The Traveling Viking
The Traveling Viking
4.5
Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
Read more
Full view
About
The Traveling Viking is a family run tour company in Akureyri.We focus on high quality tours around Iceland with focus on the North. Our Game of Thrones tour is the original one, chosen by the producers of GoT.
Similar Experiences
The Traveling Viking
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
(5 reviews)
(14 reviews)
(11 reviews)
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
197 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
10
Average
4
Poor
11
Terrible
9
Geoff P
Luton, UK7 contributions
Jun 2022
This tour was booked from home before our cruise, into the heart of Iceland and Lake Myvatn. The minibus arrived at the cruise dock exactly on time, and we expected a transfer to a coach. However it turned out it was just us two, with guide Lilia. The company didn't cancel, but instead gave us one of the most memorable holiday days we have ever had. Nothing was too much trouble as we visited waterfalls, glacial features, lava fields, fumaroles, hot baths etc etc. On return, we were given a different route into Akuyeri along the old, more scenic road, and a tour of the town as extras. Thus, the company were fabulously impressive; punctual, informative, fun, thus giving a real insight into life and environment of this part of Iceland.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mocampion
Marlow, UK651 contributions
Sep 2022
Our cruise ship was only in port for a short time and none of the scheduled tours fitted well with these timings. So I contacted a few companies to see if anything could be done about that. The Travelling Viking were the most responsive.
They added a tour to their usual schedule so that it fitted with the timings of the ship. I hope this worked well for them as well as they managed to get 27 people to book the extra Combo tour that they put on. And I can highly recommend this tour!
We saw the Goddafoss waterfall, the turf houses and the Christmas garden. I liked the first two stops best and could have actually done without the third one - but I do know other people enjoyed it so it's 'horses for courses'.
Lilia was our tour guide and she was excellent! She was very knowledgeable and spoke good English. She was also very caring towards my 91 year old father and he loved the fact that she held his hand or arm to lead him on any uneven floors in the turf houses!
And at the end of the 3 places included in the Combo tour she gave us a mini tour of Akureyri so we left feeling we had a good overview of the area. I would love to return to see the lake and the geothermal area sometime. I would definitely contact the Travelling Viking if I do!
They added a tour to their usual schedule so that it fitted with the timings of the ship. I hope this worked well for them as well as they managed to get 27 people to book the extra Combo tour that they put on. And I can highly recommend this tour!
We saw the Goddafoss waterfall, the turf houses and the Christmas garden. I liked the first two stops best and could have actually done without the third one - but I do know other people enjoyed it so it's 'horses for courses'.
Lilia was our tour guide and she was excellent! She was very knowledgeable and spoke good English. She was also very caring towards my 91 year old father and he loved the fact that she held his hand or arm to lead him on any uneven floors in the turf houses!
And at the end of the 3 places included in the Combo tour she gave us a mini tour of Akureyri so we left feeling we had a good overview of the area. I would love to return to see the lake and the geothermal area sometime. I would definitely contact the Travelling Viking if I do!
Written September 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ThosHenry66
London11 contributions
Mar 2011
I arrived in Akureyri mid-week in March with nothing booked for the next day. Other companies had nothing available because of minimum numbers (it was off-season and I was alone), but then I came across a flyer for Travelling Viking. With a couple of emails it was arranged that I would join a full-day Myvatn tour with one other passenger.
Jon Thor was an excellent guide, knowledgeable and proud of his homeland, and keen to show it off to visitors. He was very flexible about routes and stopping times, and very accommodating and patient with requests for ad-hoc photo stops. We arrived back hours later than planned, without complaint, and still rounded off the day with a quick look around the city.
Travelling Viking cost more than a big-coach tour, but less than other small-group operators. The tour was excellent in its own right, but what made it for me was their willingness to run it for only one or two people. They will certainly be my first call whenever I next visit Akureyri.
Jon Thor was an excellent guide, knowledgeable and proud of his homeland, and keen to show it off to visitors. He was very flexible about routes and stopping times, and very accommodating and patient with requests for ad-hoc photo stops. We arrived back hours later than planned, without complaint, and still rounded off the day with a quick look around the city.
Travelling Viking cost more than a big-coach tour, but less than other small-group operators. The tour was excellent in its own right, but what made it for me was their willingness to run it for only one or two people. They will certainly be my first call whenever I next visit Akureyri.
Written April 26, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
L S
2 contributions
Sep 2020
I booked at tour and they informed me right away that the tour would be cancelled. However, I have been waiting for two weeks for my refund, which would be fine if they would return calls/emails. Which they haven't so far, even though I left several.
Written October 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello and thank you for this review. You have got your full refund
Unfortunately then this is correct and we feel bad about it and apologise for that this happened. But like you know then it was a problem with our card-dealers that we assumed they had sorted at the time. Due to Covid-19 situation, all our tours are and have been cancelled throughout the year 2020. We have a minimum amount of staff working etc. We sorted this problem with you as soon as we were aware of it and paid a full refund into your account asap.
Again our apologies
Best regards,
The Traveling Viking - Iceland
Written December 2, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Catie M
Brooklyn, NY3 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
The Game of Thrones tour was a great day. We saw a number of GoT shooting locations, but the tour involved many other locations, as well - we drove to the Goðafoss waterfall and the Lake Myvatn area and went to thermal baths. It was beautiful to the point that it's hard to describe. Our guide was funny and nice, and had tons of stories to share. We loved our tour!
Written November 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mytravels0
Elk Grove, CA2 contributions
What luck we had when we found a local tour company in Iceland called “Travelling Viking”. We were on a cruise around Iceland and wanted to have small or private tours rather than the ones the ship offered. We found “Travelling Viking” on the internet (www.ttv.is) and arranged for private guided tours of Akureyri and Husavik. The owner of the company (Jon Thor Ben) was our guide and as well as driver. He does tours of the north eastern part of Iceland and is very knowledgeable about the area since he grew up in the area. His prices for the private tours were less than the group prices for the cruise line (Silversea). He adjusts the tour according to the clients’ interests and as a bonus has a great sense of humor. He does offer a Hop on and off bus tour of Akureyri but we did not have time to take that tour. He covers all or more than is covered in group tours and makes sure to schedule his stops when the large tour buses are not there. He also is very prompt in answering emails. Not only did we have a great experience but we found it a great value as well.
Written October 28, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joanne M
Sacramento, CA29 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
We stopped at many spots around Lake Myvatn, known as "beyond the Wall" in the Game of Thrones. Our guide had video clips on his tablet so that we could see the actors performing in the actual spots we were viewing. He was also full of stories about the actors and the filming of Game of Thrones in Iceland. For Game of Thrones fans this tour is not to be missed! And the highlight of the day was actually going into the secret cave with the hot spa where Jon Snow and Ygritte started their romance. The sight of incredible rock formations and perfectly clear hot water with rising steam in the dark cave, while sunlight poured through the entrance, was awesome.
Written April 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dear Joannne
We wanna thank you for the nice review, it is always good to get feedback on our work and that way we hopefully can make our tours better and better. We sure hope you had a great time in Iceland. See you next time :)
Written June 20, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kathleen M
Marco Island, FL12 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Guide was nothing more than a taxi driver. He did not point out any sites and left the radio playing. The van was old and too tight for 9 adults. The passenger next to the driver had to relay back to us what the driver was saying when he did talk. We could not hear a word he said.No step stool to get in and out of van
First stop was a farm which we had to pay an extra fee to enter the out buildings. This was not noted in the tour description. Next stop was the falls which were very beautiful. Last stop was aChristmas House which was nothing more than a gift shop.. For $168 we saw waterfalls.
First stop was a farm which we had to pay an extra fee to enter the out buildings. This was not noted in the tour description. Next stop was the falls which were very beautiful. Last stop was aChristmas House which was nothing more than a gift shop.. For $168 we saw waterfalls.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Angela H
1 contribution
Aug 2016 • Solo
I traveled to North Iceland from Reykjavik to see Hrafnabjargafoss, Aldeyjarfoss, and Godafoss, and I was ecstatic to see that the Traveling Viking offered a tour to see all of these falls. I booked a day or 2 in advance and received a confirmation for my tour purchase and a confirmation for pick up and drop off at the HOF center. When I arrived at the HOF center the day of my tour, I waited for about 30 minutes before I went inside and the tourist center called The Traveling Viking for me. They informed me that the tour was full and that they had sent me an email telling me this (I did not receive any other emails besides the ones confirming my trip). They told me that I could be on the tour the next day, but I am leaving this evening so I am missing out. Although they are refunding my money, I am very upset because these falls were the entire reason I traveled to Akureyri. I do not understand how they can send confirmations and then cancel.
Written August 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Blaire S
9 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
My husband and I are huge Game of Thrones fans and were super excited when we booked this GOT tour with The Traveling Viking. We did thorough review research and felt The Travelling Viking would be out best option since they did get such superb reviews. Our tour did not go as planned and we ended up being grouped in a large charter bus with the Lake Myvatn Day Tour since multiple tour guides had called out sick. HOWEVER, our tour guide Dagny and company owner Jon went ABOVE AND BEYOND to make sure we had a special experience and I felt The Traveling Viking compensated us appropriately because of our inconveniences. Although it was not what my husband and I were expecting, we did have an AMAZING time (it was even pouring rain the whole time and we had a great time) and we would definitely recommend this tour company to friends or family. Because of the genuine sincerity and care we received from Jon and Dagny, the amazing sites, the appropriate compensation, and the special care we received due to our inconvenience that is why I am rating our experience with 5 stars. Our entire experience is further detailed below.
We were traveling aboard a cruise ship when we came to Akureyri and had limited internet and cell phone service while aboard the ship. Due to the limitations we knew we would face aboard the cruise ship, my husband and I made several attempts to contact The Traveling Viking (up to 2 weeks prior to our ships departure) via phone calls with multiple voice messages left, emails, and even Facebook messenger to confirm our arrival time to Akureyri and ensure we would not be left (since our arrival time was an hour later than the start time of the tour as listed on the website---the website does say tour start time can change depending on when ships dock and that is what we were trying to confirm). I will admit that I was really worried when we did not get a response and our trip had approached. While docked in Norway, however, I was able to get on wifi and happened to check Facebook and I did receive a message confirming they would be picking us up at the cruise harbor at 10am and the tour would start at 10:30. I will say that trying to get in contact with The Traveling Viking is not the easiest but in the end I was able to get a response. And even though we were unable to get in touch with them for awhile, I have no doubt that they wouldve been waiting for us at the Cruise Harbor on the day of our tour anyways. Once the day of our tour approached we disembarked the ship and found where The Traveling Viking has a designated parking/meeting spot for tour groups (it is located right across from the cruise harbor shop with a designated sign). At 10:30 a company worker arrived and around 11 am Jon and Dagny arrived and that is when a very large group of people were informed they would board the large charter bus (this was the Lake Myvatn Tour group). My husband and I waited outside the bus until informed where we were to go and that is when Jon came and informed us that due to multiple employee call outs we would have to go with The Lake Myvatn tour group. At first I was not happy and was super disappointed but Jon ensured us that we would have an excellent time and would visit the exact same sites as if we were on the GOT tour and that Dagny our tour guide would still give us GOT information at the different sites. When we boarded the bus, Dagny had reserved the front bus seats for my husband and I which had amazing views of Iceland and that also gave us access to an Ipad that had scenes from GOT that were filmed at the different location we were going and Dagny gave us some more information along the way also. We visited Godafoss Waterfall, Hverirs, Lake Myvatn, Myvatn Nature Baths, Grjotagja, and Dimmuborgir. It was raining all day and the sites and tour were still amazing!! We spent approximately 45 minutes at Godafoss, 40 minutes at Dimmuborgir, 20 minutes at Hverirs mud pits, 80 minutes at Nature Baths, 25 minutes at Lake Myvatn, and about 20 minutes at Grjotagja. I felt like we had more than enough time at each location. We did not have a stop for lunch although you could buy food at the Nature Baths if you wanted. I know some people on our tour were upset about no food stops but I actually preferred not wasting time and stopping for food. I would much rather see beautiful sites and get to spend more time at different locations than waste time stopping for food. Plus, the tour started around 11-1130am so everyone shouldve already eaten breakfast or early lunch and we were finished with the tour by 530-6pm so just in time for dinner....a food stop would not have been necessary. Once returning to the Cruise Harbor, Jon was there and wanted to know how people enjoyed the tour-- that in my opinion is a sign of an excellent company manager. We let other people speak with him first--everyone had wonderful things to say about the tour and then we spoke with him and just kindly informed him that is wasnt what we were expecting although we did have an amazing time and just asked if we could be refunded the extra money we had paid to do the GOT tour and just be charged what everyone else had paid for the Lake Myvatn Day Tour. Total cost for our GOT tour was $420 and total cost for two people on Lake Myvatn Tour was around $250-$300. Jon informed us that we would of course be compensated and was happy we still had a good time. The NEXT day I checked my email and we had an email from Jon stating once again how sorry he was about our tour and wanted to compensate us even further for our inconveniences. I was very pleased to receive his email and made me appreciate The Traveling Viking even further. Once again, I would DEFINITELY recommend this tour company and I honestly believe if you do have any problems that if you kindly and reasonably express your concerns then The Traveling Viking will do their best to make sure your experience was enjoyable. My husband and I do plan to return to Iceland and would definitely book with them in the future.
Shout out to Dagny our tour guide! She was amazing, funny, sweet and so genuine!
We were traveling aboard a cruise ship when we came to Akureyri and had limited internet and cell phone service while aboard the ship. Due to the limitations we knew we would face aboard the cruise ship, my husband and I made several attempts to contact The Traveling Viking (up to 2 weeks prior to our ships departure) via phone calls with multiple voice messages left, emails, and even Facebook messenger to confirm our arrival time to Akureyri and ensure we would not be left (since our arrival time was an hour later than the start time of the tour as listed on the website---the website does say tour start time can change depending on when ships dock and that is what we were trying to confirm). I will admit that I was really worried when we did not get a response and our trip had approached. While docked in Norway, however, I was able to get on wifi and happened to check Facebook and I did receive a message confirming they would be picking us up at the cruise harbor at 10am and the tour would start at 10:30. I will say that trying to get in contact with The Traveling Viking is not the easiest but in the end I was able to get a response. And even though we were unable to get in touch with them for awhile, I have no doubt that they wouldve been waiting for us at the Cruise Harbor on the day of our tour anyways. Once the day of our tour approached we disembarked the ship and found where The Traveling Viking has a designated parking/meeting spot for tour groups (it is located right across from the cruise harbor shop with a designated sign). At 10:30 a company worker arrived and around 11 am Jon and Dagny arrived and that is when a very large group of people were informed they would board the large charter bus (this was the Lake Myvatn Tour group). My husband and I waited outside the bus until informed where we were to go and that is when Jon came and informed us that due to multiple employee call outs we would have to go with The Lake Myvatn tour group. At first I was not happy and was super disappointed but Jon ensured us that we would have an excellent time and would visit the exact same sites as if we were on the GOT tour and that Dagny our tour guide would still give us GOT information at the different sites. When we boarded the bus, Dagny had reserved the front bus seats for my husband and I which had amazing views of Iceland and that also gave us access to an Ipad that had scenes from GOT that were filmed at the different location we were going and Dagny gave us some more information along the way also. We visited Godafoss Waterfall, Hverirs, Lake Myvatn, Myvatn Nature Baths, Grjotagja, and Dimmuborgir. It was raining all day and the sites and tour were still amazing!! We spent approximately 45 minutes at Godafoss, 40 minutes at Dimmuborgir, 20 minutes at Hverirs mud pits, 80 minutes at Nature Baths, 25 minutes at Lake Myvatn, and about 20 minutes at Grjotagja. I felt like we had more than enough time at each location. We did not have a stop for lunch although you could buy food at the Nature Baths if you wanted. I know some people on our tour were upset about no food stops but I actually preferred not wasting time and stopping for food. I would much rather see beautiful sites and get to spend more time at different locations than waste time stopping for food. Plus, the tour started around 11-1130am so everyone shouldve already eaten breakfast or early lunch and we were finished with the tour by 530-6pm so just in time for dinner....a food stop would not have been necessary. Once returning to the Cruise Harbor, Jon was there and wanted to know how people enjoyed the tour-- that in my opinion is a sign of an excellent company manager. We let other people speak with him first--everyone had wonderful things to say about the tour and then we spoke with him and just kindly informed him that is wasnt what we were expecting although we did have an amazing time and just asked if we could be refunded the extra money we had paid to do the GOT tour and just be charged what everyone else had paid for the Lake Myvatn Day Tour. Total cost for our GOT tour was $420 and total cost for two people on Lake Myvatn Tour was around $250-$300. Jon informed us that we would of course be compensated and was happy we still had a good time. The NEXT day I checked my email and we had an email from Jon stating once again how sorry he was about our tour and wanted to compensate us even further for our inconveniences. I was very pleased to receive his email and made me appreciate The Traveling Viking even further. Once again, I would DEFINITELY recommend this tour company and I honestly believe if you do have any problems that if you kindly and reasonably express your concerns then The Traveling Viking will do their best to make sure your experience was enjoyable. My husband and I do plan to return to Iceland and would definitely book with them in the future.
Shout out to Dagny our tour guide! She was amazing, funny, sweet and so genuine!
Written September 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dear Blaire
We don´t know were to start!
Thank you for this excellent review, we are very thankful for it.
Thank you so much for choosing The Traveling Viking as your tour company here in Iceland.
First of all we like to say that we always try our best to make sure every passenger are treated individual and get the feeling that the tour is as much about them as it is about all the other travel companions.
We are as well so glad that you enjoyed the day out and enjoyed the service we offered you all during the day.
We are happy to have Dagny on our team! She is amazing, funny, sweet and so genuine! so I just use your words.
Thanks again and hope we can take you many other tours here, in the future.
Written January 7, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nannytanny
Redland City, Australia42 contributions
Hello. We will be in Akureyri on Friday July 13 ex Holland and America Zuiderdam. Can you suggest tours that may be available for us, and the relevant costs, please. We are two active early 70s Australians. Thanks. Sandra Pearse
jonlim17
Singapore, Singapore
What is the turnaround time for TTV to respond on emails and Enquiries?
I had my ice fishing trip on 1 Feb 2017 cancelled but no response from TTV on refund after 4 emails since.
Similarly I had a cancellation refund from dive.is promptly communicated and processed.
Firah
Singapore, Singapore5 contributions
I emailed them for a refund once and they got back to me on the same day. The private tour guy by the name of Stefan is really friendly.
Ben D
Torquay, UK1 contribution
Hello. My fiancee and I are doing the got tour in november. I am not too comfortable with heights/bug drops etc. Are there many places on this tour where I may feel uncomfortable? Thank you.
Jondinn
Akureyri22 contributions
Hello Ben, welcome
No there shouldn't be anything you need to worry about on the tour. See you soon :)
pkelap00
San Francisco, CA
Hi there,
I have been trying to contact Travel Viking to learn more about cost and availability for the GoT tour. I have not been able to get through. I am wondering if there are other companies available? Or, is it relatively easy to book a tour once I get there? Trying to figure out how best to contact the right people for March 23rd tour date for 2 people.
Any info is appreciated.
Thanks,
Preeti
Jondinn
Akureyri22 contributions
Hello Preeti, hope you had a nice day out today on the GoT tour with Sandra our guide. best way to book the tours are sending us direct e-mail at ttv@ttv.is
correy
NY15 contributions
Catie.Hi, I also live in Brooklyn -can we talk about the GoT tour you did in Iceland? I am planning on going this summer and a bit confused on how I get from Reykjavik to Akureyri. Please help
Jondinn
Akureyri22 contributions
If you need our help then you can send us direct e-mail at ttv@ttv.is. We do offer free hotel or airport pickup in Akureyri for the GoT tour. The Traveling Viking tour - Myvatn Mystery & Magic-Game of Thrones themed tour is the right one to take. Iceland Travel etc is selling a package and the tour as well and you could contact them also. looking forward to see you here Beyond the Wall :)