ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  John Williams

  ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

  

  Written August 2011

  An interesting mix from the inspiring to the hair raising.  Very weather dependent. 

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  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are expecting a 'moderate' trek - don't go.  Some of the days at 9 hours walking and 1100m ascent on rough ground are harder than this.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Walking on steep glaciers without proper equipment is dangerous.

   
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  Melanie Appleton

  ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

  

  Written August 2010

  Fabulous holiday, came home and immediately started planning a return trip! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  All amazing, waterfalls, glaciers, whale watching, hot pools and lots of laughing!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Oliver was an excellent group leader and always went the extra mile. He judged the group really well and I loved his troll tales for the long bus journeys.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

   If you can, add a few extra days on at the end for the nightlife in Reykjavik if you are into live music. Even better, time your trip for one of the all night festivals they have.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  If you have been thinking about going to Iceland but are doubtful because of the cost, my advice would be to go! It is one of the most  amazing places I have ever been to and worth it as to try and travel there independently would be much more costly. I wish I had gone sooner!

   
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  Jen Desideri

  ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

  

  Written June 2010

  The most awesome, breathtaking, physically challenging holiday of my life...thus far! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Realizing that I was able to accomplish the physical challenges of this trip!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Petur was a good guide through and through. He was funny, interesting, EXTREMELY knowledgeable, courteous and respectful. He clearly loved Iceland and was excited to share his country with the rest of us. Though he and I did not necessarily 'jive" (I don't think he spoke more than 15 sentences to me in the entire two weeks), I did not let this bother me, as he performed his job as a guide for my trip acceptably.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Though Iceland Walking Explorer is rated "Moderate" by Exodus, I found the walking (and this was not walking - this was full on trekking!) to be much more than what I would considerate to be moderate, and in looking back on the itinerary feel that it slightly underemphasizes the difficulty of the trip. There were times we were lumbering up mountains with steep vertical ascents, without any trails to follow. BE PHYSICALLY PREPARED FOR SOME VERY TOUGH DAYS OF TREKKING, oftentimes between 6-8 hours per day. Bring WATERPROOF hiking boots and trekking poles (or walking sticks) are highly encouraged! Bring a headnet for the midges at the Lake, because those bugs are RELENTLESS!!

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  With that said, the physical challenge of some of those days was ABSOLUTELY AWESOME and I would do it again without question.

   

  The weather in Iceland can change dramatically - bring plenty of layers, waterproof trousers and jacket, gloves, fuzzy hat, sunglasses, etc. A warm sleeping bag is a must, even in the summer! Bring earplugs - you will be sharing a tent with someone for 10 days!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Iceland is an amazing country, which cannot be compared to any other, nor can it be described appropriately...you simply must go there to see and experience it for yourself. When I left Iceland after 15 days I felt a bit like I was leaving a part of me behind, and it is the one country that, when asked of me "Would you go back to any of the places you've visited?" I would choose.

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  It is a once in a lifetime, must-see locale, and I highly encourage anyone considering a trip to Iceland to consider Exodus's trip. I spent months looking for the "perfect" Iceland trip but everything I found was either too short in length or a sit-on-a-bus-and-stare-out-the-window trip. Iceland needs to be seen as it should be: wandering the landscape, enveloping yourself in its wilderness. Spending 10 days camping, and spending two weeks driving and hiking in four different, unique locations in Iceland, is the ONLY way to see this beautiful country and be able to return feeling confident that "I saw Iceland."

   
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  Sandra Lumbard

  ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

  

  Written July 2009

  I never thought I would better my Base Camp Everest trip but this comes as a tie favourite. The scenery was fantastic. There was a good balance of travelling and walking and I found the participating with tents etc a good laugh - there is always one person who turns up on a camping trip with a suit case! The walking was harder than I expected which I was pleased about but I think my friend was glad to opt out towards the end. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Every time we were on a summit, the views were amasing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  He was really good fun but took his job very seriously, I felt completely safe. As I was the only veggie on the trip he never once made me feel awkward that he had to do me a seperate meal. He was very knowledgable about everything we asked. I wonder if our trip would have been such a laugh with a different guide.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make sure you have some summer gear, it was hot the whole time we were there despite UK weather reports saying otherwise.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I am now eager to do some winter walking there especially with the same guide just to prove I do have enough fat to survive an Icelandic winter!!!!!!!!

   
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  jennifer Smith

  A country like no other

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Yomping down a1500 ft snow slope!!

  Whale watching off the north coast

  Glacier hiking

  Jokulsarlon

  Hiking in volcanic areas

  The whole trip really!    Wonderful

   

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our Guide ,Gunnar, was the tops. A good cook, loved his country( could answer every question), kept a low profile eye on us all, Took us to lots of inspiring places.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Wonderful walking. Make sure you are reasonably fit.

  Dont forget your headnet!

  You will need lots of film (or digital cards)

  Go for it !

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Iceland is a wonderful wild country, with a small population who are in tune with the geography. The roads are basic (apart from the main route 1. Even Reykajvik is not sophisticated and has a certain wildness about it.

   
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  Allan Tanner

  Gunnar time

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The landscape - constantly changing, unfailingly dramatic (apart from the 12 hours of fog one day) and unspoilt.  The hot spirngs were good too.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Gunnar was excellent, especially as when our driver took ill he was guiding, driving and cooking for 15.  "Gunnar time" refers to his relaxed attitude to everything.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  A fly/midge net is useful  - not so much at Lake Myvatn but at Kerlingarfjoll.  Also, take a thick rollmat or small air mattress - you'll really appreciate it.  I also took an blindfold to help me get to sleep as it was so light.  turned out not to be too much of a problem but it was useful in Reykjavik.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The Kerlingarfjoll walk is quite arduous but it is worth doing the whole thing.  The North BLue Lagoon is great too and we felt we didn't have to go to the one outside of Reykjavik having done it.