Ísafjarðardjúp: Nature & Fun in the Westfjords (2:3)

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will continue working on this project after the excellent results of last years’ groups. This is the 6^th year in a row SEEDS organizes camps there. Our hosts are a family that have taken up a former farm in the valley and are trying to develop new work opportunities in the area; they live and work there running diverse facilities and offering services for visitors.

This area in the Western fjords is famed for its beautiful landscape and friendly weather with sunny summers, so tourism has been one of the most visible alternative industries and has been given special emphasis due to the socio-economical crash that Iceland suffered after 2008.

We will be assigned various tasks in this remote location. In general, we will be preparing the area before the summer season, when most tourists and hikers visit this isolated district.

The works will primarily focus on beautifying the area; clean up, plant trees and vegetables, do some gardening etc. There may also be some building tasks in this project, including some construction works, which can be very physical and demanding.

The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts as on weather conditions. This is a very isolated place with none/limited mobile/Internet connection.

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 including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and possibly kayaking in the fjords.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing, sleeping in beds. Bringing a sleeping bag is not necessary for the workcamp (but might be essential before and after it).

Meals will be provided and volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen, preparing the meals and cleaning up. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The region accounts 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.

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.

Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option, this provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).  Domestic airport is Ísafjörður (IFJ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it 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 200 (Euros) to be paid to SEEDS on arrival. 

Place of extreme beauty and isolation; SEEDS volunteers have free access to the hot tub and local pool. If weather allows, horseback riding and kayaking around a seal colony can be organised. 

Age: 18 +