Day 1: Pick up in Reykjavik at 8am, four hour scenic drive along the South Coast to Hólaskjól.
After a quick imbiss you get on the horse to explore the surroundings. We will ride down to the banks of the glacier river Skaftá. Our ride will take us further North to the edge of Eldgjá, the “Fire canyon”. It is around 40 km long. ca. 270 metres deep at its deepest point and 600 metres wide at its widest point. The eruption at 939 AC released approximately 18 cubic kilometres of lava and caused a drop in temperature. The ash cloud could be traced as far as Central Asia. We have a short break there with the opportunity to walk a bit into the canyon to see it´s dimensions. (ca. 20km)
Day 2: Lambaskarðshólar – Landmannalaugar (car transfer to Landmannahellir) (ca. 40 km) On the road to Nowhere
A long exciting day lies in front of us. We ride with our herd Northwards through the mountains, past the Eldgjá Canyon entering the Northern part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This is a mountainous region and we will navigate our way over and through the mountain ranges, crossing rivers until we reach the colourful geothermal area of Landmannalaugar. We leave the horses but will not spend the night here, instead drive to the more remote and serene cabin Landmannahellir.
Day 3: (car transfer to) Landmannalaugar – Landmannahellir (ca. 25 km) The Kaleidoscope of Iceland´s colours
Today we drive back 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. After lunch 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 blue dotted lakes all 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.
Day 4: Landmannahellir – Hungurfit (ca. 45 km) Through the Smokey Valley
We start our day with a steep ascend into the mountains. When we reached Pokahryggur at about 1000 metre,, we are rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Southern Highlands, with Torfajokull, Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull in sight. From there we descend into Reykjadalur, a remote valley with hot springs, small geysers and colourful mountains. Our ride takes us past the black obsidian lava fields of Hrafntinnusker towards the prominent table mountain Laufafell, where a hidden waterfall provides the perfect backdrop for a break. We are riding through a black lava desert and on the banks of the Eystri-Rangá river until we reach the cabin at Hungurfit, just North of Tindfjallajokull, our place for the night.
Day 5: Hungurfit – Foss (ca. 35 km) Winding down
Our last riding day leads us further West, with the infamous Mt. Hekla volcano to our right side. Hekla is one of the most active and most feared volcano in Iceland, the lava fields in the South date back to the 12th century. Constant eruptions have not only destroyed human settlements throughout the centuries but also created fertile soil. Our ride takes us on the slopes of Tindfjallajökull through lush farmland at the edge of lava fields and crossing the rivers Ytri-Rangá and Eystri-Rangá. For most parts of the day we follow the well-known Hekla Trail and ride on good riding tracks where it is easy to enjoy the tölt. This is the perfect day to wind down and let all the impressions from the trip sink in. Departure to Reykjavik in the evening.
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary
