Undisputably Iceland's ultimate rafting experience!
This three day self-support whitewater adventure covers the entire runnable length of the East Glacial River
from its source at the Hofsjökull Glacier to its mouth at the Héraðsvötn River. The journey kicks off with a
rugged half-day drive into the highlands and through the moonscape of the Sprengisandur Desert, and then dives
into a 2-day descent of all the runnable rapids on Iceland's best rafting river. As you wind your way through
the valleys and canyons of the river, you will find yourself immersed deep in some of the most remote, pristine,
and otherwise inaccessible wilderness in the country, facing a constant onslaught of classic whitewater and
mind-blowing scenery along the way! The trip culminates at our summer cottages in Varmalíð with a soak in the
thermal pool, barbecue feast, and farewell fiesta with your guides and fellow rafters.
Duration
3 days, 2 nights
Departures in 2010
Tuesdays from the 29th of June to the 10th of August (min. 4 pers).
From the 10th of August – 31st of September (min. 6 pers).
Classification of the tour
Class III - IV+
Difficult to very Difficult
long turbulent rapids with powerful waves and holes,many obstacles requiring
precise maneu- vering in turbulent water. Strong waves, up to 1,8 meters high,
boiling edd- ies,dangerous rocks and hydraulics.
Read more about the
International Whitewater Rating System.
Age limit
18 years
What to bring
River clothing: warm, lightweight, layered clothing-made of synthetic materials, fleece, or wool (no cotton)
Hut clothing: warm and comfortable, waterproof/windproof jacket, footwear for around camp
Lots of extra socks
Sleeping bag
Personal hygene kit/ toiletries
Any necessary medications (asthma inhalers, etc.)
Swimsuit and towel for thermal pools
Camera (optional but recommended)
* Please keep in mind that while we are on the river, all personal gear will be packed into plastic bags
and drybags and brought along in the rafts. We cannot guarantee the safety of your personal belongings, and
therefore discourage bringing valuables on the trip. Due to space limitations, we also encourage participants
to avoid bringing excess or unnecessary personal belongings.
Check in at our office in Varmahlíð should not be later than 13:00 h. From here you can take the bus shuttle or
your own car 15 km to the base camp, where you will meet your guides and fellow participants
and go over the order of events and general plan for the trip. Here we fit you with a drysuit and all necessary
rafting equipment, and provide you with a dry bag for your personal gear. After making sure that everyone is
fully packed and adequately prepared, we load up and begin the adventure! We spend the next 4 hours traveling
the deserted backcountry roads into the highlands of Iceland's rugged interior. With the majestic Hofsjökull
Glacier looming on the horizon, we negociate the vast expanse of the Sprengisandur Desert, fording rivers and
streams, and arriving in Laugarfell in time for a hearty meal and a relaxing soak in the natural thermal pool
under the late night sun. A night of restful sleep in one of the mountain cabins should be our final preparation
for the adventures that lie in the days ahead.
Day 2
Wake up to the smell of steaming coffee and energize yourself with a hot breakfast feast. After packing
up we set off on a 20-minute off-road excursion to our put-in. While the guides make final equipment preparations
and load the gear raft, your trip leader will give you a full safety briefing and any necessary instruction.
Now we are ready to hit the water! The first hour is a meandering float down the milky glacial runoff, a
time your guide will use to train you up until they are confident in your team's ability to successfully
negotiate the rapids that lie ahead. Because once the action starts, it is unrelenting for most of the day!
The river's gradient suddenly steepens as you face continuous and technical class 3/4 'boulder garden' rapids,
a nonstop rush that will challenge your nerves as much as your muscles! After about 3 hours the river's fury
finally settles down, where we break for lunch at the river's edge to rest up and refuel the tanks. Another
hour-long 'cool-down' stretch lies between us and tonight's riverside backcountry hut. Spend the evening
relaxing in good company with a well-deserved dinner and warm drinks, and resting up for a second round of
whitewater action tomorrow.
Day 3
Today's section begins with an easy warm-up float through the lush greenery of the Austurdalur valley.
After about an hour the landscape begins to change quickly and dramatically, and as we commit ourselves
renowned lower gorge of the East Glacial River, you will notice a stark contrast to the previous day's
lanscape and rapids. This 80m deep volcanic rock gorge is home to some of Iceland's most spectacular
whitewater and mind-blowing scenery alike. The nonstop rush through big waves and steep pool-drop class
3/4+ rapids will get your adrenaline surging for the next two hours! Once successfully through the major
rapids, we pull over for riverside lunch and cliff jumping session. From here, we raft the remaining few
kilometers of the East to its confluence with the West Glacial River, where you will have a final
opportunity to unwind on the raft, take in the majestic surroundings, or go for one last invigorating
dip in the river! Upon our arrival back in Varmahlíð, we welcome you to our summer cottages where the
rewards await: a steaming stone hot pool, a mouth-watering barbecue feast with your guides and fellow
rafters, a glass of wine, and perhaps a farewell party!
Price: 75.000 ÍSK
Included in the price:
All rafting equipment: drysuit, PFD, helmet, booties, gloves
Guides and safety kayakers
Transportation between rafting base and the river
Backcountry hut accommodation for two nights
All meals: from dinner on DAY 1 to dinner on DAY 3
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