Super Jeep South Coast Aurora Borealis with Iceland Safari
We booked a 3 night break to Iceland and wanted to cram in as much as possible, after going through the millions of possible activities, many tour companies and looking at trip advisor for reviews we booked the South Coast Aurora Borealis with Iceland Safari 2nd November 2017.
This was a Super Jeep tour for £1290 duration 10-11 hours.
Pick up was meant to be 1pm, after our hotel calling Iceland Safari twice, a non Super Jeep turned up at 2pm (delayed reason driver issue)
We questioned the driver if we'd get in and see everything, due to the late arrival and that darkness happens around 6pm, he said yes. Asked for a partial refund due to being unhappy with the start, he said I'd need to contact Iceland Safari, I said I'd prefer to know now as if not we'll cancel the whole thing, he didn't seem to understand that point.
We set off. The driver, said he doesn't do many tours anymore (especially this one) - this didn't fill us with confidence
Below are the issues including itinerary listed visits
1, no contact from Iceland Safari on the day of driver issue
2, delayed start (1 hour delay)
3, Itinerary stated but we didn't see or stop at Urriðafoss waterfall located in Þjórsá river
4, Itinerary stated but we we didn't see the old fishing villages, Stokkseyri (500 people) and Eyrarbakki (600 people)
5, the vehicle pulled over near a farm to see Eyjafjallajökull - we couldn't really see the volcano. Our expectations from the Itinerary were set above seeing it from afar!
6, itinerary mentions "Now things will start to heat up as we put our superjeep to the test and head inland on a 4×4 road, passing rivers and rough landscape. The car wasn't a super jeep, none of this happened.
7, we did walk towards a glacier (not sure if it was Gígjökull -picture looks different to google) but it was getting very dark at this time and hard to see anything let alone the path or glacier. Also we discussed on booking that we'd like to walk on the glacier and was told this wouldn't be a problem. This didnt happen
7.a didn't see tongue of Eyjafjallajökull
8, then we were taken too the "magnificent Skógafoss" waterfall but by this time it was pitch black and we couldn't see it at all, plus the driver stayed in his car leaving us to navigate towards the fall on the rocky path, his said "it's there if you want to see it"
10, Itinerary stated but we will enjoy a relaxing dinner, this didnt happen
11, Due to the cloud cover and activity being 2 we didn't bother with the northern lights and got dropped off in Reykjavik at 8pm. This is 4 or 5 hours short of the excursion time.
12, The driver said he'd take us out the following day to hunt for the lights and would contact us, we were at the blue lagoon so missed a call (no voicemail or text was sent) no second call received.
What we did see
1, Seljalandfoss and the guide helped me through the water to see Gljúfrabúi
2, We were taken to the black sand beach at Reynisfjara.
For the price we paid V's what we got compared to what we should have got its awful. I feel it's a waste of the day and considering we only had two full days in Iceland we are extremely unhappy about it.
They have a complaints policy, but I've not heard anything back. I do not recommend this company, unless you want a wasted day at the cost of £1290