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
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 :)
Amazing, memorable, almost unreal. What a beautiful country!
Iceland
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Jul 31 - Aug 7, 2024
Thank you for the kind words Susan.
It makes me happy to know you were happy with the trip, despite the rain haha.
I hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again! :)
Gummi
Father / Son 8 day Iceland Trio - Our guide G...
Iceland
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Jul 27 - Aug 3, 2024
Thank you so much for the kind review Robert. It makes me happy to read that the father/son trip went so well :)
All the best and hope to see you in Iceland soon again!
Gummi
6 Days in Iceland!
Iceland
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Jul 14 - Jul 19, 2024
Thank you for the kind review Jennifer. It makes my day knowing you were so happy with the trip :)
Gummi
Experience of a life time!It was my husband...
Iceland
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Jun 30 - Jul 9, 2024
Thank you so much for the kind review Marley. There sure were a few hiccups with the camper van, but that's what I'm here for ☺️
I am sorey and surprised to read about your experience at the Forest Lagoon. I've had many clients go there and have been there a few times myself and have never had that kind of experience. But then again, the big cruisers haven't been in town when I've been there so I guess it's the cruise crowd, I'm not going to publicly state what I think of them most of the time.
Take care my friends and I hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again
Kim Kim made it easy. Gummi our planner made it magical!
Iceland
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Jul 2 - Jul 9, 2024
Thank you so much for the kind words Heather.
I am so happy that you loved the trip and I'm happy I could accommodate everyone's different wishes.
I hope I'll see you guys in Iceland again soon!
Our Iceland trip was planned by our dear frie...
Iceland
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Jun 12 - Jun 21, 2024
Oli is the best in the tourist business with caring nature and providing detail information that new visitors to the country needs. We were truly lucky that we got Oli as out trip... Read more
Thank you, my friend, I am truly honored and it warms my heart to read these kind words.
I truly hope I'll see you in Iceland again.
All the best
Gummi
We had an absolutely WONDERFUL trip! Kimkim m...
Iceland
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Jun 19 - Jun 25, 2024
Thank you Anna. I am flattered and I'm truly happy that you loved the trip so much!
I hope we'll see you in Iceland again! :)