Midnight Sun

Introduction
Northern Tours Iceland
On this unique tour, we will let the midnight sun guide our path!

We ride during the early night and sleep out late. The midnight sun is nowhere brighter than where we will be riding in the northernmost part of Iceland. We will be riding exactly when the Summer Solstice occurs on June 21st when we have the longest day of the year. On that day we will have the unique opportunity to see the sunshine through all three pillars of the Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn. This is a newly built monument for the island´s Pagan worshippers.

This part of Iceland is inhabited by only a few people, most of them living in little fishing villages along the coast. There is a lot of diversity in this tour starting with riding a few days on the beach. The Peninsula of Melrakkaslétta, which stretches almost to the Arctic Circle, is a paradise for birdwatchers and people with geological interest. 

Accomodation

Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so you will be staying at the same accommodation every night.

Description
Bjarnastaðir Farm is located 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.
The farm has 23 beds and 4 showers. There is an outdoor jacuzzi where guests can relax in the evening.
There is Wi-Fi internet and cell service available at the farm.

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 - subject to changes

During this very special tour, guests usually wake up at about 3 pm and the riding activities tend to start at about 7-8 pm up to 3 in the morning. After the ride we enjoy a meal and you can then choose to go for a walk or relax in the hot tub.

Day 1. Arrival
We meet at Flugfélagið Ernir (Eagle Air) in Reykjavík airport at 1:15 pm or we can pick you up at bus stops in Reykjavik (www.busstop.is - Please let us know what you prefer).  Please bring your passport or other identification for your domestic flight. 
After our flight to Húsavík, we drive to Bjarnastaðir farm. There, we meet up with the guides and horses.
After dinner and a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, we start our ride. We will ride throughout Öxafjörður Fjord along the coast to Katastaðir where we leave our horses before driving back to Bjarnastaðir farm where we sleep in made up beds.
Riding approx. 33 km
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 2. Katastaðir – Sigurðarstaðir
On this day we ride on the beach from Katastaðir to Sigurðarstaðir. This path is quite isolated and it is not likely that we will meet a soul on our way. We will witness the blazing midnight sun on the northern coastline and hear nothing but the sound of the hoofbeat clicking on the ground, the waves of the ocean and birds quiring in the night.
After this amazing peaceful ride in the night, we will drive to Bjarnastaðir to rest.
Riding approx. 28 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 3. Sigurðarstaðir – Raufarhöfn
We will continue our journey on the beach to the northernmost part of Iceland; the small village Raufarhöfn. Most of the 250 inhabitants of this small village live of traditional fishing.
On the way, we will witness a rich birdlife along the coast and get to witness this beautiful place which has the longest days and shortest nights in Iceland.
Riding approx. 24 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 4. Melrakkaslétta – Katastaðir
Today, we will head back over the soft tracks of the Melrakkaslétta plains. Melrakkaslétta is known for its rich birdlife, many lakes to fish in and its unique beauty during the Summer Solstice. Its name comes from the arctic fox and if you look closely you might even see one stealing eggs from a birds nest. We will leave our horses at Katastaðir and get a good sleep at Bjarnastaðir farm.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 5. Katastaðir – Bjarnastaðir
Summer Solstice occurs on this day! We will be at Raufarhöfn town to witness the longest day and shortest night in Iceland. We will have the unique opportunity to see the sunshine through all three pillars of the Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn. We then ride back with the majestic mountains on the east leading the way to Bjarnastaðir farm. We ride through Kvíar slope which is about 165 meter above sea level and witness the undescribable beauty of the northernmost parts of Iceland when the midnight sun shines over us.
Riding approx. 38 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 6. Departure
It is time to say goodbye to the horses and drive to Húsavík airport to catch the flight to Reykjavik. On the way, we will drive to Ásbyrgi canyon, one of the wonders of nature, a horseshoe-shaped canyon. The old saga says that the god Odin from northern mythology rode his giant horse Sleipnir who stepped down on the ground and formed this shoe print.
We are usually back in Reykjavik for about 5 pm.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Midnight Sun

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Reykjavík City Airport
Airport: Keflavík International Airport
Transfer:

Climate:
                                            Akureyri area