Reykjavik: ATV & Rafting Tour

The best part of this day is the sharp change of pace. You begin on four wheels, rattling over rocky lava tracks toward Hafravatn Lake and Reykjavik Peak. Later, you trade dust and throttle for a wetsuit and paddle on the Hvítá River, where glacier water has carved Brúarhlöð Canyon.

I like the wide view from Reykjavik Peak, and I like the fact that the ATV section needs no previous driving experience. The rafting is the stronger half for anyone who wants real action, with 2 to 3 hours on the river and time for a hot tub and sauna afterward. The main drawback is that the day involves two separate operators and several transfers, so the advertised eight hours can feel less like eight solid hours of activity.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different adventures: Ride an ATV in the morning, then raft the Hvítá River near the Golden Circle.
• The ATV ride lasts one hour: It is relaxed and beginner-friendly, rather than a long wilderness expedition.
• Reykjavik Peak is the photo stop: You get panoramic views over Reykjavik and distant mountain ranges.
• Brúarhlöð Canyon is the rafting highlight: Water has shaped the canyon’s breccia walls into rock formations and portholes.
• The post-rafting facilities matter: Showers, sauna, and hot tubs are included at the Drumbó basecamp.
• Budget for food: Meals and drinks are not included, though you can buy them at the rafting basecamp.

Two operators, one active day

This is not a single-company outing from start to finish. Safari Quads handles the ATV portion and the first pickup. The rafting operator takes over for the river section, including the transfer to its basecamp and the ride back to Reykjavik.

That arrangement is worth understanding before you pay. After the ATV ride, you return toward Reykjavik for a break, then board another coach for the longer trip to the rafting basecamp. One part of the schedule includes about 30 minutes for the break in Reykjavik, followed by roughly 1.5 hours by bus or coach.

I would not book this expecting eight straight hours of driving, paddling, and racing. The stated duration includes hotel pickup, safety talks, road transfers, changing time, the city break, and the change between operators. The day still packs in plenty, but the active portions are the one-hour ATV ride and the 2 to 3-hour rafting trip.

Pickup is planned between 9:00 and 9:30 in the morning. You need to be ready at 9:00. Hotel pickup is available from Reykjavik locations, although hotels in restricted pickup areas may assign you to a nearby bus stop.

The ATV ride from lava tracks to Reykjavik Peak

The first section begins with a short van ride to the quad-bike basecamp. Your guide gives a safety briefing and driving instruction before you set off. You do not need earlier ATV experience, which makes this a practical choice if you want to try the activity without committing to a technically demanding ride.

You receive a helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear if needed. Bring a valid driver’s license if you plan to drive. Passengers do not need one, so you can ride along without taking the controls.

The one-hour route crosses rocky tracks in the Icelandic wilderness and continues toward Hafravatn Lake. The description emphasizes the roar of the ATV, but the route is also about the setting: black, rough ground, open mountain views, and the feeling of leaving the city behind quickly.

The ride then heads toward the summit of Reykjavik Peak Mountain. This is the most memorable part of the ATV section because it gives you a high view over Reykjavik and toward the mountain ranges beyond. You get time at the peak before making the descent.

I would set your expectations correctly. The ATV portion is short, and its appeal is the mix of simple off-road driving and scenery rather than a long, hard-driving expedition. One published assessment called the ride easy and relaxed, which is useful guidance. If you want speed, mud, and several hours on a quad bike, this will feel limited. If you want a manageable introduction with a good lookout, it fits better.

The provided clothing helps, but wear sturdy sneakers or hiking boots. Icelandic weather can turn wet and cold, so the supplied rain gear is more than a minor extra. Your warm underlayers will be especially important later, after you leave the ATV basecamp and prepare for the river.

The transfer from Reykjavik to the river

Once the quad-bike portion ends, Safari Quads returns you to the original pickup area. This is the handoff point in practical terms. You have a break in Reykjavik before continuing by coach to the rafting basecamp near the Golden Circle.

The road journey is part of the day’s scenery, not dead time. You travel through the southern region toward the Hvítá River, with the rafting basecamp set away from central Reykjavik. Still, this is the part that can make the schedule feel stretched. If you prefer one compact activity with little road time, book the ATV or rafting separately instead.

At the rafting basecamp, you change into the equipment supplied for the river. That includes a wetsuit, life jacket, neoprene shoes, helmet, and paddle. Bring a swimsuit, warm socks, fleece or wool layers, a change of clothes, and a towel. You will appreciate having dry clothing after the rafting, even with showers and hot tubs waiting at the end.

Food and drinks are not included in the price. You can order a grilled lamb meal or buy a drink at the basecamp, but plan for that extra cost. Coffee is included after the ATV tour at the quad-bike basecamp.

Rafting the Hvítá River and Brúarhlöð Canyon

The river section is the main event for many people. The Hvítá flows from Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier, and eventually feeds Gullfoss, one of the country’s best-known waterfalls. You experience this river from water level, not from a roadside viewpoint.

The rafting portion lasts 2 to 3 hours. The exact time on the water can vary, but it is far longer than the ATV ride. You paddle through a glacier-fed river environment and pass the rock formations of Brúarhlöð Canyon.

Brúarhlöð is the special scenic feature here. The Hvítá has cut into breccia, creating sculpted walls, holes, and unusual rock shapes. The canyon gives the raft trip more than a sequence of rapids. You get geology, river scenery, and the physical sensation of moving through a narrow passage shaped by water over time.

The rafting is described as fun with a touch of wildness, rather than an extreme expedition. That sounds right for the information provided: you receive instruction and all safety equipment, and the guides lead the group down the river. The activity is designed for people who want excitement without needing previous rafting experience.

I would give the rafting more weight when judging the $401 price. The ATV ride is a pleasant opener, but the longer river section supplies most of the active time and the strongest sense of adventure. If rafting is your priority, this combination gives you a way to add a short quad-bike ride and a full day of transport without arranging two separate bookings.

Hot tubs and sauna at Drumbó basecamp

After the river, you can use the showers, sauna, and hot tubs at Drumbó basecamp. This is not a throwaway perk. Cold water, wet gear, and a long day on the road make a warm soak genuinely useful.

Bring a towel because one is not listed among the supplied rafting equipment. You should also pack a complete dry outfit rather than relying only on the clothes you wore in the morning. The bathing suit is for the hot tubs, not just for changing beneath the wetsuit.

You can also order food at the basecamp. A grilled lamb meal gives the day a distinctly Icelandic finish, though it costs extra. If you are traveling on a tight budget, bring the spending plan for a meal and drink rather than assuming the $401 covers everything.

The post-rafting stop also gives you time to dry off and recover before the return trip. After a physically active river session, that pause can make the final transfer much more comfortable.

What the $401 price really covers

At $401 per person, this is a major day-trip purchase. The price includes morning pickup, the one-hour ATV ride, professional guiding, ATV clothing, the transfer to the rafting area, 2 to 3 hours of river rafting, all rafting equipment, and return transportation.

It also includes access to the sauna, showers, and hot tubs. Those extras have real value because you do not need to arrange a separate place to change or warm up after the river.

The price is easier to justify if you want both activities and prefer an organized day. You avoid arranging separate transport, finding an ATV company, booking a rafting operator, and working out how to connect the two. The tradeoff is efficiency. Two operators mean a city break and a second pickup, and the day can feel less polished than a one-company tour.

I would compare the package with booking the rafting alone. The rafting has the longer activity time and appears to be the more highly praised portion. If your main goal is river action, a direct rafting booking may provide better value. If you want a sampler of Icelandic adventure, the combined trip saves planning time and gives you two distinct settings in one day.

The cancellation terms are helpful for a weather-sensitive plan. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time when booking, since the pickup window begins at 9:00.

Who will enjoy this combination most

I would recommend the tour to active couples, friends, and families with children aged 11 or older who want a full day outside Reykjavik. It suits you particularly well if you like variety. One activity gives you a mountain lookout and vehicle control; the other gives you cold water, canyon walls, and teamwork.

It is also a good first ATV or rafting experience. No ATV background is required, passengers can ride without a license, and the rafting company supplies the required gear. The minimum age is 11, but children under 11 cannot join.

This is less suitable if you want a slow sightseeing day or if long transfers frustrate you. It is also not the right choice if you want a serious ATV challenge. The quad-bike ride is only one hour and is described as relaxed. The rafting supplies the greater share of excitement.

You should not bring alcohol or drugs. The rules specifically prohibit both. For the driver, a valid license is required, so do not leave it at your hotel.

Practical strengths and weak spots

The strongest point is variety. You see Reykjavik from above, cross rough mountain tracks, travel toward the Golden Circle, and then experience a glacier-fed river from a raft. Few details are repeated from one activity to the next.

The second strength is the equipment package. Helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and possible rain gear cover the ATV ride. Wetsuit, life jacket, neoprene shoes, helmet, and paddle cover the river. You still need the right base layers and a dry change of clothes, but you do not need to rent the main safety equipment yourself.

The main weak spot is the schedule. The ATV ride is much shorter than the rafting section, and the transfer between companies adds waiting and road time. One assessment found the quad-bike portion only moderately impressive but rated the rafting very highly. I would use that as a buying clue: think of this as a rafting day with an ATV bonus, not two equal-length adventures.

The operator coordination is another point to watch. You are picked up by Safari Quads, returned to the city, and then collected by the rafting company. Keep your phone charged, listen carefully to the meeting instructions, and confirm the pickup location if your hotel is in a no-pickup zone.

Should you book this ATV and rafting tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, active day that combines a short ATV ride with a substantial rafting trip, and you value included transport and post-river hot tubs. The views from Reykjavik Peak and the rock forms at Brúarhlöð Canyon give the day more variety than a single activity.

Think twice if you mainly want ATV driving, dislike transfers, or are watching every dollar. At $401, the package is best value when you genuinely want both activities. If rafting is your clear priority, book that section directly and spend the savings on food, drinks, or another Iceland experience.

For the best day, arrive ready at 9:00, wear sturdy shoes, carry warm layers, pack a swimsuit and towel, and bring your driver’s license. With those details sorted, you can focus on the two things this tour does best: mountain views from a quad bike and the cold, fast rush of the Hvítá River.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and rafting tour last?

The scheduled duration is eight hours. This includes pickup, road transfers, safety instructions, a break in Reykjavik, changing time, the one-hour ATV ride, and 2 to 3 hours of rafting.

What time is pickup in Reykjavik?

You need to be ready at 9:00 in the morning. Pickup takes place between 9:00 and 9:30 from participating Reykjavik hotels and designated bus stops.

Do I need an ATV license or previous experience?

All ATV drivers must have a valid driver’s license. Previous ATV experience is not required. Passengers do not need a license.

What equipment is included?

For the ATV ride, you receive a helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear if needed. For rafting, the operator provides a wetsuit, life jacket, neoprene shoes, helmet, and paddle.

What should I bring for the rafting section?

Bring warm undergarments, a fleece or wool sweater and pants, warm socks, a swimsuit, a towel, and a complete change of clothes. Sneakers or hiking boots are suggested.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase at the rafting basecamp. A grilled lamb meal and drinks can be ordered there, while coffee after the ATV tour is included.