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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Iceland
Intro to Iceland
East and South Highland Tours Iceland Shorts Northern Tours West
Also see:
Hiking Trips
Horseback in:
Norway
Finland
Europe Overview
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Ride on the Wild Side
East and South
Iceland
Imagine yourself back in the 19th century when mail and provisions where
delivered to remote farms on horseback. We follow the trails and the
spirit of the old days on this unique tour in East Iceland together with
our host Denni and hear stories about those who traveled the same
trails centuries ago. We will collect berries and Iceland moss as
supplements with our meals and try catching fish in the clear waters of
the highland. The remote East of Iceland is an ideal location for such a
tour. We spend a night at Sænautasel, a rebuild cottage made of turf
and stone and enjoy a shower in the warm waterfall at Laugarvellir.
Another night will be spent in an old shepherds hut while we enjoy the tranquility of the highlands. All our luggage and supplies will be
transported on horse back, so be ready for an experience beyond
compare.
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Camping Ride with vehicle support Camping Ride with pack horses Suitable for riders over 210 lbs
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Meeting:
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Reykjavik
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Airport:
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Keflavik
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Transfer:
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Keflavik airport
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
Max
12 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Accommodations (Hotel accommodation in Reykjavík. Sleeping bag accommodation in tents or basic huts during the ride), meals (except in Reykjavik), 6 riding days. Rain wear, saddle bag, riding helmet and sleeping bag with a sheet.
| A | 2012 | 9 day trip, AP | 9d / 8n | €1695 | $2275 |
| Extra night in Reykjavik FossHotel Lind pp (dbl) ~ | €110 | $150 |
| Extra night in Reykjavik FossHotel Lind Single ~ | €150 | $205 |
| Single supplement (requested) in Reykjavik per night/person | €65 | $90 |
| Kids under 12 - 25% off | €0 | $0 |
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Keflavic airport on Day 1 included
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Airport transfer is provided on first and last day of the tour. Any other days - please take the Airport "Flybus" into the city.
Rates do not include:
Meals in Reykjavik hotel (excpet breakfast). Insurance
2012 Itinerary (one departure only)
Sunday, July 22: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a hotel in Reykjavík. We will invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.
Monday, July 23: Reykjavík – Egilsstaðir – Skriðuklaustur – Klaustursel
Flight to Egilsstaðir town in the morning and a drive to Skriðuklaustur Farm where we meet horses and staff. After a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gait we start our ride. We ascend from a valley at nearly sea level to the highland plateau Fljótsdalsheiði and down into Jökuldal valley again. At Klaustursel Farm we get close to reindeer and other domestic animals. A beautiful waterfall surrounded by basalt columns is near by and here we raise our tents for tonight. (32 km)
Tuesday, July 24: Klaustursel – Sænautasel
We ride through a remote area where Halldór Laxness placed his epic novel “Independent people”. It is a privilege to spend a night at the reconstructed turf house Sænautasel and feel oneself moved back in time for hundreds of years. After a traditional dinner we net for trout in a nearby lake. Enjoy this night spent under the natural green roof or the turf house. (25 km)
Wednesday, July 25: Sænautasel – Laugarvalladalur
Help pulling in the net and see what was caught before we saddle up and continue our ride into Laugarvalladalur valley. We ride again through an historical area that becomes alive through stories and memories since other remains have vanished. At the bottom of this valley special warm shower awaits us, created by the natural warm water of a waterfall. We spend the night in tents and the small shack in this remote valley. (36 km)
Thursday, July 26: Laugarvalladalur – Hafrahvammagljúfur – Sauðakofi
We cross a heath and continue to majestic Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon. The steep and deep gorge leaves nobody untouched. We get an even better view from the man made dam that we cross. From the eastern side of the canyon we follow good riding tracks to Sauðakofi, a simple mountain cabin used by those who gather sheep in the mountains during the fall. We are close to Vatnajökull glacier and Mt. Snæfell, Iceland’s second highest mountain, towers above us. (25 km)
Friday, July 27: Sauðakofi – Thjófadalir – Hrakströnd
Our ride leads towards Mt. Snæfell and into an area called Thjófadalir, valleys of thieves. We hear about the Icelandic outlaws and villains who used the valley as their shelter. Once we leave the valley the Eyjabakka area opens up ahead of us. Wild geese and reindeer roam free in this remote sanctuary. We follow the outskirts of this area and cross Jökulsá í Fljótsdal, a glacier fed river. Near the old shepherds shack at Hrakströnd we put up our tents and spend the night.(42 km)
Saturday, July 28: Hrakströnd – Skriðuklaustur
We follow the glacier fed river Jökulsá and watch how small waterfalls cascade down Norðurdalur valley. A lush green forest is an amazing sight on the opposite river bank. We take our lunch break near an areal ropeway that was used to cross the river for centuries. Our ride ends where it started, at Skríðuklaustur, and we spend our last night in the East near by. (35 km)
Sunday, July 29: Skriðuklaustur – Egilsstaðir – Reykjavík
Flight back to Reykjavík in the morning with arrival at approx. 11:00 at Reykjavík Domestic Airport. Overnight stay at a hotel in Reykjavík.
Monday, July 30: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.
Meeting:
Reykjavik
Airport:
Keflavik
Transfer:
Keflavik airport
Airport transfer is provided on first and last day of the tour. Any other days - please take the Airport "Flybus" into the city.
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Tack:
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Icelandic
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Horses:
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Icelandic
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Pace:
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Strong intermediate riders capable of handling horses in open country. Some walking might be involved at steep hillsides
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Strong Intermedaite
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
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Max
12 riders
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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.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
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 Netherland. more
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland
enjoys a cool temperate ocean climate: cool in summer and fairly mild in
winter. However, the weather can change quickly, and you should be
prepared for the unexpected.
Average temperatures in Reykjavik:
January 35 F (1.6 C)
April 42 F (6 C)
July 56 F (13.3 C)
October 44 F (7 C)
You can find the weather forecast in English on www.vedur.is/english.
You should be ready for all
kinds of weather as it can change very quickly. We provide you with good
rain-clothes, a riding helmet and a sleeping bag. Also a saddle bag
(where you can keep the picnic lunch, a small camera, extra pair of
gloves etc.).
Luggage will be transported
in the kitchen van. Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases.
Pack light because transport space is limited.
Normal street-clothes are not necessary except for your stay in Reykjavík before or after the tour.
We recommend not too much luggage on the tour and you can leave extra luggage at the guesthouse if you want to.
Cameras:
We recommend to bring a small camera that can be taken in a pocket, a waist/hip bag or in the saddle bag.
Large camera equipment we can not allow on the horses for security
reasons. Tours are operated with a free running herd - at speed of tölt
or trot for most of the day. We take breaks to relax the horses and then
it is possible to take pictures. While on the horse taking pictures is
rather difficult since the horses are constantly moving. Because of the
herd instinct it is not possible to stop an individual horse, they all
will follow each other.
You can leave larger Digital SLR with your luggage at the farm or put it
in their luggage that will be transferred to the new accommodation.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!) |
| Riding boots (Knee high riding boots - preferably rubber) |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Warm jacket or overcoat |
| Warm (woolen or fleece) sweater |
| Warm socks and gloves, at least two pairs, scarf and a cap or hat. |
| Warm underwear, long if possible (protects also from chaffing). |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jogging suit or other comfortable cloths to wear in the huts |
| For the ladies – sports bra. |
| Bathing suit and flip flops |
| Slippers for the huts (Icelanders take off their shoes when entering a house) |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| A small camera to take with you when riding |
| Personal toiletries (soap etc.) |
| Small pillow |
| Towel |
| Ear plugs *some people snore* |
| Small flashlight, ie: headlamp |
| If interested, duty free alcohol at Iceland airport |
| Chocolate or glucose sweets for strenuous riding days |
| Insect repellent, gnat net head cover |
| Band aid and second skin plasters for chaffing |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
| Sun lotion for face and lips (with high sun factor) |
| Sunglasses |
| Song books |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
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..view other reports for different trips
Accommodation - Hotel accommodation in Reykjavík. Sleeping bag accommodation in tents or basic huts during the ride.
Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the riding tour, includes breakfast only, not lunch and dinner.
Traditional Icelandic stew is served on the arrival day.
During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large
breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian
meals are available if requested in advance. All riders make their own
packed lunch from the breakfast table.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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Icelandic
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Icelandic
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Strong intermediate riders capable of handling horses in open country. Some walking might be involved at steep hillsides
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Strong Intermedaite
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
6 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
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.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes/1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Ride on the Wild Side
Tour Code:
IT-ICRT68
9 days /
8 nights
~$2,275.00
Dates :
July
Difficulty :

Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Icelandic
Horses:
Icelandic
Pace:
Strong intermediate riders capable of ...
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Gallop,
Airport:
Keflavik
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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