Extreme River Rafting Tour on the East Glacial River with Transfer from Varmahlid

Raft down the gorges and canyons of the East Glacial River in North Iceland on this demanding white-water rafting tour from Varmahlid. The tour is for adventure-seekers who are up for a challenge.

The tour starts at the rafting base near Varmahlid, a small village of around 140 people in North Iceland. There, you meet your guide, who gives you all the information and gear you need to stay safe and warm on the river.

You then ride in a vehicle deep into Austurdalur Valley, where you get a final safety briefing and practice maneuvering the raft before you set off on Austari-Jokulsa, the East Glacial River.

The river, often called "The Beast of the East," is fed by Hofsjokull Glacier, the third-largest glacier in Iceland. You travel 10 miles (16 kilometers) on its white water, through canyons and ravines, and tackle rapids with names such as "Alarm Clock," "Commitment," "Screaming Lady," and "Green Room."

Austari-Jokulsa has a reputation as one of the top rafting rivers in Europe and is rated class 4+ out of 5 on the rafting scale. This means you may need to paddle for most of the time and maneuver fast to get through the turbulent water and steep drops.

The rapids are powerful but predictable, so no rafting experience is needed. If the water levels allow, you can also jump into the river from a steep cliff.

As you go down the river, you pass towering cliffs, green valleys, and volcanic terrain.

After the tour, a hot bowl of soup waits for you on the riverbank to warm you up after a day on the ice-cold water. You then ride back to the base, where you can unwind in the hot tubs.

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