en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en is is is is en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en is en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en da en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en it is de fi hu hu de en is en nb is en es en de en pt en en is hu en is en is is is is nb en en pl hu hbs_lat de en sk de de hbs_lat en fr hu hu en pt sv en en en en is gl en is de cs pt is en en is en en en en en en en en en en it en en en hu is is pt ca en de da nl en is hbs_lat en en is id nl nb en en en hu de cs gl it it is en ga en cs hbs_lat en is en en nb en de hu hu en is de is is en en nl en de et da is is fr en hbs_lat hu is en nb en nl cs is et is id pl en en en hbs_lat is is en en hu en en en en hbs_lat en it fr de pl id en de en it fr en de en en hu is en is is en is en sk de en en en en nb it en hu fr de is is es ga is nl en en is fr sk en hu ga nl en en en es en hu de en is cs is en en is hu en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en tr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en is fr is en vi en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en de
What You Need To Know About Taking Tours In Iceland
Take a Walk on the Ice Side
Walk through Ice and Fire
Glacier Walk and Northern Lights
South Shore, Glacier Walk and Ice Climbing
Glacier Walk and Secret Lagoon
Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk and Ice Climbing
Glacier Walk and the Glacier Lagoon
Golden Circle and Magical Nights
Volcanic Wonders of the Reykjanes Peninsula
Iceland Northern Lights and Lobster Jeep Tour
Hot Springs and Lava Cave
Northern Lights and Ice Cave Adventure
Golden Circle and Glacier Getaway
Kingdom of Volcanoes and Glaciers
The Saga of Volcanoes and Fjords
The Crossing of Fire and Water
Kingdom of Glaciers and Northern Lights
The Laugavegur with a Backpack
Laugavegur - Light and Fast
The Ultimate Iceland - Greenland Trek
Hiking at the End of the World
In the Shadow of Vatnajökull
Trails of the East
The Wilderness of Glaciers
The Complete East Iceland Trek
Explorer’s Peak to the Canyon of Fire
The Wilderness of Strútur Trail
The Backroad to Landmannalaugar
Trek of the Trolls
The Complete Volcanic Trek
The Rivers and Glaciers of Vatnajökull
Backpacking along Vatnajökull Combination
Coast to Coast - The Iceland Traverse
The Three Peaks Challenge
On bike from Laki to Landmannalaugar
Iceland’s Best Single Tracks
Knitting and Hiking between Fire and Ice
Icelandic Spring Knitting & Hiking Holiday
Knitting and Hiking under the Midnight Sun
Hiking and knitting with the Elves
Authentic Iceland Knitting & Hiking
Mountains and Fjords of the North
The Peaks of Siglufjörður
Skiing between the Fjords
Westfjords Ski to the Sea tour
Oceans, Valleys and Peaks
Hiking at the End of the World
Laugavegur Trail Self Guided
South Coast Self Drive
Tour of the Icelandic Highlands
Mt Gunnbjörn, the Highest Peak in Greenland
The Peaks of Greenland
East Greenland Winter Expedition
The North Pole – Skiing the Last Degree
South Pole - All the way
South Pole – Skiing the last degree
Ski Touring – Beginner Course
Ice Climbing I Course
Ice Climbing II Course
Other Tours & Services
Ice Climbing Day Tour
Semi-Guided Ice Climbing Trip
4WD Tours in Summer
4WD Tours in Winter
Alpine Mountaineering - Day Tours
Backpacking Tours in Greenland
Backpacking Tours in Iceland
Cross Country Skiing Tours - mountain huts
Cross Country Skiing Tours - winter camping
Cross Country Skiing Tours in Greenland
Ice-Climbing / Winter mountaineering
Ski Mountaineering / Alpine Touring
Ski Mountaineering / Alpine Touring in Greenland
Trekking Tours in Greenland
Hard Ice Guide Beginner Course
Level I Hard Ice Guide Exam
Level II Hard Ice Guide Exam
IMG Mountain Guide Exam
Crevasse Rescue for Super-Jeep Guides
Be a responsible traveller
Adventurer of the Week
We offer our site in the following languages:
Hiking & trekking in Iceland & Greenland since 1994
Call us: +354 587 9999
What you need to know about taking a tour in Iceland
Adventurer of the Week
Subscribe to the blog
Other Tours & Services
What you need to know about taking a tour in Iceland
Spouting hot spring Strokkur
In the last few years, Iceland has emerged as a hot tourist destination.  This is for many good reasons: people now flock to Iceland to enjoy its unspoiled nature and unique attractions.  Because of this, many people book tours from Iceland’s many tour companies - it’s one of the best ways to experience Iceland!
All this is well and good. And, you will be in good hands with these tour operators. That said, Iceland’s business culture is most likely a different experience for many foreign visitors. Icelanders simply go about things differently. In general, there’s an informality that many visitors will notice. There’s also a deep-seated sense of independence in all Icelanders that stems from surviving 1,000 years on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic just below the Arctic Circle. This reality has injected a strong sense of self-sufficiency in all facets of life in Iceland, including how they do business.  So, what does this all have to do with taking a tour in Iceland? Let us explain. Read on for a list of some common things you should know about taking a tour in Iceland that may not be on the brochure or website:
1. Not on the brochure. On any given tour, there may be things not in the brochure or on the website.  For example, the tour may list stops at sites A, B and C but it may also include D & E.  Why is this so?  The answers may surprise you.  First, Iceland is a very expensive place to live and do business (compared to most countries). For companies to be profitable, they have to do more with a lot less.  This reality affects staffing. This in turn affects attention to some details.  Don’t think that this will affect the quality, safety or fun of the tour, it won’t.  Icelanders take this very seriously.  Also, Icelanders kind of forget what it’s like to be a foreigner. They grew up here. They know this small country like the back of their hands and kind of assume that it’s obvious that a trip to South Iceland includes a stop at Skogafoss.  Everyone knows that, right?  That’s the culture here.  Also, the tour guide might also make the choice to add a stop or remove a stop (small changes not big ones) based on the group.  He or she will engage you in some conversation and, from this, he might make a couple quick special stops to make the tour more interesting for you!  Again, this gets back to a certain informality in Icelandic culture. Go with the flow!
2. Tour agendas and the weather. The tour agenda may change due to weather.  Iceland’s weather is notoriously capricious (changes often) and sometimes can be quite harsh. Your tour guide has been granted the authority to make decisions about the details of the tour if he or she deems the conditions to be unsafe.
3. Pick-up. If transportation is included, most, if not all, tour companies will pick you up at your hotel, hostel or guesthouse.  If you are not staying in any of these, you will have to make your way to the nearest hotel.  This shouldn't be a big deal as Reykjavik is a fairly small city. The tour guide will also drop you off at the end of the tour.
4. Northern lights tours cannot be guaranteed. The Northern lights are a natural phenomena and are sometimes obscured by weather, especially clouds (of course).  Many Northern lights tours include other fun things to do so whether or not you see them, most likely you’ll have a great time.
5. All the tour guides speak English.  Other common languages are Danish, Norwegian, German, French, Swedish and Spanish.
6. Don’t expect lots of signage. When the tour guide comes to pick you up at your hotel, he or she will come in the lobby with your name(s) on a list.  He or she will look for you, all you need do is be on time.  It’s not very formal but it works.
7. Being on time. Most tours will leave on time but some won’t.  Given the somewhat fluid nature of the pick-up process, your pick-up may be a few minutes late. Don’t panic.
8. Gear and clothing. In general, it is best to bring lots of layers and good shoes when traveling to Iceland.  If the tour you booked requires special gear, like crampons to walk on a glacier, the tour company will provide them.  If you have any concerns about this, ask before you come.
9. Bad weather. Good weather of bad, most of the time the tour will happen.  If bad weather were a reason to cancel tours, many Iceland tours would be cancelled. Iceland’s weather is what it is. Tour operators in Iceland are used to bad weather and have the gear to go out in just about anything.  So, hope for blue skies and light winds but plan for the opposite.
10. Food. Some tours offer food, some don’t. Those that do will often try and accommodate people’s request for special dietary issues - within reason.  If you have exotic and extensive dietary restrictions, bring your own food.  In fact, we think it’s best to bring snacks even if the tour includes food!
11. Last minute tours.  If you want something last minute, we advise that you call the tour operator and ask what’s available.  This relates to number 12.
12. Using cell phones. Check with your cell phone carrier before you come if you want to use your cell phone. Not all countries support international plans.
13. Know your own limits. Iceland’s countryside is untamed - that’s one of the reasons you came here (or want to)!  Don’t necessarily expect that every attraction, stop or destination has steps, roped-off areas and other tourist infrastructure.  That’s why it’s an adventure. But, if a certain activity or destination is not your cup of ‘adventure tea,’ use your own judgement and say so!  This is one of the best things about Iceland. It is a place that leaves you to your own judgement and abilities.  Yes, your tour guide will be keeping an eye you.  But, remember that Icelandic culture is all about independence and self-sufficiency and your tour guide will naturally extend this independence to you!
So, there you have it.  Some insider tips about what you should know before going on a tour in Iceland. From Icelandic Mountain guides, Iceland’s trusted and most awarded adventure tour operator. Choose from a great selection of guided day-tours and multi-day tours! Cheers.
Subscribe to the blog
You Might Also Like:
What To Do In Reykjavik With...
The Danger of Cotton in the...
10 Iceland Travel Hacks
Tel: +354 587 9999
See what our customers have to say about us!
Member of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association Member of ITA
Certified Travel Service Vakinn - Quality System Vakinn - Quality System
Certified Travel Agency by the Icelandic Tourist Board Certified Travel Agency
Certified Tour Operator by the Icelandic Tourist Board Certified Tour Operator
Member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association ATTA Member
mountainguides.is has a Shopper Approved rating of 4.8/5 based on 382 ratings and reviews
Subscribe to the Icelandic Mountain Guides Blog
Outdoor adventure in Iceland is our specialty. Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter to learn when to go, what to do and where to have the best adventures in Iceland.