Lava Travel

This was my first trip planned with a travel expert. I normally book everything myself. Gummi was fantastic from start to finish! We chose an active vacation, and so it was. He picked wonderful hotels and cabins for us. Places I never would have chosen.Stayed in touch the whole trip, even letting us know the nights we could expect Northern Lights, activity cancellations and updated hotel info. He was also super helpful at adding last minute activities to our trip (snorkeling the continental divide). His recommendations along the route were also great for activities and food. Plan to leave at the 'suggested time' as you may find yourself driving after dark. We explored many places, started after the suggested time, so we had to skip a few optional stops. We also stayed many places longer than suggested. You just never know what you will get. We were so lucky to have wonderful weather and longer days, so we explored and took literally thousands of pictures.Get ready to keep saying 'WOW'!!!

Hotel Reviews

Hótel Búðir

Búðir

Beautiful drive to get here. Great views. Wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hill Hotel at Fludir

Fludir

Loved this hotel. Great sunset, great food-wonderful kitty!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great view

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Magma Hotel

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Cute cabin rooms. Wonderful food and staff.

Krákhamar Apartments

Djúpivogur

Got to see the N. L's from this cabin. Cozy and great amenities. Owner was very nice. First place we stayed in Iceland that we didn't roast all night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshótel Mývatn

Myvatn

Awesome views! Breakfast and dinner here were fantastic! midges were a problem in the parking lot, but no where in the hotel. We even had our patio door open for a while, and no issues.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

CenterHotel Klöpp

Reykjavík

Downtown, no parking. We stayed here 2 nights. First room was very small, second night was huge. It was loud due to being in the city. We got spoiled by the quiet of the country. It is central to everything and very walkable. Breakfast is very plain.

Authenticity & Character

Location

city noise

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

wet bathroom

Activity Reviews

Glacier Ice Cave Experience

Iceland

Our guide Magni was great! Very sad to see where the glacier was just 2 years prior and where it is today.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seaside Horseback Ride

Iceland

Guides were great, wish we had more time on the horses.

Quality of Experience

we spent most of the time just walking to the beach, then we walked on the beach for 20 feet, then up a hill.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Silfra Snorkeling Adventure

Golden Circle

Once in a lifetime!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Whale Watching Safari by Traditional Boat

Iceland

We followed a humpback and Minkie whale.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Kayaking Excursion

Iceland

sadly the winds were really high the day we were scheduled, so our activity got cancelled the day before.

Quality of Experience

just the lagoon, we didn't kayak

Just want to send a HUGE thank you out to our kimkim travel specialist for Iceland, Gudmundur Oli Palmason, aka “Gummi”, for the work he put into our 10 day trip to Iceland! Six of us circumnavigated the country and Gummi from kimkim made all of our arrangements according to our requests and interests, including booking us into WONDERFUL accommodations in remote areas so we would have the best chance of spotting the northern lights. We went whale-watching, spent time at 2 different geothermal lagoons, took a boat ride on the Iceberg Lagoon, saw seals and whales and reindeer and an arctic fox, along with so many amazing variations in topography and stunning views! We met and talked with people from around the world, and the Icelandic people are so warm and welcoming! This plan was truly the best of both worlds because we were traveling independently, but we were never alone because Gummi was always available to re-arrange activities when we experienced flight delays or rough weather or sea conditions. Our rental car, hotels, and purchased activities were all booked by kimkim, and Gummi provided detailed daily maps, a driving schedule, sightseeing opportunities, and a range of eating options for everywhere we stayed. The booking process was seamless and very efficient, and I would absolutely recommend traveling with kimkim for both experienced and novice travelers. And anyone lucky enough to work with Gummi in Iceland is in the hands of the very BEST! This experience was unforgettable!

Sharie & Kevin Bahr

Gummi did an outstanding job for us. All hotels and excursions were booked and confirmed by Gummi and were without issues when we arrived at each venue.

I would use his services again.

Hotel Review

Hótel Búðir

Búðir

Amazing views and comfortable rooms!

Location

The views were terrific.

Activity Reviews

Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience

Iceland

An interesting cave and the guide was personable and informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Ice Cave Experience

Iceland

This was an interesting experience but should have been marketed as a "walk on a glacier" rather than as an "ice cave". The cave was very shallow (maybe 20 feet). The hike in crampons up the side of the glacier was ok although the weather was uncooperative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion

Reykjavík

A terrific trip to see whales, which we had never done before. Take your dramamine before you board, although they have it onboard if you need it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We just completed 9 days in Iceland and had an amazing adventure! Being in Iceland for the first time, our experience with Kimkim and our local travel consultant Gudmundur Oli (Gummi) was exceptional! We liked that Gummi was a native Icelander and could provide excellent, first-hand knowledge of the best places to see and experience. From the initial trip planning and throughout our time in Iceland, Gummi was always available to answer any questions and provide guidance. The Kimkim App and WhatsApp tools were very useful for communications. We accessed the Kimkim App on our phones that had our daily itinerary and all relevant information, maps, reservations, etc. easily accessible. We had a very action-packed itinerary that covered primarily the West and South Highland areas. The specific areas that we really enjoyed included the geothermal lagoon experiences (Laugaras Lagoon was our favorite), old town Reykjavik (great restaurants like the FishMrkt and Fjallkonan), the Golden Circle (including the Geothermal Bakery Experience and Geysir Geothermal area), stunning waterfalls (so many, but our favorite was the striking blue waters of Bruarfoss), hike through the lava formations to Sigoludgljufur Waterfalls, the town of Vik (Vík i Myrdal Church hilltop views and Sudur-Vik Restaurant), Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and the Icelandic Food Walk in Reykjavik (our guide Minty was exceptional!). And, we saw the Norther Lights! Incredibly beautiful country, highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews

Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels

Ásborgir

Great location near the Golden Circle. Helpful staff. Good breakfast. Dinner was very good but quite expensive. The room was nice, clean and functional.

Authenticity & Character

The main building has a good vibe.

Location

Great location near the Golden Circle.

Staff

Front desk staff was friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean, functional room.

Reykjavík Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels

Reykjavík

Good location, near the marina. Welcoming hotel with apartment type rooms and common gathering spaces. Good breakfast. Parking was limited to street parking adjacent to the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Unique hotel/residence. Lots of cool gathering spaces.

Location

Close to the downtown area with many shops and restuarants.

Staff

The front desk staff were very helpful and were happy to answer any questions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

We liked the 'home like' feel to the apartment style rooms.

Fosshotel Núpar

Kálfafell

Good location along the southern ring road. Ample parking and good breakfast. Very plain, functional room.

Authenticity & Character

Very plain hotel with limited character.

Location

Good location along the southern ring road.

Staff

Team was friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and functional room.

Arnarstapi Hotel

Snæfellsbær

Great place to see the Northern Lights, and they have a camera on the tv system that you can use to monitor status of the Northern Lights. Very plain and basic, but clean and functional rooms. Nice views from our room of the Arnarstapi coastline. Breakfast was not included and hotel restaurant was expensive. Very limited other options nearby. Good location and lots to see along the coast within walking distance.

Authenticity & Character

TV had a channel with northern lights camera but it did not work well (poor connection).

Location

Walking distance to the ocean coast, arches and a monument. Northern Lights can be viewed well here when visible.

Staff

Found a cork screw to open our bottle of wine.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Good, basic newer clean room - no frills.

Hótel Lækur

Hella

Nice cottages in the countryside, clean and functional. Good views of sheep grazing in the fields, horses in the distance and creek nearby.

Authenticity & Character

Cute cottages in the countryside.

Location

Location was accessible to the ring road.

Staff

Staff was friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean, functional rooms with nice living space in the cottages.

Alda Hotel Reykjavík

Reykjavík

Great location, friendly/helpful front desk staff. Nice breakfast and Starbucks adjacent to lobby. Clean and functional room.

Authenticity & Character

Functional hotel.

Location

Great location near many shops and restaurants.

Staff

Front desk staff was very helpful and accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Functional, and clean rooms. Inside rooms without an outside window access can be a bit stuffy with limited air circulation.

Activity Reviews

Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion

Reykjavík

We cancelled this activity 24 hours in advance due to poor weather conditions and schedule conflict.

Icelandic Food Walk

Reykjavík

We really enjoyed this experience. Minty our local Icelandic guide was exceptional! The variety of restaurants, food, beverages and stories/history was great!

Quality of Experience

Great guide and specific, local food/beverage experiences.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Minty was the best guide, very engaging and knowledgeable!

Transport

Walking throughout the city from place to place was comfortable, even in the rain.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Zodiac Adventure

Iceland

This experience was cancelled by the service provide due to poor weather conditions/wind.

Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience

Iceland

Very unique experience. Interesting opportunity to walk across a large lava flow field to the access point and to step down into the lava cave. The wooden walkways/steps made access easier. Interesting geology that was well explained by our guide. We did not see any stalactites or stalagmites as stated in the activity description.

Quality of Experience

Unique geology and history of formation.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was very knowledgeable.

Transport

Good wooden walkways, but in windy conditions to/from access point can be challenging.

Geothermal Bakery Experience

Golden Circle

Really enjoyed this unique experience. Appreciated the history and using the local ground geothermal properties for cooking. Break was very good!

Quality of Experience

Unique process and quality of the bread/result was excellent.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and engaging.

Transport

Easy walk to shoreline to see the process of geothermal baking.

Glacier Ice Cave Experience

Iceland

Very unique experience. Landscape was beautiful. Ice caves were limited and did not fully reflect marketing pictures (some blue ceilings). Super jeep vehicle was unreliable and not properly maintained. Parts of the path up to the ice cave access was slippery and steep.

Quality of Experience

Reliable vehicles and better time management by all guides to efficiently move groups into/out of caves. A lot of standing around waiting on others.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was resilient through vehicle difficulties. Thankful for the guide from Poland who was able to get our vehicle jump started!

Transport

The vehicle was not properly maintained. They gear shift/transmission did not work properly. Vehicle was in low gear the entire drive to the ice cave area. It did not restart after view point and needed a jump start by another guide's vehicle. The driver had to leave the vehicle running for over an hour while we went up and into the ice cave area.

Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki

Iceland

Really enjoyed this lagoon experience. Seemed more authentic and relaxing compared to other lagoons. Less crowded, friendly staff, very nice facility and views of the bridge/river/landscaping.

Quality of Experience

Very good!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very friendly staff.

Transport

Good location and experience after a long day!

We used this service,Kim Kim, as we were planning because due to other life circumstances, we did not have time to sit and plan and look up things to do where we wanted to travel. We were skeptical at first, but after working with our specialist, we were way more at ease.

This turned out to be a great trip with great locations and itinerary picked for us by our specialist, Mr. Oli. We saw some beautiful locations and sights as we traveled through Iceland. The amount of driving was about right each day and allowed for flexibility to see the sights as we traveled. The motels and guesthouses we stayed at were great, with one exception of not having a private bath for that stay.

Iceland is a great country to travel to and through. The thermal baths were outstanding. We found that we should have traveled about a month earlier as the weather was cooling off for the year, but that really did not put a damper on much.

Probably one of the best things we saw was the Lava Show. This was a great demonstration of the the volcanic activity that present throughout the country. Highly recommend.

Overall, we were satisfied with this service provided by Kim Kim. At this point this was a one off experience. But if we are to have the opportunity to travel like this again, we will definitely look to this site to provide a good experience.

Hotel Reviews

Holt Inn

Holt

The service and Hotel were great. This was a beautiful place to stay. The only downside was the child across the hall that screamed for 3 hours.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Fransiskus Stykkishólmi

Stykkishólmur

This was a fun hotel with a great history. Good breakfast selection and great location for a walk to the docks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hill Hotel at Fludir

Fludir

Great room and hot tub in the courtyard. Very aesthetically pleasing to look at in the courtyard.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Zodiac Boat

Iceland

This was a very fun excursion. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an incredible experience in Iceland from start to finish. Everything was so well organized by Gummi, who was incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and attentive to our interests and needs. His suggestions were excellent, and every location and experience felt perfectly chosen for us.

Our guide, Bessi, was truly phenomenal. He was personable, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make our trip special. He really took the time to get to know us and tailored the experience to our interests. He was also incredibly flexible, able to pivot and adjust our plans based on the weather and conditions while still making every day feel seamless and unforgettable.

It truly felt like a personalized trip rather than a standard tour. We saw incredible waterfalls, glaciers, lagoons, craters, hikes, and so much more — but it was the little details, the flexibility, and the genuine care that made this a trip of a lifetime. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

It was great having Gummi plan our Iceland trip from the car to the hotels to sights to see. Having the driving directions everyday was really great and knowing I could call him anytime if we had an issue was a great peace of mind. We had an unforgettable trip!

Hotel Reviews

Black Beach Suites

Vik I Myrdal

Beautiful view!

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Center Hotels Skjaldbreið

Reykjavík

Liked where this hotel was located for our first day in Iceland

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Eldhestar

Ölfus, Hveragerði

Great location, got to see the horses up close

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Center Hotel Arnarhvoll

Reykjavík

Stayed here our last night and enjoyed the view from the SkyBar

Activity Review

Glacier Ice Cave Experience

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a great trip to Iceland in early September. Our specialist Gummi was wonderful; we could not have planned this trip so fast and so well without him. Overall, we liked every hotel and activity that he suggested. Every reservation was booked correctly and it was so easy to follow his directions and plans for the day.

After we booked, he helped us tweak our plans a bit more ... mostly to help us reduce the amount of driving. We did not do the whole Ring Road, but saw multiple areas from the peninsula to the east.

While we were on the trip, he alerted us to the Northern Lights on a certain day and gave us a last minute recommendation of another (!) waterfall to visit.

I would definitely recommend him!

Our trip was perfect, from beginning to end. Goumundar reached out to us by phone so we could communicate our interests and questions. We experienced Iceland with our amazing guide Bessi, who gave us an adventure of a lifetime!! Iceland is like no other place on earth! It’s spectacularly beautiful in all weather. We will no doubt return - maybe a winter visit!

Guðmundur Óli did a fantastic job planning our route and booking our excursions for our trip to Iceland. He was an incredible source of information throughout our stay, even responding quickly in the middle of the night when we lost our mapping route to help get us back on track.

The locations and excursions he booked were absolutely fabulous, and the accommodations chosen for our overnight stays were incredible. If Guðmundur is a representation of KimKim's travel planners, I highly recommend using your services for any travel destination.

Thank you for a wonderful family vacation that was enjoyed by all!