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.
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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
Awesome trip to Iceland led by Gummi!
Iceland
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May 18 - May 28, 2024
Gummi was friendly, thorough and knowledgeable lending a hand when necessary and taking care of business in a professional manner. He and his wife Yara are a fantastic team! We would not hesitate to recommend them to our friends.
An enjoyable tour around the circumference of Iceland
Iceland
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May 18 - May 28, 2024
Our KimKim local specialist, Gummi , put together a wonderful tour for us, that was comfortably paced. The hotels and restaurants were all enjoyable. I particularly liked the food at Hotel Kria in Vik and the Hotel Budir on the peninsula near Reykjavik.
Our guide Gummi - knowledgeable warm kind and humorous!!
Iceland
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May 18 - May 28, 2024
Thank you Marylyn! You and Al are so sweet and we miss you guys so much already!!
It was such a pleasure to get to show you guys around.
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland again, or maybe in Canada, who knows :)
Gummi was amazing on our 10 day Ring road tou...
Iceland
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May 18 - May 28, 2024
Gummi was amazing on our 10 day Ring road tour. More than once he handled unexpected hiccups in our plan. When a restaurant cancelled dinner for our 21 person group he found us a new restaurant within 24 hours. He also had to get us back a hotel room that was cancelled without notice. He achieved that perfect balance between stopping at all the impressive natural wonders and allowing us time to appreciate the beauty we seeing. His great planning was exceeded only by his outstanding execution - he is a good driver, as well as funny and informative.
Thank you so much Jerry! We really miss you guys already! What a great trip this was and such a pleasure to get to show you around Iceland!
We really hope to see you soon on either side of the pond!
Give our love to Rhonda!
Gummi was an absolute gem. Nothing was too mu...
Iceland
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May 18 - May 28, 2024
Gummi's knowledge of Iceland was great and we enjoyed his Trolls and Elves stories on long segments of our travels although I'm not sure we believed all his tales!
Gummi's passion for Iceland was evident as was... Read more
Thank you so much for the lovely words Gill, you and Maurice are too nice!
It was absolutely an honor to get to show you around Iceland. What a great group and what a great trip!
We do hope we'll see you guys again, either in Iceland or maybe we'll run into you in the Uk
We and 19 friends had a SUPERLATIVE experienc...
Iceland
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May 18 - May 28, 2024
Thank you so much Tyloe. I am truly touched and Yara and I absolutely loved traveling with all of you, every single one.
I'm sad I didn't have time to play petanque with you though, but I guess that's a reason to catch up with you somewhere, sometime again.
Love from Iceland!
Memorable Family Trip to Iceland!
Iceland
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Apr 23 - Apr 28, 2024
Thank you so much for the kind words Clara. I am so happy you had such a lovely vacation with your family in Iceland and we hope to see you back again :)
Gummi
Family trip to Iceland in March
Iceland
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Mar 23 - Mar 27, 2024
It has been a surprising experience for us, as they have been known for great quality service up until now. Luckily this has all been sorted now and they've refunded you.
Nature decided to play a few tricks on you too, as a nearby volcano closed down the Blue Lagoon and the whales didn't show themselves. Unfortunately, such is nature. but like I said, I am so glad that you enjoyed everything... Read more
My trip to Iceland was unusual. That is why a Guide was incredibly useful.
Iceland
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Mar 8 - Mar 13, 2024
I went to Iceland in March (not necessarily the most beautiful time to visit) but the perfect time for me because ALL I wanted to do is see Aurora. Sleep in very late every day and stay up to 2am to watch the sky. So what I needed was expert pre-trip advice to decide on the best places to maximize my chances and daily real-time advice during the trip to possible head to a different... Read more
Thank you so much for the kind words! Luckily I had some help from the Nordic Gods, it seems they like you haha!
Your profile picture is epic btw! Can you send it to me on the chat? :D
Our chat at the bakery was also epic, man I feel like the two of us could talk forever so I really hope we'll get a chance to pick it up again soon!
This was an amazing trip and we had the best ...
Iceland
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Jan 28 - Feb 2, 2024
Thank you so much Lori!
You girls were great fun! I miss you already and can't wait to see you again in Iceland :D
I hope you're all doing good :)