I had a wonderful time. I loved our guide - he was very knowledgable, caring, kept track of everyone and communicated well. And the clean tap water! I thought the group also looked out for one another.
The tour achieved what it was meant to. A quick 8 days around Iceland. The tour guide Thor improvised well as the schedule was changed due to weather conditions. This worked out well, the whale watching company cancelled on us but we went instead to Forest Lagoon which was better than Sky and Blue Lagoons in Reykjavik. Everyday of the tour was a travel day as there was little time and so much to see. I feel the tour would have benefited from a 2nd night in the place we visit before Vik as there are so many adventure activities to do like the ice caving, glacier hikes, ice climbing etc that I day could have been filled doing that. Then one less day in Reykjavik. What this Top Deck tour lacked was music. We didn't have a top deck song. I have been on other top deck tours such as through Morocco and on long drive days the guides have played games or had everyone select 5 songs and have turns at connecting tot he speaker and playing them. Stuff like that to keep people engaged. I feel bus life could have more engaging. I know there is nice scenery outside but so to on my other tours. Since there is so much back to back busing, this fun Top Deck is known for wasn't there. Thor was a really good guide. He told us stories about the elves and trolls in the areas we went through as well as the history of the local areas. He was funny as well. But the tour lacked a sort of youthfulness that top deck tours are known for. We also didn't do the daunting group introduction which I quite like because it puts everyone out of their comfort zone and the group bonds more quickly together. We can't do it while the bus travels though due to the road laws and dangerous conditions. Bus was always clean and the driver Brun was nice. I quite enjoyed the tour. I am glad we went all the way around the Island in winter where may other tour companies would not due to the unpredictability of road closures due to storms. But it didn't feel 'Top Deck'.
Midgard managed to give us all a fantastic 4 day Adventure! No small feat, as our company consisted of my Game-of-Thrones-fan Dad at 70, my white-water rafting guide brother and myself who prefer to run only on man-made paths. We were greeted at Keflavik by Bjrg, saw the Reykjanes peninsula and enjoyed a nice hike incl bathing in a hot spring. Thorir was our guide at the glacier the next day, making me feel safe as a first-time ice climber and at the same time impressing the guys who have done this kind of climbing several times before. Third day with Ingvard to Thorsmork with the big Jeep, crossing rivers, hiking and not catching a wight like John Snow when we too went to Stakkholtsgja Canyon. Last day we again enjoyed the company of Thorir doing the Golden Circle before being dropped off in Reykjavik. Midgard base camp is really nice with good food, comfy beds and great ambiance. We all give our best recommendation to Midgard!
Harpa GroissTravel Expert in Iceland
Andrés Úlfur HelgusonTravel Expert in Iceland
Michele BardasiTravel Expert in Iceland
