What To Expect

Reviews

• Fantastic small-group tour of Iceland, recommend

  mnptrip,

  Sep 3, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Iceland is an amazing place to visit, with spectacular scenery. This Geology Adventure Tour hits all the highlights of this beautiful land, including lava flows, waterfalls, rock formations, glacier hiking and glacial lagoons. While the tour focuses on geology as is fitting for an island so geologically active, the activities are varied and the trip is perfectly suited to non-geologists as well. The tours of the hydroelectric plant, Lava museum, and visit to the Blue Lagoon complemented the geology theme well. We saw much more than we would have doing the island circuit on our own. Joey and Tamie are energetic and organized hosts and kept us moving at a good pace while keeping us on time to fit in lots of activities. They have been to Iceland many times so the trip is curated well and very well structured. Our driver Groa is a great resource and full of information and personal anecdotes about Iceland. The whole team is a lot of fun and very helpful. The bus is very comfortable, with chargers for your phone all the photos you will be taking. The hotels we stayed outside Reykjavik were clean and comfortable, mostly in small towns as well as a scenic rural stay at a horse farm. Hotel rooms in Iceland can be hard to come by during peak summer season so it was nice to have everything arranged. The tour included breakfast and lunch every day, as well as a few group dinners. We were lucky to have a very congenial and wonderful group that got along fantastically and wound up spending most of our free/optional dinner-times with them because they were so much fun to talk to. Things to keep in mind: Pack light! Hotel rooms in Iceland are small. Do not bring heavy suitcases, luggage racks are uncommon. Bring shampoo, soap - not provided in all hotels. Laundromats are rare and only a few hotels offer laundry service. Plan to wash in sink when staying somewhere 2 nights. Forget about ironing. Food is expensive at restaurants, more reasonable prices at gas stations most of which have dining rooms. Alcohol is expensive, pick up at duty free. Reykjavik is a small vibrant city, easily walkable. Worth having 1-2 free days to see the town.

• A really great trip

  Robbie W,

  Sep 1, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I heard about the Iceland geology tour from a friend, and being a fan of geology, I signed us up immediately. I'd wanted to go to Iceland and this sounded like the perfect way to go, which it was. The tour leaders were great, the geology and the landscape fascinating, and I read almost all the assumed reading (!) Our group of travelers was congenial and fun, and it really seemed like the complete package. Highly recommended.

• Great way to see Iceland

  BillH574,

  Aug 27, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We loved this tour of Iceland. Our friend recommended it highly, and we're so happy we took her up on this. It was great to travel with a bunch of enthusiasts (and experts) to both learn about the geology (and volcanology!) of Iceland, as well as experience the key tourist sites. The bus was comfortable, the driver excellent, and Tamie and Joey were guides par excelence!

• Fantastic tour will deepen your understanding of the country and its people.

  Whos Got My Bags,

  Aug 21, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our two-week tour with Tamie and Joey was outstanding. Our comfortable Sprinter had ~15 people, including 5 geologists, many with spouses and one family. Tamie, the geologist leader, uses her book of the geology of Iceland as a template. It would help to read a basic geology book (think Geology for Dummies or The Story of Earth) to get the most out of the tour, but it is not required. Each day included hiking- of glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and other key points of interest. We came away with a better understanding of Iceland’s geologic formation and ongoing evolution, but also a deeper connectionwith the country through our driver, Groa who added personal stories along the way. The tour was engaging, informative, and unforgettable. I highly recommend Adventure Geology Tours to anyone wanting more than a standard sightseeing trip. We arrived a day early, (highly recommended) and used that time for a walking tour of Reykjavik which oriented us to the country and its capital and was itself very helpful to have had before the geology tour began.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• AGT ROCKS!

  Travel12753064270,

  Aug 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I did the 13-Day Adventure Geology Tours Iceland trip in July 2025. As many others have said, this was a top-of-the-bucket-list dream for me, and it turned out to be so much better than I ever could have imagined. Tamie and Joey are truly the Dynamic Duo of trip leaders. Their skill sets and personalities complement each other perfectly, creating a time-tested team with unbeatable expertise, not only about the constantly changing geologic landscapes, but also the history, culture, and challenges of life in Iceland. And Joey always knows exactly where to get the best hot dogs and ice cream along the way! The third member of the team, Groa, is an integral part of the trip's success. So much more than a bus driver (although she is truly a pro at that), she provides an Icelander's perspective, filling in personal experiences and local stories, while keeping the group on schedule. Tamie has been spending time in Iceland since 2006, and the connections--both personal and professional--that she and Joey have formed throughout the country are fundamental to the seamless logistics of an ambitious itinerary. Each day's agenda provides a purposeful balance between structured time and free time, while maintaining flexibility and offering alternatives to accommodate various levels of interest and physical ability. Tamie and Joey ARE AGT. Their truly passionate and deeply personal commitment to excellence in all aspects of their business was evident even before I first met them in person in Reykjavik. Digital packets of pre-trip information, including a very detailed day. by day guidebook which we used throughout the trip, were provided at timely intervals to make preparations and packing as thorough and efficient as possible. Tamie answered all my personal questions and concerns promptly, reassuring me that even as a 70+ solo traveler, I would be able to participate fully in all activities. In addition, two pre-trip Zoom meetings provided opportunities to speak with Tamie and to meet other members of the group, including those in the UK. An example of their daily commitment to "above and beyond" was the great pride and excitement Tamie and Joey took in providing innovative surprises at lunchtime. On the day we did the glacier hike (a bucket list experience in itself), our guide joined us for lunch, which happened to include a potato bar. He was, quite simply, astounded and said he had never, in all his years of interacting with groups, seen anything like our lunch feast. I suppose it would be accurate to say, we were spoiled! Finally, I had heard and read that Iceland is extremely expensive, but I didn't fully understand just how true that is until I had a few days on my own before and after the tour. What I paid for lodging, food, and other essentials during that time, made me realize that the AGT package, with everything it included, was truly a fantastic deal! So, if Iceland is on your "list" and you are interested in an active, intellectually engaging trip that hits all the major hot spots (tourist and geologic), as well as many hidden gems, I highly recommend AGT!

• A once-in-a-life-time experience.

  362lesleyk,

  Aug 12, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Wow, epic, experience of a life time, fantastic, bucket-list ticks, surreal, exceptional – the superlatives are endless! This holiday was an intended surprise, but our insurance company insisted I was told. Boy – what a surprise, as I have always been fascinated by geology and especially volcanoes. So a visit to the most volcanically active place on Earth, was a dream come true. To experience the midnight sun was a first, as was the highest temperature ever recorded at 29C. From the out-set, Tamie and Joey of AGT were welcoming, attentive, professional and their personal enthusiasm infectious. Our group dynamics were just wonderful and we all finished as friends. 16 guests - four from the UK and the remainder, from the USA. Such an interesting and diverse group, all with their own stories and expertise to share. Some were qualified geologists, or working in kindred fields, but a few (including me) were just fascinated, or coming along for the ride. However, we all left this tour as knowledgeable volcanologists, having experienced so much ‘up-close and personal’ - in the field. Our daily lectures/chats and up-dates from our ‘Professor in charge’ – Tamie, gave us information about the visits or experiences ahead, with time to digest the previous day’s revelations! She is so knowledgeable and guided us through her book for further ‘bed-time’ reading. Husband Joey, a trained medic and ‘people-person’, was our ‘treat-provider’ and music maestro, during our mini-bus transfers. We had so many laughs. Not forgetting our wonderful driver – Groa – a native Icelander, so able to translate on occasion. We did attempt to memorise a few key Icelandic words and phrases, but almost everyone speaks fluent English. As the tour circumnavigated the whole island, our 8 over-night accommodations were all of high quality and sometimes quite qwerky - offering an authentic, Icelandic experience amongst villages and often remote communities. Eating in Iceland can be expensive, but understandable when much of their foods are imported. However, we didn’t go hungry and experienced a wide variety of local delicacies – some more palatable than others! The fermented shark and dried cod were memorable – as was puffin and whale! Tamie and Joey hosted our daily lunches; often in wonderful locations - like the roof terrace of the Lava Museum! The daily organisation of our visits and experiences was exemplary – even adapting the schedule to accommodate a new venue, on a guest’s recommendation. Iceland is a spotlessly clean and very friendly place, with lots happening, a vibrant music scene and beautiful shops. The people are especially welcoming and helpful, while the countryside is like nothing on earth. A true ‘Lunar-landscape’, sculpted by the perpetual volcanicity and Global Warming, while growing in height under multiple layers of magma; with the all-pervasive smell of Sulphur! This was one of the few holidays I hold with great affection and the memories will stay with me for ever. I have a new-found appreciation for the power and awe of Mother Nature, the visible effects of Global Warming and increased wonder with all things ‘volcanic’! The volcanic eruption in the same location we visited a couple of days before, was epic!!! If you want a truly awe-inspiring experience that no one else you know will have heard of – then book your next trip with AGT. We are awaiting a return visit in the winter, to experience 24-hour darkness, the Aurora Borealis and a walk through an ice cave beneath a glacier.

• An excellent tour all round. Even Iceland obliged with an eruption and an earthquake while we were there

  Wander41238437915,

  Aug 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  What a tour!! If you are a geologist this tour will fill any gaps relating to volcanoes, plate tectonics, and glaciers. If you go along for the ride, you will come back as someone who is fascinated by geology. With lectures most mornings explaining what we saw yesterday and what we will see today, it is impossible not to show an interest. In the 12 days we completed a tour around the whole island, including most of the tourist spots and many extras. We even had a free day! As for the housekeeping: the hotels, 8 in all, were all of a high standard. It is not possible to fault any of the meals that were included. The food in Iceland, although expensive, was very thought provoking and enjoyable, while the restaurants were so accommodating. The lunches that were prepared by Tamie and Joey were really interesting, especially as they were served in places such as the roof of the lava museum. On a separate note, if you are interested in booking, the other guests were all there to enjoy themselves. I would love to meet some of them again, even after our tour, just to keep in contact. I have already started messaging other guests about other common interests. If you have any doubts at all about going, just book it, you will not be disappointed. If they arrange a future winter tour, we will probably see you there.

• Special geology bucket list trip to iceland

  133rayu,

  Jul 29, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I was lucky enough to take my "bucket list" trip to Iceland with AGT (Adventure Geology Tours) in July. Speaking as a geologist, this trip was exceptional. I can’t imagine the amount of time and research that was invested in creating such a special experience. Although the highlights were too numerous to elaborate here’s a “short list”: covering the mid-Atlantic ridge, hot spot volcanism, very recent lava flows, spreading center dynamics, the many different landscapes and volcanic regimes, dates, and structures, LAVA Museum a must see, walking on glaciers and recent lava flows, ice bergs calving and floating in lagoons and making their way to the North Atlantic, with some beaching it on their first try, geothermal power production and carbon sequestration, fiords and expansive U-shaped valleys, the long southern “glacial flood plain” that stretched to the North Atlantic, walking in lava tubes, blue lagoon and other community pool locations, hump back whales, …….I could go on but this is just touching the surface. Dr Tamie Jovanelly and her husband Joey kept us entertained, even keeping things interesting on the bus rides and lunches they prepared, thank you very much. Joey keeping us on schedule which can be challenging in my experience. Not only you guys but the group we had who seemed to always be up for more. One of a kind Groa, an Iceland native and fantastic bus chauffeur, who added much Icelandic history, folklore, and many out of the way places such as “Groa Falls”! Iceland, especially geologically, is a unique place and your timely “lessons” helped us to stay up to speed and understand what we were looking at. In the end Iceland was kind enough to deliver a fissure eruption that many were able to witness first hand. My personal bucket list trip turned out to be even better than I could have imagined, well except for the eating the Icelandic delicacies puffin, stinky shark, horse, whale, etc, but it had to be done. 😉 Your knowledge was exceptional and your enthusiasm was contagious as was your love for Iceland and all she has to offer. I look forward to hopefully attending another one of your AGT tours as my life and the grandchildren will allow. Ray Underwood

• traveller100x,

  Jul 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Great trip. Best organised field trip I have been on, and I have been on quite a few. Fantastic geology - if you have any interest in geology I recommend this trip and even if you don't, I still recommend it. Travel with a geological expert in the area, see all the sights with an explanation

• Great trip and experience!

  mindis625,

  Sep 26, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I am a geologist and Iceland was on my bucket list for 49 years. This trip exceeded all of my expectations! However, you do not have to be a geologist to enjoy this trip. Although we traveled around the whole island and saw major highlights- and out of the way places- it was not a hurried tour. We had plenty of time to explore at our own pace. All of the hotels we stayed at were top notch- with great breakfasts. Our lunches “from the van” were great. Both Dr Jo and her husband Joey ( a nurse!) were a wealth of information about Iceland’s geology and culture. Our Icelandic bus driver, Groa, was fantastic and had great stories- and an awesome driver. Highly recommend! Mindi Snoparsky (and Jim Lammendola)

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