Chasing Waterfalls
Waterfalls, mountains, caves, lava fields, lupins and lush green grass: There is nothing you don’t see on this tour that leads South of Tindfjallajökull into the Southern Highlands.
€ 2.990 per person
Chasing waterfalls-From Summit to Sea
Waterfalls, mountains, caves, lava fields, lupins and lush green grass: There is nothing you don’t see on this tour that leads South of Tindfjallajökull into the Southern Highlands. You will ride with a small group and get to explore this remote area on horseback and enjoy amazing views over the mountains, lava fields, rivers and canyons. We will pass an abandoned farm and visit a man-made cave that used to be a sheepfold.
Operated by a trusted partner of Íshestar, Róbert Bergmann and his family.
- Departures
- 8.-14. June, 18.-24. June, 5.-10. July, 15.-21. July, 8.-14. August
- Duration
- 5 riding days, 6 nights
- Group Size
- 10
- Typical Riding
- 3-5 hours per day
- Daily distance
- 15-35 km
- Riding level
- Intermediate • Experienced and riding fit → Riding Levels
- Riding Style
- Single horse rides • Travelling with a free-running herd • Regular horse changes
- Accommodation
- Grímsstaðir Guesthouse made up beds in shared rooms with shared bathroom and other facilities (4 nights)• Foss mountain hut (2 nights) • Sleeping-bag accommodation
- Region
- South Iceland
Day 1 – Arrival in Reykjavík
Afternoon pick-up in Reykjavík and transfer to the guesthouse. Enjoy a welcoming dinner and introduction to the riding holiday.
Day 2 – Crossing the Creeks
Ride from Bakkakot to Stóra-Hof through green fields with views of Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. Visit the spectacular Seljalandsfoss waterfall before returning for dinner.
Distance: Approximately 20 km
Day 3 – On the Trail of the Vikings
Follow ancient Viking paths through lava fields and lupin-covered landscapes. Stop near the historic Keldur turf farm before continuing to the mountain cottage at Foss.
Distance: Approximately 20 km
Day 4 – Chasing Waterfalls
Today we take one horse each and explore the area around our hut further. We leave the herd behind to venture into the beautiful landscape around Foss. We ride off trail and enjoy amazing views over the mountains, lava fields, rivers and canyons. We will pass an abandoned farm and visit a man-made cave that used to be a sheepfold. Like the day before, we will go for a rides from our hut. We will ride up the hills south of Foss, where we will meet beautiful waterfalls, and enter a small cave called Thieves’ Cave. If the sky is clear we’ll get a great view over the lowlands and the mountains. Distance: Approximately 15 km
Day 5 – Winding Down
Ride from Foss back to Bakkakot through soft landscapes with mountain and glacier views. Experience the joy of tölting before celebrating the return with coffee, cake and dinner.
Distance: Approximately 35 km
Day 6 – To the sea
Today we will be riding on a black sand beach. In the morning we ride alongside a river down to Grimstaðir, where we have lunch. In the afternoon we ride to the beach, with the sea on one side and mountain panorama with the spectacular Eyjafjallajoekull on the other side. We tölt through the dunes (if the deep sand allows) and cross tidal rivers, and enjoy the company of curious seals or the abundant bird wildlife.
Day 7 – Departure
Morning transfer back to Reykjavík.
Please note: The itinerary describes our planned route, but conditions in the Icelandic Highlands can change quickly. Weather, trail conditions and water levels in rivers may require us to adapt the route. Our guides will always make these decisions with the safety and wellbeing of our guests and horses in mind.
Riding with a free-running herd brings its own rhythm to the Journey. The horses travel together through the landscape, and as the terrain changes, so does the pace and character of the riding.
Over several days, you will ride a number of different horses, getting to know the versatility of the Icelandic horse while becoming part of the movement of the herd through the Highlands.
Mix of longer and shorter days, riding with the herd and single horse rides
Landmannalaugar Expedition is designed for experienced, riding-fit riders who are comfortable spending several hours a day in the saddle.
We typically ride for 4–6 hours each day, with travelling days covering around 15–25 km. The terrain changes considerably throughout the Journey, from farmland and smooth riding trails to lava, mountain country, river crossings and finally the beach.
Most of the Journey is ridden with the free-running herd, changing horses regularly along the way. But not every day follows the same rhythm.
There are opportunities for active riding and tölt where terrain and conditions allow, but this is not a Journey defined by speed. Its challenge comes from five consecutive days of riding, substantial distances, changing terrain and weather, and the dynamics of travelling with the herd through the Highlands.
Riders should be confident and balanced at all paces, comfortable riding different horses and physically prepared for consecutive days in the saddle.
Minni-Vellir is our home base, with two nights together in the Highlands.
For the first two nights of the Journey, we return to Minni-Vellir, our farmhouse beneath Hekla. While the horses remain at the destination reached that day, we transfer back to Minni-Vellir for dinner and the night.
On Day 3, horses and riders arrive together at Landmannahellir, where we spend the next two nights in the Highlands. Accommodation here is simple and shared, in a traditional mountain hut surrounded by the landscape we have spent the previous days riding towards.
On Day 5, we leave Landmannahellir and begin the Journey home. The horses remain overnight at Áfangagil while we return to Minni-Vellir, where we spend the final two nights of the Journey.
Accommodation is in sleeping bags throughout the Journey. At Minni-Vellir, we sleep in proper beds in the Riders’ Loft, while Landmannahellir offers simple, shared mountain-hut accommodation.
Back at Minni-Vellir, there is time to relax after the day’s riding, enjoy dinner together and make use of the outdoor hot tub.
Good food after a day in the saddle
Each morning begins with a breakfast buffet, where you can also prepare sandwiches and snacks to take with you for the day. Lunch is carried in our saddlebags or brought to us along the route where access allows.
In the evening, we come together over a chef-prepared dinner, with an emphasis on Icelandic food and locally sourced ingredients. It is a chance to relax, talk about the day and enjoy the company of the group.
- The age limit to ride on this tour is 16 years old.
- The weight limit for all our tours is 110 kg/240 lbs.
- It is the responsibility of each rider to assess whether they are physically able to take part in the trip, and to choose the tour according to their riding experience.
- Please check with your travel/accident insurance that horse riding tours are covered.
Arrival & First Ride
Our Journey begins with a pickup in Reykjavík at 17:30 and a transfer to Grimstadir (app. 1,5 hours driving).
Final Day & Return to Reykjavík
On the final riding day, we spend one final night at the farmhouse before departing the following day. Drop off is at 12pm in Reykjavik.
Support Along the Way
Our support team meets us at accessible points along the route, and is arranging transfers between Grimstadir/Foss and the horses when needed.
For our two nights at Foss, our support vehicle brings our overnight luggage and supplies to the mountain hut. We recommend packing lightly and bringing only what is needed for these two nights.
- All food and accommodation during the tour
- Helmets, saddle bags, water bottles
- Íshestar gift bag, including an exclusive Íshestar T-shirt
- A great riding experience
- All-in pricing – No additional booking fees
- Towels and sleeping bags
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT ON A RIDER?
Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb.
CAN I WEAR MY OWN RIDING CLOTHES?
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
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€2.890 per person
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