Every year, as soon as the nightless nights are over and September arrives, we start looking up at the night sky a little more often – waiting for those first northern lights to dance. Right in the heart of the season, the 4-day Northern Lights Adventure has become a Midgard classic.

What makes it special is that it was designed by Björg, who wanted to create the kind of trip she’d recommend to her own friends coming to Iceland between September and April. We asked her a few questions about the inspiration and the highlights.

You’ve spent your whole life in Iceland – what do the Northern Lights mean to you personally? Do you still get excited when the lights appear, or has the magic changed over the years?

I don’t think Icelanders, or myself, think that much of the Northern Lights in everyday life. It’s something we’ve grown up with, it’s just always been there. But that doesn’t mean we take them for granted. I don’t stay awake for them all night or travel too fa to see them myself – but when the whole sky is going crazy in all colours, I still stop, stand still, and definitely enjoy them.

Over the last years, thanks to my job, I’ve actually learned to love them more. I see what they mean to people, how it touches them. One of the best things in life is witnessing someone see the Northern Lights for the very first time. To be part of that moment with our guests – it’s magical.

How do people usually react when seeing the Northern Lights for the first time?

It’s so hard to describe, because the lights are never the same. Sometimes the whole sky is on fire. Sometimes it’s just a tiny line on the horizon. Sometimes it looks like a grey cloud that only your camera can catch. And sometimes the whole sky is dancing in pink, green, purple. Sometimes it lasts a few seconds, sometimes all night.

And people react so differently! We’ve seen tears, screams, laughter, even proposals under the aurora. The reactions are everything. Being there when someone has that once-in-a-lifetime moment… that’s why we do this.

You’ve been guiding and hosting Northern Lights tours for many years now – what inspired Midgard to create this 4-day Northern Lights Adventure in the first place?

Money 🙂 🙂 No, joke. Honestly, the Northern Lights are something people dream about. We love sharing the excitement and offering this trip partly allows us to operate all year round, but more than that. The search itself is captivating, almost contagious, and because the lights are so unpredictable, it feels incredibly rewarding when they finally appear.

But Iceland is so much more than the Northern Lights. We like to set expectations clearly – the aurora doesn’t follow a schedule, nature makes the plan. And that’s the beauty! And here in South Iceland we’re surrounded by waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, black beaches, and the incredible highlands. So even if the lights don’t show up, there’s always something unforgettable waiting – every day is a good day to have an adventure here!

When we created this package, we designed it exactly as I’d recommend to my closest friends: yes, you’ll see the famous Golden Circle and the South Coast, but you’ll also get those authentic, local touches – like visiting a local home or hiking on Sólheimajökull glacier. And of course, Thórsmörk – our favourite place on earth. It’s the perfect mix of Iceland’s classics and our own backyard secrets.

How has the trip evolved over the years?

At one point we tried offering it as a 3-day package, but it felt too rushed. Guests didn’t have enough time to settle in, feel at home, connect, and really experience Iceland. So we went back to 4 days, which feels just right. Last year, we added the ice cave experience. For many, it’s a bucket-list moment – stepping inside a shimmering blue cave is like walking into another world. We still include the ice walk on Sólheimajökull though, because that’s something we locals love ourselves. And we are so happy to see that many of our guests call that the highlight of their trip!

Also we’ve started adding visits to local homes whenever it fits. That’s actually how Midgard started –  with me and my family inviting people in for coffee, cake, and stories. When we travel abroad, what we remember most is connecting to the locals – and we wanted to give our guests exactly that feeling and that authentic memory.

Why is South Iceland such a great place for this kind of trip?

I’m biased, of course, but I think South Iceland should always be the first stop for anyone visiting the country for the first time. Everything is here – black sand beaches, hot springs, glaciers you can walk on, most of the volcanoes, beautiful waterfalls. And Hvolsvöllur is right in the middle of it all.

For the Northern Lights, we’re lucky to have dark skies right outside our doorstep. We don’t even need to drive far to avoid light pollution. Our neighbour, Hotel Rangá, is world famous for being one of the best spots to see the lights – and we couldn’t agree more as we just happen to live next door.

What kind of people usually join the 4-day Northern Lights Adventure?

All kinds of people! Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo travellers. The only real requirement is that you are comfortable being outdoors for 6-8 hours a day. It’s not super physically demanding, but it does require a little stamina just for being outside, experiencing new things, taking in so many sights, etc.

The beauty of a package like this is that everything is taken care of – the tours, the accommodation, the wonderful meals at Midgard, even the hot tub and sauna when you come back in the evening. All you need to do is unpack, settle in at “home”, relax and enjoy.

You’ve seen so many groups come together on this trip — what’s special about the atmosphere that builds over those four days?

It’s the family feeling. People arrive as strangers and leave as friends – sometimes almost like family. They connect with each other, with Iceland, with nature, with our staff, with us. There are always those moments around the dinner table, in the hot tub, or out under the night sky where you can just feel it: people are creating core memories. Whether or not the Northern Lights appear, they go home with something special they’ll never forget. That’s what matters most.

Behind the Scenes: what does it take for your team to make this adventure happen?

It’s a lot of work – but it’s good and fun work. Our whole team truly cares. We want our guests to have the very best experience while they’re here. Safety always comes first, especially in Icelandic winter, so we make sure our super jeeps are in good shape and we check conditions constantly.

One of our strengths is flexibility. Because we have everything in-house – the tours, the travel agency, the Base Camp with restaurant and accommodation – we can adjust quickly. If the weather looks better in the highlands tomorrow than today, we just swap the program around. If the Northern Lights forecast looks more promising later in the evening, we’ll shift dinner so we can stay out longer. Nature decides, but we adapt.

Icelanders often say Þetta reddast – do you feel that applies when it comes to the Northern Lights?

Nei. In daily life, Þetta reddast, ‘it’ll work out somehow’, is a wonderful saying. But when we’re guiding, we don’t just leave things to luck. The Northern Lights are nature’s decision, yes, but we do everything we can to increase the chances of success. We monitor forecasts, road conditions, and weather all the time. Professionally, it’s not just ‘let’s hope for the best’ – it’s planning and adapting, always.

And finally… be honest, how many photos do you have on your phone of the Northern Lights?

Oh, I definitely have some photos – but I have to admit, they’re not the best (I like to blame the phone, not my photography skills!). For me now, it’s more important to just enjoy the moment. I don’t feel the same pressure to capture them perfectly, because I know I’ll see them again. Instead, I can just stand there, breathe, and let the lights dance above me.

Learn more about the 4-Day Northern Lights Adventure and join us this winter.