Extreme 5 Hour Rafting Tour on the East Glacial River with Transfer from Varmahlid

Take a wild ride travelling down impressive gorges and canyons, tackling the rapid waters of the East Glacial River on this exciting rafting tour. This demanding tour is for all adventure-seekers that are up for the rigours of river rafting in one of the top rafting rivers in Europe. 

The adventure starts in Varmahlíð, a small village of around 140 people in northern Iceland. There you’ll meet your friendly and professional tour guide who will provide you with all necessary information and gear to keep you safe and warm in the river. 

You’ll then hop aboard a vehicle that will take you deep into the valley of Austurdalur where you will receive a final safety briefing and practice how to manoeuvre the craft, before you board your boat on Austari-Jökulsá—the East Glacial River.

The river, often referred to as ‘The Beast of the East’, is fed by Iceland’s third largest glacier, Hofsjökull. You will travel 16 kilometres on the Beast’s white waves, through canyons and ravines, and tackle rapids with names such as ‘Alarm Clock’, ‘Commitment’, ‘Screaming Lady’ and ‘Green Room’.

Austari-Jökulsá has been voted one of the top rafting destinations in Europe and is classed as a 4+ of 5 on the ‘rafting scale’. This means that participants in a rafting expedition may need to paddle for most of the duration and manoeuvre fast to overcome the turbulent water and steep drops.

The rapids are powerful but predictable, so no rafting experience is needed, but a good level of physical fitness is required and you must be at least 18 years old. 

If the water levels allow, you’ll get a chance to play in the river for a bit by jumping in like a daredevil from a steep cliff. After the tour, a hot bowl of soup will be waiting for you on the river bank to warm you up after a day out on the ice-cold waters. 

You will then ride back to the town, where you’ll get a chance to unwind after a demanding day by soaking in geothermal hot pools and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the valley.

So don't hesitate. Get the adrenaline pumping with this incredible tour. Check availability by choosing a date.