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Extras -Prices -Value

If you're looking closely at prices please look closely at just what is included in a tour. Many of our tours include an extra night or a hotel upgrade, and almost all include air to Iceland and ground transfers (tours starting from Akureyri in the north usually include air to Akureyri). We have set up our business to offer service and value to our clients.

The Volcano
As you know from the news media Iceland has experienced a volcanic eruption, or several eruptions, that have seriously upset travel plans for many in Europe. We have rerouted a few travelers and changed some details for folks whose trips are started or nearly started. The current observations (May 24) show that all activity and ash emission is greatly reduced and may be ended.

We've seen the usual resourcefulness of our Icelandic guides, outfitters and suppliers who have worked out itinerary and routing changes "on the ground" to make the travels go smoothly and add some volcano viewing for those who want it.

The Ring Road that goes all around Iceland re-opened quickly and chemical analysis of the ash has shown no toxicity. Travelers with respiratory deficiencies, of course, should avoid concentrations of this dust, and flights are sometimes re-routed to avoid dust in the air.

Most all of the damage from this eruption is confined to southern Iceland, just below Eyjafjallajokul glacier.  This is an area that’s been showered by ash (and worse) in Iceland’s long history, so the farmers there are well prepared for it. There are three or four farms in the region (out of 30) which have been coated with enough ash to cause long-term problems with pasturage. On the rest, the ash will be washed into the soil by rain where it will fertilize the soil.  Volcanoes are one of the reasons that Iceland's soil is so productive!

It’s important to note that there have been no human fatalities or serious injuries from this eruption, and very little harm to the farm animals in the area – the farmers and the country itself are well prepared for this kind of event and moved their animals indoors or to safer farms.

Some of the travel instability has affected the contracts we have for flights and accommodations and that we use to calculate our tour prices and availability; we're cutting into our margins a bit but we may have to quote a total price that includes some of this increase. Since our business pivots on clear communications and firm pricing you can be sure that you'll be told about any changes in any tour that you inquire about.

Travel insurance
We have always strongly recommended travel insurance. We offer insurance from a company that we have found reliable, and people have other sources as well. We do require all clients who elect not to buy insurance to initial that they are taking on the risks themselves. So far there have been very few claims made on volcano-related problems since the guides and outfitters "on the ground" have worked through alternatives that pleased everyone.

With many of our "packages" we give you our Man in Iceland's cell phone number so you'll have access to a very resourceful person if you feel that you need a bit of extra help in your travels.

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