Countryside Riding Adventure 2010
3 days / 2 nights, Reykjavik - Thingvellir - Geysir - Úthlíð - Kjóastaðir - Kjölur Highland Trail - Gullfoss - Reykjavik | If you are not ready for many days in the saddle, yet an outdoor person with a basic knowledge of riding and good stamina, this tour might be what you are looking for. We follow fine bridle paths to the magnificent sights of Iceland, Geysir Hot Spring area and Gullfoss Waterfall. During three riding days our guide leads you to these wonders of Iceland. Enjoy the view of glaciers in front of you while riding through a lovely birch forest and green meadows with grazing horses. "Tölt", the special gait of the Icelandic horse will be introduced to you. We use this comfortable gait for parts of our tour, but also trot and walk the horses in between. On the way to Kjóastaðir Farm a visit to Thingvellir is made, a place of historic and geological importance and first national park of Iceland. Kjóastaðir Farm is home of Hjalti and Åsa who also work with us for the Kjölur ride. Their capable staff will take good care of you and find a horse that will suit your liking. Two nights are spent in cozy summer cottages, 2 - 3rooms in each, shared facilities and a warm outdoor tub is available every night.
| Departure | Mondays: June 14th, 28th July 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 30th |
| Price | $985 per person in double room |
| Included | 2 night accommodation in shared rooms Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily Hotel taxes and service fees During the ride full board is included, along with water and coffee/tea Dinners, from day 1 Lunch packs (riders make their own from breakfast table) Full guidance, English and Scandinavian speaking Use of saddle bags, rain wear, riding helmet and sleeping bag (where necessary) |
| Not Included | Airfare & airport taxes Airport transfers Pre & post tour night in Reykjavik Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Difficulty: Intermediate riders (2 horses) Group size: up to 18 participants Accommodation: 2-4 bed units in summer cottages Meeting place: Reykjavik Accommodation before and after the ride can be arranged (not included) We recommend ending your tour with a stay at the Northern Light Inn, ideally nestled into the lava fields at the Blue Lagoon. Visit the Blue Lagoon in the evening and/or the following morning prior to your afternoon departure from the Keflavik Airport. Our partners in Iceland have been a leading, fully licensed tour operator for almost 25 years. The tours ntroduce the traditional way of traveling in Iceland and support nature, culture and the economy of each district we cover. They were rewarded with the Environmental Award by the Icelandic Tourist Board in 2001 and is a Green Globe Affiliate. |
| Tour Options | Additional nights in Reykjavik Additional sight seeing Blue Lagoon with transfer to Keflavik Airport East Greenland Excursion, 1 - 3 days Extending your stay in Reykjavik We offer an extensive range for 2, 3 and 4 star accommodation in Iceland's capital city and a wide range of Iceland excursions throughout the country |
Day 1 Sun REYKJAVIK - THINGVELLIR - KJÓASTAÐIR FARM (D) We drive to Kjóastaðir Farm, visiting the historical site Thingvellir on our way. After having met our guides we check into our rooms and enjoy lunch. Our guide will introduce the Icelandic horse and its special gaits before we start our ride along pleasant trails towards the majestic glacier Langjökull onto Haukadalsheiði heath. Enjoy a fantastic view onto the glacier and the mountains of the Kjölur highland route during this ride. Relax in a hot outdoor tub before a hearty dinner at the farm. (25 km)
Day 2 Mon GEYSIR - BJARNARFELL - KJÓASTAÐIR (B, L, D) Today will be an adventurous day! We ride to the world famous Geysir and continue to the bushy hillside at Úthlíð Farm. Today we take spare horses along and change our mount a couple of times during the day. This enables us to travel at a comfortable speed. From Úthlíð we ride towards the highland behind mountains Bjarnarfell and Sandfell and back to Kjóastaðir Farm. (35 km)
Day 3 Tue KJÓASTAÐIR - KJÖLUR TRAIL - GULLFOSS (B, L, D) leave the farm and head off towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky, glacier fed water passes through bizarre rock formations. We follow the ever deepening canyon to the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. After having spent some time there we saddle up again and follow the famous Kjölur highland trail for a while before we head back to the farm. Enjoy bathing in the warm outdoor tub before dinner. Now it is time to bid farewell to horses and guides and we drive back to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival time in Reykjavík is 22:00. (35 km)
Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for this ride!