Golden South

Introduction
West Iceland
This tour features a variety of landscape and  takes us not only to the most famous natural sights in the south of Iceland but also to remote part in the highlands. We follow narrow paths between moss-covered lava and green hills around volcano Hengill to the hidden Valley of Horses and continue through soft grass to the beautiful and shimmering Lake Thingvallavatn. We visit the ancient site at the Thingvellir gorge, where Icelanders gathered from 930 to hold their parliament, and ride through forests and across the heather towards the hot springs at Geysir. After a stop to visit the giant waterfall Gullfoss we continue into the uninhabited highlands, with Langjökull glacier in the background. On the way to the east we cross the highland desert between the glacial rivers Hvitá and Þjórsá, Iceland’s longest river. We then ride through black lava fields, visit the waterfall of the Thieves and enjoy soft trails in a beautiful forest. The tour ends with a ride through the grassy hills alongside the majestic volcano Hekla. The last tour goes in the opposite direction.

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a progressive ride so you will be staying in different locations each night.

Description
Accommodation during the tour is at farms, guesthouses, community centers and simple mountain huts (sometimes dormitory style accommodation). Please, bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Bathrooms are shared everywhere except while staying at the accommodations in Vellir.
Wi-Fi access is only available at the accommodations in Vellir. There are no laundry facilities available during this trip.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Guesthouse in Vellir
Night 2: Farmhouse in Kolvidarhóll
Night 3: Mountain Hut in Skógarhólar
Night 4: Guesthouse Myrkholt
Night 5: Helgaskáli Mountain Hut
Night 6: Hólaskógar Mountain Hut
Night 7: Community center in Brúarlundur



Guesthouse in Vellir
You will sleep in made-up beds at the riding farm's guesthouse (2-4 bed rooms, shared facilities - no double beds). The guesthouse offers a comfortable living room, shared bathroom facilities, tea kettle that can also be used to make instant coffee, and small refrigerator. Guests that stay at the guesthouse are welcome to use all facilities and services of our Hotel, including the hot tub.
An upgrade to our hotel is possible for a supplement (if rooms available).

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, a single supplement fee applied.
Single room accommodations are subject to availability.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.

The chefs try and provide a nice variety of foods. Specialties include fish, kjötsúpa (an Icelandic soup, with meat, vegetable and rice) and BBQ.

Alcohol is not included in the price. However, we do bring wine, beer and soda on tour for those who would like to buy it at a discounted price.
We do not allow the consumption of alcohol while people are riding – for instance at lunchtime.

Dietary Restrictions
We are able to cater to most dietary needs with prior notice. However, we are unable meet the needs of those who have food allergies which cause anaphylaxis.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
This ride is suitable for intermediate riders, with a secure, balanced seat and a good physical condition. We ride up to 45 km per day mostly in the gait tölt and take a herd of free-running horses with us part of the tour, which requires a certain speed.

Pace
We cover about 215km total over 7 riding days. On average, we ride between 4-9 hours every day, covering approx. 20 - 45 km.

Tack and Riding Style
The riding style in Iceland is similar to English riding. We use simple snaffle bits, bridles with detachable nosebands and clips on the end of the reins so they can be easily removed when grazing. Our saddles are comfortable with soft, rather flat seat, it is not necessary to bring saddle seat pads.

Riding Gear – Disinfect!
Used boots, riding wear, helmets, saddlebags etc. must be disinfected before arrival in Iceland.  Chaps, bridles and other used leather gear must not be brought to Iceland. That is because infectious, contagious diseases can easily be brought into the country, which poses a great threat for the horses, as they are not vaccinated. Riding wear is normally washed and shoes and are washed and cleaned with VirkonS, Iodine or some other fluid disinfectant.
We can lend you a riding helmet for the length of the tour.
Backpacks, large cameras, selfie sticks and other bulky items cannot be taken on horseback tours. Small waist bags are allowed.

Horses
Since 2007, our breeding program has followed two fundamental ideas. First, we strive to breed well-behaved and well-gaited riding horses that ought to suit most of our guests. Second, we breed horses with experienced riders in mind, suitable for riding classes and the company’s horse shows. As our greatest challenge has always been combining well-behaved and reliable horses with soft and simple gaits, we invested in mares that are likely to produce the expected results. Another important factor in achieving the desired outcome is choosing the right stallion for those mares.

Free running herd of horses
Experience the diversity of the Icelandic horse in its natural environment, far from civilization. On this trip, we travel with herd of free-running horses, as Icelanders used to travel in the old days. You may switch horses from time to time.

Itinerary


Sample itinerary- subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
The tour starts in the evening. Tour members who arrive the same day to Iceland should take the “Flybus” from the airport to BSÍ final bus stop in Reykjavík (not included). We will greet you at the bus station or at your hotel/ guesthouse in Reykjavik for 5:30 pm and drive you to our farm Vellir near Hveragerði. There you will be lodged at our guesthouse. We will get to know each other during the dinner and the day will end with a detailed description of the tour.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 2: Hveragerði to Kolvidarhóll
We start the day by getting to know the horses in the paddock. After lunch, we follow the old route from Hveragerdi to Hellisheidi. When we reach the moor, we continue to the Hengill volcano along the Kristnitökuhraun lava field. This lava came from the eruption of Hengill in the year 1000, the same year Iceland officially became Christian. The old folktales say that the eruption was the revenge of the old gods Thór, Ódinn and Freyr. We continue on the track between lava and hills (“milli hrauns og hlidar”), down to Kolvidarhóll, where people have stopped to rest for hundreds of years. The night will be spent at the farm.
Riding 21 km ( approx. 4 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kolvidarhóll

Day 3: Kolvidarhóll to Heiðarbær
We continue our ride North, below the Húsmúli and Hengill mountains. We dismount and lead the horses to Marardalur (Valley of Horses). We ride through Dyrfjöll (Door mountains) and alongside Sköflungur. When we reach the mountaintop, we have a view over Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland. After arriving near Heiðarbær, we will end the day with the sightsseeing at the old Althing, aka Thingvellir (Old Icelandic Parliament). From here, it is not far to Skógarhólar, where we spend the night in a mountain hut. Iceland’s national horse competition Landsmot was held in Skógarhólar until 1978.
Riding 38 km (approx. 6-7 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Heiðarbær Mountain Hut

Day 4: Skógarhólar to Laugarvatn
Today, we ride across the Thingvellir National Park. From Gjábakki we have an exceptional view over the park, lake Thingvallavatn and the stunning volcanic landscape around it. This is the area where the North American and European continental plates meet. The plates are drifting apart about 2 cm per year on average, which has created a beautiful valley.
We cross Lyngdalsheidi Moor, and stop at the Laugarvatnshellir lava caves before we finish the day’s ride outside the village of Laugarvatn, named after the nearby lake. The lake is heated by underwater hot springs.
From there, we are transferred to Guesthouse Myrkholt and then we go on a sightseeing tour to the famous “golden waterfall” Gullfoss, and to the Geysir hot spring area in Haukadalur.
Riding 35 km ( approx. 6-7 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse Myrkholt

Day 5: Myrkholt to Helgaskáli
From Myrkholt, we continue up towards the Icelandic highlands, leaving the inhabited farmlands. On our way into the desert-like landscape, we have a magnificent view over the glacial river Hvítá (“white river”), and we can see how the river, over hundreds of years, has shaped the mountain, flowing deeper and deeper into it. We spend the night in a mountain hut called Helgaskáli beside the Litla-Laxá River.
Riding 35 km ( approx. 6-7 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Helgaskáli Mountain Hut

Day 6: Helgaskáli to Hólaskógar
We continue riding through the fascinating, wide landscape in the highlands where we can actually listen to the silence until we reach Háifoss, which is the second highest waterfall in Iceland (122 meters). Our destination for today is the Hólaskógar hut, which is located in a very special and varied environment.
Riding 20 km (approx. 4 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Hólaskógar Mountain Hut

Day 7: Hólaskógur to Fellsmúli
The tour continues along Iceland’s longest river: Thjórsá. We pass the Mt. Búrfell, which, in the old days, was the home of trolls, and Tröllkonuhlaup (the place where a troll woman jumped over the river). After some kilometres along the river, we get a magnificent view over Thjófafoss (the Waterfall of the Thieves), about which many stories are told. We can see the Mt. Hekla volcano when we leave the horses at the Fellsmúli Farm. We spend the night at the old community center of Brúarlundur.
Riding 45 km (approx. 8 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Brúarlundur Community Center

Day 8: Ride along the Eystri-Rangá River
The whole day, we have the Hekla volcano in view. Hekla volcano is Iceland’s most active volcano and was once called the entrance to hell. We ride in a loop, leaving the horses at Fellsmúli. Drop off in Reykjavik and end of tour.
Riding 24 km ( approx. 4 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Golden South

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Reykjavik
Airport: Keflavik Airport
Transfer: Reykjavik BSI central bus station on Day 1 at 5:30PM or hotels/guesthouse

Climate:
                                                Reykjavík area