Iceland 4x4 tour
Discussion
We looked in to a 4x4 tour when we went to Iceland for a friends stag do a few years back, it looked a bit dear for us to have a car each and we all wanted to drive so instead we did a Quad Bike and caving tour. I thunk it was this one: http://www.adventures.is/iceland/combotrips/overun... I can honestly say it was one of the best things I've ever done in terms of fun factor and our guild was brilliant and really chilled out - highly recommended!
We did one as a trip when there on a cruise earlier this year. Started from Reykjavik, went over various hills/mountains seeing things from different perspective than you'd normally get, mix of off-road/remote roads then on the return leg to Reykjavik spent a fair while driving along a river. Very good fun, huge vehicles - stretched US 4x4s etc. The one we did had drivers for each vehicle, no option for us to drive.
Value for money? who knows/cares. memorable day/experience? - absolutely!
Value for money? who knows/cares. memorable day/experience? - absolutely!
We went there in February and hired a Toyota Land Cruiser from Hertz for the week, but did take a Super Jeep Defender for a day from these guys https://www.vikingcarrental.is/en/super-jeeps to tick the box.
This bunch http://www.cheapjeep.is/english/rent/?v=9449 are a little cheaper, but I heard some not so great stories about the reliability of their trucks.
Whatever you choose, make sure you take the stone / sand damage insurance (or purchase it separately), as claiming you've caused chips from the un-metalled roads or driven through a sandstorm is a well known sting from the hire companies there to max out your deposit. Also, I know it sounds dumb, but get fuel in town! Once you are in the bundu, there is pretty much nothing. We pulled up at a gas station in Geyser with about 1/4 tank and decided to fill up. It was closed, so we rolled on to the next village (about 60k). As we got there, there was a family in a sedan who had also pulled into Geyser, but were on fumes there and pretty much coasted to the next village; the blokes wife was having a proper go at him for putting his kid's lives in danger.
Overall, I'd say the Super Jeep wasn't really worth it (my 88" Landy on big tyres at home felt the same!)- Iceland is a bloody big country and to get down the glaciers from Reykjavik is a good 4 / 5 hours each way.
We had loads of fun in the Land Cruiser though and I managed to get it stuck in a drift halfway up a snowy mountain in the middle of nowhere at 2am while aurora spotting (despite it having studded snow tyres!)! It only took about 5 minutes of tooing and froing to get it going again
In general, Iceland is an incredible place. We were there for 5 days are were fortunate enough to see the Aurora twice and three Humpback whales.
You won't need cash there - everything is on plastic (even buying chewing gum / going to the loo!)
Beer isn't crazy expensive (about £4.30 / pint in Reykjavik) if you stick to the local brew (Viking, I think). Eating doesn't have to be expensive, although there are some places that are (avoid the tapas / spanish restaurant in lower Reykjavik - it was 'kin expensive and not great at all).
It is cold in February, though! Take a trip to Gullfoss and feel 100mph+ glacial winds coming down the valley - that was somewhat nippy!
This bunch http://www.cheapjeep.is/english/rent/?v=9449 are a little cheaper, but I heard some not so great stories about the reliability of their trucks.
Whatever you choose, make sure you take the stone / sand damage insurance (or purchase it separately), as claiming you've caused chips from the un-metalled roads or driven through a sandstorm is a well known sting from the hire companies there to max out your deposit. Also, I know it sounds dumb, but get fuel in town! Once you are in the bundu, there is pretty much nothing. We pulled up at a gas station in Geyser with about 1/4 tank and decided to fill up. It was closed, so we rolled on to the next village (about 60k). As we got there, there was a family in a sedan who had also pulled into Geyser, but were on fumes there and pretty much coasted to the next village; the blokes wife was having a proper go at him for putting his kid's lives in danger.
Overall, I'd say the Super Jeep wasn't really worth it (my 88" Landy on big tyres at home felt the same!)- Iceland is a bloody big country and to get down the glaciers from Reykjavik is a good 4 / 5 hours each way.
We had loads of fun in the Land Cruiser though and I managed to get it stuck in a drift halfway up a snowy mountain in the middle of nowhere at 2am while aurora spotting (despite it having studded snow tyres!)! It only took about 5 minutes of tooing and froing to get it going again
In general, Iceland is an incredible place. We were there for 5 days are were fortunate enough to see the Aurora twice and three Humpback whales.
You won't need cash there - everything is on plastic (even buying chewing gum / going to the loo!)
Beer isn't crazy expensive (about £4.30 / pint in Reykjavik) if you stick to the local brew (Viking, I think). Eating doesn't have to be expensive, although there are some places that are (avoid the tapas / spanish restaurant in lower Reykjavik - it was 'kin expensive and not great at all).
It is cold in February, though! Take a trip to Gullfoss and feel 100mph+ glacial winds coming down the valley - that was somewhat nippy!
We did it a few years ago and it was awesome. Just get out and do everything, 4x4, ski bikes, climb a glacier, spend more than you were planning because you won't regret it. Trucks are just as cool in real life and they guys are nutters. Good only expensive because of high standard of eating. Eat as much weird food as you can lay your hands on!
We did a super jeep tour to Eyjafjallajökull and Thorsmörk which was great. We didn't get to drive but it was just as well as the road up from the coast is not a road but a river channel.
We also went snowmobiling which involved getting a minibus up to Geysir and then transferring into a superjeep for the drive up on to Langjökull. The drivers like to show off and the vehicles are incredibly capable.
The Eyjafjallajökull tour was with iceland excursions who I've used before and cannot fault and the snowmobile was iceland tours who were also great
We also went snowmobiling which involved getting a minibus up to Geysir and then transferring into a superjeep for the drive up on to Langjökull. The drivers like to show off and the vehicles are incredibly capable.
The Eyjafjallajökull tour was with iceland excursions who I've used before and cannot fault and the snowmobile was iceland tours who were also great
Still fancying iceland...realistically would only get 1.5 days there though...given the short time frame, what would you recommend for a bit of wow factor and adrenaline? Snowmobiles look fun!
We basically have 2 kid free nights in Jan, first in 3 years, and fancy a bow out. Would love to do a once in a lifetime thing.
Would hate to go there, and miss out, but equally, if it's really not long enough, then we will look at alternatives.
We basically have 2 kid free nights in Jan, first in 3 years, and fancy a bow out. Would love to do a once in a lifetime thing.
Would hate to go there, and miss out, but equally, if it's really not long enough, then we will look at alternatives.
http://www.adventures.is/iceland/snowscooter/golde...
This is he sort of thing I thought would be good to get us out to see a lad in one day?
This is he sort of thing I thought would be good to get us out to see a lad in one day?
rufmeister said:
http://www.adventures.is/iceland/snowscooter/golde...
This is he sort of thing I thought would be good to get us out to see a lad in one day?
Looks great to me and then you'd have the night to have a decent meal in reykjavik. Blue lagoon on the way to airport, job done.This is he sort of thing I thought would be good to get us out to see a lad in one day?
Booked flights, now need accomodation and a trip...
Will report back anything I find.
OP, I found this:
http://www.adventures.is/iceland/superjeeps/superj...
Might be of use?
Will report back anything I find.
OP, I found this:
http://www.adventures.is/iceland/superjeeps/superj...
Might be of use?
Any 3-4 hour snowmobile rides? All I can see seem to be 1 hour only, either meeting at Gulfoss cafe or a full day in monster truck from Reykjavik.
Trying to debate renting a 4wd and doing the golden circle ourselves with an hours snowmobile, or just take a 2wd and get the full day trip.
So many options as well...aaaaargh!
Trying to debate renting a 4wd and doing the golden circle ourselves with an hours snowmobile, or just take a 2wd and get the full day trip.
So many options as well...aaaaargh!
Just remembered this thread...
I got back from my trip last week and had an amazing time. Loads to do, loads to see, loads to eat and drink and loads to spend!! But worth every penny IMO.
We ended up doing the Golden Circle tour in the Superjeep. Booked up in a local tourist information office, instead of the hotel reception as we found prices to be more expensive and they only used 'Rejkyavik Excursions' who seem to have most tourists in their pocket from the minute they step off the plane. Cost £400 for girlfriend and I.
0800 Our guide Stefan picked us up from the hotel - delighted, he turned up in a Defender, i'd noticed a defender superjeep earlier in the week and mentioned to my missus i wanted to go in one however there was no way to book your vehicle specifically so a pure stroke of luck we got it.
Full day pissing about in the snow up the mountain, i was more interested in the offroad/driving side of it but the geyser and waterfall was cool too. Plenty stops for scran and a hot chocolate throughout the day.
Was pretty good in terms of offroad-ness too... i worried that it would be mega tame and kept to the road etc but our guide was keen to stay off the beaten track and take the adventurous route where possible.
1830 we were back at the hotel, very satisfied.
Great day... Here's a couple of pics....
I got back from my trip last week and had an amazing time. Loads to do, loads to see, loads to eat and drink and loads to spend!! But worth every penny IMO.
We ended up doing the Golden Circle tour in the Superjeep. Booked up in a local tourist information office, instead of the hotel reception as we found prices to be more expensive and they only used 'Rejkyavik Excursions' who seem to have most tourists in their pocket from the minute they step off the plane. Cost £400 for girlfriend and I.
0800 Our guide Stefan picked us up from the hotel - delighted, he turned up in a Defender, i'd noticed a defender superjeep earlier in the week and mentioned to my missus i wanted to go in one however there was no way to book your vehicle specifically so a pure stroke of luck we got it.
Full day pissing about in the snow up the mountain, i was more interested in the offroad/driving side of it but the geyser and waterfall was cool too. Plenty stops for scran and a hot chocolate throughout the day.
Was pretty good in terms of offroad-ness too... i worried that it would be mega tame and kept to the road etc but our guide was keen to stay off the beaten track and take the adventurous route where possible.
1830 we were back at the hotel, very satisfied.
Great day... Here's a couple of pics....
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