Iceland Walking Explorer

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 10 reviews.

Neil Townsend

ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

Written August 2012
An excellent 2 weeks of walking and busing around spectacular Iceland.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Iceland is amazing - our most used word was "wow" as we saw glaciers, lava fields, suplhurous mud pots, geothermal hot pools, amazing waterfalls, puffins (aaah!) - so much to be impressed by, and we were!
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent! Petur was an excellent walking guide and keen to share his knowledge on Iceland. His relaxed approach worked well and his cooking was good too - always plenty of food.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take clothing for all weathers - for us, the high points were generally in cloud and so were wet, needing full waterproofs, but we also had some very hot weather where we needed sun cream. Be aware that it may well be very windy too..

The walking is excellent, but don't expect Iceland to be easy and be prepared to walk in all types of terrain; steep climbs and descents, sometimes with loose scree, sometimes with snow all make excellent and memorable walks, but worth taking decent boots.

All but one of the campsites had excellent showers with plenty of hot water (mostly for a small fee and on a timer) All had charging facilities for camera batteries, phones etc again for a small fee.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A superb trip around Iceland that didn't disappoint.
Alexander Koniecko

ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

Written August 2012
Iceland is unique as it is like no other country. We saw the unusual volcanic landscapes, natural features of waterfalls, hot pools, steam vents, glaciers and lakes. We learned both the natural history of the land and the history of the people. It was a trip of discovery with each day packed with new things.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The power and noise of the large waterfalls was expected. I did not expect the absolute quiet when we stopped for a rest in a green valley beside a stream. The usual rumble from distant traffic was not there, no aeroplanes, no people and not even any birds.
What did you think of your group leader?
Petur Gunnarsson was very fit, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He was asked many questions and answered all of them. He also had a very good sense of humour. He worked hard preparing the meals when returning from taking us on long walks.I think that he enjoyed the trek even more than I did.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As Iceland is a unique country take lots of pictures. I took thermal clothing that was not needed in August. It was cold at night and on mountain tops but the temperature was what you would expect in Britain.
Laurent Gengler

ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

Written July 2012
Amazing trip. Great walks from 6-10 hours. Enough resting time especially between two campsites. Great food. Excellent guide with a good knowledge of Iceland.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking with always changing landscapes, glaciers, volcanos, lakes, waterfalls, coastal beaches, birdlife and optional whale watching.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent with overall good knowledge. Funny and very helpfull and an excellent cook.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for every kind of weather especially the cold and rain. Good hiking gear is essential.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just go for it. It is expenssif but it's wort every penny. I'll definitely go back to Iceland.
Neil Frankum

ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

Written June 2012
A thoroughly enjoyable trip with the right mix of sightseeing and decent walks in spectacular scenery.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Standing on top of a peak that didn't exist 2½ years ago (The Eyafjallajökull volcano that caused all the air travel disruption in 2010).
The 360° views from the top of Snækollur in the Kerlingerfjöll mountains after a hard climb up scree and snow slopes.
Soaking in the hot pools at Mývatn until midnight.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent knowledge of Iceland, and a great cook (both quality and quantity!).
All 'problems' were sorted out quickly and efficiently with no quibbles.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Several of the walks were harder than the moderate rating would imply, but everything was optional and the walking days alternated with sightseeing days.
Bring clothing suitable for all weathers. I was glad I'd invested in a new waterproof jacket, as it was properly tested, but equally, I also got sun burnt. The weather is very changeable. We crossed snow on a couple of the walks.
The flies were not really a problem at Mývatn, but were rather annoying at Kerlingerfjöll.
Not mentioned in the dossier - electricity for charging camera batteries etc was available at all campsites, but most charged 100-200ISK per item. Was free in Bakkagerði.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great itinerary, and a country that has now gone onto the 'must visit again' list.
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.
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!
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."