Day by day itinerary
Saturday: Arrival in Iceland – Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. We invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.
Sunday: Reykjavík – North of Iceland - Galtará Mountain Cabin
Transfer in the morning from Reykjavík to the North of Iceland where staff and horses are waiting. Today is our first riding day and long one as well. We ride through the fertile Mælifellsdalur valley and ascend up to the mountain plateau Eyvindastaðaheiði. We ride round beautiful Lake Aðalmannsvatn on soft trails and enjoy the splendid view we have of the highland mountains around us. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin Galtará, overlooking the huge man-made lake Blönduvatn. In August this is the perfect spot for berry picking! (45 km)
Monday: Galtará – Strangakvísl Mountain Cabin
Today it is easy to see that we follow a historical route since large man made stone cones accompany us through a desert of sand and stones. All the way through the centuries back to the early settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. Wouldn´t it be nice to travel back in time for just a day and to be a member of the ancient families, dressed up in their best clothes and riding their best horses for the big get-together in South Iceland? The location of Strangakvísl Mountain Cabin offers superb views over the glaciers in front of us. Up to mid July the sun hardly sets in this part of the country. (25 km)
Tuesday: Strangakvísl – Hveravellir Mountain Cabin
This day will be a very special one, since we cross the large glacial rivers, Strangakvísl, Svartakvísl and Blanda on our way south. But no need to worry, most Icelanders would rather choose a trusted Icelandic horse than a jeep to cross rivers like that! We continue to Hveravellir, a unique geothermal area between the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull. A natural hot pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath. (30 km)
Wednesday: Hveravellir – Árbúðir Mountain Cabin
We leave the herd and ride through the Valley of Thieves, called Thjófadalir, a remote grassy valley surrounded by high mountains. From the entrance of the valley we have a splendid view over the fertile landscape. When we rejoin the herd our ride leads along the vast lava fields of Kjalhraun. Today we pass through the Gránunes area. The area was names after the horse Grána and you will hear about the tragic stroy which happened centuries ago. Following the glacial river Fúlákvísl we enjoy the view of the mighty glacier Langjökull. The day ends Árbúðir Mountain Cabin. (45 km)
Optional (available at an extra charge): Boat trip on Hvítárvatn glacier lake
Enjoy the white ice field of Langjökull glacier up-close. We drive to a floating pier and board a boat that will take us on a scenic sail around the lake. A short stop is made at the glacier and we get to walk along the shore and touch the mighty ice field before sailing back. While sailing and on land a tour guide takes care of our safety and informs us about the area.
Bring with you: Warm clothes and good hiking shoes. Total duration, approx. 2,5 hrs.
Price per person ISK 7.000
Thursday: Árbúðir – Kjóastaðir Farm
We follow river Svartá for a while before crossing the river Hvítá. Our ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. During the last centuries, travelling through the remote highland was a dangerous trip due to outlaws waiting to rob the riders. No wonder superstition was a common thing. To be on the safe side you might want to take a little stone along today as a special token for safety during the ride. You might need it later on today… We leave the horses behind and drive to Kjóastaðir Farm where we spend the next two nights in several summer houses where two rooms share a bathroom unit. (35 km)
Friday: Kjóastaðir – Gullfoss – Geysir – Kjóastaðir Farm
We saddle up again and ride to majestic Gullfoss waterfall, following the canyon which was created by water for parts of the ride. After we return the horses to their home meadows at Kjóastaðir Farm it is time to explore the Geysir hot spring area. We will also enjoy a relaxing bath in the warm geothermal water of an outdoor swimming pool, before a hearty dinner. (30 km)
Saturday: Kjóastaðir - Thingvellir - Reykjavík
We say good-bye to our guides and return to Reykjavík. On our drive back to Reykjavík for the last overnight stay we visit the historical site Thingvellir, Iceland’s first National Park. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 13:00.
Sunday: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.
