Black Lava and White Sand West Iceland The Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland is often referred to as “Iceland in a nutshell“ because of the diversity in landscape and wide range of colours. We experience the wide range of Iceland’s colors on our ride through green valleys, across black lava fields, along the blue sea and on the golden sandy beach. We begin outside the village Borgarnes, cross a river on our way to the old farm Grímsstaðir and proceed into the fascinating wilderness with lava fields and craters. After hiking up the nicely shaped crater Eldborg  á Mýrum we reach one of the longest beaches in Iceland, Löngufjörur, where the riding has to be adjusted to the tides. The view is panoramic, with the ocean on one side, mountains on the other and the magical Snæfellsjökull Glacier, well known from Jule Verne’s novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, before us. We will ride some time on the beach on four days and take a herd of free running horses with us part of the tour. Progressive Ride (no camping) Ride with Gaited Horses Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Reykjavik Airport: Keflavik Airport Transfer: Reykjavik BSI central bus station on Day 1 at 5:30PM or hotels/guesthouse Riders: Min 6 riders Max 18 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Transfers are only included from the Central Bus Station (BSI). Our representatives will greet you at 17:30 (5:30pm) at the BSÍ station!

Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
The tour starts in the evening. Tour participants arriving on the same day to Iceland should take the Flybus from the airport to BSÍ main bus station 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 new guesthouse. We will get to know each other during the dinner. The day will end with a detailed description of the tour.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 2: Borgarnes to Grímsstaðir
A bus takes us over the highlands from Hveragerdi to the town Borgarnes, in the west part of Iceland, where the ride starts. The riding tour begins from the stable area just outside Borgarnes and into the area of Snæfellsnes. On the way, we cross the Langá River, one of Iceland’s best salmon rivers. The riding ends at the old farm Grímsstaðir, where we spend the night.
Riding 20 km ( approx. 4 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Grímsstaðir

Day 3: Grímsstaðir to Snorrastaðir
From Litlu-Gröf we ride along the Grimsstadamúli Mountains. We continue west, and near the opening of the Hitárdalur Valley, we pass through lava on narrow paths. We cross the Hitará River  near the palagonite mountain Grettisbæli, and continue riding along Mt. Fagraskógarfjall, with a view over the Mýrar District and Löngufjörur. We stay overnight at the farm Snorrastaðir close to the picturesque crater Elborg á Mýrum.
Riding 36 km ( approx. 5-6 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Snorrastaðir

Day 4: Snorrastaðir to Skógarnes
Today's ride is mainly along the sandy beaches of Löngufjörur (riding time depends on tide). We wade across the mouth of the Haffardará River near the farm Stóra-Hraun and take a break on a small island in the delta. The route then leads inland, and the horses are left at day’s end at the farm Langaholt. We go back to Snorrastaðir by bus and spend the night there.
Riding 22-25 km (approx. 5 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Snorrastaðir

Day 5: Ride around Skógarnes
Today we take some hand horses with us and ride in the scenic surroundings of Skógarnes and on the beach. The horses stay at the farm Langaholt and we spend the night in Hótel Eldborg in Staðarsveit, where we have the possibility to take a bath in a thermal swimming pool.
Riding 20 km ( approx. 4 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hótel Eldborg

Day 6: Skógarnes to Langaholt
From Skógarnes, the sandy beaches of Löngufjörur continue all the way to the farm Stakkhamar. From there towards the Stadará River, the route proceeds near the sea, along the shore or up shore banks. The last leg of the day’s journey is along the main road of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We leave the horses at the farm Langaholt and spend the night at Hótel Eldborg again. 
Riding 40-42 km ( approx. 7 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hótel Eldborg

Day 7: Ride to Búðir
We continue the ride out to Snæfellsnes, crossing the Búdarós delta at tide. Our goal for the day is Búðir. Here we leave the horses in a paddock and go for a walk to the picturesque church and then out to the rocks by the sea. After a picnic, we turn back to Langaholt along the sandy beach. In the afternoon, we take the bus back to Reykjavik. End of tour.
Riding 20-23 km ( approx. 4 hrs.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Please note:
The second tour goes in the opposite direction.
When riding on the beach we might have to ride very early in the morning or late evening, because of the tide.

                                                Reykjavík area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	37	37	39	43	49	54	57	57	51	45	40	37
Average Low Temperature (°F)	27	28	29	33	39	44	48	47	42	36	31	28
Average High Temperature (°C)	3	3	4	6	10	12	14	14	11	7	4	3
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-3	-2	-2	1	4	7	9	8	6	2	-1	-2
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	13	13	14	11	10	9	9	12	12	12	12	14

Source: NOAA
 

Seasons
As its name suggests, Iceland is cold, but not as cold as might be expected; thanks to the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which regulate the climate. Its average mid-winter temperatures are no lower than those in New York City. 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! The south is the wettest part of the country. Coastal areas tend to experience winter gales and are generally windy.

Icelandic weather is known to be unpredictable and changing several times a day. A beautiful day can suddenly turn windy and rainy (and vice versa). Travelers to Iceland should be prepared for anything and dress in layers.

Winter
The average January temperature is 31°F (-0.5°C). From mid-November until the end of January, in the darkness of winter, the country only experiences a few hours of daylight each day.

Summer
The summer temperatures in Reykjavík range from 41°F (5°C) at night to as high as 77°F (25°C) during the day.  During the summer months there is almost continuous daylight; early spring and late autumn feature long twilights. 
 
The Northern Lights are often visible in autumn and early winter.

We provide the following:
·Safety helmets
·Rainwear
·During the wintertime we also provide winter overalls
·Rubber boots

You should bring:
•Warm clothes in layers (long underwear, woolen socks, scarf, gloves, woolen sweater or fleece, wind- and waterproof jacket). Eldhestar provides good rain gear. Please have in mind that you might experience “T-shirt weather” as well as temperatures close to 0°C, especially on Wilderness tours!
•Thin hat to wear under the helmet, “buff” is well suited. You can buy a “buff” at Eldhestar.
•Sleeping bag. We recommend a small pillow and a bed sheet if you use your sleeping bag as a blanket. A sleeping bag is not needed for tours with all nights at Hotel or Guesthouse Eldhestar.
•A small waist bag (not a backpack!) for using when riding. (Backpacks are bumpy when you are riding and may hurt you if you fall off).
•Swimwear and towel.
•Riding pants (If you don’t have riding pants, any seamless tight garment will do), for long tours you should bring two pants suitable for riding.
•Riding or hiking boots which should be comfortable with a thick sole for walking over rocks. Hiking boots are fine if they are not too broad for the stirrups. High riding boots might get uncomfortable, rubber boots are not necessary.
•Sun lotion
•Sun glasses (also for long tours to protect eyes from dust).
•Fly net (can be purchased at Eldhestar).
•Band-aids and second skin plasters for chaffing.
•Some comfortable clothes and shoes (slippers) for using in the evening, after the riding. Normal street clothes are not necessary except for your stay in Reykjavik the last night.
•Your travel insurance card/information.

Please note: Please do not use large and bulky suitcases as we have limited space in the trailer. If you need more luggage for travelling in Iceland before / after the tour you are welcome to store it at Hotel Eldhestar during the tour.

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.
It is not yet legally mandatory that riders need to wear riding helmets. Nevertheless we strongly recommend clients wear one. Clients will be experiencing a new breed of horses in new terrain, involving gravel, stones and rocks. Therefore it is in the clients best interest to take precautions. If they feel they do not want to wear a helmet after the first few days it is up to them. However, some insurance companies in Europe refuse to pay in case of an accident if the client has not been wearing a riding helmet. We provide helmets here in Iceland which clients are welcome to use but if you want to bring your own it is fine with us. If you bring your own it has to be sterilized before bringing it into Iceland.

Regarding the sterilization: What can be washed in a washing machine at medium temperature or dry cleaned is fine (even riding trousers). But what can not be washed or dry-cleaned or is a full leather garment needs to be sterilized.

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 at winter time a thermo overall, gloves and rubber boots. 
Luggage that is not needed on the tour can be left at the office and recovered at the end of the tour.

Caution: Used boots, riding wear, saddlebags etc. must be disinfected before arrival to Iceland. That is because infectious diseases can easily be brought into the country, which pose a great danger for the horses. Riding wear is normally washed and shoes and cleaned with iodine or some other fluid disinfectant. All used leather articles are prohibited.
 

This list is only a guideline for you

Hidden Trails Travel Documents and TripVoucher (contains important local tour contact info.)

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs

Riding boots (rubber is best)

Riding helmet  (provided, but bring your own if you like)

Riding gloves

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings, long underwear, scarf

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Underwear and warm socks

Pyjamas and slippers (Icelanders take off their shoes when entering a house)

Bag for dirty clothes

Comfortable shoes

Swimsuit and towel

For Camping trips:

Sleeping Bag and Pillow!! (not provided)

Towel and small bar of soap

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream and bandaids/ second skin plasters for chaffing

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and extra film or batteries

Waist pack

Address book and pen (for postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

** No trip reports found with the tour ID you provided.

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

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, 3, 4, 5 & 6: Farmhouse in Snorrastaðir



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 can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Icelandic
Horses:		Icelandic Horses
Pace:		Daily rides are between 4-7 hours (20 - 40 km). Approx. 190km total.
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Weight:		Max 110 kg
Riders:		Min 6 riders	Max 18 riders

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 190km total over 6 riding days. On average, we ride between 4-7 hours every day, covering approx. 20 - 40 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.

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.