Day 1: Entering the Highlands: Fell – Einhyrningur (ca. 25 km)
Morning Pick-up in Reykjavik
Pick-up at your hotel in Reykjavik between 08.15 and 09.00. We travel by private coach to the Southern part of Iceland to the cabin Fell where we will find our horses and which will be our point of departure. We start our ride alongside the mighty Markarfljót River. We follow on its Western banks through majestic scenery with the Highlands towering ahead of us. Our path leads us up to the slopes of Mt. Einhyrningur, to our cabin Bólstaður where we spend the first night. Enjoy the great view of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier and Thorsmörk Nature Park.
Day 2: Passing the Peaks: Einhyrningur – Mosar – Hungurfit (ca. 30 km)
This day takes us across the mighty Markarfljót River (on a bridge). We ride through the scenic Emstrur area to Mosar. This lush grazing area in the highlands pleases our horses and we spend some time there before we continue to the new and cosy Hungurfit cabin just north of Tindfjallajökull, the smallest glacier in Iceland. It is easily recognisable by its two symmetrical peaks Ýmir and Ýma, both over 1400 meter high. A warm shower is available there, together with great views of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier where the notorious Katla crater is hidden.
Day 3: Through the Steamy Valley: Hungurfit – Landmannahellir Mt. Cabin (ca. 45 km)
We continue our ride into the mountains, past the prominent table mountain Laufafell, through a black lava desert. Our ride takes us past the black obsidian lava fields of Hrafntinnusker and through the fascinating Reykjadalur valley with its hot springs, small geysers and colourful mountains. We end this riding day in the traditional sheep herding station of Landmannahellir where we spend the next two nights.
Day 4: The Kaleidoscope of Iceland´s colours: (car transfer to) Landmannalaugar – Landmannahellir (ca. 40 km)
Today we ride into to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colourful mountains and lava from 1480. We spend the morning there with the opportunity to hike or take a dip in the pool or to go on the special ride further into Jökugil Canyon. For this ride we need to leave the herd behind while we venture further to explore. You will be riding through an area of outstanding beauty without the crowds from the Landmannalaugar area. After that de-tour we embark with our herd on the scenic ride returning to Landmannahellir. The colours change from the blue-yellow-reddish of the rhyolite mountain ranges of Landmannalaugar to the greenish black lava fields and unreal dots of blue lakes in between. We cross rivers and lakes and pass through an obsidian field before arriving back in Landmannahellir. This day will be without a doubt, one of the highlights of this tour.
We leave the horses but will not spend the night here, instead drive back to the more remote and serene cabin Landmannahellir.
Day 5: On the road to Nowhere:– Landmannalaugar to Lambaskarðshólar (ca. 40 km)
A long exciting day lies in front of us. We ride with our herd Southwards through the mountains until we reach the remote area of the Laki eruptions. We ride past the Eldgjá Canyon when everything turns green again, crossing rivers until we enter the Southern part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
Day 6: Fire and Ice: Lambaskarðshólar (55 km)-Mosar
The longest day of our tour lies ahead of us. We pick up the herd in Landmannalaugar again. Our ride will take us North East, between Mýrdalsjökull and Torfajökull Glacier. We follow the Fjallabak Trail across Mælifellssandur, a black sand desert named after the prominent cone shaped volcano Mælifell that rises above the black sand and provides great contrast with it’s moss green slopes. We ride around it and turn North through the Álftavatnskrókur grazing area and past Lake Álftavatn and we cross several small glacier fed rivers on our way to the cabin. Before reaching the cabin, we have to pass Ófæragíl, a narrow canyon where the horses have to pass through one by one. We end our ride at Lambaskarðshólar cabin, close to River Skaftá. After this long riding day, the hot showers at the cabin will be highly appreciated (55 km).
Day 7: Where the wild sheep roam: Around Mosar (ca. 25-35 km):
We leave the herd behind and continue on individual horses to further explore this wonderful area some more. We ride into the beautiful Botnar valley and stop at a cave used in earlier times as a shelter for farmers when gathering their sheep. The highlight of this day will be looking down at the impressive Markafljotsglúfur, a gorge that is 200 meter deep. Before heading back to the cabin we stop at a hilltop and enjoy a great 360 degree view over the Southern highlands, including Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and the notorious Katla crater.
Day 8: Winding down: Mosar - Fljotshlid
Our last riding day leads us down the slopes of Tindfjallajökull with amazig views of Markafljot River and the Eyjafjallaökull. This is the perfect day to wind down and let all the impressions from the trip sink in. Departure to Reykjavik in the evening.
