Trail of Hope
Trail of Hope– Iceland –5 days / 4 nights / 4 riding days, Reykjavik - Hvammur - Vatnsdalur - Lake Hop - Hvammsfoss - Kjölur Highland Route - Geysir - Gullfoss - ReykjavikThe Trail of Hope tour is an ideal opportunity to enjoy a comfortable ride on the Icelandic horse. Ride through untouched nature and get an insight into Icelandic history when listening to stories from the Saga ages. We start at Hvammur Farm in Vatnsdalur valley, ride in water across the Lake Hop lagoon, accompanied by a herd of free running horses ahead of us. Visit a seal colony on the North-Atlantic coast and follow the Kjölur highland route.
| Operation | June 30 - August 5, 2013 |
| Departure | Sundays: June 30 - July 4 July 7 - 11 / July 14 - 18 / July 21 - 25 August 5 - 9 |
| Price | $1,643 per person in double room |
| Included | 4 nights accommodation in shared rooms, 2 - 4 bed units, beds with bed linen Breakfast buffet daily Transfer to the farm and back to Reykjavik During the ride full board is included, along with water and coffee/tea Lunch packs (riders make their own from breakfast table) Full guidance, English and Scandinavian speaking Use of saddle bags, rain wear, riding helmet |
| Not Included | Airfare & airport taxes Airport transfers Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Difficulty: Strong intermediate riders, comfortable and in control at all paces, firm seat, comfortable in the saddle for up to 7 hours per day. Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for this ride. Accommodation: 2 - 4 bed units, beds with bed linen. Accommodation before and after the ride to be arranged individually (not included). Group size: Max. 16 guests. Meeting place: Reykjavik. |
| Tour Options | Additional nights in Reykjavik Additional excursions Blue Lagoon with transfer to Keflavik Airport 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. |
| More Information | Iceland Riding Equipment (PDF) The Icelandic Horse |
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Day 1 REYKJAVIK - HVAMMUR- VATNSDALUR (D) Sunday
Transfer by bus from Reykjavik to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. We start our ride through Vatnsdalur valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride along the banks of River Vatnsdalsa before crossing over to the western side of the valley. Our ride ends at Sveinsstadir Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight stay. (25 km)
Day 2 HVAMMUR - HOP - BORGARVIRKI (B, L, D) Monday
We leave Sveinsstadir Farm and ride alongside the lagoon Hop. The black sand at the beach is ideal for riding tölt, the special gait of the Icleandic horse. This trail along the shore gives us an idea of the beautiful lagoon we are going to cross tomorrow. We ride along the banks of Vididalsa River and cross over it. Before leaving the horses at Stora-Borg we ride past Borgarvirki, a fascinating fortress from the Viking ages. We spend the night again at Hammur Farm. (30 km)
Day 3 HVAMMUR - HVITSERKUR - NORTH ATLANTIC - THINGEYRAR (B, L, D) Tuesday
Today we explore the beauty of the Vatnsnes peninsula and follow black dunes on Sigridarstadasandur towards the North-Atlantic. Just off shore we see Hvitserkur, a basalt rock formation, nesting place to many seabirds. This area is home to large numbers of seals and hopefully we see many of them resting and playing on the beach. Today we cross the lagoon Lake Hop and follow a save trail through the water on our way to Thingeyrar Farm, once the site of a monastery founded in the 12th century. For sure this day is one of the highlights of this ride. Relax in the outdoor hot tub at Hvammur Farm before a hearty dinner. (40 km)
Day 4 HVAMMUR - THINGEYRAR - HUNAVATN (B, L, D) Wednesday
We start the day with a visit to historic Thingeyrar Church. This is our last day of riding and we bring the horses back to Hvammur Farm. We cross Lake Hunavatn on a save trail in the water and enjoy the excitement of the horses once they have returned to the black sand on dry land. We ride on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. Celebrate the successful return in the evening with a great barbeque feast in the barn - "Icelandic style". (25 km)
Day 5 KJÖLUR HIGHLAND - GULLFOSS - GEYSIR - REYKJAVIK (B, L) Thursday
It is time to say good bye to our guides and we drive on the scheduled bus over Kjölur Highland Road back to Reykjavik. The bus takes you through the rugged wilderness of the Icelandic highland. Be amazed by natural hot water pools at Hveravellir and enjoy a dip into one of them. View the majestic glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, and powerful Gullfoss waterfall, before reaching the well known Geysir area. Return to Reykjavik at approx. 18:30.
