Reykjavik. However, it’s probably a better idea to take your time and stop at some of the famous spots on the Golden Circle. You’ll drive through Thingvellir, which is one of the best National Parks in Iceland. You could also stop at the Geysir and finish the day off with a swim at the Secret Lagoon.

For those interested in driving Iceland’s famous “Ring Road” make sure you check out my write up on how to do this on a backpacker’s budget.

Jump on a Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik

You could also be shown the highlights of Southern Iceland from a local. There are a magnitude of tour companies operating in Reykjavik that do day trips to Gullfoss Waterfall and other stops along the Golden Circle.

One of the most respected tour companies is Icelandic Travel. Their Golden Circle Tour stops at the must-see spots in the area. The buses are comfortable and the entire day trip takes roughly 9.5 hours and will only set you back roughly $90.

Photos of Gullfoss Waterfall to Inspire Your Travel

Iceland’s waterfalls are some of the best in the world. Finding a gem like Gullfoss waterfall so close to a major city is one reason Iceland is such an epic travel destination.

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The post Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Those looking for unique wildlife might be lucky enough to find arctic foxes, seals, whales and thousands of Icelandic horses. I was also surprised to find out that polar bears infrequently visit the island, travelling from neighboring Greenland on floating Icebergs.

Are Wild Reindeer in Iceland Native?

For those visiting Iceland in Winter, it’s hard to believe that any life could have been born there. The harsh volcanic-ice elements are pretty unforgiving. However, after being introduced from Norway in the 1770’s, wild Reindeer populations have managed to make Iceland thier home.

Although reindeer were introduced all over Iceland, the only animals that have been able to survive were those populations in the East Fjords. Wild reindeer in Iceland are not native, but sure look the part as they stroll the snowcapped mountains.

Where can I find Wild Reindeer in Iceland?

For those driving the Ring Road, the East Fjords will most likely be on your itinerary. As Route 1 snakes itself up the coastline, make sure you keep an eye out for herds of reindeer. These guys like to hang out close to rivers, dams and mounded hills.

While wild reindeer are fairly rare to spot, it’s sure an amazing moment when you do. Reindeer tend to group together in herds and are easily spooked. We saw six different herds while we were in the East Fjords, and most of the time they ran from as we approached quietly from the distance.

Read More: Check out how you can drive Iceland’s Ring Road on a Budget.

The best town to see wild reindeer in Iceland

Seydisfjordur (Seyðisfjörður) is a small township in the East of Iceland located on the southern tip of a fjord of the same name. While there is not much to do in this town, it’s worth a visit to witness real Eastern Icelandic local life. It’s also one of the best places to see wild reindeer in Iceland. You can find the spot on the map below.

The road leading to the fjord is perfect for spotting wild reindeer. There are small jagged mountains and picturesque rolling snow hills. Out of the six herds of wild reindeer in Iceland, we were lucky enough to spot two on this road.

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The post Where to Spot Wild Reindeer in Iceland appeared first on We Seek Travel.

Keep reading below for a first hand account into how to travel Iceland relatively cheaply without compromising on experience and adventure. We drove the Ring Road in the middle of winter, whilst sticking to a backpacker’s budget of $50 USD per day for all expenses.

Iceland is truly an adventurer’s dream destination. If you were to ask most people what was on their bucket list, seeing the Northern Lights would have to be one of the most common responses. Thanks to TV series like Game of Thrones, Iceland is becoming more and more popular as a travel destination and it’s easy to see why. However, the tourism drive also makes it harder to travel Iceland on a budget.

So how do I travel Iceland on a budget?

Travelling Iceland on a Budget

There are many ways to get around Iceland on a budget. Read on to find out how I spent less than $50 a day.

Rent a Car

By far, the easiest and best way to get around Iceland is to rent a car. Having your own means of transport will allow you to see more, as well as being able to move and explore at your own pace.

The best and most common route for a holistic Iceland experience is to travel the Ring Road. This is Iceland’s main Highway and loops around the entire Island. Don’t worry, there are thousands of detours, hikes and dirt roads to veer off from once you are driving. Therefore, looping the Island on the Ring Road as a primary rough-plan is definitely your best bet.

Check out my general Ring Road Itinerary below, including the popular Golden Circle, best waterfalls and glaciers, Southern Iceland, Northern Iceland, The Western Fjords and Northern Reykjavik. Note that there are just way too many hikes and stops that aren’t included. Trust me, you will be pulling over to chase trail heads and photo opportunities every few minutes. It’s all part of the spontaneous adventure. Iceland on a budget probably means more adventure, since you’ll be out looking for it.

I’d recommend using the below map as a rough guide and to explore the hidden gems for yourself. 

Avoid international car rental companies

There are plenty at the airport but you will save money if you get a cheap local bus from Reykjavik Airport into the city and stick to local car rental companies. The best and cheapest option is GoCarRental.is.

This is a great local company that even allows locals to put their cars up for hire. How awesome is the sharing economy? You can snatch up a decent four-wheel drive for around $65 per day. Although this is quite cheap, this will definitely be your main cost, and if you are sharing with a buddy, it’s really not too bad. This guide is written with the intent that you won’t be travelling Iceland solo and therefore sharing will allow you to hit that $50 a day and drive Iceland on a budget. If you are travelling solo, read down below for some tips on saving money. 

It is definitely recommended to get a 4×4 vehicle, especially if you are planning your trip in winter. We got stuck a couple of times in thick snow and mud, a two wheel drive just won’t cut it.

Sleep in the Car

It Sounds cold? Yep, -18 ° C cold. Before you close the tab, consider it as an option. There are countless perks of sleeping in a car in Iceland and it’s the best way to truly see Iceland on a budget.

1. No wasted money on accommodation
2. Sleep wherever you want
3. Explore on your own time
4. No packing and unpacking
5. It’s an adventure!

We had absolutely no issues in parking our car either in small towns or in one of the many roadside truck rest stops. As an alternative, if you have the equipment or if you are planning an Iceland trip in Summer, you could always bring a tent and sleeping bag.

Remember to pack warm clothes and a thick sleeping bag. 

Although you will lack a warm shower, Iceland has no shortage of either commercial or small, local hot-springs, saunas and pools. These are very cheap and should also very much be a part of any Icelandic itinerary. Seeing the Northern lights from a warm hot-spring on the edge of a fjord is also one of the most romantic moments of my life. Unfortunately, the moment was shared with my hairy, bearded friend – and neither of us had showered for days. Although it was an epic moment, his presence didn’t do much to complement the amorous ambience. 

Read More: Full Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland

Budget your food

This is a backpacking no-brainer. It’s on every single “How to Travel X on a budget” guide. Eating out really is the number one killer of cash on the road. You will have to prepare your taste buds for the humdrum of quick-to-cool oats and peanut butter out if you want to travel Iceland on a budget.  

1. Hostel freebies for cooking gear

If you stay in a hostel for your first night in Reykjavik, check out the freebies section. Many people drive the ring road and then fly out, often leaving their gas cookers, pots, pans etc behind. Take advantage of this and grab some free cooking gear. – Be sure to repay the favour on your way out.

2. Stock up on food in Reykjavik

There is no shortage of local supermarkets in Reykjavik. Make sure to stock up on essentials like oats, pasta, fresh produce and road snacks here. This will be the cheapest and most plentiful source of food during your trip. Iceland is still quite remote, only 300, 000 people live here and 130 000 of those are in Reykjavik!

3. Stick to the basics

If you’re reading this blog then you’re more than likely looking for adventure over luxury travel experiences. To save money, stick to basic high-carb foods that are going to give you plenty of energy for your big hikes. Pastas, oats, muesli bars, noodles are some of the cheapest foods but are some of the best for a road trip. Besides, a hot $3 pasta and pasta sauce combo is probably going to taste just as good as an authentic Italian restaurant meal after a cold hike up a volcano!

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Stick to Nature

It really is simple. The best things in Iceland really are free. Chase the waterfalls, turn off for spontaneous day hikes, check out the glaciers, drive out to the fjords at night to catch the Northern Lights. These are the reasons you came to Iceland, and they shouldn’t compromise your trip to Iceland on a budget.

Of course, there are some things that you might not want to miss that might lighten your pockets. Snowmobiling, glacier hiking, ice-caving and helicopter flights. Yes, these things are epic and definitely shouldn’t be avoided. My general rule of thumb is to consider whether this is something I definitely can’t do anywhere else in the world. If it is, I’d definitely go for it if you have a few dollars to burn. It really depends on your budget and expectations of Iceland.

Read More: Best place to spot Wild Reindeer in Iceland.

Hitch-hike

Although hitching in Iceland is not so common during the winter months for obvious reasons, it has become a popular place to hitch during the warmer months. Of course, if you are heading in Summer as a solo traveller, it might be a great idea to hitchhike rather than to rent your own car. This is one of the cheapest ways to travel Iceland on a budget.

The best places to hitch a ride would definitely be at Reykjavik hostels, where many like-minded travelers begin their Ring Road journey, or just outside of town on Route 1.

If you’re driving, picking up hitchhikers often pays off. There are hundreds of people looking to travel Iceland on a budget. This means that it’s a great way to meet other travelers who may want to join in for the whole trip. Although it’s unwritten law to not ask money from hitchhikers, they may ask to join in on your whole Ring Road trip. This might be a good opportunity to share petrol and food costs if you have the space.

Photos to Inspire Your Iceland Trip

Iceland is a landscape photographer’s dream location. Towering mountains, daunting volcanoes, floating icebergs and the famous Aurora Borealis. Hopefully some of my shots will inspire you to visit this epic country.

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• A Guide to the Northern Lights in Iceland
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