Saturday: Arrival in Iceland – Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík

Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a hotel in Reykjavík.  After settling in, we meet in the hotel lobby and invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.   

Sunday: Reykjavík – Saltvík – Hvammsheiði – Saltvík Holiday Farm

Flight to Akureyri and drive to Saltvík Farm. Ride into the mountains along the river Laxá to the highland plateau Hvammsheiði. We cross the Laxá River at Thúfuvað ford at the end of our riding day. Tonight we stay at Saltvík Farm where the hot outdoor tubs are waiting. (25 km)

Monday: Laxárdalur – Lake Mývatn – Guesthouse Vogar

We continue our ride through Thegjandadalur (the quiet valley) to Laxárdalur valley, named by after famous salmon river, and follow the river all the way to Lake Mývatn. Here we stay overnight at guesthouse Vogar, situated in beautiful surroundings near the lake. Bustour at Lake Mývatn, famous for its geological wonders and rich bird life. Enjoy a nice hot bath in Jarðböð, a geothermal outdoor lagoon. (40 km)  

Tuesday: Vogar – Guesthouse Kiðagil

We continue our ride towards Mt. Sandfell, through the valleys of Engidalur and Bárðardalur, enjoying excellent riding paths throughout most of the day. Today we will view parts of the mighty Odáðahraun lava field, the largest lava field in Iceland and stay overnight at the cosy Guesthouse Kiðagil on the banks of the glacial river Skjálfandafljót. (40 km)

Wednesday: Kiðagil – Goðafoss – Hrifla – Saltvík Holiday Farm

We ride through Bárðardalur valley and follow mighty Skjálfandafljót River towards the magnificent waterfall Goðafoss. Riding on the river banks of this beautiful and historical waterfoll is a moment to remember! Our horses rest at the farm Hrifla while we drive to Saltvík for the overnight stay. (35 km)

Thursday: Hrifla – Fellskógur – Aðaldalshraun – Saltvík Holiday Farm

Enjoy a last riding day through beautiful landscape characterized by the rich birch forest Fellskógur and the vast lava fields of Aðaldalshraun. We cross Hvammsheiði heath before bringing the horses home to Saltvík farm where we spend another night and enjoy the hot outdoor tubs! (35 km)

Optional (available at an extra charge): Whale Watching

At Húsavík harbour a boat is waiting to go out on a whale watching cruise.

(Price per person ISK 5.000)

Friday: Saltvík – Reykjavík

Return to Akureyri and flight back to Reykjavík Domestic Airport with arrival at approx. 1:30 PM. Last night in a guesthouse in Reykjavík.

Saturday: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport

Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the flight back home.

As its name suggests, Iceland is cold, but not as cold as might be expected because of the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which regulate the climate. The summer temperatures in Reykjavík range from 41°F (5°C) at night to as high as 77°F (25°C) during the day. The average January temperature is 31°F (-0.5°C). The south is the wettest part of the country, but snow is rare. Coastal areas tend to experience winter gales and are generally windy. During the summer months there is almost continuous daylight; early spring and late autumn feature long twilights. From mid-November until the end of January, in the darkness of winter, the opposite is true, with the country only experiencing a few hours of daylight each day. The Northern Lights are often visible in autumn and early winter.

Despite its extreme north Atlantic situation, Reykjavik's climate is not as cold as might be expected, its average mid-winter temperatures being no lower than those in New York City. This is because the Icelandic coastal weather is tempered by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The city's coastal location does, however, also mean it is prone to wind, and gales are common in winter. Reykjavik is also a very wet city, having on average 213 rainy days out of the year, with spring having slightly more sunny days.

On this trip we exchange the usual sleeping bag accommodation for made up beds in double bed rooms. Bathroom facilities are shared but a shower is available every night. This is the only riding tour where we can offer accommodation in single rooms at an additional charge. 

Participants praise our meals, which consist of traditional Icelandic food (fish and lamb dishes). Vegetarian meals are available upon request.

A very special experience seldom to be experienced anywhere else but in Iceland - except maybe on some of our horse drives. On this ride you will be riding each day with a free running herd of horses. You may switch horses from time to time.

The Icelandic Horse
The origin of the horse in Iceland is exactly the same as the arrival of the first settlers from Scandinavia in the ninth century. Clearly, the horse was the catalyst that allowed the settlement of Iceland to go forward and prosper. Since no other breed of horse has ever been imported to Iceland, this special animal is a pure-bred "Viking Horse".
The horse was used for everything. They worked tilling the farmlands from dawn to dusk and provided transportation between the farms as they were settled. They went on scouting expeditions into this new territory in search of everything from water to grazing areas. Strong and sure footed, the Icelandic horse adjusted and adapted to this new land certainly as fast and most likely faster than the new settlers.
Viking battles were fought on horseback and the animal quickly adjusted to any situation that was presented to it. Is it any wonder that many of the slain Vikings warriors of the many battles in earlier times were often buried with their horses as a sign of honor and respect.
The Icelandic horse has many characteristics unique unto itself. Perhaps the most noticeable would be its intermediate size and the mane of shaggy hair. The five gaits of the horse are also one of the special features that sets it apart form all other horses. These gaits are the fetgangur, the walk or step, the brokk or trot, the tölt, which is a faster type of walk, the skeið or the pace and the stökk, or gallop.
On large farm areas, perimeter fences keep in most of the horses, but many are also simply allowed to run free. This most naturally accounts for the spirited nature of the animal. All of them seem to adapt to the personality of their owner. It is essential to establish a trust between the Icelandic horse and the rider. Doing so literally guarantees a friend for life. The passion and spirit of the Icelandic horse is never broken only brought under control. As a result, the Icelandic pure-bred horse remains one the world's most unique animals to this day.

Tack:		Icelandic
Horses:		Icelandic Horses
Pace:		Moderate with long toelts, 4-6 hours. 5 riding days, 175 km. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3.5 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Riders:		Min 8 riders	Max 14 riders

A very special experience seldom to be experienced anywhere else but in Iceland - except maybe on some of our horse drives. On this ride you will be riding each day with a free running herd of horses. You may switch horses from time to time.

The Icelandic Horse
The origin of the horse in Iceland is exactly the same as the arrival of the first settlers from Scandinavia in the ninth century. Clearly, the horse was the catalyst that allowed the settlement of Iceland to go forward and prosper. Since no other breed of horse has ever been imported to Iceland, this special animal is a pure-bred "Viking Horse".
The horse was used for everything. They worked tilling the farmlands from dawn to dusk and provided transportation between the farms as they were settled. They went on scouting expeditions into this new territory in search of everything from water to grazing areas. Strong and sure footed, the Icelandic horse adjusted and adapted to this new land certainly as fast and most likely faster than the new settlers.
Viking battles were fought on horseback and the animal quickly adjusted to any situation that was presented to it. Is it any wonder that many of the slain Vikings warriors of the many battles in earlier times were often buried with their horses as a sign of honor and respect.
The Icelandic horse has many characteristics unique unto itself. Perhaps the most noticeable would be its intermediate size and the mane of shaggy hair. The five gaits of the horse are also one of the special features that sets it apart form all other horses. These gaits are the fetgangur, the walk or step, the brokk or trot, the tölt, which is a faster type of walk, the skeið or the pace and the stökk, or gallop.
On large farm areas, perimeter fences keep in most of the horses, but many are also simply allowed to run free. This most naturally accounts for the spirited nature of the animal. All of them seem to adapt to the personality of their owner. It is essential to establish a trust between the Icelandic horse and the rider. Doing so literally guarantees a friend for life. The passion and spirit of the Icelandic horse is never broken only brought under control. As a result, the Icelandic pure-bred horse remains one the world's most unique animals to this day.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden who are only required to produce national identity cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin.
Passport Note
Iceland is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by all nationals of referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
2. EU nationals staying longer than 90 days will need to apply for a residence permit from the directorate of immigration in Iceland.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
A stay in another Schengen-Zone country counts as the same as a stay in Iceland.