Our Destinations
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
ICELAND : NORTHERN ODYSSEY...
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
Skagafjörður is a district in Iceland that has a long tradition in horse breeding. With great pleasure we present a riding tour from this well known district into the rugged wilderness of the highlands. This tour leads all the way to Laugafell, a place well known for the natural hot pool and green vegetation, a true oasis for those following the old and famous Sprengisandur Trail. From green pastures we ascent onto remote desert-like areas close to the majestic glacier Hofsjökull. Explore the outback of Iceland, following the old Sprengisandur Trail for parts of this ride. Only here in the North you can see horses living freely in sheltered valleys during the summer months, independent of men, just relying on their natural instincts. Enjoy the peaceful Austurdalur valley and Ábær countryside church, where service is held only once a year. Merkigil canyon is a landmark on this trail before your ride returns to lush green fields and meadows. This is a tour that combines the fascinating and varied wilderness of northern Iceland with historical sights and stories of remarkable men and women. |
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ITINERARY
Sunday: Europe - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a hotel in Reykjavík. We invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.
Monday: Reykjavík – Gilhagi Farm – Gil – Gilhagi
We leave Reykjavík in the morning and drive to the North. At Gilhagi Farm we meet our hosts and our horses. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and the way of riding we start our ride and follow Vesturdalur valley all the way to the abandoned farm Gil. Here our horses spend the night while we return to Gilhagi Farm for accommodation. (25 km)
Tuesday: Gilhagi Farm – Gil – Rústir – Laugafell Mt. Cabin
We leave the inhabited area behind and head for the highlands. Today we head for an area called Rústir. Here we reach the Icelandic tundra, where the vegetation is composed of dwarf shrubs, sedges and grasses, mosses, and lichens. Our horses rest at an old shepherds shack and we drive to Laugafell, where we spend the next two nights in this unique geothermal area between the glaciers Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. A large natural hot pool invites us for a relaxing bath. (30 km)
Wednesday: Rústir – Laugafell Mt. Cabin
An exciting day when we continue our ride towards Glacier Hofsjökull, following the old Sprengisandur Trail. From the early days of settlement Icelanders travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. We cross Austari-Jökulsá River on a bridge. On a clear day we can enjoy the view of Iceland’s three biggest glaciers; Langjökull, Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. We stay again at Laugafell Mt. Cabin and enjoy the natural outdoor pool. (30 km)
Thursday: Laugafell – Ábær Church – Skatastaðir Farm
This is our longest riding day. On our way down from the mountains we ride through Hörknárdalur valley and into Austurdalur valley. We follow the river Eystari-Jökulsá for most of the day and continue to the unique and remote Ábær Church. This small church can only be visited on foot or horse back. There is no altarpiece in this church; it is replaced by a window encouraging the viewer’s eye to celebrate nature. We end our day at Skatastaðir farm. Those who dare can use the aerial ropeway to cross the glacier fed river. (50 km)
Friday: Skatastaðir – Merkigil – Egilsá Farm
Today we ride past Merkigil farm and hear stories about the remarkable people who lived in this remote location in the past. We cross majestic Merkigil gorge and enjoy the beautiful countryside of the Skagafjörður area. See how the narrow valley widens as we follow good riding tracks past traditional farms. Some are deserted, but others, like Kelduland, are still today used for horse breeding. Hear about the old tradition of “hestakaup” (exchanging horses) that the farmer there has practiced for centuries with great success. We finish our ride at Egilsá Farm where we spend the night. (25 km)
Saturday: Egilsá – Mælifell – Lauftún Farm
This is our last day of riding as we continue North through the countryside of Bólstaðarhlíð with the river Héraðsvötn running nearby. If weather and conditions are favourable we cross the glacier fed river, or else ride past the Landsmót site at Vinheimarmelar to Mælifell Farm where we finish our ride. We spend our last night at Lauftún Farm and celebrate our great ride with Anna Lisa’s farewell dinner. (40 km)
Sunday: Lauftún Holiday Farm – Reykjavík
Bus drive back to Reykjavík for the last overnight stay. We return back to Reykjavík at approx. 14:00.
Monday: Reykjavík - Europe
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
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Explore Southern Iceland for a week before or after your equestrian adventure !
We propose two Self driving tours, with a car we rent for you Category A vehicle - Opel Corsa or similar, Category H 4wheels car - Hyundai Tucson auto or similar. For a shorter extension, we suggest you our "Whale Safari" from Reykjavik or to relax yourself at the famous geothermal center "Blue Lagoon". |
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
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Horses The Icelandic Horse is unique amongst horse breeds because it masters five gaits; walk, trot, tölt, canter/gallop and flying pace. The breed is best known for its fourbeat smooth gait, the “tölt”, that is very comfortable for the rider and elegantly displayed by the horse. The tölt is the specialty of the Icelandic Horse. It is a smooth four-beat gait in which the horse’s hind legs should move well under the body and carry more of the weight on the hind part, allowing the front to rise and be free and loose. Usually we change horses once or twice a day. On most of our longer tours we herd our spare horses along in a free running herd, the traditional way of riding in Iceland. All tours of the three and four horse categories are operated that way. For tours of the two horse category our guides may lead spare horses for parts of the ride. Source: The Icelandic horse, published by The Horse Breeders Association of Iceland (Félag hrossabænda) 2006 |
Tack The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different then the tack ordinarily used for other breeds. The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides a crupper helps keeping the saddle in place. Riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long. Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins. Recommended riding level This popular tour is ideal for families and those who do not have the required riding experience for our other riding trails in Iceland. Still riding days can be long so you should be in good physical condition and have a basic knowledge of horsemanship. Also, you must be comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length trots (tölt) and short canters. Minimum age : 09 years, with the requested riding abilities and accompanied by an adult. See our special information sheet on Icelandic Rides. |
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YOUR GUIDES
ACCOMMODATION
In Reykjavik, you will be accommodated in hotel in rooms with shared facilities. 2 to 4 riders share a room.
On the ride, accomodation are mostly in mountains cabins and farmthouse and offer simple accommodations in sleeping bags. Sometimes, the whole group stays together in one room.
Indoor WC, warm showers and/or hot pools are available at most locations.
European plugs are used in Iceland so you don't need any adapter.
Meals
During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table : sandwich, cheese, fruits ...
In Reykjavik, lunch and dinner are not include but generfruitsally there are lots of restaurant available near the accomodation.
DATES AND RATES
| Northern Odyssey - 2012 | ||
| July 08 to 16 | 1770 € |
full |
| July 22 to 30 - 6 spaces left ! | 1770 € |
available |
| August 05 to 13 - 5 spaces left ! | 1770 € |
available |
Children's discount (under 12 years old): - 330 €
- Family discount available for parents and older children travelling together, 3 or more: - 80 €
Not applicable if the children’s discount is used for one family member.
Flights to Reykjavik
Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride with 3-4 horses per rider
- full board (except at Hafnarfjordur - Reykjavik, breakfast)
- english-speaking equestrian guide
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- tips
- drinks
- meals at Reykjavik
- the organisation of a possible tour through another region before or after the trail ride (consult us)
- any other prestation
- insurrance (cancellation, luggage, repatriation). You can subscribe to these insurrances only if you are an european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurrance company.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Jennifer, for any enquiry !
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Iceland
LENGTH
9 days / 8 nights / 6 days on horseback.
LANGUAGE
English
GROUP SIZE
From 10 to 20 riders. Given the fact that we always move with a substantial herd of horses in freedom (on average 50 to 60 horses) in immense areas, a more substantial group than in our other destinations is not a handicap at all.
ACCESS
Reykjavik airport.
CLIMATE
However this period is really ideal seeing that the sun shines during the best part of the day.
Contact your embassy. For European people, the Identity card is enought.
Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.
We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus.
Riding gear (riding boots, riding trousers, jackets, hats, gloves, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C), dry cleaned or disinfected before arriving in Iceland.
Saddles, bridles and other leather gear may not be brought into the country.
See our special information sheet on Icelandic Rides.
REFERENCE :
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