A gap year in Iceland
Gap years in Iceland
It’s a mystical, ancient land covered in swirling mists and studded with majestic glaciers. It’s the land of Old Norse and the Northern Lights, characterised by the most dramatic scenery and breathtaking sunsets you’ll ever lay eyes on. Conservationists and geologists, sign up and catch the boat for the most incredible Gap Year in the world.
Gap Year Opportunities
Conservation opportunities abound in Iceland. If you’ve got the furs and the boots, sign up to help rebuild trails in the National Parks; clean up beaches in the north-east; plant trees and create hiking paths in the East Fjords; or study glacial landforms in Skaftafell National Park.
The contrasting landscape in Iceland, besides its position for viewing the Northern Lights and its whale population, make it prime territory for conservation projects led by scientists from all over the world. And, unlike Antarctica or Greenland, there’s plenty to do on your days off, too.
Getting Around
Fly in to Reykjavik, and make sure you know which bus to catch – it’s 50 minutes to the city. To explore rural Iceland, you have two options: book yourself onto a coach trip, or hire a car. Car-hire is best, especially if you want some flexibility to discover unusual places. It is expensive, but rewarding. Iceland’s roads are exceptionally good, as well as being scenic and very quiet.
About Iceland
With the same number of inhabitants as Cardiff, Iceland is the world’s most sparsely populated country. However, it has a high-performing economy, dependent mainly on exporting fish and machinery, and an amazing unemployment rate of just 1%. The country is fortunate to derive renewable energy from its natural hydroelectric and geothermal resources. It’s no surprise, then, that Iceland has one of the world’s highest GDPs.
60% of the population lives in Reykjavik, which is also the centre for most tourist trips – overlooking the harbour and with a wide range of cosmopolitan entertainment and eating venues, the city enjoys a chic modern image. The Lonely Planet calls it “a little piece of Europe”, and – surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, volcanic geysers and lava fields, the city is oddly out-of-place. Even though winters are truly dreary, Reykjavik has a young, hip population, and plenty of live music to brighten up the 22-hour dark days. The annual Airwaves festival, in October, is in the diary of every Icelandic socialite.
What to see in Iceland
Wherever you are in Iceland, it’s really a case of what not to see. Dramatic scenery sits just outside beautiful Reykjavik; whale watching tours depart from the harbour, and coaches leave for the Golden Circle every day.
East from Reykjavik is the tour operator’s Golden Circle – a trio of breathtaking sights on a much-driven coach route. Although the country is dotted with spectacular geysers and volcanic scenery, these are some of its finest. Gullfloss is an awesome waterfall; Stokkur Geyser erupts every few minutes, and Thringvelir National Park is home to a number of ancient sites, where you can learn more about Iceland’s mythologies and stories.
Hveragerdi, a small town east of Reykjavik, sits directly on top of a volcanic spring, which warms its land and enables the growth of fruit and vegetables. The nearby Hengill volcano is very active, providing heat as well as minor earthquakes to this quirky little town.
The East Fjords is a semi-rural area with a number of small communities. It’s extremely remote by any standards, and the largest town, Neskaupstaður, is almost completely self-sufficient – with its own food producers, hospital and school.