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Golden Circle & Hvítá River Rafting Tour

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See Iceland’s Iconic Landmarks and Enjoy a Glacial Water Adventure

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Gullfoss Canyon beautiful turquoise waters with rafts flowing down with small group tour

Small groups rafting down Hvita river in Golden Circle, Iceland.

Tourists rafting in the rapids of Hvita river.

Golden Circle route gullfoss waterfall surrounded by green grass and grey skies in spring

Beautiful geysir erupting in to orange sunset skies and reflection to ground

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About Tour

Raft the twisting currents of the Hvítá River, a glacier-fed stream winding through South Iceland. After the river run, slow things down with time in the sauna at the base. Recharged and ready to continue, head out to explore the iconic Golden Circle and experience all three of its must-see sights in one smooth journey!

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Highlights

Raft the glacial Hvítá River
Navigate splashy Class II rapids
Explore the iconic Golden Circle route
See Strokkur geyser eruptions
Stand before thundering Gullfoss waterfall
Walk the continental gap in Thingvellir National Park

Included

Pick-up and drop-off service within Reykjavík
Guided sightseeing along the Golden Circle
Rafting experience on the scenic Hvítá River with an expert guide
Rafting gear: wetsuit, life jacket, neoprene shoes, helmet, and paddle
Access to hot tubs, sauna, and showers at the river base

What to bring

Warm base layers (fleece/wool sweater and pants)
Warm socks
A change of clothing
Bathing suit & towel

Tour Snapshot

Availability May - Sept

Duration 12 hours

Departs From Reykjavik

Level Moderate

Minimum age 11 years

Ratio 1:10

Meet on Location No

Pickup Yes

Small Group Experience

• More attention from your guide

Expert Guides

• Deep local knowledge

From

331

Per

Adult

No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment

From

331

Per Adult

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Itinerary

We’ll start with a scenic rafting tour down the amazing glacier-fed Hvítá River. The river has a perfectly balanced mix of rugged rocky walls and adrenaline-pumping waves and rapids. On our adventure down the stream, we pass through the magnificent Brúarhlöð (Bruarhlod) canyon, where participants can refresh themselves with a leap into the river!

After the activity, it’s time to unwind at the rafting base. Enjoy a hot shower, soak in hot tubs, and relax in the new, award-winning Finnish sauna. The on-site bar and restaurant are also available if you’d like to grab something to eat or drink.

Refreshed, we set out for Iceland’s legendary Golden Circle. First up is the explosive Geysir geothermal area. While the famous Geysir is no longer active, the neighboring Strokkur steals the show, blasting water 15–20 m (49–66 ft) into the air every 4–10 minutes.

Next, feel the raw power of the Gullfoss waterfall. Often called the queen of Icelandic waterfalls, Gullfoss plunges 32 m (105 ft) into a rugged canyon, roaring with breathtaking force.

Our final stop is Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s most important historical and geological landmarks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where the Viking parliament, Alþingi—the oldest surviving parliament in the world—was founded over a thousand years ago. Even more striking is the dramatic rift valley, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly pull apart beneath your feet.

Our adventure ends with a drive back to Reykjavík and a drop-off at your original location.

Please note

This experience combines two separate tours. If one part is canceled, you can still join the other portion of the trip.

The tour begins at 09:00 AM, with pick-up starting at 08:30 AM from your selected location in Reykjavik. Please be ready 5 minutes early and allow up to 30 minutes for everyone to be on the way. Available locations: Arctic Adventures’ pick-up list.

For safety reasons, this tour isn’t suitable for pregnant guests or non-swimmers.

Golden circle and river rafting tour interactive map

Explore the top attractions of the tour with our interactive map

Reviews

Based on 1 reviews

Golden Circle & Hvítá River Rafting Tour

FAQ

How is it best to be ready for a pick-up for a tour with Arctic Adventures?

This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.

Here you should wait for your guide.

Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.

Can I drink alcohol before or during Arctic Adventures tours?

Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.

After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.

Do you offer any family friendly tours, for younger children?

Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.

Can the itinerary for the tour change?

Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.

Is there a guide on each Arctic Adventures tour?

Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.

All of our tours are guided in English.

Can the guide advise if I am eligible for rescheduling the tour and/or a refund?

No, our guides are not able to provide information on these matters, but our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask that you reach out to our customer care team regarding any questions or concerns.

What type of power outlets are used in Iceland? Do I need to bring an adapter?

The standard in Iceland is 230V and 50Hz and we use F-type power sockets and plugs, so you might have to bring an adaptor if you are visiting from UK, USA, Canada or other countries using a different voltage, Hz or plugs.

How are the tours rated in terms of difficulty?

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

How does carbon offsetting work?

We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.

The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.

Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.

Do you offer a tour that is solely the Golden Circle?

Yes, we offer the tour Golden Circle small group tour which is basically the Golden Circle with some extra stops. This tour is focusing on sightseeing and the history of Iceland. Our stops are Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir national park (home to one of the first parliaments of the world), Geysir hot spring area and the historic Skálholt cathedral. View Golden Circle Tours.

I want to book the Golden Circle in combination to another tour, what are my options?

We offer numerous options to spice up your Golden Circle tour and make the most of your day. Here is a list of some great tours.

All year-around options:

Summer season:

Winter season:

What sights will I see on the Golden Circle?

The tour is based around the three most popular attractions in Iceland Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and The Great Geysir. We offer several Golden Circle trips that combine sightseeing with some of our adventure tours.