Wild North

Introduction
Northern Tours Iceland
The part of Iceland we explore during this tour is known for its spectacular sights and untouched nature. The ride takes us from Bjarnastaðir Farm to the East of Iceland, amongst the most rural parts of the country.

Follow both excellent riding paths and rougher terrain while witnessing stunning sites only available to horse riders. There is nothing like riding a horse while viewing a flock of reindeers in the wild, the arctic fox running in the distance and the rich birdlife that guides our way.

An optional whale watching tour completes the selection of natural attractions on and off shore (only possible on the first departure)

Accomodation

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

Description
During this tour, you will sleep in simple accommodations in dormitory style rooms. Please, bring your own sleeping bag!

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Bjarnastaðir Farm
Night 3 & 4: Möðrudalur
Night 5: Skjöldólfsstaðir
Night 6: Skipalækur

Bjarnastaðir Farm
It is the home of Halldór Olgeirsson and Elín Maríusdóttir and is situated in the low bushy area of Kerlingaskógur, close to the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and Dettifoss Waterfall. You will enjoy great view over the Fjord Öxarfjörður and the famous Lake Skjálftavatn which suddenly appeared over night after a strong earthquake 28 years ago. Halldór and Elín, breeders of both horses and sheep will welcome you with open arms and their warmth and hospitality is indeed second to none.
•Number of beds: 23
•Made up beds: Yes
•Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
•Number of showers: 4
•GSM connection: Yes
•WiFi: Yes

Möðrudalur
This is the highest farm in the country at about 450 m above sea level. You will sleep in one of the beautiful traditional turf houses. Facilities are shared. 

Skjöldólfsstaðir
You sleep in simple but comfortable rooms with shared bathrooms. There is a small outdoor pool and a hot tub where you can relax in the evening.

Skipalækur
This campground offers simple accommodations in a quiet setting. Facilities are shared. 

Room Occupancy
Single rooms are not available on this trip.


Meals
During the ride full board is provided.

The menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). 
All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.

Dietary restrictions
Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
This tour is a great riding experience that is suitable for 

Riding Gear – Disinfect!
Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which cannot be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to disinfected at least 5 days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Please understand that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature!
We provide saddle bags, rain wear and safety helmet.

Tack & Riding Style
The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different then the tack ordinarily used for other breeds.
The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides, a crupper helps keeping the saddle in place. Riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long.
Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.

The Farmers
The real connoisseurs of the local terrain and history. We make sure that each tour has its own charm and is organized by the local expert, the farmer, and his family. They use their own horses and ride through the part of the country they know so well.
Our farmers have over 30 years of experience in leading riding groups through Iceland.

Herd of Horses
On this ride, you will be riding several days (except for two days) with a free running herd of horses. Herding along free running horses is the traditional way of travelling in Iceland, since horses are changed at least once a day on longer tours. You get to ride a variety of horses. 

Horses
The Icelandic horse is best known for its four-beat smooth gait, the “tölt”, which is very comfortable for the rider, especially on a longer tour.  Riding an Icelandic horse in its native habitat land is an authentic riding experience. The horses are especially chosen for this trip and are suited even for riders who have not had much riding experience. 

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary: from North to East  - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Meeting is at Flugfélag Ernir in Reykjavík airport for 7:30 am (when doing this route in reverse, the meeting time is at 5 pm)!  We fly to Húsavík.
We arrive at Húsavík in the morning and start our day, for those interested, by going on a whale watching cruise. It is truly an amazing experience to see both the sea giants up close and the dolphins playing around them (Price per person EUR 80). Others can enjoy the town‘s swimming pool, GeoSea geothermal baths or go for a stroll in this beautiful town.
After some time in Húsavík, we take a bus to Bjarnastaðir Farm where we enjoy a soup for lunch. Then, we saddle up and ride along the majestic Jökulsá river and the canyon Jökulsárgljúfur untill we reach Hafursstaðir, an abandoned farm where the horses stay for the night.
On the other side of the river we see Hljóðaklettar (Echo Rocks), a distinctive cluster of columnar rock formations. After leaving the horses at Hafursstaðir, we drive back to Bjarnastaðir Farm to soak in the hot tub while looking forward to continuing our journey.
Riding approx. 11 km
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 2. Ride to Grímsstaðir á Fjöllum
After a good night’s rest we will meet our horses at Hafursstaðir farm and saddle up. The trail of the day takes us over Hólasandur, the largest desert in Iceland. We ride on old riding trails and excellent riding paths all the way up to Grímsstaðir á Fjöllum, the highest lying farm in the country, where we leave the horses before heading back to Bjarnastaðir Farm.
Riding approx. 4-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 3. Grímsstaðir to Möðrudalur
On this wonderful day we head up to Grímsstaðardalur valley. On the way, we ride along the mountain ridge Víðidalsfjallgarður and through the gap Sótaskarð. As if we are riding through the ages, we see what once was…. old abandoned farms in vast wilderness. We stop for lunch at an old sheepfold which has been turned into a small shop, before we mount back on our horses. We ride about 8 km up to the valley of Möðrudalur, where we stay for the night.
Riding approx. 33 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Möðrudalur

Day 4. Möðrudalur to Sænautasel
Today, we will be riding along the same old riding path that people travelled between the North and East in the old days. Following the western mountain ridge, we come across Skessugarður or Troll garden which is a giant natural stone formation formed by a Giantess… another possible way that it was formed is by an ice-age glacier. The large arch shaped moraine is over 300 meters long and almost 7 meters high. We take our lunch there before continuing our ride to Sænautasel, an old turf house and the last farm in this wilderness where people lived. There, we leave our horses and drive back to Möðrudalur where we stay for a second night.
Riding approx. 22 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Möðrudalur

Day 5. Sænautasel to Klaustursel
Get ready for a stunning day! We will get our well rested herd at Sænautasel, saddle up and follow excellent riding paths up to Klaustursel and Skjöldólfsstaðir. On the way, we might be able to view the wild reindeers that live in the area. Before arriving at our destination for the night, we visit the waterfall Stuðlafoss and the canyon Stuðlagil by car. Stuðlagil  is an absolutely gorgeous canyon formed under the river Jökulsá á Brú. It has one of the largest number of basalt rock columns in Iceland. Stuðlafoss, the hidden gem, is no less breathtaking. Its basalt columns form seats with neon green vegetation.
You end the ride at Skjöldólfsstaðir with a swimming pool and a hot tub to relax in after a spectacular day.
Riding approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Skjöldólfsstaðir

Day 6. Ride to Skipalækur
This is our last riding day on this venturesome riding tour. We will still be riding with a view over the wild reindeers and maybe see the arctic fox running after his prey. The majestic mountains Snæfell and Herðubreið, that were formed beneath the Ice sheet that covered Iceland during the last glacial age, will also be within our sight. And once again we will be reminded of the real forces of nature. To close this wonderful day we will visit the natural geothermal pool Vök which is an unbelievable experience.
Riding approx. 4-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Skipalækur

Day 7. Departure
After breakfast we drive to Egilsstaðir to catch a flight to Reykjavik Domestic Airport and a transfer to the city center. We will arrive in downtown Reykjavik at around 10am.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Wild North

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Reykjavik domestic airport
Airport: Keflavík International Airport
Transfer: Reykjavik domestic airport

Climate:
                                            Akureyri area