Chasing the northern lights and spotting orcas in the wild are two outstanding natural world experiences. Rare occurrences that most people are fortunate to see one or the other in their lifetime. That’s because many of the best places around the world to see orca don’t go hand in hand with aurora watching. But in Iceland, these two experiences cross over in spectacular fashion.
This is why, back in 2011, we put together an incredible small-group holiday that combines the tantalising prospect of witnessing the aurora borealis with opportunities to see orcas in their natural habitat. 15 years later, it still delivers. One of our clients, Gary Ward, has joined this winter adventure in Iceland three times! We caught up with him to find out what makes our Orcas and Aurora trip so special.
Why did you choose to go on the Orcas and Aurora trip?
I’d been on a few Discover the World trips to Iceland before, all in the hope of seeing the northern lights but they had continued to escape me over the years. For my next trip with you I changed my focus to whale watching and specifically going in search of orcas in the wild. One of your travel specialists had recommended Orcas and Aurora as it would provide an opportunity to witness both essential Iceland experiences, and I’ve never looked back! Although I didn’t see the northern lights until my second trip, each has been magnificent, and I’ve had a different adventure every time.
Why have you been on the Orcas and Aurora trip more than once?
Well, I booked the second trip because I was obsessed with seeing the northern lights, I would not let the idea drop. I had no intention to book a third trip, but January, February, March isn’t a particularly busy time of year for me. There’s nothing really going on, so I thought ‘I know… northern lights again!’ No-one ever sees the northern lights and thinks ‘oh, I don’t want to see them again’. That combined with the awe of watching such majestic whales up close again, was too much of a pull for the nature lover in me.
Call me greedy, but I loved the chance to see not one, but two incredible natural sights! This trip offers everything this voracious traveller could ever dream of.
What stands out as a highlight on the trips for you?
We strolled outside to see the northern lights and it just came on; it was like switching on Blackpool illuminations. I’m there – a grown man – with a great lump in my throat. It is just overwhelming to see it in full flow like that – the sky burning green like that was just “wow”.
We were also extremely lucky with the killer whales – there were loads of them in flat-calm waters against a blue sky. We stayed watching as long as the whales were there, so it was just win-win on all counts. It was an absolutely excellent trip.
Would you do this trip again? Are you worried about going back again after such an amazing experience?
Whilst I know there’s every possibility I could do this trip again, and it could be completely overcast over the four days, with no sightings of orcas but when you’re into wildlife and nature, you know that those sort of things don’t perform on demand; these sightings enhance your trip, they don’t make or break them. It’s the thrill of the chase I enjoy; the different memories I have on each adventure, the camaraderie, the humour, the collective OOO’s amongst the sighs. I can’t wait to explore again, who knows what I’ll discover fourth time round!
Did you enjoy travelling as part of a group?
Yes, everyone was really like-minded – just good company, all with an interest and appreciation in the same kinds of things. It’s not a typical package holiday, so everyone is interested in travel. You can talk about each other’s travel experiences in far flung corners of the world. That small, sort of little social circle that you form – well, it’s a good way to travel.
What did the guides bring to your experience?
Cathy [Harlow] is a fantastic guide! Her knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none – that really rubs off on you and makes you enjoy the whole experience even more. It gets you involved in your surroundings more than perhaps would otherwise be the case if you were travelling independently.
I now appreciate that travelling with a guide can be more advantageous to myself in terms of the knowledge you can gather. They pick out the best spots and you discover things that you might not know about if you were just to turn up to a location yourself.
Feeling inspired by Gary’s experience?
Find out more about our Orcas and Aurora small-group holiday combining whale watching and northern lights viewing. Or get in touch for a chat with our Iceland travel specialists on 01737 214 250 to discuss options or send an enquiry.
Be sure to check out journalist, Mark Rowe’s, experience of the same trip.
We also encourage you to read about the importance of responsible travel and wildlife conservation to Discover the World.