Canyoning under the Vatnajökull Glacier starting near Höfn

Organized by Ice Guardians
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Activity Snapshot

Fitness level: Occasionally sporty
Duration: 5 hrs
Spoken languages: English
Minimum age: From 12 years-old and up
Cancellation policy: flexible More info

Activity description

Enjoy canyoning in Iceland under Europe's most voluminous glacier, Vatnajökull. Known around the world, make some memories navigating through this pristine environment with trained professionals who work in these lands daily.

You will start by meeting the guides at the meeting point where you will be provided wetsuits, gloves, and booties. Then you'll be outfitted with technical equipment for your safety and enjoyment. There will be a brief about the trip and go for a short walk up a sheep trail to a place where you can practice abseiling on dry land, before continuing to the upper part of the canyon via a short 15-minute walk (depending on group's pace). There will be a gentle introduction to the clear spring water and begin learning how to move about safely before abseiling the first waterfall to enter the depths of the canyon, as you move through the canyon, there will always be one guide with the group as they work in tandem rigging anchors and ropes to prepare the next stage. The stages include, more abseils, jumps, and slides. In between these stages, you will wade through the shallow river witnessing some spectacular coves and rocky walls with native and planted trees on the cliff edges.

After about ~3 hours in the canyon, then you will return back to the start where you will get some hot drinks and a sweet treat you dry up and get changed.

Offer Description

- Difficulty rating: 2/5

- 8 participants per 2 guides

Activity requirements

Canyoning experience is NOT necessary. You will be taken through techniques that will be required to get down the canyon safely for the day.

- Not recommended for people with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions

- Minimum age 12 (the guides have the right to ask for ID for safety reasons, all children must be accompanied by adults for the duration of the trip.)

You should be able to:
- hike with ease up to 5km on uneven ground, in low rolling hill terrain.
- spend 5 hours outdoors with frequent breaks
- swim 20m.
- use your whole body to move freely when scrambling in a river.
- spend ~3 hours in cool water in a wetsuit.

Special terms

- You will be asked to declare any medical conditions to your guide/s that will or could have an impact on a trip.

Included
  • 2 Certified Adventure Guides
  • Hooded 5mm Wetsuit
  • Helmet
  • Neoprene Boots & Gloves
  • Personal Safety Lanyards
  • Coffee, Hot Chocolate or Tea (after)
  • Tasty Icelandic Snack
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Transfers
  • Lunch
Do not forget to bring
  • Towel
  • Waterproof Phone Case or GoPro/Action Camera
  • Dry Change of Clothes for After
  • Thick Hiking Socks (will get wet)
  • Swimsuit/Slim fitting synthetic sports t-shirt/bra
  • Food
  • Flip flops/Watershoes (walking around campsite)
100% secure payments
by credit card or Paypal
Meeting point
Haukafell Campground, 781 Hornafjörður (30mins outside of Höfn) Get directions

Cancellation policy

Cancellation 4 days or more prior to the agreed activity date
You will be automatically refunded for the full amount for the activity
4 days
Cancellation between 48 and 96 hours prior to the agreed activity date
You are entitled to a 50% refund
48 hrs
Cancellation 48 hours or later prior to the agreed activity date
No refund will be possible
Weather Guarantee
Regardless of the date, if the activity is cancelled due to bad weather conditions, you will be offered a refund or the chance to reschedule