Terms & Conditions when booking with Nature Explorer, Iceland

Bookings & Payment

All bookings must be made through our website’s secure booking form.
Payment can be made by credit card in ISK (Icelandic Krona) or by bank transfer in EUR, USD or GBP.
The exchange rate between ISK and other currencies is set by the Central Bank of Iceland and we will use the rate quoted on the day of payment. The exchange rate is beyond our control of course.
Day Tours: full payment must be made upon booking.
Package Tours: 25% deposit is required upon booking and the balance no later than at least 3 weeks prior to tour start.

Cancellation & Changes

Our cancellation policy follows the industry standard and the standard set by the Icelandic Travel Industry Association.
You may cancel your booked arrangements at any time; however, you must give us written notice by email signed by the person who made the original booking.
If a confirmed package tour is changed less than a week prior to the start of the tour, a last minute change fee of ISK 9000 will be charged.
Please note that refund payments use the same method as the original payment. If you paid by credit card, the refund will be to the same credit card. If you paid by bank transfer, the refund will be by bank transfer in the same currency. The bank’s or credit card company’s service charge is deducted from the refund.
Refund percentage is determined on the basis of the date and time a written cancellation notice was received by Nature Explorer. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am–5pm, Icelandic time.
This policy applies both to day tours and package tours.

Cancellation of Day Tours

For cancellation of day tours the following applies:
More than 7 days prior to the tour: full refund
4-6 days prior to departure: 50% refund
2-3 days prior to departure: 25% refund
1 day prior and no-shows: no refund

Cancellation of Package Tours

Package tours are multi-day tours, either self drive in a rental car or with a guide in a Super-Jeep. For cancellation of package tours the following applies:
More than 42 days prior to the tour: full refund
28-41 days prior to departure: 75% refund of full package cost
14-27 days prior to departure: 50% refund of full package cost
5-13 days prior to departure: 25% refund of full package cost
4 days prior or less and no-shows: no refund

Eruptions & Force Majeure

There is a volcanic eruption in Iceland a few times per decade – it’s a big part of why Iceland is so fascinating. Luckily, very few eruptions disrupt international flights like the Eyjafjallajokull did in the spring of 2010. Icelandic tourist companies and hotels understand that such an event is beyond anyone’s control so they (and we) refunded everything 100%. It is also possible that an eruption, a flood, a storm or another form of Force Majeure affects a tour in a way that is beyond human control. We will deal with that the best we can, together with our clients. The standard Force Majeure or ‘Act of God’ clause applies and frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstances beyond the control of the parties (clients / tour operator) prevent one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.

Safety

For your and our safety, Nature Explorer reserves the right to adjust or change tours according to weather and snow conditions.
If we cancel a day tour due to bad weather or unsafe conditions, we will refund the cost of the tour 100%.
Nature Explorer does not take responsibility for injuries, accidents or death caused by the client’s negligence, acts of third parties or exterior circumstances such as weather, natural occurrences or other similar causes. We recommend people carry proper travel and health insurance.

Refunds & Exchange Rates

Payment with a credit card in ISK is refunded the same way. Fluctuations in exchange rates are beyond our control so the amount in your currency might differ. If you pay by bank transfer in a currency other than ISK, we will refund the amount by the same method in the same currency.

Disagreements

Complaints should be in writing to our email address within 7 days of the tour completion, otherwise a possible compensation is not valid.
Should any disagreement arise, it will be settled in Iceland, according to Icelandic law – but of course we will try solve it amicably.
Nature Explorer is an Icelandic tour operator and travel agency authorized by Icelandic Tourist Board.

Validity of Prices

The Icelandic Krona is by far the smallest currency in the world – and therefore fluctuates more than other currencies. Normally our prices are in ISK. If we quote in another currency far into the future, we reserve the right to change the price if the exchange rate changes dramatically.
Nature Explorer reserves the right to change prices already quoted or published in our price lists without notice in the event of currency fluctuation, government taxes, or due to any other cost increases that are outside our control. Any eventual changes in rates will not be made with less than 8 weeks’ notice prior to arrival.

Travel Insurance

We recommend customers buy travel insurance.

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Self Drive Car Rental Terms and Conditions

We are agents for Hertz, Avis and Budget so the rental car terms & conditions follow the standard terms of these car rentals. Below is a copy of the terms by Hertz.

Booking & Renting

  • The driver must present a valid driver’s licence held for a minimum of one year at the time of rental.
  • The minimum age for rentals in Iceland is 20 years for passenger car. For 4WD and minibuses the minimum age is 23 years.
  • Reservations are made by car category only. We cannot guarantee a specific car model.
  • Please ensure that you carry all booking references and Hertz reservations confirmation number with you. This avoids confusion and delay at the time of rental.
  • A credit card in the main driver’s name is required for booking and renting a vehicle. However, you may opt to pay by other means at termination of rental, subject to specific terms and conditions being met. Acceptable credit cards are: H.C.C., Diners, American Express, MasterCard, and VISA.
  • Hertz vehicles are rented with a full tank of petrol and therefore you are required to return your car with full tank. A fuel and service charge will apply unless the car is returned with the same amount of fuel as when rented.

Other Fees

Airport service charge will apply to all rentals with pickup at Keflavik International Airport.
Airport service charge is applicable for all rental starting at Keflavik Airport.

One-Way Rentals

If the car is not returned at the same location as where the pickup took place, there will be added a one-way fee.

One-Way Fees

You can pick up the vehicle at one location and return it at any of our locations around Iceland – one-way fee will apply.
If rental is between the two locations listed above, renter will be charged the drop off location one-way fee.

Additional Drivers

Standard driver’s licence and age policies apply.

Payment Information

At the time of rental, an authorization is obtained on the main driver’s credit card based on the estimated rental charges. There must be sufficient credit on your card to cover all charges.

All online reservations will be charged as soon as the reservation is confirmed.

Driving Restrictions

Hertz 2WD vehicles are not allowed to be driven on roads marked F on official maps, KJÖLUR, road nr.35 and KALDIDALUR, road nr.550.
Should these restrictions be ignored, all insurance (Third Party Liability, CDW, TP, PAI), if accepted, shall be deemed null and void. The driver will be held fully responsible in case of accidents and will bear all the consequences, including the cost of reparation of the damaged vehicle. For further information please contact the Reservation Centre.

One-Way Car Rental

One-way rentals are those whereby the customer starts the rental in one location and returns the vehicle to another. Availability is based on the location restrictions and the vehicle type being taken one way. Please find one-way fees schedule listed under Car Rental navigation tab. For pickup in the country and drop off in Keflavik or Reykjavik the drop off amount to be paid is the same as the drop off fee at pickup location.

Taxes

All rates are subject to a Government tax (VAT) levied at 24%, which is included in all our rates.

Free Shuttle Service

Hertz offers a shuttle service to major hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik – cars are not delivered at hotels. Please note that the shuttle will only take one driver per car and no luggage.

Dropping off the Car

Cars are not to be dropped off at hotels; they have to be returned to the rental location according to the agreement. Failure to do so will result in Hertz charging for the pickup and petrol.

Hertz Opening Hours

Downtown offices: Monday-Sunday, 8am-6pm. Airport office meets all reservations. Car must be returned back during office hours.

Cancellation Fees

Reservation that is cancelled more than:
16 days before: no charge
15-8 days before: 40% of total reservation value
7-2 days before: 50% of total reservation value
1 day before: 80% of total reservation value

Vehicles

The vehicles shown in pricelists are examples. Specific models within a car class may vary in availability and features, such as passenger seating, luggage capacity, and mileage.