Northern Exposure 2010
8 days / 7 nights, Reykjavik - Akureyri - Godafoss - Hvammsheiði -
Geldingadalur - Theistareykir - Skjólbrekka - Lake Mývatn - Dimmuborgir - Lake Vestmannsvatn - Hvammsheiði - Reykjavik | This Tour was nominated by the Sunday Times as one of the 10 best trails in the World! The North of Iceland is known for its great natural sights and varied landscape. Our tour leads from Saltvík Farm near Húsavík to the Lake Mývatn area, known for its volcanic features and countless numbers of breeding ducks. An optional whale watching tour concludes the circle of natural highlights on and off shore. Our hosts on this tour are Bjarni Páll and his wife Elsa. Bjarni Páll or his friend Sævar will lead most of the tours. They both take special interest in geology so you can expect to learn a lot about Icelandic nature! A visit to the picturesque Goðafoss Waterfall is just one of the highlights on your first day in the north. We ride along soft riding tracks ideal for "tölt", the unique gait of the Icelandic horse. From fertile farm land we turn towards the Gæsafjöll Mountains and spend a night in a mountain cabin at Theistareykir, a place with bubbling hot water and white clouds from steam vents rising to the sky. Through an area covered with cracks and fissures from earthquakes and volcanic activity the route leads towards Lake Mývatn where boiling mud pools and eerie lava formations remind you of the volcanic energy hidden beneath. We can take a relaxing bathe in an outdoor bathing facility with hot geothermal water in Jarðböð. The next riding days will take us from the black sand deserts of Hólssandur to the forested hillsides at Vatnshlíðarskógur. Our last riding day over Hvammsheiði Heath towards the shore offers a terrific view of Skjálfandi Bay before we get back to Saltvík Farm. After this amazing tour in an ever changing landscape we can relax in outdoor hot tubs with a great view over to the ocean and the Kinnafjöll Mountain Range. Accommodation on this tour is in sleeping bags. One night in a remote mountain cabin is an adventure, while the other nights are spent at holiday farms or guesthouses with an outdoor hot tub nearby. Two nights in a guesthouse with shared facilities in Reykjavík are included, one at the beginning and one at the end of this tour.
| Departure | Sundays, June 20th July 4th, 18th August 1st & 22nd |
| Price | $2,355 per person in double room |
| Included | 7 nights accommodation in guesthouse, based on double room 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 Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Difficulty: Strong intermediate riders (3 horses) Group size: maximum 18 participants Accommodation: 2 - 4 bed units in Reykjavík. Sleeping bag accommodation in shared rooms during the ride. Meeting place: Keflavík International Airport Our partners in Iceland have been a leading, fully licensed tour operator for almost 25 years. The tours introduce 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 Optional excursions Optional Whale watching trip 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 |
Iceland Riding Equipment (PDF)
Icelandic Horse History
Day 1 Sun ARRIVAL IN ICELAND Early morning arrival in Iceland. After clearing passport control, head downstairs for your luggage and customs. A representative from your tour will meet you at Keflavik Airport and drive you to a guesthouse in Reykjavik. At 17:30 we invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.
Please note: If you plan on arriving in Iceland before the actual tour start date, you must arrange your own airport/hotel transfers.
Day 2 Mon REYKJAVIK - AKUREYRI - GOÐAFOSS - HVAMMSHEIDI (B, L, D) Domestic Flight in the morning to Akureyri and transfer to Saltvík Farm. On the way we stop at majestic Goðafoss waterfall. At Saltvík, we start our ride after a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits. We cross the mountain plateau Hvammsheiði towards the Reykjahverfi area with its white steaming hot springs. Surely you will enjoy a relaxing bath in a warm outdoor tub before dinner at Saltvík farm and overnight stay. (20 km)
Day 3 Tue HEIDABAER - THEISTAREYKIR (B, L, D) Through the Geldingadalur valley and over the plateau Reykjaheiði heath our trail leads us to the geothermal area of Theistareykir. At one point we will practically cross over from one continental plate to another as we ride over the mid Atlantic ridge! It is a fascinating area with deep earthquake fissures, multi-colored mountains and geothermal energy. With all this volcanic activity going on here, it is easy to understand that Iceland is still under "natural construction"! Overnight at the Theistareykir Mountain Cabin (40 km)
Day 4 Wed GRIMSSTADIR - JARDBOD - HRAUNBRUN (B, L, D) Enjoy today's ride from the Theistareykir area past the mountains Gæsafjöll and Hrafnabjörg. We follow good riding tracks through the mountains, past lakes and through bushy vegetation. At Grímsstaðir Farm we leave the horses behind and take a nice hot bath in Jarðböð, an outdoor pool with geothermal water. We continue to Hraunbrún Guesthouse where we stay over night. (40 km
Day 5 Thu HRAUNBRUN - LAXARDALUR - SALTVIK FARM (B, L, D) We start the day with an exciting sightseeing tour by bus. Visit Dimmuborgir, fantastic black lava formations with rich vegetation. Our next highlight is the geothermal area of Hverarönd with boiling mud pools and steam vents. We saddle up again and head out of the Mývatn area. Through a black sand desert we ride into colorful Laxárdalur valley with glittering salmon River Laxá in the middle. A true day of contrasts in the ever changing Icelandic nature. Overnight at Saltvík Farm for the last two nights. (30 km)
Day 6 Fri BREIDAMYRI - SALTVIK FARM (B, L, D) Enjoy excellent riding paths in the lovely birch wood area of Vatnshlíðarskógur and the great views on the shores of Lake Vestmannsvatn. We cross Laxá river on our way to Hraunsréttir, a place used by the farmers for their annual sheep round-up every autumn Over Hvammsheiði heath we ride back to Saltvík Farm where the warm outdoor tub is waiting. (40 km)
Optional (available at an extra charge):
Whale Watching - At Húsavík harbour a boat is waiting to go out on a whale watching cruise. There is no better way to end a great tour than by sailing into the evening sun with, hopefully, whales swimming alongside.
Price per person: $80 for three hour cruise.
Day 7 Sat SALTVIK - AKUREYRI - REYKJAVIK (B) In the morning return to Akureyri by bus and flight back to Reykjavík Domestic Airport with arrival at approx. 13:30. Last night in a guesthouse in Reykjavík.
Day 8 Sun DEPARTURE (B, D*) Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport for your flight to North America.
* Dinner on flight.