Arctic Adventures - Iceland

Story

Founded in 1983 in Reykjavík, Arctic Adventures is Iceland's leading tour operator, creating eco-friendly journeys into the country's spectacular wilderness. From humble beginnings as an outdoor adventure company, the business has grown into a trusted provider of glacier hiking, snowmobiling, whale watching, trekking, camping, sightseeing, and multi-day adventures. Every journey invites you to discover Iceland's wild beauty from every angle through carefully crafted experiences led by passionate outdoor experts.

The team behind Arctic Adventures brings together experienced professionals from around the world who share a passion for glaciers, hiking, ice climbing, exploration, and Iceland's remarkable landscapes. United by a deep respect for nature, expert guides create safe, immersive, and memorable adventures that allow you to connect with Iceland's glaciers, volcanoes, rivers, caves, and wilderness. Small-group tours with 6 to 19 travelers provide a more personal experience, giving you time to explore without crowds while enjoying expert guidance, comfort, and safety.

Over the years, Arctic Adventures continues expanding through innovative experiences and trusted regional brands, including Arctic Rafting, Into the Glacier, The Lava Tunnel, and Your Day Tours. Today, the company welcomes more than 150,000 travelers each year while remaining committed to adventure, passion, teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement. Every journey reflects decades of expertise and a belief that nature offers the greatest adventure.

Mission

Arctic Adventures' mission is to make the magic of nature accessible to all and to help people make memories of a lifetime.

Vision

Arctic Adventures protects Iceland's fragile wilderness through sustainable tourism and responsible travel. The company works in harmony with nature, local communities, and conservation partners by supporting local businesses, reducing environmental impact, offsetting operational carbon emissions, and promoting environmentally responsible practices. Every journey follows the principle that nature is the adventure, encouraging you to leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, and preserve Iceland's extraordinary landscapes for future generations.

Values

• Passion: Arctic Adventures brings energy, enthusiasm, and innovation to everything we do.
• Adventure: Arctic Adventures explore, create, and embrace the unknown.
• Commitment: Arctic Adventures strives for excellence and continuous improvement.
• Respect: Arctic Adventures act responsibly and honor the land we operate in.
• Teamwork: Arctic Adventures support, collaborate, and grow together.

Arctic Adventures makes sustainability part of every journey. You explore Iceland with a company that builds its tours, guide training, and daily operations around responsible travel, helping protect the country's fragile landscapes while supporting local communities and future generations.

Environmental responsibility guides every aspect of Arctic Adventures' operations. The company published its first 2025 Sustainability Report and ESG disclosure to measure, share, and continuously improve its environmental, social, and governance performance. Arctic Adventures also powers operations with renewable energy, reduces emissions, offsets its remaining carbon footprint, and continues expanding its fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles alongside a growing charging network.

As a Vakinn Gold-Class Environmental Certificate holder, Arctic Adventures meets Iceland's highest standards for environmental responsibility, ethical business practices, and quality tourism. This certification reflects a commitment to safe and responsible adventures, reduced environmental impact, conservation education, waste reduction, carbon offsetting, and continuous improvement.

Protecting Iceland's wilderness remains a top priority. Arctic Adventures follows a Leave No Trace approach by minimizing environmental impact during every tour. Guides educate you about responsible travel, encourage you to stay on marked trails, remove litter from tour areas, and help leave every destination in the same condition—or better—than it was found. The company also organizes clean-up projects across Iceland, including conservation efforts at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, helping preserve these remarkable landscapes for wildlife and future visitors.

Daily operations focus on practical sustainability. Arctic Adventures reduces emissions by upgrading to electric and hybrid vehicles, training guides in eco-driving techniques, limiting vehicle idling, supporting public transportation, and prioritizing locally sourced products to reduce transport-related emissions. Waste reduction initiatives include recycling, eliminating unnecessary single-use items, properly disposing of hazardous materials, accepting electronic travel documents, reducing printed materials, and ensuring no waste or contaminants remain in natural environments.

Wildlife conservation also plays an important role. Arctic Adventures follows the IceWhale Code of Conduct during whale-watching tours to minimize disturbance to marine wildlife and supports the Orca Guardians initiative for responsible killer whale viewing. Guides also encourage respectful wildlife encounters and responsible behavior throughout every experience.

The company strengthens local communities by purchasing from Icelandic farmers, producers, and small businesses while supporting authentic cultural experiences in remote communities. Arctic Adventures also partners with organizations including SafeTravel Iceland, Promote Iceland's Icelandic Pledge, and SoGreen, promoting responsible travel, climate education, and community development.

Long-term sustainability extends beyond daily operations. Arctic Adventures supports reforestation and carbon reduction through partnerships that help restore Iceland's forests and invest in science-based climate initiatives. By choosing Arctic Adventures, you help protect Iceland's landscapes, wildlife, communities, and natural heritage while ensuring future generations can continue to experience the country's extraordinary wilderness.