Tour description
In one word... AWESOME !
This is like your favourite Disney World ride, but without a seatbelt! Just like that ride, you don't need previous rafting experience to discover for yourself why the East Glacial River has become Iceland's signature whitewater rafting trip. The reason we are experienced professionals is so you don't have to be. If you're scared of getting splashed by huge waves and don't enjoy the excitement, this is definitely not the trip for you. However, we're pretty confident that you'll still love our Family Rafting trip: Family River Rafting The West Glacial River - Iceland On The Web.
The East Glacial River Gorge (Jökulsá-Austari) is the setting for our most action-packed and exciting rafting day tour. With spectacular deep canyon scenery and relentless heart-pumping whitewater, the East has been consistently rated one of Europe’s best rafting rivers and has topped popular guide books’ lists of "must-do's" in Iceland. One of the most remote single-day rafting trips on the planet, this whitewater adventure delivers an unforgettable journey into the untamed beauty of Iceland’s river wilderness.
Combine that with a dose of adrenaline strong enough to satisfy the most powerful of cravings.
For those traveling to Iceland with a thirst for adventure, this is a day tour not to be missed!
What’s included
- All rafting equipment: drysuit, PFD, helmet, booties, gloves –
- Qualified, professional raft guides and safety kayakers
- Transportation between our rafting base and the river
- Riverside refreshments (a tasty homemade surprise!)
- Iceland's ultimate rafting experience!
Highlights
- Spectacular deep canyon scenery
- Amazing fun on the River
Info
- Season: May - September
- Duration: 6 Hours
- Departures: Daily 09:00 am
- River Grade 4+
- Difficulty Level: 4 out of 5
- Minimum age: 18 years
*IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE BOOKED WITH TRANSFER FROM AKUREYRI. This service is available everyday of our rafting season, with the exception that the minimum of 2 participants required to operate the trip has not been met. Pickups must be booked and paid for in advance- either in person, online, or by phone. Pickups depart from Akureyri Backpackers (Hafnarstræti 98) at 7:20. No refunds will be given for those missing their morning pick-up from Akureyri.
We recommend you 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 COLD. 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.
⦁ Thermal underwear / base layers
⦁ Warm fleece top / wool sweater
⦁ Fleece pants / extra long johns
⦁ Thick wool socks / hiking socks (at least 1 pair)
⦁ 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!
⦁ Dry clothes for after the river
⦁ Any necessary medications (asthma inhalers, etc.)
⦁ Waterproof camera (optional)
⦁ Thirst for adventure & sense of humour!
Please trust us when we say that the river can be the worst of all thieves, and that any valuables you bring with you on the raft (cameras, sunglasses, laptops, etc.), are likely to disappear to the bottom of the rapids when you are fully distracted and least expecting it. Trust us, we’ve learned our lesson too many times, and we’ll do our very best to avoid saying “I told you so”! Hide your valuables somewhere that you can find them safe and dry after your trip.
Meeting Point
Hafgrímsstaðir, 561 Varmahlíð, IS