Today we all meet at the Reykjavík Campsite and a pre-departure meeting will be held at 18H00 for those who would like to attend. 

An early arrival on day 1 will ensure you allow enough time to have a wander around Iceland’s colourful capital city Reykjavík which is home to some superb museums, historic buildings and lively pubs.

Dinner will be provided at the campsite this evening after the pre-departure meeting so feel free to attend and meet your fellow travellers over dinner and drinks.

Our first night will be spent camping at the Reykjavík Campsite.

We depart Reykjavík Campsite at 08H00 and head north to the beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula where the mammoth Snæfellsjökull Glacier dominates the centre of the peninsula and offers a beautiful backdrop to the surrounding scenery.

In the morning we journey around the peninsula, first visiting the sights at Arnarstapi, where there are rock arches and basalt columns, backed by a black pebble beach, before stopping for lunch at the small fishing port of Ólafsvík.

After lunch we continue to the dramatic 463m tall Kirkjufell Mountain, walk amongst the other-worldly lava fields at Berserkjahraun and learn all about Greenland Sharks at the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum. At the Shark Museum there is also an opportunity to sample the traditional Icelandic food of fermented shark. 

Tonight we camp in Stykkishólmur.

Today we take a drive along dramatic coastal scenery to reach the remote Westfjords and Látrabjarg Sea Cliffs, Europe’s most westerly point, home to millions of sea-birds including Skuas, Arctic Terns, Guillemots, Eider Ducks, Razorbills and of course the iconic Atlantic Puffins!

Tonight we camp a short distance away from the puffin nesting cliffs at a beautiful campsite close to the deserted Breiðavík beach where anyone brave enough can take a cool dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

This morning we will visit the famous Gardar BA64 shipwreck, Iceland’s oldest steel ship that was run aground here in 1981 after decades of faithful service.

The rest of the day is spent exploring the remote Westfjords, one of Iceland’s most beautiful regions and unseen by most tourists as it is so far off the beaten track.

As we hug the roads around the blue fjords we pass through numerous picturesque fishing villages and also visit Dynjandi, the largest waterfall in the Westfjords.

We end the day at a campsite close to the charming capital of the Westfjords, Ísafjörður.

Today we continue around the dramatic Westfjords coastline and have lunch in Hólmavík, a small village famous for its Witchcraft Museum.

We end the day camping in the grounds of a country hotel in Húnavellir, close to Blönduós, where you have the option to have a dip in a thermal pool.

We start the day by travelling around the Tröllaskagi Peninsula on Route 76 which is rated as one of Iceland’s most picturesque drives with dramatic coastal and mountain scenery.

At lunchtime we arrive at Iceland's ‘capital of the north’ Akureyri and have the rest of the day to explore the city’s museums & gardens or just relax in the old town sipping locally brewed craft beer and sampling some of Iceland’s best cuisine.

Tonight we camp close to Akureyri.

Not far out of Akureyri we spend an hour at the impressive Goðafoss waterfall before continuing to Lake Mývatn, the undisputed gem of the northeast with a landscape full of spluttering mud-pots, weird lava formations, steaming fumaroles and volcanic craters.

Our journey around Lake Mývatn includes stops at Skútustaðagígar craters, lava pillars at Höfði, Dimmuborgir lava fields, Hverfjall volcano crater and Grjótagjá lava caves.

We end the day close to the shores of Lake Mývatn where you have the option to spend the afternoon relaxing at the Nature Baths, the Blue Lagoon of the North.

We will spend tonight camping close to Reykjahlíð village.

Today you have a free day to relax at Lake Mývatn or you have the option of travelling by 4x4 into the Central Highlands to visit one of Iceland’s most spectacular sights, Askja caldera, a sulphur-blue lake born out of the cataclysmic volcanic eruption in 1875. The nearby Viti crater offers the option for a geothermal swim. The journey to Askja takes you through an area that was used by NASA during training for the Apollo program, to prepare astronauts for the lunar missions. This stark, barren and otherworldly landscape is one of Iceland's many dramatic and unique scenes, and it won’t take long to appreciate why NASA used the area.

We will spend tonight camping close to Reykjahlíð village.

This morning we will visit the Hverir geothermal area where we spend an hour walking through a truly unique orangy-red landscape of fumaroles, large mud pools and steam vents.

We continue to the impressive Krafla caldera, a beautiful sight in a region of extreme geothermal activity where you can walk up to the crater rim and look down into the turquoise waters within the crater.

A couple of hours away on the north coast we reach the town of Húsavík, undeniably the best place in Iceland to go whale watching. Those who wish to see these magnificent creatures up close can spend the afternoon whale watching on a boat tour where you have the chance to see humpbacks, minke and blue whales.

Those who do not wish to do the whale watching tour can spend the day exploring the small town of Húsavík, a pretty fishing town with an interesting Whale & Exploration museum. End the day soaking yourself in the spectacular geothermal heated pools overlooking the North Atlantic.

We will spend tonight camping in the town of Húsavík.

Today we will drive through the Vatnajökull National Park, to visit a huge canyon that ends at Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. Standing on the edge overlooking this gushing torrent is an experience not to be missed!

Just upstream from Dettifoss you will find Selfoss waterfall, well worth the half hour trek for outstanding views.

In the afternoon we will continue to Seyðisfjörður, a picturesque little town in eastern Iceland situated at the end of a fjord surrounded by steep mountains and famed for its rainbow street. The town is a step back in time and is crammed with 19th century timber buildings, quaint coffee shops and traditional restaurants.

We will spend this evening camping in the heart of Seyðisfjörður.

This morning we will stop to see the beautiful Gufufoss waterfall before we take the scenic route through the mountains to reach the south coast.

We will stop for lunch in the small fishing village of Djúpivogur, a pretty village nestled on the side of a fjord. From here, we continue the drive along Iceland's spectacular eastfjords, eventually reaching one of the country's most iconic sights, Vestrahorn. On a clear day you can see this majestic mountain range rising out of the sea to produce one of the most stunning vistas on the island!

Further along the coast we reach the town of Höfn, where we spend the night.

Driving along this part of the south coast we have a good chance of spotting wild reindeer before reaching one of Iceland’s most iconic sights, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Here you have the option to take a boat trip amongst the ancient icebergs and walk along Diamond Beach, a stretch of black sand littered with icebergs.

Further along the coast we encounter the fairytale-like church of Hofskirkja, the last turf church ever built in Iceland.

Our final destination today is Skaftafell National Park where we will spend 2 nights camping to allow us enough time to visit this amazing area of outstanding beauty.

Today is a great day to get your hiking boots on and hit one of Skaftafell’s many hiking trails that lead to incredible views of glaciers, waterfalls and mountains. The more adventurous can put on their crampons and go glacier trekking. The less adventurous can kick back and enjoy a cold beer with a magnificent view.

We will spend this evening camping in Skaftafell National Park.

From Skaftafell we continue to the remote seaside village of Vík where you have time to shop for some Icelandic souvenirs before heading over the hill to the world-famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. Enormous basalt stacks, dramatic rock arches, roaring Atlantic waves and stunning panoramas make this one of the world’s most highly rated non-tropical beaches and a great place for us to have lunch.

This afternoon we continue to the spectacular Skógafoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s largest and most famous.

Later in the day we also visit Seljalandsfoss, a unique waterfall distinguished by the fact that you can fully encircle the falls via a path that leads you behind the cascading water and out the other side.

At the end of the day we reach Geysir, the place after which all other geysers are named, where we spend the night at a campsite with a view over a steaming landscape.

We start the day with a visit to Iceland’s most iconic waterfall, Gullfoss. This powerful waterfall plummets down 32 metres in 2 stages into a rugged canyon, an awesome spectacle.

A short drive away we now visit Geysir where you have time to wander through an extraordinary landscape of bubbling hot springs and steaming fumaroles. The geysers have been active for perhaps 800 years and still erupt regularly enough for you to get a natural geothermal shower during your visit!

We continue to Þingvellir National Park where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet to form an incredible fissured rift valley. This is also Iceland’s most important historic site where the Vikings established the world’s first democratic parliament.

We end the day at Grindavík, a beautiful Icelandic fishing town on the south coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula where we camp near the town centre. If the weather is good we may decide to visit the active Fagradalsfjall volcano this evening.

PLEASE NOTE: This last night at Grindavík is subject to change depending on the volcanic activity in the area.

We start the final day of the tour with a visit to the active Fagradalsfjall volcano which has been erupting intermittently since early 2021. A 20 minute walk takes us up to the steaming lava fields where you can see a valley filled with molten rock and the scars of where it flooded down the valley sides. This is a once in a lifetime experience you will never forget!

Our tour ends upon arrival back in Reykjavík in the mid-afternoon. Accommodation is not provided tonight as many people fly home today but should you wish to spend tonight in Reykjavik you are welcome to stay at the Reykjavík campsite where the tour officially ends. For anyone who does stay in Reykjavík tonight we usually have a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant close to the campsite. 

HOW TO BOOK

To make a booking please fill in our online booking form and then pay a £300 deposit by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Once we receive your online booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking by email and send you all relevant information necessary for your tour preparations.

TOUR PAYMENT

The Tour Payment of £3218 is the complete payment for your tour and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). There is no Local Payment or Kitty to pay on this tour. In order to reserve a place on this tour you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to the tour start date a further payment of £1300 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Tour Payment £1618 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the tour start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the tour start date a deposit of £1600 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the tour start date the full Tour Payment of £3218 should be paid upon booking.

The Tour Payment can be paid by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Credit and Debit Card Payments (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

You can use the following link to pay by credit or debit card:

Dragoman Tour Payment

Or feel free to call us on +44 7858 468 953 in order to make a credit or debit card payment over the phone.

Bank Details for Direct Transfers (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Bank: HSBC

Account name: Madventure Ltd.

Sort code: 400810

Account number: 91618415

IBAN : GB14HBUK40081091618415

Swift/Bank BIC: HBUKGB4B

Branch BIC: HBUKGB4116A

Bank address: HSBC Bank, 6 High Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AZ, United Kingdom

Revolut (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Revolut offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Revolut account? Create one now - www.revolut.com 

Wise (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Wise offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Wise account? Create one now - www.wise.com

Paypal (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Paypal account name: info@madventure.co.uk

Don’t have a Paypal account? Create one now - www.paypal.com

INCLUDED

Services of your Dragoman tour leader and driver

Transportation in our custom built Dragoman overland truck

Use of all equipment on the truck

Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle

Local transportation costs (if required)

15 breakfasts and 15 evening meals

All accommodation costs (100% camping)

Entry to all places that we visit as a group with our vehicle

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Kirkjufell Mountain

Látrabjarg puffins

Westfjords

Dynjandi waterfalls

Tröllaskagi Peninsula

Goðafoss waterfall

Lake Mývatn

Hverir geothermal area

Krafla caldera

Vatnajökull National Park

Dettifoss waterfall

Selfoss waterfall

Seyðisfjörður

Gufufoss waterfall

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Skaftafell National Park

Reynisfjara black sand beach

Skógafoss waterfall

Seljalandsfoss waterfall

Gullfoss waterfall

Geysir 

Þingvellir National Park

Reykjanes Peninsula

Fagradalsfjall volcano

NOT INCLUDED

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour)

Airport transfers

Personal travel insurance

Personal spending money (£150 – £200 per week recommended)

Visas (no visas required for most nationalities)

Lunch

Accommodation upgrades

Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks

Any optional activities and excursions

Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag and pillow

Tips (USD $100 per crew member recommended)

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Dragoman so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. Prices are shown in GBP.

Shark museum - £10

Holmavik Witchcraft Museum - £10

Myvatn Nature Baths - £40

Husavik whale watching tour - £60

Husavik puffin and whale watching tour - £100

Askja caldera optional day trip - £185

Amphibian boat trip on Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon - £35

Zodiac boat trip on Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon - £60

Skaftafell glacier trekking - £60

You will spend 100% of your time on this tour in your tent camping.

We use designated campsites with amenities every night so you will have shower facilities and ablutions available daily.

From past experience we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland expedition vehicle 100% of the time on this tour. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, barbecue grate, tables, etc.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s well-being so we always strive to provide healthy, wholesome and plentiful meals.

We prepare breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a supermarket or a restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare too. Lunch is at your own expense. 

When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once a week (depending on the group size).

Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

15 breakfasts and 15 evening meals are provided during this tour.

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the odd excursion that needs to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about Iceland.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $100 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.

PERSONAL BUDGET

We recommend a budget of £150 – £200 per person per week to live comfortably during this expedition. This budget should cover day to day things like lunch, snacks, soft drinks, meals when not camping, the odd few beers, etc.

Souvenirs are something that can be very cheap or very expensive so if you are going to be buying souvenirs you should budget for it.

Please also have a look at our Optional Excursions list as you may want to budget for a few of those activities too.

TRAVEL MONEY

We recommend you bring all of your spending money on your credit/debit card as generally cards are accepted everywhere in Iceland.

ATM’s are also widely available for you to withdraw local currency using your credit/debit card.

To keep your money/credit cards/ipad/camera/laptop safe we recommend you purchase a ‘Pacsafe Travelsafe’ product. They offer various size portable anti-theft bags that can be attached to a fixed feature of the vehicle when travelling.

Below is general information and recommendations regarding visas and passports according to the most recent information we have from previous tours. Visas are ultimately your own responsibility to obtain and visa requirements may vary according to your nationality and place of application, so use the information below as a guide only and if you are unsure please check with your local consulate. Dragoman is in no way responsible for obtaining your visas or passports.

Please ensure you have 1 blank page in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and stamps, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.

Iceland visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Iceland. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccination requirements are constantly changing so we recommend you seek the latest professional medical advice at least 8 weeks before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time to obtain all necessary vaccinations. Nomad Travel’s website has up-to-date information on vaccinations and other general medical advice, and they also administer vaccinations at their Travel Clinics in various locations within the UK.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk

Alternatively speak with your local health professionals for current accurate information. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic and take a list of the countries you are visiting with the approximate dates when you will be there.

It is not necessary to be vaccinated against covid to join this tour.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

This is a full participation expedition so you need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the vehicle, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

FIRST AID KIT

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit aboard the vehicle but it is recommended that you bring your own basic first aid kit for general use.

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Dragoman obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.

You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.

There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for people based in the UK seeking a comprehensive and reliable policy that includes Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, http://www.campbellirvine.com/Madventure

Campbell Irvine are familiar with what we do so if you mention Dragoman and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.

For people based in North America a company named Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and if possible make sure your policy includes Medical Repatriation.

Tent: A good quality lightweight and compact waterproof free standing tent is recommended for this expedition. A removable fly-sheet will help you stay cool on warm dry nights. If you are travelling on your own you are restricted to a 1-2 man sized tent. If you are sharing a tent, you are restricted to a 2-3 man sized tent.

Sleeping bag: It can get cold on this tour so we recommend a good quality 3 or 4 season sleeping bag with a Mummy Hood. Please make sure that your sleeping bag has a crush bag so it can be compacted down.

Sleeping bag liner: A Thermal Fleece or Silk Liner will bring your sleeping bag up a season when it's cold and they are good to use on their own when it's too hot for your sleeping bag.

Roll Mat: A compact inflatable Thermarest roll mat is recommended. A non-compact mat will not be permitted as they take up too much room.

Pillow: If you do wish to take a pillow (although most just bring a pillow case and stuff their fleece in it at night) then Thermarest makes a good stuff pillow that compacts down small.

Backpack/sports bag/suitcase: We recommend you carry your luggage in a backpack but irrespective if you prefer a sports bag or a suitcase you are restricted to a maximum 100 litre volume. Your tent, roll mat and sleeping bag can be attached to the outside of your bag if necessary and your sleeping gear will go into a separate locker when travelling on the expedition vehicle.

Day bag: You are also permitted to bring a day bag with a maximum 40 litre volume that you can carry in the overhead luggage rack or under your seat on the expedition vehicle with you.

Pacsafe: In order to keep your valuables safe we recommend a Pacsafe product. They make a range of anti-theft bags which vary in sizes and can accommodate your money, credit cards, passport, camera, laptop, etc. They can be attached to a fixed feature of the expedition vehicle when travelling.

Headtorch: An invaluable investment! Check out the Petzl range of USB rechargeable headlamps. 

Kindle: Optional but great to keep all your travel guides and books in one place.

Ipad/Tablet: not a necessity but most places have WiFi available these days so having your own Ipad or Tablet will enable you to stay connected.

Smartphone:  It is highly recommended that you bring a smartphone with you as the majority of the tour communications are sent via WhatsApp. It is also very convenient for storing all your digital documents, emailing, taking and sharing photos, mapping and calling home.

E-sim: Airalo has an affordable digital E-sim that you can use while travelling abroad which means you can stay connected and be online without having to constantly buy local physical sim cards to connect to the internet. Just make sure your phone is E-sim compatible before buying any E-sim.

Camera: Completely up to you but most people use their phone.

Toiletries: Available everywhere but start with some toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap and shampoo.

Sunblock: Minimum SPF 15 recommended.

Towel: A microfibre travel towel is a good option as it dries quickly and packs down small.

Sunglasses: Polarised lenses offer great protection.

First aid kit: Only a basic one is recommended but should include plasters, antiseptic cream, bandage, pain relief tablets, scissors and safety pins.

Passport: Please ensure you have 1 blank page in your passport to accommodate all the visas and stamps required on this tour, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.

Clothes & shoes: 

1 x flip flops

1 x walking shoes, trainers or boots

7 x socks

7 x underwear

1 x thermal underwear

1 x thermal gloves

4 x t-shirts

1 x lightweight long sleeve top

1 x fleece top or fleece jacket

1 x wet weather jacket

1 x wet weather trousers

2 x zip-off  trousers which can be worn long or short

1 x swimwear

1 x thermal beanie or woolly hat

1 x baseball cap

OVERVIEW

Overlanding with Dragoman in Iceland is all about taking the road less travelled in a custom-built overland expedition vehicle with a group of up to 24 travellers of all ages and nationalities. This overland tour moves at a relaxed pace and visits remote areas as well as the highlights of Iceland, with many of the main activities included in the price!

Overland travel affords you the time to really immerse yourself in the culture of the local communities we visit and gives you the opportunity to truly explore off the beaten track destinations.This overland tour may sometimes take you out of your comfort zone as it involves a lot of camping but to truly discover Iceland’s beauty we feel that you need to get back to nature and camp amongst its spectacular scenery We believe it is these experiences that make overlanding in Iceland so rewarding. So if you are looking for a unique adventure shared with a group of like-minded travellers on a journey of a lifetime then an Iceland overland tour may be the trip for you because with overlanding it's all about the journey, not just the destination!

At Dragoman we like to go through every aspect of the tour with you to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible. We believe in not only telling you about the highlights of the tour but also providing you with all the small details of what to expect as we know these are just as important. We want to explain the tour in as much detail as possible so that you are sure you are suited to one of our overland group adventures. If after reading the information below you decide that this tour is not for you then, as long as it is within 14 days of your initial booking, you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

We have no age restrictions on our overland tours and if there is one thing we have come to realise, it’s the mental attitude that counts the most. On this trip our group size is a maximum of 24 travellers and 2 crew of all ages and nationalities so you can expect to share this experience with a wide variety of characters from all walks of life. 

WEATHER

Our Iceland overland tours always run in the summer as the temperature is moderate and the roads are all open, so this tour should be comfortable for most travellers as it is neither too hot nor too cold in Iceland’s summer. The weather can however be erratic, so you could experience rain, wind and cooler temperatures occasionally.

ALTITUDE

We remain at a relatively low altitude throughout this tour so you should be comfortable. 

HYGIENE

You must maintain your own personal hygiene and ensure that you and your clothes are washed regularly. If anyone smells bad or is noticeably unclean the tour leader will have a word with that person to ensure a decent level of personal hygiene is maintained by everyone aboard the vehicle.

SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES

In Iceland the majority of the sites are free to visit and have information boards in English, so there are very few places where a local guide is required. 

If there are any activities that require forward planning and/or a guide your tour leader will arrange this and let you know all the options before arriving at a destination. Your tour leader however is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to.

Most of the sites in Iceland involve some short walks but there are some longer treks for those who are keen on hiking. You are completely free to do as you choose on this tour so you can be as active or inactive as you like.

YOUR ATTITUDE

A friendly, easy-going attitude will help you enjoy this trip and ensure you are liked by your fellow travellers as well as the locals. The one thing that is extremely detrimental to any tour are people that constantly moan. It has nothing to do with age, gender or nationality, some people just like to find fault in everything and it’s always got to be someone’s fault. This type of constant negativity can be extremely detrimental within a group so it may sound a bit harsh but by weeding out any moaners early on we can have a chat with them to try and ensure your tour is as good as it can be. We don’t hide anything so people who travel with us usually know exactly what to expect on this tour which makes for an enjoyable group experience.

Please be aware that if any particular person is constantly causing the rest of the group (or the crew) grief due to their behaviour they will be warned and then asked to leave the tour if nothing improves and no refund will be given. This is obviously the most extreme case but we will not let one or two rude individuals spoil it for everybody else. This is a once in a lifetime experience so let’s all enjoy it!

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

When we are in Iceland things generally go to plan but if something unexpected does delay us or force us to change our itinerary please understand that sometimes things happen that are simply out of our control and we may have to make alternative arrangements. Please be prepared to expect the unexpected and accept that things will go wrong from time to time.

These instances are usually the stories that remain with everyone so enjoy the experience. An easy-going approach will help the situation immensely. Moaning about every little thing that doesn’t go our way will not! When situations arise where we can’t please everybody we always aim to please the majority of the group, not the individual. 

TRAVEL TIMES & ITINERARIES

We are circumnavigating the whole of Iceland so yes, there are going to be quite a few drive days, but we have designed this tour with plenty of stops along the way to break up the journeys. We travel by day and arrive at our destinations before nightfall. This is quite a relaxed tour but on the longer drive days you must be able to take pleasure in the scenery or a good book from time to time.

We always strive to arrive at our destinations on time but our itinerary can change if an area of our route becomes off-limits for any reason, so when we do experience delays we will adjust our itinerary accordingly.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in Iceland and they could enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession.

If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs on this tour you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any such inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to.

Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

This is a full participation expedition so you need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the vehicle, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

ACCOMMODATION

You will spend 100% of your time on this tour in your tent camping.

We use designated campsites with amenities every night so you will have shower facilities and ablutions available daily.

From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

TRANSPORT & EQUIPMENT

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland expedition vehicle 100% of the time on this tour. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, barbecue grate, tables, etc.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

FOOD & COOKING

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s well-being so we always strive to provide healthy, wholesome and plentiful meals.

We prepare breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a supermarket or a restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare too. Lunch is at your own expense. 

When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once a week (depending on the group size).

Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

15 breakfasts and 15 evening meals are provided during this expedition.

CREW

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the odd excursion that needs to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about Iceland.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $100 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.