Terms and conditions
The terms “participant, participants, guest, guests, client, clients, you, your” refers to all tour participants who have made and paid for a reservation, as well as tour participants who have not made and paid for a reservation with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions.
By purchasing a ticket, joining a tour, or accepting any guiding services offered by Glacier and Volcano Expeditions you hereby accept all of the following terms, conditions and policies.
Assumed risk, unforeseen events and liability policy
The Icelandic wilderness and Vatnajökull National Park are extremely dynamic environments which means that the natural conditions are constantly changing. Natural conditions and potential hazards include, but are not limited to, the weather, structure of the glaciers, integrity of the mountains, snow conditions, river flows, glacier lagoon ice conditions, iceberg rollover, iceberg collapse, glacier calving, erosion, volcanic eruption, earthquake, glacial outburst flood, strong winds, avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, rainfall, snowfall, whiteout, cold exposure, heights, flooding, water ice, uneven & or steep terrain, and sun exposure. The risk of equipment failure and guide judgment error also does exist. Please be aware that there are hazards that exist whilst participating in any outdoor activity and unforeseen events can and sometimes do occur. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions is not responsible for any loss, injury, or death as a result of any such occurrence.
All participants recognise that all activities are undertaken entirely at their own risk. You must behave in a fit and proper manner at all times in accordance with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions or their partners’ guidelines and you must take proper responsibility for your own safety. All adventure tours and outdoor activities carry inherent risks and Glacier and Volcano Expeditions or its partners do not assume or accept any responsibility for any accidents, losses, injuries, or death that are caused within any of the tour operations or services provided by Glacier and Volcano Expeditions, customers or any incident that is caused by factors within or outside of human control. With the purchase of your trip you agree to these conditions, understand the implications and acknowledge responsibility for the risk involved in participation in your trip.
Glacier and Volcano Expeditions do collaborate and sell the products and services provided by any related or unrelated tour operators, additional third party guides, drivers, contractors or service providers. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions is not responsible for any accident, loss, injury, or death which is the result of any action or occurrence caused by any related or unrelated tour operators, additional third party guides, drivers, contractors or service providers.
Natural conditions policy
Icelandic weather and conditions can be extreme. Occasionally the weather or natural conditions are not safe for the tour activities which forces us to cancel tours.
Should the natural conditions become unsafe before or during a tour and the guide decides that it is no longer safe to continue with the tour, the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions guide holds the right to turn the group around and retreat to the starting point of the tour, or to an alternative safe location at the guide’s discretion.
Meeting us on location policy
All of our tours are meet-on-location. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions do not provide any vehicle transport. You need to meet us at the specified time and meeting location that is listed on your reservation ticket.
Please note that the road between the meeting point and the start point of the tour is often a gravel road which does have rocks and pot holes. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions is not responsible for any damage to any vehicle whilst driving to the meeting location or the start point of the tour.
Tour location policy
Please be aware that the natural conditions of Vatnajökull National Park are constantly changing. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions has the unique ability to adapt their tours to suit the natural conditions and guide tours on a range of different glaciers, volcanoes, lakes, rivers and locations that are all within a close vicinity to our meeting point in Skaftafell. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions will make a decision to guide the most suitable location based on safety, weather and which glacier has the best features at the time.
Participant clothing policy
Glacier and Volcano Expeditions requires appropriate footwear and suitable outdoor clothing to be worn by participants.
You need to bring with you for the glacier, kayaking or hiking trip: Hiking shoes/ boots, suitable warm clothing, waterproof coat and pants, gloves, small backpack, snack/ lunch, camera, sunglasses, sunscreen.
Glacier and Volcano Expeditions do not have rental boots or rain clothing.
We reserve the right to refuse participation to clients who are dressed inappropriately or with inappropriate footwear since this will put the client’s well-being and safety at risk. Should we refuse a guest to participate based on the above circumstances our cancellation policy that is outlined below will apply.
Participants health and pre-existing medical conditions policy
You are required to inform Glacier and Volcano Expeditions of any health or pre-existing medical conditions prior to the tour departure.
The health and pre-existing medical conditions that you need to notify Glacier and Volcano Expeditions of includes the following list of example reasons (not limited to) that Glacier and Volcano Expeditions may decline the participation of any reserved participant: Under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including mind-altering prescription drugs), lack of physical fitness ability, overweight (obesity), physical disability, mental disability, pre-existing medical condition, recent surgery or medical operations, injury, impairments, psychological conditions, pregnancy, prosthetic implants, diseases or anything that may hinder your ability to complete the tour or endanger others.
If Glacier and Volcano Expeditions deems any group participant to be ill-prepared to join the tour, the person may be excluded from joining the excursion and full cancellation charges apply.
If the health condition of any one or more clients included within the tour group deteriorates towards an unsafe condition during the tour, your guide holds the right to turn the group back and retreat to the starting point or a safe location at the guide’s discretion.
Glacier and Volcano Expeditions strongly encourages anyone who has any health, medical conditions or any of the above issues to contact us to clarify and/or notify us of any such issues before making a reservation.
Participant behaviour policy
Whilst on a tour in the wilderness with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions, all participants must listen and obey with all given briefings, instructions, boundaries and advice from their Glacier and Volcano Expeditions guide. The Glacier and Volcano Expeditions guide will ultimately make all of the final decisions of the activities and actions within the tour. The Glacier and Volcano Expeditions guide will always base all of their decision making on ensuring that the tour is as safe, comfortable and enjoyable as possible for all tour participants.
The comfort, safety and security of our participants is of paramount importance. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions reserve the right to refuse participation to any customer who we believe will not be able to complete the tour because of their physical condition, injury or illness. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.
Glacier and Volcano Expeditions guides reserve the right to refuse participation to clients that are being physically or verbally abusive, or if they pose a threat to staff members or fellow participants in any other way or to any customer whose conduct or manner is likely to cause offence, upset or put other clients in danger. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.
If the behaviour of any one or more clients included within the tour group deteriorates towards an unsafe condition or if any tour participant fails to obey the guides instructions, the guide holds the right to turn the group back and retreat to the starting point or a safe location at the guide’s discretion. Under these circumstances the tour will end and the tour participants involved will not be entitled to any refund, reimbursement or rescheduling.
Medical emergency policy
There is a possibility that a medical emergency may occur within the tour group that you have booked, or an within a seperate tour that is being operated by Glacier and Volcano Expeditions, or within a totally unrelated party or member of the public. The Glacier and Volcano Expeditions guide who is leading your tour may be obligated, required or requested to coordinate a rescue, provide first aid, perform an emergency evacuation or offer assistance. During such an event you will be given clear and concise instructions by your guide on what you can and can not do whilst the guide tends or assists with the emergency event. It is imperative that you follow all of these instructions without any exceptions under these circumstances.
Cancellation policy
Should you wish to cancel your tour prior to the tour departure, all cancellations are required to be in writing in the form of an email to: info@glacierandvolcano.com
For tours purchased through another vendor please contact the vendor directly with your refund and/or cancellation request.
Public group tour cancellations received more than 7 days (168 hours) prior to the tour departure time will be partially refunded at 90% of the total tour price if all tour participants on the booking cancel.
Private/ custom tour cancellations received more than 7 days (168 hours) prior to the tour departure time will be partially refunded at 80% of the total tour price.
All cancellations received less than 7 days (168 hours) prior to the tour departure time will not be refunded.
Tours can not be canceled or refunded after the tour departure time/ date
Refunds will not be provided for partial cancellations within group bookings.
Cancellations must be made and delivered to Glacier and Volcano Expeditions via our email: info@glacierandvolcano.com
If Glacier and Volcano Expeditions decide to cancel a reservation or remove any tour participant from the tour prior to the tour departure or during the tour due to any failure to comply with the terms and conditions outlined on this web page there will be no refund, reimbursement or rescheduling given.
Arrival for the tour policy
You as the tour participant are responsible for arriving at the specified meeting location on time for your tour. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions will provide you with information about the meeting point for your tour on your voucher which is provided upon booking. If you are unsure when to arrive for your scheduled tour please contact us.
Please note that if you do not arrive on time for your tour or you fail to arrive for the tour completely this will be treated as a “no show.” In the event of a “no show”, all of the tour participants involved will not be entitled to any refund, reimbursement or rescheduling.
Governing law policy
Glacier and Volcano Expeditions is an Icelandic company that also operates under the Icelandic name Jökla og Eldfjallaferðir.
By booking with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions this agreement shall be exclusively governed by and construed in accordance with Icelandic law. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with this agreement shall exclusively be submitted to and dealt with by the district court of Reykjavík.
Information privacy policy
Glacier and Volcano Expeditions shall only store and use information you supply to us or which is supplied to us for the purposes of carrying out our contract with you and to inform you of other services and offers which we make available from time to time. If you do not wish to receive such information please let us know by emailing info@glacierandvolcano.com .
Travel insurance
As with any and all world travel, Glacier and Volcano Expeditions strongly recommends that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy in your home country that covers your costs should you have to cancel your travel reservation with short notice or have an accident that may require medical attention.