Can you guarantee seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland? Can you show me what winter Ice Cave we will discover this year on our trip? 

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

But that's ok. Let us explain why. To answer each question properly is to inadvertently describe the two-day tour we run. Trialled successfully last winter and launching in earnest this November 2019.

Ice Cave Discovery

The ice caves we explore in the winter months are formed either from summer melt water, or from the physical warping and movement of the glacier throughout the year. This means that each year we must go in search of new ice caves with the help of local ice cave explorers. The ice caves from last year have either melted or collapsed, partially due to climate change.

This means every winter our ice cave glacier hike is unique to that season. The 2016 ice cave has collapsed. The 2017 ice cave is now just a hole. And the 2018 ice cave is filled with water. We must travel for a full day to the east of the island to get our pick of off the beaten path ice caves around Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. This often means we do a moderate glacier hike to find them, usually preceded by some off-road driving. 

Northern Lights Hunting

This is a contentious one because we as a company do not run stand-alone Northern Lights trips. That’s because there’s no way of guaranteeing you will see them on any given night. Solar winds need to be strong; clouds need to be gone and the moon needs to be low to name just a few factors affecting your chances.

What we can do is find the perfect middle of nowhere farm guest house or hotel to stay in overnight, teach you what to look out for and even educate you on the science behind it all so that if you are lucky enough to have good conditions you are in the perfect spot for finding them. Along the way we will be sneaking behind waterfalls, walking along black sand beaches and watching ice bergs float by at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and diamond beach. Our view is if you don’t see the northern lights that night then at least you’ve had an incredible adventure along the way.

Our two day trip runs from early November to the end of March. The rest of the year a glacier hike only version is available. Northern lights are visible from September to Mid-April. 

https://hiddeniceland.is/jokulsarlon-glacier-lagoon-ice-cave-discovery-2-day-tour/ 

Video: 

https://vimeo.com/284945717

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To learn more about how we find ice caves, teach about the northern lights, or create these family friendly adventures please contact:

Ryan Connolly
Marketing Manager
Hidden Iceland
E:  Ryan@hiddeniceland.is
T:  +3547759496