Starting off near Húsavík on the North coast of Iceland this tour leads through an ever-changing landscape and offers each day new scenery and impressions. Our hosts on this tour are Bjarni Páll and his wife Elsa. Bjarni Páll takes special interest in geology so you can expect to see and hear a lot of interesting facts about the Icelandic nature!
Ride along soft riding tracks ideal for tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse. Experience incredible Lake Mývatn with its countless numbers of breeding ducks and pseudo craters. Enjoy a breathtaking view of majestic Waterfall Goðafoss. At Hverarönd boiling mud pools and eerie lava formations remind you of the power of the volcanic energy hidden beneath. Relax in hot geothermal water in Jarðböð, a new outdoor bathing facilitiy. An optional tour with a peaceful sail on a whale watching boat introduces you to the giants of the ocean. If you would like to know what Iceland is all about, this tour will be a revelation to you.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. At 17:30 we invite you to a welcome meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders;
Day 2 (Monday): Reykjavík - Akureyri - Goðafoss - Hvammsheiði - Saltvík Holiday Farm
Domestic Flight in the morning to Akureyri and transfer to Saltvík Farm. On the way we stop at majestic Goðafoss waterfall. At Saltvík, we start our ride after a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits. We cross the mountain plateau Hvammsheiði towards the Reykjahverfi area with its white steaming hot springs. Surely you will enjoy a relaxing bath in a warm outdoor tub before dinner at Saltvík farm and overnight stay. (4 - 5 hours);
Day 3 (Tuesday): Heiðabær - Theistareykir Mountain Cabin
Through the Geldingadalur valley and over the plateau Reykjaheiði heath our trail leads us to the geothermal area of Theistareykir. At one point we will practically cross over from one continental plate to another as we ride over the midatlantic ridge! It is a fascinating area with deep earthquake fissures, multi-coloured mountains and geothermal energy. With all this volcanic activity going on here, it is easy to understand that Iceland is still under “natural construction” (6 - 7 hours);
Day 4 (Wednesday): Theistareykir – Grímsstaðir – Jarðböð – Hraunbrún Guesthouse
Enjoy today´s ride from the Theistareykir area past the mountains Gæsafjöll and Hrafnabjörg. We follow good riding tracks through the mountains, past lakes and through bushy vegetation. At Grímsstaðir Farm we leave the horses behind and take a nice hot bath in Jarðböð, an outdoor pool with geothermal water. We continue to Hraunbrún Guesthouse, where we stay over night (6 - 7 hours);
Day 5 (Thursday): Hraunbrún – Laxárdalur – Saltvík Holiday Farm
We start the day with an exciting sightseeing tour around Lake Mývatn by bus. Visit Dimmuborgir, fantastic black lava formations with rich vegetation. Our next highlight is the geothermal area of Hverarönd with boiling mudpools and steam vents. We saddle up again and head out of the Mývatn area. Through a black sand desert we ride into colourful Laxárdalur valley with glittering salmon River Laxá in the middle. A true day of contrasts in the ever changing Icelandic nature. Overnight at Saltvík Farm for the last two nights (5 - 6 hours);
Day 6 (Friday): Breiðamýri – Saltvík Holiday Farm
Enjoy excellent riding paths in the lovely birch wood area of Vatnshlíðarskógur and the great views on the shores of Lake Vestmannsvatn. We cross Laxá River on our way to Hraunsréttir, a place used by the farmers for their annual sheep round-up every autumn Over Hvammsheiði heath we ride back to Saltvík Farm where the warm outdoor tub is waiting (6 - 7 hours);
Optional Whale Watching (available at an extra charge):
At Húsavík harbour a boat is waiting to go out on a whale watching cruise. There is no better way to end a great tour than by sailing into the evening sun with, hopefully, whales swimming alongside (price per person ISK 4.000);
Day 7 (Saturday): Saltvík - Akureyri – Reykjavík. In the morning return to Akureyri by bus and flight back to Reykjavík Domestic Airport with arrival at approx. 13:30. Last night in a guesthouse in Reykjavík;
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport. Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the flight back home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Please note that accommodation is shared, a single room in Reykjavik is an option.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Iceland
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Horse Riding
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
