IH-15B Horse Round Up
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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 a short (1,5 – 2 hours) introductory riding tour towards Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Clients arriving earlier that day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the hotel and picked up 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. (8 km)
Wednesday: Reykjavík – Bjargshóll – Gauksmýri
We drive to the North and meet Eggert with his staff and horses at Bjargshóll Farm. On our way we visit a factory outlet with woollen goods. Our ride takes us alongside the river Miðfjarðará to the ocean and from there underneath Vatnsnesfjall Mountain to Gauksmýri Farm,where we will stay overnight in a cosy country hotel. (25 km)
Thursday: Gauksmýri – Dæli
This exciting riding day takes us into the friendly countryside of Vestur-Hóp, past a lake and into the beautiful valley Víðidalur. We follow Víðidalsá River to Dæli Holiday Farm, close to Kolugil canyon. This farm is beautifully located in Víðidalur Valley and we will enjoy the hospitality of Sigrún and Víglundur, who have been working with us for many years. The outdoor hot tubs are waiting, as well as a hearty dinner. (35 km)
Friday: Dæli - Kolugil – Víðidalstungheiði – Dæli
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 in the mountains, before we join other guests and locals following the farmers driving the herd down from the highland. Before ending our ride at Dæli Farm we stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments. Following dinner that day, we spend time with the farmers and other guests in Dæli and join in their singing, dancing and celebrating of this great event of the fall. (32 km, 7-8 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)
Saturday: Víðidalstungurétt – Bjargshóll – Dæli
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 celebrating the return of their horses. In the afternoon we ride to Bjargshóll Farm and return our horses to their meadows, before driving back to Dæli for a hearty dinner. (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 14:00.
Monday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.
