1.    Is there a minimum/maximum age group you allow to join?

For sea kayaking day trips there is a 16 year minimum (if accompanied by a guardian), for the multi day kayaking trips the minimum is 18 years.

For most other activities we offer the age limit is 14 years (e.g. caving, glacier hiking, ice climbing, river rafting, snorkeling).

Depending on the trip you would like to join there are set minimums and guaranteed departures, you can see these in the details sections of each trip. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

  

 2.    How experienced do you have to be?

For the kayaking day trip no previous experience is required as our professional guide will teach the technique on location.

For the Langisjór Kayak Expedition no previous experience is required, but you should be in a relatively good physical shape to undertake the trip.

On our extended open sea kayak tour it is recommended that you have some kayaking experience and being in relatively good physical shape and a keen spirit of adventure is also good to have.

 

3.    How fit do you have to be?

Our day trips are on the whole pretty easy going and most people can do it. But as said before, sea kayaking is an outdoor sport set in the Icelandic NatureThe multi day trips are more challenging, with more paddling, hiking and on some trip you will have to help make camp and more. The average person is a relatively good shape should have few problems (would reconsider if you are seriously out of shape)

 4.    How far & duration do you paddle?

On our day trips:  2-4 hours of paddling, how far you paddle depends on wind, swell, waves, weather, ability of the members of your group etc.

On the Langisjór Expedition tour you paddle for 2 days (+1 day hike and for transport) on a sheltered lake up in the Icelandic highlands.

On the Island Hopping in Iceland sea kayak tour you paddle for 3,5-4 days (+1 day hike & 1 day for transport) on the Breidafjordur bay in West Iceland.

    

5.    Will there be a guide?

All our kayaking tours are operated by experienced and certified professional sea kayak guides (and same goes for any tour we operate for that matter).

  

6.    What kind of kayaks do you use?

We use top of the line plastic sea kayaks.

7.    Are the kayaks stable?

Our kayaks are very stable and easy to use

8.    Can the kayaks tip over?

Yes they can tip over although they are very stable. If they tip over the guide has the necessary equipment and ability to quickly tip them over again.
If the kayaks tip over participants do not have to worry too much, all participants get life jackets and neoprene suits so they will stay warm if they fall in.
To minimize the risk of this happening it is up to our guides to make the final decision whether or not the groups head out to sea. We never, and I underline NEVER, head out if weather is bad. All our trips are subject to weather and we reserve the right to change or cancel any trip if we feel that customer safety is compromised.

9.    Can the kayaks sink?

No they can´t sink. How ever if they tip over they will fill with water, your guide will help you to easily empty it out before you

10.    Can anything be taken in the kayaks ie camera, are they permitted?

You can take things in the kayaks (e.g. waterproof camera would be a good idea). Not recommended to take too much in the day trip (as there is really no need for it) but you can fit all necessary equipment you need for the multi day tours in the kayaks.

11.    Do kayakers need any special clothing or equipment?

For the day trip bring warm outdoor clothing, i.e. fleece sweater and pants, change of clothing and swimwear. Similar for the multi day tours, but you simply need more of it and other stuff to! Click here to view our sea kayaking equipment list for extended trip.

12.    How big is the group size?

Day trips max 12 people
Multi day 4-8 people

How do I book and what information do you need from me?

There are a few different ways you can book our trips. First of all you can book almost all our trips right here on our website. There is a booking window on each trip page and we do recommend that you book and pay for your trip there with some time to spare as we keep our groups small and frequently sell out.

If the trip you would like to book is not bookable online then you can call us directly at our office, the phone number is 00354 562 7000. Another way is to send us an e-mail with an inquiry, our e-mail address is info@adventures.is . What we need to have is your name, how many people are in your party, where you are staying and some way of contacting you either an e-mail or a phone number.

How do I pay?

There are three ways in which you can pay for the trips that you book with us.

1. You can pay through the internet, through our booking website. This is by far the easiest, safest and fastest way to reserve and pay for your adventure. If you choose this way then you will receive a voucher via e-mail which you will need to print and bring along on your trips. If you are going on a multi day trip then you will receive one voucher for all of the trips via e-mail and we will make you separate vouchers for each of your trips, which will be waiting your arrival in Iceland at our office at Laugavegur 11.

2. You can pay via phone, the phone number is +354 562 7000. If you choose to pay through phone then your vouchers will be waiting for you when you come to Iceland, either at our office at Laugavegur 11 or at your hotel.

3. Sometimes you can pay when you arrive to start your trip, but this is only possible in special circumstance.

Please Note: However you pay, you will always get a voucher: REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR VOUCHER ALONG FOR YOUR TRIP!

Where is your Reykjavík Office located and when are you open?

Our office is at Laugavegur 11, the main shopping street in Reykjavík. There you can get all the information that you need, be it about the trips that you want to go to or just general information about Reykjavík. You can also book and pay for various day trips. Over the summer season (June-August) we are open from 08:00-21:00 Monday-Saturday and 10:00-18:00 on Sundays. All other times of year we are open 10:00-18:00 Mondays-Fridays, 11:00-16:00 Saturdays and closed on Sundays. But you can reach on our emergency cell phone line: +354-898-0410.

What is your cancelation policy?

Click here to read details on our cancelation policy.

What is assumed risk when participating in outdoor activities?

Click here to read more about what it means to take part in outdoor activities.

What currency do you accept?

We only accept the Icelandic króna. Our website presents prices is ISK and in EURO, the EURO price is obtained by converting it with the currency exchange rate of the Icelandic Federal Bank. If you would like to calculate the price of our tours in some other currency you can do so here.

Do you do private departures?

Yes we arrange private departures on all of our trips, please contact our office for further information: Info@adventures.is

How do Arctic Adventures, Arctic Rafting, the Glacier Guides and Reykjavík Backpackers connect?

We are one family of companies that work together and share facilities (f.ex. we all have the same office in Reykjavík). We also share guides, vehicles and equipment in order to run an organized and professional operation. All of these companies are run by guides and adventures and owned by guides and adventurers.

How long have you been in business?

We have been in rafting on the Hvítá river since 1983 which makes us one of the longest running rafting operations in Europe. Since the late 1990s we have been adding more and more activities to our selection. So we are NOT a travel agency, we are an adventure operator, owned by guides and world travelers and run by guides and adventurers.

What is the minimum age for a participant on a your tours?

Each one of our tours have unique characteristics and different age limits, how ever you can generally assume that kids 10 years and older, with shoe size 35 EURO or larger can participate in our tours more easy going tours. On demanding tours we generally have a age limit of 18 years. On motorized activity tours participants that want to drive (f.ex. snowmobiles) you will need to be at least 17 years old and hold a valid driving license. Younger kids and those that would not like to drive can in most cases sit at the back of the quad or snowmobile. Here below you can see a few examples of our age limits.

On the River Fun Tour: Kids 12 years old and older can raft the whole river if accompanied by a guardian. Kids between 10 and 12 can raft half way, for half price.

On the Wonderful West the minimum age is 10 years if accompanied by a guardian.

On the River Ride the minimum age is 18 years.

On the Beast of the East the minimum age is 18 years.

Do I have to know how to swim to go on river rafting and/or sea kayaking?

Yes, absolutely, each paddler on a rafting boat or a kayak has to know how to swim.

Can I drink alcohol before or during your tours?

No absolutely not. The consumption of alcohol makes you more prone to hypothermia and makes you to unpredictable mistakes (as you probably know : ). It is therefore strictly prohibited, if we suspect that participants are intoxicated we will prohibit them from joining the tour.

What do I have to bring with me for my tour?

Each tour is different and you will need to bring different things. How ever there are certain things that you always have to bring with you. Remember this is ICEland and for you to have a pleasant experience here in the High North it is vital that you bring good outdoor clothing. No one should come to Iceland (it does no matter if you are coming in summer or winter) with out a good water and wind proof jacket and pants, good, sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes, a warm hat that breaks the wind, good warm gloves, good warm woolen or other thermal undergarments. In Iceland there is no such thing a bad weather, just bad equipment and not the right clothing.

For rafting in South Iceland you have to bring; your swimming wear (or a change of underclothing) to wear under your rafting pants, a warm fleece or a wool sweater to wear under your rafting jacket (it will get wet) and a towel to dry of after your trip. Every thing else we will provide. Click here to see the equipment we will provide for you on your rafting trip.

Here is short briefing on safety and insurance:

Ensuring the safety of all our participants is our first and foremost priority. However, due to the nature of rafting as an outdoor and adventure activity, we are subject to the same environmental risks as in any wild natural environment. Should you wish to participate in one of our rafting trips, we ask you to be prepared to sign a contract with us stipulating that you are fit to participate in such activities and assume all risks inherent in doing so.

Do I need a insurance before going on one of your trips?

We recommend that you have personal health insurance coverage when participating in adventure activities in Iceland, we actually recommend that when ever and where ever you travel you take out a good travel insurance..as world travelers our selves it has saved us money and aggravation many times..

If I am travelling solo, can I book a trip or is there always a minimum of 2 people?

There is a minimum of 2 people for most of our trips, we usually run the trips on the guaranteed departure dates. If you are interested in some trips and are travelling solo we can put you on waiting list and contact you if more people book the trip.