Classic Iceland Adventure

Traveler Reviews

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  DaveFredrickson

  January 6th, 2023
  1.0
  We took an Active Adventures tour in Iceland in July 2022. My wife testing positive with a COVID home test on day 6...
  We took an Active Adventures tour in Iceland in July 2022. My wife testing positive with a COVID home test on day 6 of the 13 day trip. This was the beginning of a nightmare. Active Adventures left us on our own in the remote tourist town of Hofn. Our two guides did their best to help us that evening, but there was absolutely no support from Active Adventures Headquarters. We had to leave the trip on a Friday and quickly learned that there was no transportation (airline or bus) back to Reykjavik until Sunday. We were able to stay in our tour hotel on Friday night and then had to find a room in the sold out town for Saturday night. We ended up staying in a room with five bunk beds at a local hostel and were lucky to even find this room on our own. We then took a 12 hour bus ride back to Reykjavik on Sunday. I strongly feel that Active Adventures with their premium priced tour (over $16,000 for the two of us) should have arranged transportation for us back to Reykjavik for Saturday, even if it required sending a car and driver from Reykjavik. We purchased the World Nomads Travel Insurance that was advocated by Active Adventures. After having to leave the tour, we received a letter from Active Adventures certifying that we were forced to leave the tour on Day 6 and that we should receive a prorated insurance reimbursement for Days 7-13. The settlement from World Nomads Travel Insurance feel far short of providing reasonable reimbursement. They only provided us with 20% reimbursement, claiming that their did not pay until we received an official COVID test in Reykjavik the following Monday (which was three days after we were told to leave the tour and had to make our own way back to Reykjavik.) Despite the fact that Active Adventures had sent us a letter which they portrayed as evidence to the insurance company that we had to leave the tour on Day 6, they were unwilling to back us up after we received the World Nomads insurance settlement. When I contacted Active Adventures to ask for their support in appealing this settlement, I was told by the Active Adventures agent that I needed to make certain to read and understand the provisions of my travel insurance before purchasing it. And this is the insurance that Active Adventures advocated I sign up for. At no point did Active Adventures offer us any refund. They didn't even offer a credit for a future Active Adventures trip. In retrospect, the "Active Adventure" truly began when we were told that we were on our own after my wife tested positive for COVID. BUYER BEWARE before booking one of their premium priced trips. We have traveled with other adventure tour companies and have had very positive experiences.Show more
  Traveled in June 2022
  

  Reply from: Active Adventures

  Hi Dave, It's unfortunate to receive such a bad review with regard to the circumstances you’ve outlined. We strive to make our trips an unforgettable experience and we use these situations as opportunities to review our processes and understand where we can make improvements. As you are aware, we reviewed your situation thoroughly and as communicated to you, we are limited to the resources available in the locations our guests travel. For context, your wife contracted Covid 19 on day six of your Iceland itinerary in a very remote part of the country. As per our policy, and for the safety of all other guests on the trip, your departure from the trip was unavoidable and Active Adventures is not liable for your positive COVID-19 infection. Our guides provided you with a hotel room, put you in contact with our head office and connected you with a transportation company to arrange for a ride back to Reykjavik. Although your situation was unfortunate, our guides' responsibility was also to the remainder of the group and continuing on with the remainder of the tour. The rest of your comments relate to your insurance provider – not Active Adventures. Active Adventures provided you with the necessary documentation to file a claim with World Nomads and the amount that World Nomads reimbursed you is completely outside of our control as they are a third party insurance provider. Travelling during a global pandemic will always carry risk. You were made aware of these risks through our terms and conditions as well as the information provided in your travel documents. Your COVID-19 infection was no fault of Active Adventures and your expectations of receiving a credit or refund for such is unrealistic. Stating a ‘Buyer Beware’ warning for future travelers interested in booking one of our tours is uncalled for. We wish you the best of luck in your future travels, but please be aware of the insurance you choose to purchase and understanding all the risks associated with global travel. Happy trails, Active Adventures

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• A

  Emily

  January 6th, 2019
  5.0
  Iceland is a land of diversity! From incredible waterfalls, hot thermal pools, active volcanos, geysers, icebergs,...
  Iceland is a land of diversity! From incredible waterfalls, hot thermal pools, active volcanos, geysers, icebergs, glaciers, and beautiful birds, it is a land of extreme beauty. It's people are passionate about their country and one another. Active Adventures partnered with a local guide, Po'ra, who knew the island like the back of her hand. She would even add one more thing we just ""had"" to see. I also enjoyed being with the New Zealand guide, Andy Prill. He is one super human being with an extreme love of life who is eager for everyone else to experience it as well. I had several highlights. I especially enjoyed taking the ferry to the island off the south coast where we visited the museum and got a good feel of what the inhabitants experienced in 1973 when the volcano erupted --- a devastating time for them. Then we hiked to the top of two of the three active volcanos on the island which afforded incredible views. I also especially enjoyed waking on the black sand beach and feeling the black sand that was put there by the volcano of 2010, the one that caused all airports closed in Europe for a few weeks. The light colored basalt columns looked like organ pipes and, of course, were perfect for climbing and a group picture. Putting on crampons and walking on a glacier was another nightlight for me. At one point we had to attach ourselves by way of a carabiner to a robe where the uphill climb was a bit narrow and steep. It was thrilling and the guide was most helpful. Finally I very much enjoyed kayaking among the icebergs. It was chilly but we had been told to dress warmly and everyone was comfortable. Oh, I must also mention the waterfalls were spectacular. We even walked behind one. So cool. All in all The Lundi was an incredible experience. The length, one week, made it seem just right. A lot was packed into a short amount of time, however. I highly recommend this trip to anyone!!Show more
  Traveled in May 2019
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  Georgina

  December 6th, 2019
  5.0
  Another incredible adventure with ACTIVE! The amazing thing about this organization is the consistency of quality;...
  Another incredible adventure with ACTIVE! The amazing thing about this organization is the consistency of quality; each trip is perfectly tailored to optimize your time spent in a new location to ensure you experience the real highlights! The itinerary is packed with activities throughout the day to make the most of your time in the beautiful southern coast of Iceland. Additionally, ACTIVE employs local guides with an incredible knowledge and passion for their country and take you away from the typical tourist spots to see the truly hidden gems that most other visitors miss. And as always, the restaurants we visited were phenomenal and accommodations incredibly comfortable and modern. The ACTIVE Lundi trip is a very relaxing and enjoyable way to visit this exquisite region and capture the unique history and geology of the region.Show more
  Traveled in May 2019
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  Bruce

  May 9th, 2019
  5.0
  Iceland is fascinating: glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, natural hot springs, waterfalls, rugged coastlines, black sand,...
  Iceland is fascinating: glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, natural hot springs, waterfalls, rugged coastlines, black sand, golden sand - and weather that changes all the time. The country is certainly feeling the effects of climate change, which is all the reason to go there sooner rather than later. We found Active Adventures to be the exact right way to explore this wonderful place - great guides, a small compatible group, and just the right mix of activity (and quite varied activity), travel (without the hassle of driving yourself around), and fun.Show more
  Traveled in August 2019