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Just below the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, a magnificent canyon makes for a fantastic rafting location. Raft down the white waters of Hvítá River and the canyon surrounding it, witnessing rocky walls up close and personal. Afterwards, relax in a sauna and enjoy drinks and burgers at the bar and restaurant. This tour is available as a meet-on-location or with a convenient Reykjavík pick-up.
Availability
May - Sept
Duration
3 hours / 8 hours
Departs From
Drumbó River Base / Reykjavik
Level
Moderate
From
Rafting down the Hvítá River is a magnificent way to experience Icelandic nature. Hvítá means “White River,” and the people who named it clearly knew something about the kind of roaring whitewater you’ll encounter!
The Hvítá River also flows over Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most visited cascades in Iceland. Our journey begins a little further downstream.
Cruise down the great river running all the way from Langjökull glacier, Iceland’s second-biggest ice cap. The river has been shaping this landscape for thousands of years, with Brúarhlöð canyon as one of its most striking sections. Tall rock walls rise on both sides of the canyon, marked by smooth curves and holes carved by fast-moving water.
For an extra boost of adrenaline, take a refreshing leap from the Brúarhlöð cliffs into the glacial waters of the canyon—an exhilarating experience for the brave ones.
Rafting the river takes around 90 minutes. Afterward, you’ll have time to relax at the rafting base, with access to showers, hot tubs, and a sauna. An on-site restaurant and bar are also available if you’d like to grab something to eat or drink.
Pick-up from Reykjavík begins at 12:30 PM from selected locations in Reykjavík. As collecting all guests can take up to 30 minutes, we kindly ask for your patience. Available locations: Arctic Adventures’ pick-up list.
Meet on Location: Arrive directly at Drumbo River Base for an 11:00 AM or 3:00 PM departure. Please be there 15 minutes early. When meeting on location, the rafting experience lasts approximately 3 hours.
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.
You are not able to participate in the rafting tour if you are pregnant.
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.
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
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.
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…
Drumbó is located about 98 kilometres from Reykjaík. See map for directions.
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.
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified river guide in every boat.
Yes, we provide life jackets for everyone on the tour.
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.
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.
Yes, absolutely, each paddler on a rafting boat has to know how to swim.
