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This is like your favorite Disney World ride, but without a seatbelt! And just like that ride, you don't need any previous rafting experience to discover for yourself why the East Glacial River has become Iceland's signature whitewater rafting trip.
Hofsjökull, Iceland’s third-largest glacier, is the source of the water for the East Jökulsá River. Its strong current, exciting whitewater sections, and outstanding canyon scenery make it the perfect site for river rafting excursions.
The tour departs from Hafgrímsstaðir, in the Skagafjörður region of North Iceland. If you can’t drive yourself to the rafting base camp yourself, you can request a pickup from the northern town of Akureyri for an extra fee.
At the Hafgrímsstaðir base camp, you’ll climb on board the vehicle that will take you to the East Jökulsá River. There you’ll be provided with all of the necessary equipment – including a helmet and a drysuit – before your experienced guide explains all about the raft and how to maneuver the boat through the rapids.
Now comes the fun part. You’ll climb on board the raft and begin your journey down the river. The water will rush and splash around you as the raft works its way through gorges and canyons. The river will give you a workout as you help maneuver the raft down steep drops and through the rushing rapids.
This tour may be physically demanding, but it’s also very rewarding. The beauty of your surroundings mixed with the adrenaline of rafting down a glacial river will create a truly unforgettable experience.
Once the ride has ended and everyone has climbed off the raft, you’ll have the chance to warm yourself next to the river with some light refreshments. During the booking process, you’ll also be given the option to upgrade to a full meal if you think that this river workout will leave you wanting a few more calories afterward.
The following is important information applicable to this tour. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us by email or phone, we are here to make your tour exceptional!
Operation:
This tour is operated by our trusted partner.
Meeting point:
The Viking Rafting base at Hafgrímsstaðir is located on Road no.752, 15km from its junction with road no.1 at the west end of Varmahlíð. Simply follow no.752 up the valley for about 10-15 minutes until you see us on the left-hand side of the road. From Reykjavík: 305km/190mi (4-hour drive). Follow road no.1 (Ringroad) towards the North. Just after you descend a long hill into the Skagafjörður valley, road no.752 is on your right, about 500m before the centre of Varmahlíð (where the Tourist Info & N1 gas station are located). From Akureyri: 110km/68mi (1.5-hour drive). Follow road no.1 towards the West. Continue along about 500m past the left turn in the centre of Varmahlíð (where the Tourist Info & N1 gas station are located) until you reach road no.752 on your left.
Booking:
Our day tours are very popular and we have many days when all available seats are booked out. Please book your tour early to avoid disappointment. You can book this tour online using the booking form or just call our office. We typically respond to phone calls from 8:00 AM to 17:00 PM GMT – if you do not reach us, please send an email and we will reply your message as soon as possible.
Prices:
All prices are per person. We accept payment by major credit and debit cards with no additional fees. Gratuities are not included.
Tour itinerary changes:
At all times your safety is our first priority. You can expect any kind of weather in Iceland. For this reason, the tour itinerary may be subject to change the sights without notice or the tour might be canceled due to weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. If the timing changes, we will need your valid mobile phone number to contact you and inform you of the time change. Please don’t forget to fill out your phone number on the booking form. If the tour is canceled, you can choose to receive a full refund or to reschedule your tour for another day. We make every effort to avoid any such changes wherever possible.
What to bring:
The first thing you need to know about our trip is that we give you a dry suit. This incredible piece of gear should keep you 95% dry during your rafting trip, but they will not keep you warm. There is nothing tropical about our river or environment. The water we will be rafting on is fed directly by a Glacier, so it’s very clod. The key to being happy on the river is to stay warm. We strongly encourage you to bring multiple layers; tops, bottoms, and socks to keep you feeling comfortable while rafting. If you bring the correct clothing, you won’t be cold at all. Avoid cotton. As you are paddling down the river you are going to sweat. When cotton gets wet, it makes you cold. Fleece, wool, and synthetics are the best materials to wear because when they get wet, they keep your body warm. If you only have cotton, we can still make it work.
Medical conditions:
Please let us know of any allergies or medical conditions that you may require assistance with.
Authorized Tour Operator and Travel Agency certified by the Icelandic Tourist Board, a proud member of the Icelandia family. Tours offered on this website are sold under the license of Ferðaskrifstofa Kynnisferða.