World-class guides running world-class rivers in North Iceland! Guide owned & operated, internationally-certified. Take your fun seriously!
Conversion-focused upgrades that fix clarity, positioning, and booking blockers. Delivered in 48h.
Even though we call this a "family" trip, it's not just for grandpa and the little guys! This is a fun and relatively gentle trip that is suitable for everybody out there, but if your idea of rafting is to hit big waves and feed your inner adrenaline junkie, this is not where that happens. If you're after action and more excitement, my crazy friend, then our WHITEWATER ACTION trip is probably what you're looking for! On this West Glacial River trip, fun and scenery swirl around you to deliver an unforgettable rafting adventure in Iceland! Featuring steaming riverside hot springs and magnificent canyon landscapes, this gentle rafting tour offers everyone from the novice rafter to the whole family an opportunity to pick up a paddle and explore Iceland's stunning river wilderness. As you negotiate the gentle rapids through the twists and bends of this towering gorge, enjoy the opportunity to sample some riverside hot cocoa from nature’s natural kettle! You may well find yourself in a friendly water fight, bathing in the invigorating glacial runoff, or simply kicking back and letting your troubles drift away with the meandering waters!
You are about to embark upon a 3-day highlight reel of desert moonscapes, sprawling glaciers, hot springs, world-class whitewater, remote mountain cabins, and gourmet riverside cuisine, all from the heart of north Iceland's most pristine and otherwise inaccessible wilderness. Set sail where few expeditions have been before, in a committing self-support conquest of Iceland's most challenging rafting river! This adventure begins with a rugged drive into the Sprengisandur desert towards the source of the legendary East Glacial River (Jökulsá-Austari) river at the foot of the mighty Hofsjökull glacier. Somewhere in the vast expanses of this arctic desert, a cluster of secluded cabins around a thermal oasis provides us shelter on our first night, and it is from here that we plunge into our committing 2-day descent of Iceland's best rafting river. In these two days, we navigate the full 55km of the East Glacial River through its twisting valleys and canyons, facing an ever-evolving blend of heart-pumping whitewater, breathtaking scenery, and wilderness solitude. The trip wraps up on the third evening at our rafting base at Hafgrímsstaðir with a celebration of our achievements, barbecue feast, and a farewell fiesta with your guides and fellow rafters!
Start the day bright and early at 7:20 with a pickup at Akureyri Backpackers Hostel organised by Viking Rafting (or if arriving by own car, follow instructions on your ticket to find your way to the base camp at Hafgrímsstaðir). The East Glacial River gorge is the setting for the 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 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 and a dose of adrenaline strong enough to satisfy the most powerful of cravings. The river is rated 4/4+ which makes it sort of like your favourite 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. (If you're scared of getting wet and don't enjoy excitement, this is definitely not the trip for you - please contact us directly for other 'milder' rafting options)Once you've had your fun on the river you will (make your own way or) be driven back to Akureyri Backpackers Hostel where it's only a short walk to our ticket office in the harbour and where your whale watching tour departs from at 17:00. Eyjafjord is home to many Humpback whales, that year after year return to the fjord for it's plentiful food. Our newly renovated and specially modified whale watching ship is capable of carrying 200 persons with spectacular views from our “cinema style” viewing platforms. Its speed guarantees availability of whale watching tours from Akureyri, where ever the whales might be located in the deepest fjord in Iceland. With ample indoor and outdoor seating, bar and cafeteria, you can be sure that the ride is comfortable and pleasant, even at speed. Our sighting success of Humpback whales in summer 2016 is 100% and among them there have been reports of Minke whales, Blue Whales and White-beaked dolphins.
Welcome to the world's wildest midnight whitewater rafting trip! We don't know that for a fact, but we're pretty damn confident that you'll agree... and to the lawyers representing inferior midnight rafting trips: we'd be honoured if you joined us too! This is a midnight version of our already kick-ass Whitewater Action trip! We run a special trip on the longest Friday of the year to celebrate the endless arctic summer sun, just because we can! This trip usually sells out, so be sure to book here if you're interested in being a part of this year's celebration. 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 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 and a dose of adrenaline strong enough to satisfy the most powerful of cravings. For those traveling Iceland with a thirst for adventure, this is a day tour not to be missed!
Usually, the day starts with the riding tour in the morning and in the afternoon, you will go rafting. This tour doesn’t require previous riding or rafting experience and is suitable for everyone.
Exciting rapids, mind-blowing scenery, and one of the most remote single-day settings on the planet make the East Glacial River Iceland's signature rafting trip!
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 (https://vikingrafting.is/family-rafting-2/) 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!.