Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, and from a young age I was already travelling all over Iceland with my parents.
After a short stint as a driver guide on modified SUVs in 2004, I came back to it full time in 2015 and have been working as one since then.
In 2020, I co-founded Location Scouting Iceland, a company that specializes in finding locations and providing location services for all kinds of productions.
I have been working as a travel planner and a travel specialist since January 2022.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"For the last decade or so I have made it a point to explore locations off the beaten path. This includes but is not limited to the north-west and the east of Iceland (the so-called Westfjörds and Eastfjörds) as well as the central highlands. "
How did you get involved in travel?
""I started travelling with my parents around Iceland at an early age and I guess that's where I picked up the travelling bug. In my early 20s I started travelling around Iceland on my own and with friends. My biggest interest was always finding out what was at the end of the unmarked gravel road. What unexplored treasures would I find that weren't on the map?
In 2004 I worked for one summer as a driver guide on a modified Land Rover Defender for the first time. That's when I started to gain experience in off-road driving on glaciers and mountains. I came back to that job in early 2015 and have been working as a driver guide full time ever since. ""
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
""Travelling around the vast Icelandic highlands, the biggest untouched wilderness in Europe, under the midnight sun is something I'd list as my absolutely favorite pastime, with clients or alone.""
Guðmundur Óli's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Iceland’s interior is by far its most rugged area. The terrain can be tough, and the F-roads are only accessible by jeeps with 4WD (in Winter, only by modified “super jeeps”)....
Glaciers, volcanoes, and geysers are the perfect playground for off-roading in Iceland—and yes, you can drive yourself. Explore Iceland by driving around the country, visiting...
This weeklong trip covers the highlights of the West and remote Westfjords. Travel to some of the lesser-visited areas, with only a fraction of the crowds. Spend a few days in...
Family itineraries
With 10 days in Iceland, you can explore the highlights as a family on an exciting voyage around the famous Golden Circle route or stick to one area, such as Snæfellsnes and...
With a variety of fun and unique outdoor and indoor activities, your kids will love Iceland just as much as you will. Where else can kids take a dip in a natural hot spring,...
Drive Iceland's south coast for a memorable family adventure in just under a week. After getting to know Reykjavik, you'll check off blockbuster natural sites in the Golden...
Luxury itineraries
Take to the skies on this 10-day luxury adventure that introduces you to Iceland's glaciers, volcanoes, and geysers through scenic helicopter trips and bespoke excursions. On a...
Sit back and soak up Iceland's most astonishing landscapes as your private driver loops around the country on this 10-day luxury itinerary. Starting and finishing in the...
Bring your perfect Icelandic vacation to life with this deluxe two-week odyssey that hits all the country's highlights by land and sea. You'll spend your first week aboard a...
Road trip itineraries
With two weeks in Iceland, you can complete the entire Ring Road and add incredible detours. This grand tour will take you to all the best places giving you plenty of time to...
Two of Iceland's more remote and scenically stunning yet lesser-visited regions—Westfjords and North Iceland—are the focus of this scenic 12-day active self-drive adventure,...
Experience many of the quintessential highlights of Iceland on this 12-day active self-drive adventure. Enjoy snorkeling in crystal-clear Silfra lake, cycling lava trails by...
Honeymoon itineraries
Favorite experiences
Jeep Tour of Askja Northern Highlands
Deep in Iceland's Northern Highlands is the Askja area, where Mount Herðubreið, a majestic table mountain of a truly peculiar shape, acts as the gateway to the wild region. The peak's dark silhouette is unmistakable, even from very far away. Still, the area's most precious gem is Askja itself,...
Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
Combine two of the most popular excursions in Iceland: glacier hiking and exploring the electric-blue ice caves. Skaftafell Nature Reserve sits within Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's largest glacier. So, lace up your hiking boots and get ready to experience an incredible journey along...
South Highlands Helicopter Tour
See Iceland from a completely different perspective by flying above the county's serene, diverse, and breathtaking landscape. This half-day journey brings you the ultimate sample of Iceland's natural and cultural highlights. From stunning glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls to marvels of human...
Hiking the Thórsmörk Valley
The Thórsmörk Valley, named after Thor, the Nordic God of Thunder, was carved by glacial river floods from volcanic eruptions under the area's glaciers. It sits just west of Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier, and about 45 minutes from the town of Vík on Iceland's South Coast. As you hike...
Recent trip reviews for Guðmundur Óli
A memorable family trip!
Iceland
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Apr 13 - Apr 18, 2026
Thank you for the kind review Andrew. I am happy to read that everything went well and that you were happy with the trip :)
I do hope we'll see you back in Iceland soon again
All the best
Gummi
Gummi the Great
Iceland
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Apr 9 - Apr 17, 2026
Thank you so much for the kind review! I'm so glad to read that everything went so well and that you were happy with the trip!
I do hope we'll see you all in Iceland soon again! :)
All the best
Gummi
Amazing Iceland!
Iceland
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Mar 28 - Apr 5, 2026
I am so happy that your trip was such a success, despite the weather, as you mentioned.
True, spring in Iceland doesn't really arrive until late April, and it's a good point that you raise that we should be clearer on that to our travellers. I have on quite a few occasions pointed this out to would-be travellers, but I have to admit it does sometimes slip my mind. I guess I'm just so used to the unpredictable arctic weather here haha.
I'm so happy you... Read more
My guide felt with my changes of plans and in...
Iceland
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Mar 30 - Apr 6, 2026
My guide felt with my changes of plans and internet surfing. He was amazing and made my trip better than imagined.
You're too sweet Laurel! :)
I'm so glad that you were happy with the whole trip!
We're waiting for you to come back!
Gummi
Driving the Ring Road in Winter
Iceland
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Mar 8 - Mar 17, 2026
Thank you for the kind review Peter
Yes, Icelandic winter can surely be challenging, but that's why you have us, teamwork is dreamwork 🙂
I hope you'll return soon, no blizzards in summer.. hint hint... Haha
All the best
Gummi
We had a fantastic trip to Iceland in April!
Iceland
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Apr 3 - Apr 10, 2026
I am happy to hear you enjoyed the trip.
Conditions can definately be tough around the glaciers, and it seems you sure got the whole Arctic experience. I hope that in retrospect, you come to value that experience, tough as it was a the time, as a once in a lifetime adventure out in the Arctic wilderness, battling through the snow in a super jeep.
I'm happy to hear everything else went well, and the photos you sent me of the northern lights you saw were... Read more
The Perfect Balance of Freedom and Support in Iceland
Iceland
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Mar 21 - Mar 27, 2026
Thank you so much for the kind review
Siggi really is a gem. A one of a kind!
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland again, perhaps in summer, with some better weather, as you've already had the full arctic experience haha. :D
All the best
Gummi
Guðmundur Óli (Gummi) was incredibly helpful ...
Iceland
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Apr 2 - Apr 9, 2026
Thank you so much for the kind review Natalie
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland again, perhaps in summer, with some better weather, as you've already had the full arctic experience haha. :D
All the best
Gummi
Guðmundur Óli : Master Iceland Trip Planner
Iceland
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Mar 22 - Mar 30, 2026
Thank you for the kind review Lore. What a week of unpredictable weather you got haha. The full Icelandic experience!
I do hope we'll see you all back in Iceland again, maybe in summer with more steble weather haha
All the best
Gummi
A gorgeous gem of a destination
Iceland
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Mar 21 - Mar 28, 2026
Thank you for the kind review Rob!
You certainly got ALL THE WEATHER 😅 haha! What a week! But I'm so happy you still got to experience everything and we made it all work.
Teamwork is dreamwork!
I'm looking forward to having you back in summer. I'm sure there will be less need for daily modifications then 😊
Take care and all the best,
Gummi