Family-Friendly Hekla Tour

We are delighted to present a multi-day Family-Friendly Hekla Tour, which we have designed to include adults travelling with children from the age of 9.

 

If you are travelling without a child you are also very welcome to join this tour.

 

Hekla, one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, was once considered by Icelanders to be the 'Gateway to Hell' due to regular and powerful eruptions. Despite this fearsome reputation, the lava and ash from these eruptions enriched the soil, which with time created rich pastures around the volcano. The ash and light pumice lava stone have formed incredibly smooth paths ideal for riding adventures in the land of fire and ice.

 

On this exciting 5 day tour, we traverse trails through lava fields and lush lands - always with Hekla in sight! We travel with a herd of horses led by staff at a distance, which you can read more about here.

 

As this is not a summer riding camp, but a genuine wilderness tour, all the participants (adults and non-adults alike) need to be able to tack up a horse and ride outdoors at a relatively fast speed within a group of fellow riders. Most of the distance will be ridden in the gait tölt, which you are not expected to have experienced beforehand. However, you are expected to have mastered walk, trot and canter outdoors. Here you can find more information about rider ability levels in the context of Ishestar's multi-day tours.

 

Please note that this tour is alcohol free.

 

This tour is operated by Beggi, Dora and Palli.

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Hekla tour
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BOOK NOW

€ 2590


    BOOK NOW

    DURATION

    5 nights - 5 riding days - 6 days

    RIDING SKILLS

    Intermediate to advanced riders

    DEPARTURES

    2024: August 15-20

    ACCOMMODATION

    5 nights in a beautifully restored farm house owned and decorated by Magnús and Þorey. The house has a cozy sleeping loft accommodating up to 14 people (and 3 private rooms available upon request at an extra charge when booking). The house has a nice bathroom and a restroom as well as a welcoming living room for relaxing.

    WHAT IS INCLUDED

    Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm.

    During the tour full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and a home cooked dinner based on availability of local ingredients. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table. We offer coffee, tea, hot chocolate(SwissMiss) and cookies. However, if you would like an additional snack we advise you to bring your favorite treat.

     

    Vegetarian meals are available on request when booking.

    Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

    ATTENTION

    Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.

    Flight to and from Iceland is not included

    Please note that this tour is alcohol free to ensure the comfort of everyone participating.

    DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

    Day 1: We will pick you up from Reykjavik around noon and drive you to your accommodation, Minni-Vellir farmhouse. After a light meal, we will head out to the horses to go for a 1-2-hour ride where we will familiarize ourselves with the horses, the tack and the area. We will then head back to the farm for dinner followed by a restful night.


    Day 2:     Today we get ready after breakfast for our second day of horseback adventure. Our group will go ahead of the herd leading the way into lush green farmland, riding through woodlands, crossing beautiful streams, and stopping by the magnificent Thjofafoss waterfall.  We wrap up our day at Rjupnavellir, where the horses will rest for the night. Evening options include a trip to the local community pool, so bring your swimsuit.


    Day 3:     As we get to know our horses, and their gaits, we'll venture closer to Hekla. The journey starts with a river crossing into a remote area by the roots of the volcano. After a lunchbreak, we are joined by a local farmer who shows us the way through his land on an exclusive ride at Hekla´s base. This ride takes us to hidden spots, rich in mystical local tales.

    After the ride, we have the option to explore woollen goods hand-made by local women in a craft shop situated on a nearby farm.

     

    Day 4: Today we ride on picturesque paths through the impressive and ever-changing lava fields reinforcing the 'Gateway to Hell' epithet as we leave the magnificent Hekla behind. Our route takes us down-stream along the river Rangá, which we will cross before arriving at Hrolfstaðahellir, where the horses rest for the night.

    Evening options include a dip in the local hot spring.


    Day 5:     Departing from Hrolfstaðahellir, we journey towards Rettarnes, an ancient sheep roundup site. The ride now takes us up along the Rangá river, alternating between green expanses, rugged lava terrains and ash dunes, until we circle back home to Minni-Vellir. We round our tour up with a dinner and one last night of having fun together in Iceland.

     

    Day 6: Today we pack, bid our horses farewell, and return to Reykjavik.

    USEFUL INFORMATION

    Airport Transfer

    We recommend that you book your transfer with airport direct, as they have more flexible options.

     

    Keflavik - Reykjavik (Bus hostel)

    Reykjavik (Bus hostel) - Keflavik

     

    Terms & Conditions:
    If you book online you will be asked to pay the full amount. Please contact us for different payment options.

     

    Liability:
    Íshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

    For more information please see also our Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact us at multidaytours@ishestar.is