River rafting adventure tour on Jökulsá Austari
(East Glacial River) in North Iceland. Pick up from Reykjavík and
Akureyri is available daily all summer long.
River difficulty 4+ out of 5 possible – Demanding
An incredible adrenaline river tour awaits you on the legendary,
thrilling and infamous Austari-Jökulsá Glacial River in Skagafjörður in
the North of Iceland. This Class 4+ white water river descends from the
Hofsjökull glacier and powers through the
staggeringly beautiful, impressively narrow river gorge of
Austurdalur valley, just a stones throw from the small town of
Varmahlíð. Our rafting trips on the East have consistently topped the
Lonely Planets list
of things to do in Iceland. The East Glacial River
simply delivers the ultimate river rafting experience on the island of
ice & fire and is
rated as one of the top commercially rafted rivers in Europe!
But be warned, this is not a trip for the faint of heart. The Beast of
the East has a powerful roar and sharp teeth. The only thing likely to
surge in bigger waves then the East river will be your adrenaline as we
charge the its famous rapids. To put it mildly, you will scream
out your lungs on the “Screaming Lady”, be lost for words in the
“Lost”, beg for mercy in the “Green Room” and face your fears on the 8
meter high jumping rock into the river (optional and depending on
conditions). We then round of our trip with a calm drift and swim
in the serene waters after the confluence of the East and West rivers,
as
we let the milky glacial water carry us gently to our exit point close
to the Last Resort rafting base camp.
As you can see challenging the Beast of the East is no ordinary trip
and we can promise you tons of fun, guaranteed bragging rights and
memories that will last a lifetime!
Details:
Price: 12.990 ISK per person.
Guaranteed departures for a minimum 4 persons from the 1st of May to the 1st of October.
From the
Last Resort rafting base camp in Skagafjörður:
Sunday - Friday at 14:00 AM.
Saturdays at 9:00 AM and 16:00.
From
Varmahlíð Town in Skagafjörður:
Sunday- Friday at 13:30 AM.
Saturdays at 8:30 AM and 15:30.
From
Reykjavík City: Everyday at 8:30 AM*
from BSI
bus terminal in Reykjavik.
From
Akureyri Town: Everyday at 8:30 AM from SBA bus
terminal in
Akureyri.
Note: On Saturdays you will have to stay over night in Skagafjörður and take the bus the following day at f.ex. 13:25.
* On all trips that start in Reykjavík you will have to stay one night
in Varmahlíð or the surrounding farmhouses (see the "Full On" package
tour here below); your river trip will start on the
following morning and the bus trip back to Reykjavík leaves at 18:20 or
onwards to Akureyri at 21:50.
Click
here
to read about our famous three day highland rafting expedition on
the East Glacial River.
Some experience of river rafting or a strong spirit of adventure
recommended!
From Reykjavík at 8:30 AM:
Price with pick-up from BSI bus terminal in Reykjavík and one nights
stay in a guesthouse in Varmahlíð (sleeping bag accommodation),
BBQ dinner after the rafting trip and transfer back to Reykjavík for
42.990
ISK per person. We recommend adding a 2 hour horse riding tour on the second day and take the evening bus back to Reykjavík for
7.500 ISK per person.
From Akureyri at 8:30 AM:
Price with pick up from SBA bus terminal in Akureyri, BBQ dinner after
the rafting trip and transfer back to Akureyri at 21:55 PM at
22.990
ISK per person. You will arrive in Varmahlíð at 9:45 with plenty of time to add a 2 hour horse riding trip to your day for
7.500 ISK per person.
Note: this trip is unavailable with bus transfer on Saturdays.
Distance from Reykjavik: 294 km, 3,5 hour drive or 4,5 hours by bus.
Duration of trip: 6-7 hours (3-4 hours on the river)
Minimum:4 persons. Maximum: 50 persons.
Age limit: 18 years.
Bring
with you:
Dress as you are going on a cold mountain trip! as glacier rivers can be
cold...
* very warm clothing to wear under the raft gear, expect anything you
wear / bring to get wet
* bring only wool, fleece and thermals, NO COTTON!
* base layer pants and sweater
* warm fleece / wool sweater
* warm pants
* Thick warm socks (winter wool socks or hiking socks)
* towel and bathing suit
How to get to Hafgrímsstaðir basecamp on your own.
Extras:
Waterproof Camera: 3.000 ISK
Disclaimer:
All river rafting trips are undertaken
on
the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not
assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its
customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to
sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize
that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.