Nature & Fun in the Westfjords

WORK/PROJECT: This project is located in the beautiful Westfjords of Iceland. This is the 8th year  SEEDS organises a project with the support of these local hosts, who are a family that have taken up a former farm in the valley and are developing new opportunities in the remote area. They live and work there all year round running diverse facilities and offering services for visitors.

The main tasks of this project is to help with fencing tasks in the area, including helping to clear out old fences, repair some fences and put new ones in place. Volunteers will also do some other small tasks, aimed towards beautifying the isolated area.

The schedule of this camp is very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and on weather conditions. This is a very isolated place with limited mobile/internet connection.

The work can be very demanding but also rewarding. Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors. Weather in Iceland is unpredictable, so be prepared for all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm/winter clothing since the work will take place outdoors and it can get cold.

In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking, as you will be able to rest in the natural hot tubs, bathe in the local swimming pool and discover many other surprises of this beautiful place, possibly including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and kayaking in the fjords.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped flat, in a sleeping bag accommodation, sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The project takes place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. This area in the Western fjords is famed for its beautiful landscape and friendly weather with sunny summers.

The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills. In the area you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds, seals, whales and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep.

Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.

The distances to the next town and villages are 130 Km to Ísafjörður and 90 Km to Hólmavík. The Westfjords account for 10% of the country’s surface but only about 8000 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 150 (Euros). This fee is paid to SEEDS on arrival in Euros or Icelandic krónas and it does not include the transportation from/to Reykjavík to/from the camp.

The camp is located at a place of extreme beauty. SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to visit the local pool and weather allows, horseback riding and kayaking around a seal colony can be organised.

Volunteers need to be prepared for physical and outdoor work in this workcamp. Volunteers should be motivated to experience life in a very isolated part of Iceland.

AGE : 18+