Iceland's Top Rafting: East Glacial River

Experience the thrill of Grade 4 white water rafting on the East Glacial River in Iceland. Explore breathtaking scenery and conquer exciting rapids on this remote and unforgettable day trip.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hafgrímsstaðir - In one word… AWESOME!
    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’…
What's Included
  • Transportation between the rafting base and the river
  • Riverside refreshments
  • Transport from Akureyri (only if option selected at time of booking)
  • International rafting federation Qualified, professional raft guides and safety kayakers
  • All rafting equipment: DRYSUIT, PFD, helmet, Skull cap, booties, gloves
What's Not Included
  • Additional food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

Prepare to tackle Iceland’s most thrilling whitewater adventure. The East Glacial River offers more than just a rafting trip; it’s Iceland’s ultimate river escapade! Featuring exhilarating Grade 4/4+ rapids, breathtaking canyon vistas, and pure, unforgettable excitement. No prior experience? No worries. Our friendly, top-notch guides will teach you…

Location
Viking Rafting
Hafgrímsstaðir
You’ll find us just 15 km south of Varmahlíð on Road #752—on your left right after crossing a small bridge over a river. Cruise ship adventurers: If our departure time doesn’t line up with your schedule, contact us. We’ll do our best to make it work for you.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(398 Ratings)
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869lievel
Jul 23, 2025
- Was an amazing experience with lots of adrenaline!!! It was a great adventure with great views as wel! Thankyou Anup for keeping us safe!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christad390
Jul 23, 2025
Safe and wild - Saurav was a great guide, we were not all in sync in our raft but he guided us through the rapids without flipping Because the water level was so high we had to walk a bit because they deemed it unsafe. They take safety very seriously! We missed the resting point because we didnt manage to paddel hard enough but the kayakers (forgot who) saved the lunch which we now ate at the rock jumping point. Very fun jump! And I couldnt swim to shore but got saved by the kayak! The last part was more relaxed so you had time to look at the senery You have to paddel quite hard! And with a dutch swimming diploma A, I was fine and had fun! But diploma B or better chestscroll skills would be better. But I think some people in the raft were even less athletic than me. So decide for yourself if you wanna do the exstreem one, we had lost of fun! (And acky mussels afterwards) Thanks to the team! Anup, Saurav, Hunter, Geronimo, Tarzan (and Sara for protecting my glasses and phone while we were gone)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brian
Jul 23, 2025
Most epic and unforgettable experience in Iceland! - This was by far the most fun I had during my time in Iceland adventuring around the Ring Road. Anup, our guide was the greatest. His sense of humor, guidance and knowledge of the river made us all feel safe. Everyone in our raft was laughing the whole way down the river. Thank you to Anup and the rest of the staff for making this an unforgettable experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hrefnajo
Jul 22, 2025
- Fantastic trip. The canyon is so beautiful and so are the rafting guides! Good vibe throughout. Remember to order the lunch, it is super tasty. We rafted with chief Anup. A living legend in the whitewater world.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rihoj404
Jul 21, 2025
- Awesome experience. Guide Harry is brilliant 👍. So good that they take care of the photos so we have epic memories now 💪.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amandasb1116
Jul 20, 2025
Thank you! - Viking Rafting was top class! Hunter, Jan, Tarzan, Saurav, Adam all played a part in a creating a day on the river to remember with safety as a top priority.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H8490bghh
Jul 15, 2025
Amazing trip! - What a wonderful experience! Best rafting in my life. Thanks to Jan, Tarjan and Hunter! They made our trip joyful and safe. Will do it again next year.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marco
Jul 8, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 STARS. ABSOLUTELY DESERVED! - We went rafting with Viking Rafting, and it was hands down one of the best experiences we’ve had in Iceland. If you’re coming to this country and looking for a real adventure this is a must. A special shoutout to Hunter, our guide. He was super professional, made us feel safe at all times, and brought an amazing energy to the trip. You can tell he knows his stuff and truly loves what he does. The whole experience was unique breathtaking scenery, high adrenaline, and a lot of laughs along the way. The organization was spot-on, the equipment was in perfect condition, and the entire team was friendly and welcoming. If you’re on the fence about it, don’t hesitate it’s more than worth it. Thanks Viking Rafting, and huge thanks to Hunter for making it unforgettable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fannyml8216mq
Jun 30, 2025
Great experience =) - Great, first rafting experience and not least! The guides are very professional and kind, the opportunity to combine sensations, landscapes as well as encounters! Thank you for this beautiful day and of course I recommend to all those who pass by!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kalobg
Jun 27, 2025
Go Rafting in Iceland! - Anup, Hunter, and the crew at Viking Rafting made us feel like a part of the Viking family! We felt right at home at the rafting base and really enjoyed the atmosphere they create before and after the trip. The east river was action, packed, and beautiful, with a perfect treat halfway down to keep us going. The guides were professional, safe, and very entertaining, ensuring we had a great day on the river! 10 out of 10 recommend adding Viking Rafting to your Iceland itinerary.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $253
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).