Iceland’s pure panorama supplies quite a few alternatives to expertise some much-needed thrill. From exploring the whale inhabitants to scaling the volcano peaks, the record of out of doors adventures in Iceland you are able to do simply goes on and on.
Other than doing an Iceland ring road trip and the favored Golden Circle tour, listed below are the perfect 6 outside actions that you need to put in your to-do record if you go to the Land of Fireplace and Ice.
1. Whale watching
You didn’t assume we’d speak about adventures in Iceland with out mentioning whale watching? Effectively no, we’re in no temper to commit this crime!
The chilly waters of the nation enchantment to totally different marine lives, and undoubtedly, whales are the most well-liked amongst them. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a shock that Iceland has turn into one of many prime locations in the world for whale watching. A big chunk of the nation’s tourism income originates from this exercise.
The very best time for whale watching in Iceland is in the course of the summer time months of April to September, when you’ll be able to spot totally different species like humpback whales, sperm whales, orcas, and fin whales, amongst others.
Not solely that, however you even have the uncommon alternative to identify blue whales, which migrate to this a part of the world in search of a greater habitat throughout summers. Plus, coping with the chilly water breeze turns into simpler when the temperatures are larger than common.
As such, whale-watching excursions function from nearly throughout Iceland, however Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Husavik emerge as the most well-liked spots. You can select guided whale-friendly tours from these areas, which provide the finest probability to identify the totally different whale species from an in depth (but protected) distance.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re feeling a bit extra adventurous, take into account braving the chilly and taking a tour in the winters amidst the snow-capped mountains and presumably, the majestic Northern lights!
2. Climbing on volcanoes
For a lot of of our readers, the time period “journey” is synonymous with mountain climbing, and we don’t wish to disappoint them. So, if you happen to’re a hiker by coronary heart, don’t overlook to take a look at the Krafla Fires caldera in the Myvatn area of Northern Iceland.
A collection of earthquakes from 1975 to 1984 cracked open a volcanic fissure close to this caldera to spit out lava and fireplace over the encircling stretch. Though the lava isn’t seen anymore, you’ll be able to nicely see and really feel its “imprint” in the neighboring panorama and is usually a part of the lava cave Iceland tour.
For example, you may be standing in feet-deep snow and touching the black patch of floor that’s nonetheless heat from the lava. That is certainly one of many many adventures in Iceland you wouldn’t wish to miss out on! Furthermore, the trail is adorned with pure thermal swimming pools, steamy openings, and solidified lava rocks, which makes you are feeling near nature like nothing else.
However the perfect a part of this hike is a go to to the “Pit of Hell,” which is one more creation of mom nature. It’s an enormous crater shaped by a large-scale volcanic eruption someday in the course of the early 1700s. With a diameter measuring greater than 980 toes huge, this crater is nicknamed “Viti” by the Icelandic population- a phrase that actually interprets to “hell.”
Curiously, it’s additionally one of the crucial stunning spots in Iceland, because the crater is crammed with crystal clear turquoise water, making it a sight to behold. Probably the greatest hikes and adventures in Iceland, we are saying, however watch your steps to keep away from stepping onto one thing harmful.
3. Snaefellsjokull—touring to the middle of the Earth
Now, you could be questioning how we will presumably discuss with the well-known fictional novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne whereas speaking about Icelandic adventures. However Snaefellsjokull will make this a actuality.
For the unversed, Snaefellsjokull is a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano located on the western a part of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. You might even spot it from over the Fax Bay in the capital metropolis of Reykjavik.
Arguably the most well-liked of all of the volcanoes in the nation, Snaefellsjokull rose to fame solely after being featured in the film made on the above-mentioned novel. However folks had been nonetheless scared to go to this iconic panorama. In spite of everything, the considered coming into the Earth’s core might be nightmarish for most individuals.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t the volcano’s scary notion that stored folks away from it. It was all due to a neighborhood delusion prevalent until the nineteenth century suggesting that this volcano was, in actuality, a doorway to hell.
All this modified when one man determined to trek up the volcano, solely to find the mesmerizing view of the nation from atop. And immediately, it’s one of the crucial fashionable mountain climbing locations in the nation.
4. Scuba diving in Silfra—among the best outside adventures in Iceland!
For a rustic that’s well-known for its marine inhabitants and pure landscapes, together with scuba diving on the record of adventures right here was a no brainer.
Most individuals don’t know that the towering volcanoes and majestic mountain peaks in the nation might be credited to its strategic place on the rift between the tectonic plates of North America and Europe. The underwater panorama isn’t an exception both, that means you will get the distinctive alternative of swimming between these tectonic plates. How’s that to get the adrenaline dashing?
The very best location to expertise that is the Silfra Fissure, situated in the center of the Thingvellir Nationwide Park, which is among the many prime locations for diving in Iceland and the remainder of the world.
Though the crystal-clear water stays chilly all year long, it has a visibility of greater than 300 meters. This offers you the right alternative to take a more in-depth take a look at the awe-striking underwater panorama stuffed with land slopes, caves, caverns, and lava constructions shaped over thousands and thousands of years in the area.
5. Rafting in Hvita River
Rafting actions are simply among the many most most popular outside actions for journey lovers, and you’ll usually see vacationers with little to no expertise getting on rafts in Iceland. Positive, the waters are chilly year-round, however all that adrenaline pumping by means of your physique will negate the low temperatures in no time.
The Hvita River (situated about an hour from the Reykjavik Arctic adventures) is a go-to for white water rafting actions. It flows by the breathtaking Bruarhlod canyon and the neighboring Geysir, providing you with the perfect location to catch a glimpse of those scenic pure landscapes.
Some rafting corporations additionally enable vacationers to cliff leap into the (almost) ice-cold Hvita river and heat themselves up with sauna classes and beer as soon as the exercise concludes.
6. Jeep using in Porsmork
In case you aren’t significantly in water-based actions, then a jeep journey in Porsmork will certainly present the appropriate dose of journey for you. And no, it isn’t a normal open-jeep journey.
The heavy-duty jeeps that take you thru Porsmork, a valley coated in forest and tucked between three glaciers, are specifically constructed for the rugged terrains of this area. They’re designed to run on the tough grounds of the glaciers, steep inclines, in addition to the quickly flowing Krossa river whereas making certain the security of the riders.
In keeping with a well-liked legend, Porsmork is the house to the Nordic God of energy, Thor, and the tough terrains of the area absolutely justify this.
On the identical time, it’s coated by over 150 species of flora, which “softens” the panorama to make for a scenic view. Some folks take into account this to be a illustration of the softer aspect of Thor, who’s often known as the God of “therapeutic and fertility.”
We’d counsel going for a two-day journey right here to be able to additionally go to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and lava caves of the Blue Mountains.
Able to plan your trip to Iceland now? We guess you’re! However earlier than we go away you to it, listed below are a couple of phrases of recommendation.
We’d strongly suggest reserving reputed guided mountain climbing and whale watching excursions to maximise your security. This manner, you’ll be able to relaxation assured about not getting misplaced and following the required pointers. Therefore, it’s your decision to perform a little research in advance to go along with the perfect journey tour corporations.
Would you have an interest to do any of those adventures in Iceland?
