Adventurer of the Week: Ben Explores, Hikes and Climbs!

Welcome to our “Adventurer of the Week” series! Each week we will feature individuals that were inspired to make every moment an experience in Iceland by going out on epic tours with us that allowed them to interact with nature.

This week's instalment of our "Adventurer of the Week" series tells the story of Ben Horton, a photographer, videographer and explorer for National Geographic. A multi-skilled explorer himself, he was travelling light and couldn't carry all the gear he needed to carry for ice climbing; so he contacted us and we hooked him up!

What motivated you to visit Iceland?

Iceland has been on my list of places to visit for years. When the opportunity finally came up it was in the form of a Christmas gift from my girlfriend. We really wanted to see the Northern Lights, and since the nights are longer in winter we decided on a winter trip to maximize our chances of seeing them.

How long was your stay? Did you travel solo or with a group?

My Girlfriend Amber and I stayed for ten days.

Which tour did you take and why did you choose it?

I’m not usually a big fan of taking tours, but I didn’t have room to bring all the glacier and ice gear in my luggage. So, we teamed up with Icelandic Mountain Guides and did the ice climbing and glacier walking tour. It was incredible, and they provided all the gear we needed. More than anything they knew exactly where to take us on the glacier to show us the most interesting things.

What is one thing you will always remember about your tour?

Stepping out of our camper van on our first night on the road and looking up to see the sky lighting up with pink, purple, and green aurora was the most incredible experience. We’d waited for hours to see them but finally fallen asleep. When Amber stepped out at midnight it took us totally by surprise.

What is something that you learned about Iceland that surprised you?

I wasn’t exactly surprised, but the kindness of the people has stuck with me. Everyone is so friendly and happy to help make our trip wonderful.

If you had more time in Iceland, what else would you like to see and do?

On this trip we stuck to the south coast, but I would love to visit the northern coast in summer and explore the fjords. I’d also love to bring a surfboard on my next visit!

What tips do you have for people who want to visit Iceland?

I would absolutely recommend renting a camper-van; it’s the best way to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights. It’s also the best way to explore the more remote regions of Iceland since there aren’t many hotels in those areas.

What adventure are you off to next? What is your next dream adventure?

Next, I’m heading to Southern Baja on a surf trip, and then to Mozambique to shoot a story on an anti-poaching group. I’ve stopped “dreaming” about adventures so much, mostly because I get to travel so much for my work as an adventure photographer and new opportunities that I’ve never thought of keep popping up. That said, if I could go dive in Papua New Guinea and spend a month traveling around the country it would be a dream come true!

Ben’s adventure is only one of the many features that make for an unforgettable experience. Book your tour and join us for an excursion that is guaranteed to make memories that last a lifetime. Check out his awesome photography on Instagram for some inspiring images from all around the world!