Iceland is a remarkable country and one of the ideal places to travel if you’d love nothing more than to see the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis is a fascinating natural wonder exclusively visible in the Northern Hemisphere – and the further north you travel, the more distinct the patterns of pinks, purples, yellow and greens will be.
Staying in a glass igloo elevates your holiday to the next level and feels reminiscent of sleeping under the stars—but in luxurious custom-built accommodation that is as comfortable as it is relaxing and engineered to ensure you are warm and relaxed while watching the greatest show on Earth.
Let us share some information to answer frequently asked questions about lodging in an Icelandic glass igloo, with tips on the items to make sure you pack in your suitcase.
Why See the Northern Lights From an Icelandic Glass Igloo?
A glass igloo provides a unique experience, where you feel as if you are drifting among the stars, with a first-hand, up-close view of the Aurora Borealis, one of the world’s most extraordinary natural phenomena, and something that thousands of travellers aspire to see, at least once.
Guests can opt between adventure and active holidays, cruises and whale-watching boat trips while seeing the Northern Lights overhead at night, or staying in a wilderness lodge or ice hotel – many of which provide private glass igloos available to book in advance.
The sensation of laying back on a comfy seat, bed or blanket, with the scent and warmth of a fire in the background and the lights in the night sky overhead, is simply amazing. It removes any distractions that can reduce the effect of the lights or hamper your view.
Having a front-row seat makes the best of your Iceland Northern Lights holiday, and if you’re staying for a few nights with a great Aurora forecast, you can even try different ways to enjoy the spectacle.
Options include a guided husky sledding trip, travelling on a snowmobile or jeep, heading off for a reindeer safari, or attending a hiking tour to find the best views from the top of a mountain or glacier – something few people ever see!
What Should I Pack for a Northern Lights Igloo Holiday in Iceland?
One of the most common questions we receive is about the temperature inside a glass igloo – rest assured, every glass igloo, Aurora bubble or cabin with a glass roof or viewing gallery is thermally insulated, so you’ll stay warm and dry inside while watching the Northern Lights dance across the night sky.
Igloos are heated to a consistent level, which means that even in the harshest winters when temperatures can drop as low as -30°C, you’ll be warm—with special glass that doesn’t attract frost or condensation.
Families often love to light a roaring fire, enjoy hot mugs of cocoa or mulled wine, and relax in their PJs while enjoying the beauty of an uninterrupted view of the Aurora Borealis. Couples might book an evening snowmobile tour into the forest or wilderness, unwind with a bottle of wine, or soak in the lights during a beautifully catered meal.
While you won’t need thermals for each night inside your accommodation, you will be comfortable with good-quality layers, gloves, and hats for any time you spend outside.
Each igloo will come complete with comfy blankets and seating to lie back and enjoy the view, so you won’t need to pack extra blankets or save space in your luggage for anything other than the layers you’ll wear.
For trips, excursions and activities during the day, we’d recommend:
- Thermal socks and layers to ensure you stay toasty warm even when the famously cold Icelandic winter air bites.
- Hiking boots are a good call – choose rugged, waterproof boots with thick, insulating soles and great grip to avoid slipping and sliding.
- Outer layers, such as a hat, scarf, thermal gloves or a balaclava, are well worth packing, along with a windproof, waterproof ski jacket.
Although you might think of Iceland and the Northern Lights as only requiring thermals, you’ll also need swimwear to visit the geothermal pools for a relaxing, soothing, warm swim. The Blue Lagoon is the best-known, but you’ll also require swimwear for any accommodation or camps with an outdoor hot tub or even your very own private sauna outside your lodge.
It’s also a great idea to pack a head torch which helps when navigating pathways between the main lodge or a shared kitchen and your glass igloo, and of course, a spare battery or power bank to keep your phone or camera charged to ensure you never miss an opportunity to capture a memory.
Planning for a Magical Glass Igloo Northern Lights Iceland Holiday
The vast majority of items you’ll need during your stay at an ice hotel, glass igloo hotel or wilderness lodge are provided on a hire basis during your trip. For example, you might like to book a variety of excursions and tours, with all the equipment and kit given to you by the tour organiser or hotel, including:
- Extra thermals for snowmobile trips to the lava fields or ice caves.
- Cross-country skis for skiing through the snowy wilderness.
- Crampons and safety kit for glacier hiking.
Many packages include initial flights to Reykjavik, where you can enjoy the sites, cuisines and landmarks throughout the city before heading out to more rural areas for your Northern Lights adventure.
Top destinations include Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest lake in the country just 40 minutes from the capital, the Ion Adventure Hotel, designed for Northern Lights exploring and activity sports, the awe-inspiring Gullfoss Waterfall, and Vatnajökull National Park, a protected wilderness region in South Iceland characterised by ice caves, glaciers, lagoons and jagged mountain peaks.
For more information about booking an Iceland Northern Lights holiday, staying in an incredible, immersive glass igloo, or selecting the ideal tour or itinerary for you and your travelling companions, please get in touch.
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 at 9:48 am; on the subject of Iceland, Northern Lights.