IH-614 Sheep Round Up Landmannaafréttir

Day by day itinerary

Friday: Transfer to Landmannahellir – Landmannalaugar
Transfer from Reykjavík in the morning to Landmannahellir where we meet the horses and fellow riders. We ride into the famous Landmannalaugar area with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colourful mountains and black lava fields. This is a short riding day which gives us time to get acquainted with the terrain and to learn about the task which lies ahead. Overnight stay in Landmannalaugar. (3 – 4 hrs.)

Saturday: Jökulgilið – Landmannalaugar
Jökulgilið, a long and shallow valley with multiple colours and rock formations, is our destination for today. The valley is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, mostly barren yet covered with grass here and there. This is what attracts the sheep who seek into this remote area far away from any human contact. A glacier fed river makes it hard to access the valley during the summer time and it is only now that we can ride in and look for the sheep that have been grazing there all summer. (8 – 9 hrs.)

Sunday: Landmannalaugar – Landmannahellir
Today we cover the area between Landmannalaugar and Landmannahellir. Even though not to far apart the area is covered with lava fields, craters and lakes and sheep can be found widely. Therefore it is important to keep your place in the human chain to make sure that no sheep stays behind. Another and final night in Landmannalaugar. (8 hrs.)

Monday: Landmannahellir and surroundings
We leave Landmannalaugar in the morning, pack our belongings into a transport vehicle and ride back to Landmannahellir, driving our spare horses along in a free running herd. Today we explore the surroundings of Landmannahellir, which has a long tradition as a night rest for those gathering sheep. Originally two caves there were used as a shelter for horses and men. (8 hrs.)

Tuesday: Mt. Hekla volcano
Green grass turns into black ashes as we approach Mt. Hekla volcano. Mt. Hekla is an active volcano and has erupted regularly, spewing lava, pumice and ash into the sky. Sheep can be found in sheltered valleys and we make sure that they all return home. While some of us are out in this wilderness looking for sheep others drive the flock to Mt.Valahnjúkar. Overnight in Landmannahellir. (10 hrs.)

Wednesday: Áfangagil
Áfangagil is the final destination for our flock today. Here is the round pen where the sheep will be sorted tomorrow. On our way we search the area to make sure that no sheep stays behind. We spend our last night in the mountains in Áfangagil, in a small but cosy mountain cabin. (8 hrs.)

Thursday: Day of the round-up
This is the final and well celebrated day of the round-up. At noon the sorting of the sheep starts and last until each sheep has been returned to its owners. Participate in sorting the sheep, pass the flask around and join in the singing and celebrating after a successful ride into the mountains. Once the sorting is finished we drive back to Reykjavík where this great tour ends.

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Testimonials

We are four friends that went together on a riding tour with Íshestar last summer. It was a great tour in a fantastic landscape. Our hosts made us feel like members of their family and we will certainly be back.
Angela Kohl, Koblenz Germany