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We are Arctic Adventures

Since 1983, experts at Arctic Adventures have crafted eco-friendly journeys into Iceland’s wilderness. We’re here to guide - you’re here to discover. Glacier hiking, snowmobiling, trekking and camping, sightseeing, and more - there’s no journey we can’t plan. With us, Iceland’s wild beauty is yours to explore, from every angle.

Why Arctic Adventures?

The Arctic Adventures team is made up of adventurous and fascinating people from all over the world. Each of us is a professional in our field, and each of us brings something unique to the table. Some are passionate about glaciers and ice climbing, while others thrive on hiking expeditions.

But we all have one thing in common: a great love and passion for the outdoors and a total respect for nature. This is the connective tissue that holds Arctic Adventures together.

History

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1983

1983 - Planting Our Roots in River Rafting 

An Icelandic couple traveled to Nepal for a great river rafting adventure. They wanted to share their beautiful experience with the Icelandic people, so they started searching for suitable rivers for rafting. One day, they came across the stunning Hvítá (White River). They knew immediately that this was exactly what they had been looking for. They named their company Bátafólkið (The Boat People), and the team quickly grew.

1997

1997 - The Birth Of Arctic Rafting

In 1997, Bátafólkið began operating in North Iceland on the River Jökulsá Austari, an exciting, world-class level 4 rafting river. Another Icelandic explorer, called Daddi Bjarna, enjoyed the same kind of inspiring rafting trip in the Himalayas. The same as Villa and Bassi, he decided to launch an Icelandic river rafting operation in 1997. However, his company was located in the East, and he called it Arctic Rafting. His river was Eyvindará, also a world-class level 4 river. Arctic Rafting began offering combo trips and was the first company to do so. These trips brought together Whale Watching and River Rafting.

2001

2001 - Arctic Rafting Expands to Hvita River

In 2001, Arctic Rafting moved its operations to the Hvítá River. At this time, the activity wasn’t very big in Iceland, and close friendships were formed among this tight-knit group of people.

2005

2005 - The Birth of Arctic Adventures

In 2005, Arctic Rafting and Bátafólkið merged and formed Arctic Adventures. Since river rafting is only a summer activity, the new group wanted to explore ways to use the equipment and show travelers the very best of Iceland all year round. That’s when the focus was not only on river rafting, but other activities were added into operation: snorkeling in Silfra Fissure and glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull glacier.

2009

2009 - Glacier Guides Launches At Skaftafell

Arctic Adventures continued to grow, and in 2009, the Glacier Guides project was launched. Glacier Guides started offering hiking and climbing tours on glaciers, among other exciting adventures in the area. Its base camp is located at Skaftafell, within Vatnajökull National Park, home to the great Vatnajökull, the mightiest glacier in Iceland.  This company became easy to recognize with its base camp’s turf roof and the American school bus they use to transport people to and from the glacier.

2010

2010 - Arctic Adventures Expands Abroad

In 2010, the company’s operations expanded further beyond Iceland. Incentive trips for corporations to Greenland, Iceland, and other locations in the Arctic area were included in cooperation with Mr. Henry Köhler.

2012

2012 - The Birth of Trekking in Iceland

In 2012, a hiking and trekking brand called Wild Iceland began operating. This later became Trek Iceland. 

The Icelandic Highlands have always fascinated Icelanders and foreign travelers. As Icelandic tourism grew, word about this trekking and hiking trip provider spread very fast.

2013

2013 - Viking Rafting Joins the Arctic Family

In 2013, another aspect of the Arctic Family was created when we founded Viking Rafting in partnership with guides Anrup Gurung and Chris Doyle-Kyle, who had been with us for many years. 

This company focuses on and continues to offer rafting trips in North Iceland. These tours provide challenging and very exciting level 4 rafting on Austari Jökulsá, a stunning river in beautiful Skagafjörður. Their base is located in North Iceland, at a farm called Hafgrímsstaðir.

2014

2014 - Arctic Adventures & Trek Iceland

The following year, 2014, Trek Iceland became part of the Arctic Adventures Family. 

Today, trekking and hiking expeditions are among Arctic Adventures' most loved and popular trips. Their main focus is the famous and truly one-of-a-kind Laugavegur trail.

2015

2015 - Arctic Adventures is Joined By Arctic Sea Tours, Snowmobile.is

We had focused on the land for quite a while, so it was time to turn our attention to the sea! 

Arctic Sea Tours joined the Arctic Family in 2015. They operate in North Iceland, at Dalvík on picturesque Eyjafjörður: whales are their passion. 

In the same year, Snowmobile became part of Arctic Adventures, contributing their magical glacier-riding tours.

2016

2016 - Milestone Year: Snorkeling And Diving Tours

Our glacier operations in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and at Sólheimajökull Glacier had blossomed, and we felt it was the right time to find better accommodation for our guides and staff. We decided this would be the right time to have two bases for our teams to work in: one in Hvolsvöllur and the other at Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Our diving and snorkeling operations also took a giant leap forward when we founded Dive Silfra, intensifying our focus on snorkeling and diving trips. Last but not least, Scuba Iceland became part of the Arctic Family.

2017

2017 - Arctic Adventures Welcomes Extreme Iceland

In 2017, Arctic Adventures acquired Extreme Iceland. This welcomed addition to the Arctic family brought even more adventure options to Iceland.

In the same year, the company acquired Hotel Hof 1, renaming it Adventure Hotel Hof, and Hotel Geirland, which was renamed to Adventure Hotel Geirland.

 

2019

2019 - Into the Glacier Joins Arctic Adventures

In 2019, we streamlined and unified our family of brands, merging TREK Iceland, Scuba Iceland, Extreme Iceland, and others under the Arctic Adventures umbrella. This strategic move allowed us to offer a more seamless experience for our travelers. 

That same year, we were proudly joined by Into the Glacier, a company offering unforgettable ice tunnels and snowmobiling tours inside Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier.

2020

2020 - Navigating Challenging Times and Expanding Horizons

Amid the global challenges of 2020, we took proactive steps to ensure we were ready to welcome travelers back to Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes. We became co-owners of Your Day Tours, Amazing Iceland, and South East Iceland, expanding our offerings and preparing for the return of adventure seekers. 

These acquisitions positioned us to provide even more incredible experiences when tourism resumed, keeping the spirit of exploration alive.

2022

2022 - Rebuilding and Welcoming The Lava Tunnel

By 2022, we were not only rebuilding but expanding. We proudly became the majority owners of The Lava Tunnel, a 5,000-year-old natural wonder formed by a volcanic eruption. Our commitment to delivering extraordinary experiences in Iceland’s most unique landscapes remained unwavering.

2023

2023 - Expanding Unique Icelandic Experiences to Kerið, Wilderness Center & Snæfellsnes

In 2023, we invested in three iconic locations to deepen connections to Iceland’s heritage. We acquired Kerið Crater, ensuring its preservation, and welcomed the Wilderness Center, an immersive history and nature retreat in East Iceland. Expanding further, we became owners of Hotel Hellissandur and Mural Restaurant & Bar in Snæfellsnes, a region of glaciers and folklore. These acquisitions highlight our commitment to showcasing Iceland’s unique beauty, culture, and history.

2024

2024 – Strengthening Our Presence in Iceland’s Natural and Marine Wonders

In 2024, we expanded our commitment to Icelandic experiences with key acquisitions. We became owners of Special Tours, Reykjavík’s top operator for whale watching, puffin tours, and northern lights cruises, plus Whales of Iceland, the country’s largest whale exhibition. We also took over Reykjavík Röst, a harborside café. Beyond Reykjavík, we now manage Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and a family-run businessSoutheast Iceland, strengthening our role in local tourism.

Today

Today, we’re Iceland’s leading adventure tour operator, trusted by over 1 million customers each year. We invite guests to everything from day trips to multi-day journeys. We run glacier hikes from Sólheimajökull and Skaftafell, snorkeling at Þingvellir, snowmobiling on Langjökull, and many more adventure activities. With our own expert guides, hotels, modern vehicles, and exclusive spots like Langjokull Ice Tunnel, Kerið Crater, and The Wilderness Center, we handle every detail of your epic adventure. Whether you’re looking for small group tours, privately arranged journeys, or action-packed adventures, we’ve got it covered. Join us for unforgettable, eco-friendly experiences across Iceland’s wild landscapes!

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Small group tours

With us, small groups mean big adventures. With just 6-19 people per tour, you get a more personal, immersive experience—no rushing, no crowds, just you, like-minded explorers, and Iceland’s wild landscapes. Whether it’s hiking through ice caves, exploring volcanic landscapes, or diving into the crystal-clear waters of Þingvellir, you’ll be in good company with fellow adventurers. Our expert guides lead the way, making sure every moment is unforgettable. One day or eight days, we take our time so you can truly connect with Iceland’s raw beauty, all while keeping things safe, comfortable, and stress-free. This is adventure, the way it should be.

Our Mission

Our mission is to make the magic of nature accessible to all and to help people make memories of a lifetime. We do it with respect for the environment, an excellent team, and efficient technology.

Gullfoss waterfall in the evening with breathtaking northern lights over head

Our Values

  1. Passion: We bring energy, enthusiasm, and innovation to everything we do.
  2. Adventure: We explore, create, and embrace the unknown.
  3. Commitment: We strive for excellence and continuous improvement.
  4. Respect: We act responsibly and honor the land we operate in.
  5. Teamwork: We support, collaborate, and grow together.

Sustainability

Although Arctic Adventures has achieved official recognition as a sustainable tour company, we still strive to improve. If a company such as Arctic Adventures wishes to thrive in the future, there's only one way to achieve this: to work in harmony with nature, local communities, and the people in them. We seek to purchase local goods where possible, reduce long-distance procurement, and abolish the use of goods made by companies failing to recognize environmental guidelines or their workers' rights.

Arctic Adventures undertakes voluntary work with local communities and landowners in the areas where tours are operated. We make donations to organizations and support charities in various ways. This declaration is revised annually.

Arctic Adventures tour buses parked in front of Skogarfoss waterfall during autumn

How We Operate to Minimize Our Carbon Footprint

Iceland's wilderness remains largely intact and undisturbed, making it unique and precious. The rapid growth in adventure tourism is subjecting this fragile environment to unprecedented strain. The Arctic Adventures family is committed to sharing its love and respect for Icelandic nature with each of our guests to provide a one-of-a-kind experience.

We lead by example, continuing to set new standards in Iceland's young adventure tourism industry. We aim to promote attitudes and practices to keep our wilderness areas intact for future generations. We continually strive for new and creative ways to harmonize our company with Iceland's beautiful but fragile nature. We're committed to preserving nature by offsetting all our operations through carbon neutralization efforts in partnerships with Kolviður and SoGreen.

 

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Responsible Travel

Our principle statement is simple: “Nature is the adventure.” We have tailored our tours so that there will be no harm to or impact upon nature. We show our clients how nature can be treated with respect, how we can pass through it without leaving a mark, and how we can take away only photographs and memories.

  1. Take nothing but pictures.
  2. Kill nothing but time.
  3. Leave nothing but footprints.
  4. Make nothing but memories.

We at Arctic Adventures take our responsibility to be a sustainable and equal-pay tour operator very seriously. We also want to be able to reassure our customers about this. Our Certifications are an official recognition of our sustainability status. We are motivated to find additional ways to improve and keep pace with new sustainability developments.

We love what we do, and this passion translates into many awards we've gotten over the years.

Guide Training and Qualifications

All of our guides need to go through extensive training and first aid courses to be qualified to guide the trips within Arctic Adventures.

Work with us!

We are always looking for talented people to join our great Arctic Adventures family.

Arctic Adventures places great emphasis on professional recruiting, searching for people with particular skills, educational qualifications, attitudes, and values.

Our employees must be ready to take on challenging but exciting tasks. At Arctic Adventures we have an excellent group of employees who have a passion for their work, clear goals and respect for each other and our customers.

Our customer care is always here for you! Contact us if you have any questions.

Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time and apply to all of our services. By accessing, browsing, using and/or completing a reservation through our (mobile) website you acknowledge and agree to have read, understood and agreed to be legally bound to the terms and conditions set out below.

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Cancellation Policy

All cancellation fees held by Arctic Adventures are only intended to cover our direct cost of amending and/or canceling your reservation. By accessing, browsing, using and/or completing a reservation through our (mobile) website you acknowledge and agree to have read, understood and agreed to be legally bound to the cancellation policy.

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Privacy Policy

Our privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally identifiable information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as used in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.

Brand assets

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Our Brands

ARCTIC ADVENTURES

Arctic Adventures is the oldest and the biggest brand. It began as a river rafting operator in 1983 and grew into one of Iceland’s biggest tour operators. Today, Arctic Adventures is dedicated to sustainable tourism and providing quality tours for small groups. Arctic Adventures is a registered trademark of Straumhvarf ehf. (kt. 5504050240, VAT: 87252).

ARCTIC ADVENTURES

INTO THE GLACIER

Into the Glacier is a tour operator that offers tours to the largest engineered ice tunnel on the planet. It began with the crazy idea of drilling a hole in the Langjökull, Iceland's second-biggest glacier. Today, Into the Glacier invites everyone to try snowmobiling and see Langjokull Glacier from inside.

INTO THE GLACIER

YOUR DAY TOURS

Your Day Tours is a family-owned company that started in April 2015 and is now an important member of the Arctic Adventures family. It specializes in small group day tours and ventures to the Golden Circle, South Coast, Snaefellsnes, and Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) with its small fleet of buses.

Your Day Tours logo

THE LAVA TUNNEL

The Lava Tunnel is located right by Reykjavik. It’s one of Iceland’s longest and most famous lava tunnels, formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. Tours here are guided by professional guides and supported by expert geologists and mountaineers.

The lava tunnel logo

ADVENTURE HOTELS

Our Adventure hotels dot several areas of Iceland. Besides being surrounded by Icelandic nature, each one of them feels unique. Currently, we have four hotels under our brand:

  • Adventure Hotel Hof.
  • Adventure Hotel Geirland.
  • Adventure Hotel Hellissandur.
  • Wilderness Center Hotel.
Adventure Hotels logo

KERID VOLCANIC CRATER

Kerið is a geological wonder and part of many of our Golden Circle tours. This volcanic crater in South Iceland was formed 6,500 years ago when a volcano depleted its magma reserves and collapsed. People from all over the world come to see this stunning landmark.

Kerid Volcanic Crater logo

GLACIER GUIDES

Glacier Guides is a skilled team offering glacier hikes, ice climbing, and ice cave tours on Vatnajökull and Sólheimajökull glaciers. Based in Skaftafell, our expert guides provide unforgettable, eco-friendly adventures, combining top-tier equipment with deep glacier knowledge.

Glacier Guides logo

WILDERNESS CENTER

The Wilderness Center offers immersive, authentic experiences on the edge of Iceland’s highlands. Combining a museum, guesthouse, and guided tours, the center gives visitors a deep dive into Icelandic nature and history, led by passionate local guides in a stunning, remote setting of East Iceland.

Wilderness Center logo

SNOWMOBILE.IS

Snowmobile.is is a team of enthusiasts specializing in snowmobile tours on Langjökull Glacier. With expert guides, daily departures, and small group experiences, they offer thrilling glacier adventures that can be combined with Golden Circle tours or ice cave explorations for an unforgettable Icelandic experience.

Snowmobile.is logo

SPECIAL TOURS

Special Tours is one of Iceland’s leading boat tour operators, offering whale watching, puffin tours, northern lights cruises, and sea angling adventures from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour and Akureyri in the North. With a focus on responsible wildlife tourism, Special Tours provides incredible opportunities to see Iceland’s rich marine life up close.

Special Tours logo

WHALES OF ICELAND

Whales of Iceland is the largest whale exhibition in Europe, located in Reykjavík. Featuring life-sized models, interactive displays, and expert storytelling, this museum brings the giants of the ocean to life, offering visitors a deep dive into the world of Iceland’s whales.

Whales of Iceland logo

REYKJAVIK RÖST

Reykjavík Röst is a harborside café and bar located in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. It’s the perfect spot to relax before or after a boat tour, offering great coffee, Icelandic craft beers, and stunning views of the bay and Esja mountain.

Reykjavik Rost logo

FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR CANYON

Fjaðrárgljúfur is one of Iceland’s most breathtaking canyons, with steep cliffs and winding rivers creating a dramatic landscape. By overseeing its management, we ensure responsible access and preservation of this natural wonder in South Iceland.