Basecamp Iceland Blog

Choosing the right private tour in Iceland will not only provide you with insights into the culture but also give you memories that will last a lifetime. At Basecamp Iceland, we offer a wide range of private tours that are designed to provide a personal experience for tourists looking to immerse themselves in Icelandic culture.

​One of the best ways to tour Iceland is on a private tour lead by a local guide. Some of the private tours in Iceland you can choose from include:

​The Golden Circle Private Tour is one of the most popular private tours in Iceland thanks to the breathtaking 300-kilometer loop surroundings. This private tour includes three stops: Thingvellir National Park where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian continental plates; Haukadalur, a geothermal area with two powerful geysers; and Gulfoss, a waterfall that spills into a crevice over 2 kilometers long. Each stop along this private tour features some of the most impress views Iceland has to offer. 

​The Private Northern Lights Adventure Tour in Iceland allows tourists to enjoy the Northern Lights off the beaten track and away from large crowds. Since Iceland is one of the best places in the world to spot the lights, this private tour is the perfect opportunity for small groups (up to 15 people) to spend time with a local Northern Lights expert guide and learn about the lights in a way you could not experience anywhere else in the world. 

​The Shaefellsnes Iceland Private Tour is an all-day adventure that allows tourists to immerse themselves in the local culture, cuisine, and activities. This private tour is tailored to each group by their guide, providing a unique experience you will cherish for years to come. During your time in Shaefellsnes, your guide will take you to visit some of the volcanic craters, glaciers, and small towns in the area to give you a clear image of life in Iceland. 

​The Private Iceland South Coast Adventure Tour is a full-day tour filled with breathtaking scenery, local culture and cuisine, as well as activities that the whole family will enjoy. This private tour for up to 6 people will give you plenty of opportunities to ask your guide questions about the area and local history. During this private tour, your guide will take you through the mountains down to Iceland's south coast, giving you plenty of time to view waterfalls, volcanoes, and glaciers along the way.
 
If you would like to learn more about choosing the right private tour in Iceland, or if you are interested in one of our caving tours, please contact Basecamp Iceland at +345-777-0708 or by filling out a contact form on our website.  

Choosing the best Reykjavik, Iceland caving tour company can make a world of difference when it comes to seeing the some of the best sights Iceland has to offer. At Basecamp Iceland, we offer a wide range of caving tours that are designed to provide a more personal experience to tourists looking to explore the vast Icelandic lava tube caves.
 
Tips for Choosing the Best Caving Tour Company in Reykjavik, Iceland 
If you are thinking about traveling to Reykjavik, Iceland but are unsure what tour company will work best for your specific wants and needs, here are some simple tips to help you choose the best caving tour company:
 
1. Consider Group Sizes 
One of the most important decisions that you will have to make when it comes to choosing a caving tour company in Iceland is the size of the group you are looking to tour with. While large group tours often work well for sightseeing, consider hiring a tour company that offers small group tours for caving experiences. Small group tours will not only give you a more personalized experience but also more time to explore without being rushed along the way.
 
2. Consider Value Over Price 
While most people often try to hire an Icelandic caving tour company on the cheaper side, prices can often be misleading. In a lot of cases, companies that send people on big tours of 30-40 travellers at a time can secure bulk rates for rooms and activities, which means that they are able to offer cheaper rates; however, choosing a cheap rate can also increase the chance that the tour will not be as good as you are hoping for. Consider taking the time to consider the value of a tour not just its price. Finding out what the caving tour has to offer will let you know if you are getting the most bang for your buck. 
 
3. Look for Local Leaders 
Taking a tour with a local leader can be a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and experience Reykjavik, Iceland in a way that enriches your travel. Since local leaders are born and raised in Iceland, they will know the area like the back of their hand and can offer cool local knowledge that you would not learn travelling on your own. 
 
4. Check Their Safety Record 
When choosing a caving tour company in Reykjavik, Iceland, it is always important to ensure that the company follows all proper safety requirements. This will help ensure that, in the event something goes wrong, your tour guide will be able to properly handle the situation and guide you to safety.
 
If you would like to learn more about choosing the best Reykjavik, Iceland caving tour company, or if you are interested in one of our caving tours, please contact Basecamp Iceland at +345-777-0708 of by filling out a contact form on our website. 

As with almost anything, the more options you have, the better. This includes choosing the right caving tour in Iceland. While few places in the world have accessible lava caves, Iceland has a wide range of lava tube caves that are within easy reach of the capital area. At Basecamp Iceland, we offer a wide range of caving tours, allowing you to explore the vast lava tube caves that our country has to offer.

Roughly speaking, caving tour adventures in Iceland can be divided into three categories: sightseeing caves, luxury caves, and adventure caves.

Exploring the volcanic features of Iceland should be on every visitors list and going underneath the surface of the lava fields with an expert guide is an unforgettable experience. There is no one-size-fits-all caving tour available and knowing your options will increase your chance of choosing the right tour for you. 

If you would like to find out more about the 3 types of Icelandic cave adventures you should know about, or if you are interested in one of our caving tours, please contact Basecamp Iceland at +345-777-0708 or by filling out a contact form on our website. As much as we would like to see everyone who reads this join us on our Caves & Volcanoes tours, what is most important to us is that you find the right tour at the right comfort level for you. 

Happy spelunking and we hope to see you in the underworld.

The northern lights are the lure that draws on most of Iceland's visitors in winter but not all are lucky enough to see the lights on their first or even second trip to Iceland. To help improving your odds and happiness index on your travel in Iceland's winter we put together a shortlist of things to keep in mind.
1. Weather - Be flexible
This is the single most critical factor on your hunt for the Northern lights in Iceland. The weather changes very fast and there can be days with nice clear skies that then turn into fully overcast evenings and of course the other way around. Luckily the overcast usually doesn't cover the whole island. There may be clear skies in Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Egilsstaðir or Stykkishólmur even though it is poring with rain in Reykjavík (Sitting at home writing this I see from vedur.is that the skies are clear in all those places except Reykjavik).
If seeing the lights is the main purpose with your visit, then you should go and spend the night there. I realize that cost is a concern but usually a short notice booking in those places is a welcome addition to the low season in winter and the room might even be offered to you at a discount.

2. Kp index
This is a short one. Don't pay too much attention to the Kp index unless you really know what you are looking at. I have seen good polar lights when the Icelandic Met office graded the Kp at 0 and I have stayed out for hours with Kp at 8 without seeing more than just the stars and the headlights from other cars.
When we decide whether to go out for a tour or stay at home we look at this site here: ​https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/3-day-forecast it is a "long" term forecast (3 days:-) and it gives you an idea of what to expect. Then when we are out on the road hunting for the northern lights we talk to other guides and we even have a member of the staff in front of the computer monitoring the magnetic measurements of the Met office and other sites to stay on top of things in case the lights decide to make an appearance.
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3. Happy index
This one is dedicated to the expectations as we have seen guests being disappointed with the lights that they see, even when the lights are well above average. The Northern lights are a natural phenomenon and the intensity varies but most pictures shown on the internet and social media are pictures of the awesome firework show that the solar winds put on every once in a while. In the real world it can be quite different. Sometimes the lights appear just like faint white cloud in the distance and you can only confirm that these are indeed the northern lights when you look at the picture in your camera (if that happens to be the case on your tour ask your guide if there will be a rerun. Most tour operators offer a second chance if no lights are seen on the first tour).
The length of the display of the aurora borealis can also vary and sometimes the show lasts for hours and other times it doesn't last long enough for you to get as much as a picture.
Talking about pictures, don't try to learn how your camera operates on the tour unless you like the challenge of working under pressure with hands numb from the cold and 10% power left on your camerabattery. You might end up missing the show and for no reason as your guide will have a camera and a tripod and he or she will be more than happy to take your pictures snf send to you the morning after. After all the hard work and travel we really want you to enjoy the show.