Rafting & Riding in Iceland
River Rafting & Horse Riding Combo Tour
Saddle-up and paddle down! A morning horseback adventure and an exciting afternoon of river rafting on the mighty Hvitá!
Trot and gallop on an Icelandic horse and raft down a glacier river in Iceland. This is a fantastic family tour – nature & action combined in one perfect day!
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Availability
May. - Sept.
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Duration
11 hours / 8am - 7pm
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Duration Overwrite
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Level
Easy
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Pickup
Yes
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Meet on location
No
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Min. Age
11 years
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Ratio
1:12
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Departs from Overwrite
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Price from
29.990 ISK
- Tour highlights
- Horseback riding
- Ölfus (Olfus area)
- Hvítá (Hvita river)
- Hot sauna after rafting
- Included
- Pick-up from Reykjavík
- Guided horse tour
- River rafting on the Hvítá river
- Light lunch
- All necessary equipment for both activities
Pick up starts at 8 am from your hotel in Reykjavik. Please note, that the pick up can take up to 30 min.
The trip starts at the farm Vellir in Ölfus where the first half of the day is spent riding on Iceland’s beautiful horses whilst exploring the offbeat open nature. This tour gives you a true taste of Icelandic nature and the opportunity to get to experience a ride with the unique Icelandic horses. We provide all the necessary equipment and a friendly horse that fits your skills. What better way to become in sync with Iceland’s nature than on a unique and peaceful horseback riding excursion. Back at Hotel Eldhestar, you can enjoy a light lunch from the buffet.
After lunch, we will make our way to Drumbo base camp, where you will go on your river-rafting adventure down the Hvítá river. The river has a perfectly balanced mix of serene canyons and adrenaline pumping waves and rapids. Join our trip 7 kilometers down the beautiful river and the chance to jump from high cliffs into the glacial water. No one should leave Iceland without experiencing the power of its rivers and the scenic canyons of Brúarhlöð. The rafting is suitable for kids 11 years and older. This truly is the ultimate family activity trip.
Remember to bring: Warm sweater (no cotton), bathing suit, towel and a change of clothing.
What are the facilities like at Drumbo Base Camp?
The Drumbó Base Camp has a reception, bar, sitting area inside and out, a hot tub, showers and a sauna. It’s pretty much the perfect rafting base, or at least we think so… 🙂
What should I bring/wear on the river rafting tour?
For lower body: Swimming wear to (or a change of underclothing) to wear under your rafting pants and/or for the sauna/hot tub. For the upper body: Bring a warm fleece or a wool sweater to wear under your rafting jacket (it will get wet), warm woolen socks, any necessary medications (asthma inhalers, etc.) and a towel to dry off after your trip. Everything else we will provide.
Do I have to know how to swim to go on river rafting with Arctic Adventures?
Yes, absolutely, each paddler on a rafting boat has to know how to swim.
What is the minimum age for a participant on a river rafting tour with Arctic Adventures?
On the Gullfoss Canyon Rafting, the minimum age is 11 years if accompanied by a guardian.
On the Wonderful West, the minimum age is 6 years if accompanied by a guardian.
On the Beast of the East, the minimum age is 18 years.
On the 3 Day River Rush the minimum age is 18 years.
Can I bring my camera with me on the raft?
Yes, you can bring your camera if you like, but if it is not waterproof then it will 100% get ruined.
At Drumbó your options are: bringing a waterproof camera, renting a GoPro from us or buying a disposable waterproof camera.
At Hafgrímsstaðir your options are bringing a waterproof camera or getting a copy of the photo/photos one of the guides takes during the tour. A photographer/guide is not a guaranteed part of the tour, so should you wish to arrange photos in advance, please let us know and we will make sure to have a photographer along on the trip.
Does Arctic Adventures provide life jackets on river rafting trips (personal floating device)?
Yes, we provide life jackets for everyone on the tour.
Is there a guide in each river rafting boat?
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified river guide in every boat.
How does the river grading system work?
GRADE 1: EASY
Fast moving water with very small waves and without obstructions. Passages are obvious and easily navigated. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.
GRADE 2: NOVICE
Simple rapids with regular small waves, easy eddies, and gradual bends. Wide, clear channels make navigating easy without scouting. Little manoeuvering is required, and rocks and obstructions are easily avoidable. Rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated Class II+.
GRADE 3: INTERMEDIATE
Rapids with strong currents, large waves, powerful hydraulics, and obstructions that may be difficult to avoid. Controlled manoeuvres are often required to navigate, although passages are simple and have relatively little objective danger. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Rapids at the lower and upper end of this difficulty range are designated Grade 3- and Grade 3+ respectively.
Grade 4: ADVANCED
Difficult yet predictable rapids with large, irregular waves, boiling eddies, powerful hydraulics, steeper gradient, and some unavoidable obstructions. Passages are often difficult to recognize, and require precise boat control and skillful manoeuvering to navigate. Scouting is likely necessary for safe passage, and self-rescue is difficult. Rapids at the lower and upper end of this difficulty range are designated Grade 4- and Grade 4+ respectively.
GRADE 5: EXPERT
Long, powerful, obstructed, and unpredictable rapids that expose paddlers to significant danger. Rapids are steep with large, unavoidable waves and major hydraulics, congested chutes, and many obstructions. Complex, demanding routes require precise boat control, “must make” moves, and a high level of mental and physical fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, and difficult to reach. Scouting is necessary but may be difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is often difficult even for experts. Proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential.
GRADE 6: EXTREME
All previous difficulties increased to the absolute limit of practicability, suitable for teams of specially prepared experts only. Runs of this classification are rarely attempted and often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible.
How far is Drumbo Base Camp from Reykjavik?
Drumbó is located about 98 kilometres from Reykjaík. See map for directions.
What are the facilities like at Drumbo Base Camp?
The Drumbó Base Camp has a reception, bar, seating area inside and out, showers and a sauna. It’s pretty much the perfect rafting base, or at least we think so…
What should I bring/wear on a river rafting tour at Hvita?
For lower body: Swimming wear (or a change of underclothing) to wear under your rafting pants and/or for the sauna and warm woollen socks.
For the upper body: Bring a warm fleece or a wool sweater to wear under your rafting jacket (it will get wet), any necessary medications (asthma inhalers, etc.) and a towel to dry off after your trip. Everything else we will provide.
Can I combine River Rafting with other activities in a one day tour?
Yes and we even have many options for you. We offer river rafting combined with other activities such as –
Beer Tasting
Whale Watching
Horse Riding
ATV’s
Golden Circle
Do I need to bring an extra set of clothes?
It is recommended that you bring a spare set of clothes as you will get wet when participating in Rafting. It will mean that you are able to change into nice dry clothes when the activity is finished.
Disclaimer
All our tours are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.
