Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Born in Reykjavík, Iceland in 1978, from a young age I was already travelling all over Iceland with my parents.
After a short stint as a driver guide on modified suv's in 2004, I pursued a career as a touring musician in Europe and North America for a decade, coming back to the field of driver guide in 2015 and working full time as such ever since.
in 2020 I co-founded Location Scouting Iceland, a company that specializes in finding locations and providing location service for all kinds of productions. So far we have worked on tv shows, editorial photo shoots, fashion shoots, commercials etc.. As of 2022 we are expending our services to take customers on privatized photography tours.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I believe an all immersive travelling experience includes having a taste local culinary and cultural experiences.
I specialize in places off the beaten path. I find that the most enjoyable travel experiences are usually had out in "nowhere", as opposed to the tourist places you'll find on the maps. This is especially true in summer when access to the country's back roads is easier and daylight lasts 24/7. I find it more enjoyable, especially as a photographer, to travel at night, when nobody's around and the land is locked in perpetual twilight under the midnight sun.
"
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 20's I stared 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 offroad 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
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...
This itinerary packs a lot into 8 days, but if you have limited time and have your heart set on driving the entire Ring Road, then this guide will be your best friend for the...
Follow an arc from eastern to western Iceland via the north coast on this 12-day active self-drive adventure. You'll pack in many of the country's most iconic sites, from...
Family itineraries
One week in Iceland is enough time for a family-friendly, adventure-filled road trip that includes popular highlights and natural wonders along the South Coast and Golden...
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 two weeks in Iceland, you can make a complete loop around the country on a wintry adventure perfect for older children or stick to a northwest road trip to unplug and...
Luxury itineraries
This 10-day, self-guided tour of Iceland's winter landscapes combines the natural wonders of waterfalls, mountains, and volcanoes with plenty of wildlife and marine life...
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,...
This self-driving trip takes you to the highlights of Iceland's west coast and the remote Westfjords area. Starting in Reykjavik, you'll drive to the volcanic Snaefellsnes...
Road trip itineraries
10 days on the road in Iceland is enough time to discover its highlights and off-the-beaten-path wonders. Loop around the famous Route 1 (Ring Road) on a relaxed self-drive...
This itinerary packs a lot into 8 days, but if you have limited time and have your heart set on driving the entire Ring Road, then this guide will be your best friend for the...
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...
Favorite experiences
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...
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,...
Northern Lights Hunt in a Super Jeep
Hop aboard a Super Jeep (a special vehicle made specifically to navigate icy and off-road terrain like Iceland's) and enjoy a thrilling hunt for the Northern Lights. With a Super Jeep, you can ditch the crowds, tourist buses, and light pollution and get off-the-beaten-path to reach exclusive...
The Arctic Henge in Northern Iceland
Set in Northern Iceland near Raufarhöfn—one of the country's most remote and northernmost villages—is the Arctic Hedge. Known as Heimskautsgerðið, this huge sundial is similar to Stonehenge, its ancient predecessor, as it captures the sun's rays and cast shadows in precise locations. A two-hour...
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
You'll find the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon between the towns of Hof and Höfn on the country's famed South Coast. Here you'll have the chance to see one of the unique sights in Iceland: icebergs floating out to sea, resting and shimmering upon a black-sand beach. Once you reach the lagoon, you can...
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...
Recent trip reviews for Guðmundur Óli
Iceland with kids
Iceland
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Dec 4 - Dec 8, 2024
We did experience a couple of very minor issues. With a call to Gummi, his immediate response resolved the problems nearly immediately.
Our trip was a complete success. Read more
What sense of humor? I was being 100% serious ALL the time hahah!
Oh well, you know sarcasm is our second language :D
It was such a wonderful privilege to get to spend the day with you guys, and I do hope I'll get to catch up with you when you return to see the Westfjörds (you have no say in this, I'm already planning your next Iceland trip haha).
All the best, take care and see you soon!
A Spectacular Icelandic Adventure
Iceland
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Nov 21 - Nov 28, 2024
Hi Brian
Thank you for your kind words.
I am happy that you did at least get a glimpse of the northern lights. They sure can be elusive.
Hoping to see you in Iceland soon again, there's still so much to explore here :)
Gummi helped plan our itinerary and he was ve...
Iceland
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Nov 11 - Nov 16, 2024
I am happy to read that Gutti took great care of you, he's one of our best guides for sure. As for the lava cave tour and the ice cave tour, yes we did speak about your osteoporosis, but only a couple of days before your arrival in Iceland when everything had already been booked.
You compare our service to a restaurant, and I can agree with that to a certain degree. The trip plan draft serves as a kind of menu, where you can choose what best suits your needs and capabilities.... Read more
8 Days in Iceland!
Iceland
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Nov 1 - Nov 8, 2024
Thank you for the lovely review, it makes me happy to read how happy you were with the trip :)
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again. There's still much to see, do and discover.
All the best
Gummi
Had a fantastic trip. Gummy designed perfect ...
Iceland
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Oct 5 - Oct 11, 2024
Thank you for the glowing review Partick!
It makes my day knowing how happy you all were with the trip :)
All the best
Gummi
Experience of a Lifetime
Iceland
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Sep 24 - Oct 3, 2024
Thank you for the kind words Carrie. I am so happy you and Ivar enjoyed the trip so much
I hope I'll see you guys in Iceland again soon.
Gummi
Unforgettable Iceland
Iceland
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Sep 17 - Sep 24, 2024
Thank you for the kind review Beth
I am so happy you took my advice and stopped at Mika, I'm not surprised to hear that it was your favorite restaurant on your trip. Their food is amazing!
All the best and hope to see you in Iceland soon again :)
Gummi
Best ever, we were able to drive around the e...
Iceland
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Aug 30 - Sep 8, 2024
Best ever, we were able to drive around the entire Island and see all that we wanted. We had a great mix of tour guided adventures and hikes, exploring on our own. We really enjoyed the geo-thermal baths, and we ended up booking a few of our own along the way to relax each night. Gumi, was super organized and everything was perfectly planned. We stayed a nice places and the food suggestions were great. Loved our time and will forever cherish it.
Thank you so much for this lovely review Kim! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Iceland so much!
I hope we'll see you over here soo again :)
Kim Kim made our Iceland trip planning easy and our trip unforgettable!
Iceland
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Aug 11 - Aug 17, 2024
Thank you for the kind words Rebecca. I'm glad to hear you were happy with the trip ☺️
We always aim to deliver only the best service.
I do hope we'll see you again soon!
All the best
Gummi
10 Days in Iceland - Golden Circle - Motorhome
Iceland
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Aug 1 - Aug 10, 2024
Hi Stephan
Thank you for the kind review.
Oh boy did the motorhome rental company test our nerves. I know it doesn't change anything for you, but rest assured we will not be doing business with them again.
I am happy they reached some kind of agreement with you in the end though, but they are not up to the level of professional standards we want to uphold.
I am glad that everything else went ok and I hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again :)