So for most of our clients going on an Aurora Holiday it is all about seeing the Northern Lights. One of our favourite hotels in Iceland is Hotel Ranga which is located in a magnificent area for the Northern Lights. It is run by a super group of people who really care that you have the very best time, and of course experience the Northern Lights. Many an excellent meal has been interrupted at Hotel Ranga as the waiters calmly walk around and let people know that the Aurora Borealis is putting on a show! The restaurant empties and they try hard to keep all the meals warm and not dry out, whilst you are outside enjoying the moment.
I personally had the most amazing experience one October as I sat in one of their outdoor hot tubs and watched ribbons of bright green lights dance above me. It was mesmerising and magical to sink into the geothermal warmth watching the steam disappear into the frozen night with the Northern Lights putting on their own personal performance for me for a good couple of hours.
Hotel Ranga has built their own observatory a short stroll from the hotel in order to minimize light pollution, and they have an expert in there every night that the sky is cloud free who can teach you about the stars and the northern lights if they are out.
The Observatory has a roll on/off roof and they have two high quality 11-inch computerized telescopes, making it the most advanced observatory in Iceland. Scopes can be turned towards the stars to view amazing detail on Jupiter, see Cassini’s Division in the rings of Saturn, and resolve details on the surface of Mars. Even the distant Uranus and Neptune are within your reach.
Finally , determined to give you every chance of seeing them, they have this great wake up system that if you sign up for, they will wake you if the Northern Lights come out whilst you are asleep so you don’t miss it. There is nothing more disheartening than to wake up in the morning and hear everyone’s excited babble about the northern lights knowing that you slept through it all.
I have seen photos of people in their PJ’s in Hotel Ranga’s car park looking at the Aurora Borealis! However I wouldn’t particularly recommend going outside in your pj’s – The Northern Lights are seen when the skies are clear, and when the skies are clear it is cold in your pj’s!!
Hotel Ranga is a favourite base for many of our breaks, and we craft Northern Lights Trips that include exciting superjeep tours, snowmobiling on top of the Volcanic Glaciers, visiting a secret ice cave, and even glacial hiking for those that are keen to try on crampons. We have some fun superjeep northern lights hunts where you may stop to light a bonfire on the black volcanic beach or in an old shepherds hut whilst you wait to see if the Aurora is going to play.
Iceland is a stunning destination and even if the Northern Lights do not show themselves you will have a superb time during the day exploring Geysers, mini rift valleys, thundering waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers and geothermal pools. Aurora Nights specialise in tailor-made breaks crafted to you; your dates, your activities and certainly not group travel. As we always say a unique occasion deserves a unique experience. Take a look at our Iceland Northern Lights Trips and see for yourself
