Tuesday: Arrival in Iceland – Íshestar Riding Center – Transfer to Reykjavík

Transfer from Keflavík Airport to the Íshestar Riding Center. Make sure your flight arrives not later than 16:00 to be able to participate in an introductional riding tour to Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Clients arriving earlier that day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the hotel and picked up at the hotel again in time for the ride.) After the ride we enjoy a traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the following tour before the day ends at your accommodation in a hotel in Reykjavík. (10 km)

 

Wednesday: Reykjavík – Hvammur – Sveinsstaðir – Hvammur Farm

Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. We visit a factory outlet with woollen goods on our way. We start our ride through Vatnsdalur valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride along the banks of River Vatnsdalsá before crossing over to the western side of the valley. Our ride ends at Sveinsstaðir Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight stay. (25 km)

 

Thursday:  Sveinsstaðir – Dæli – Hvammur

This long and exciting riding day takes us alongside the Hóp and across the Gljúfurá River. Through the friendly countryside of Vestur-Hóp and into the beautiful valley Víðidalur. We follow Víðidalsá River to Dæli Farm where we will leave the horses. We return to Hvammur farm for our overnight stay. The outdoor hot tub is waiting, as well as a hearty dinner. (40 km)

 

Friday: Dæli - Kolugil – Víðidalstungheiði – Hvammur

Today we ascend towards the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði and meet the horses coming down from their pastures in the highlands. We enjoy a warm lunch at a mountain shelter before we join the farmers in driving the herd down from the mountains. Before ending our ride at Stóra-Ásgeirsá Farm we stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments. (32 km, during 8-9 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)

 

Saturday: Víðidalstungurétt – Lake Hóp – Hvammur

Our day starts at the round up place Víðidalstungurétt, where horses are sorted out. An auction is held right on the spot and we can join the farmers in their joyful singing, celebrating the return of their horses. In the afternoon we join up with our horses close to Borgarvirki and ride towards Lake Hóp. Feel the excitement of the horses as they reach the open plain. Our trail leads us right across Lake Hóp, Iceland’s fifth biggest lake, on a safe track across the water. We ride past Thingeyrar, a place of great historic importance and into Vatnsdalur valley. It is time to say good bye to the horses and we return to Hvammur. (30 km)

 

Optional (not included in the tour price):

"Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Víðihlíð, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.

 

Sunday: Return to the South – Reykjavík

Departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at the hotel at approx. 14:00. 

 

Monday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport

Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.