Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

Hveravellir, a geothermal area in the highland, invites you to a long hot bath under the midnight sun! If you want to see as much as possible of the Icelandic highland, this tour might be the perfect choice for you.

See our special information sheet on Icelandic Rides.

Saturday: Europe– Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. We invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.

Sunday: Reykjavík – Thingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss – Kjóastaðir
We drive to Kjóastaðir Farm, visiting the historical site Thingvellir and the well-known Geysir Hot Spring Area on our way. The ride starts off towards the majestic glacier Langjökull on to Haukadalsheiði heath. We leave the horses at Sandá River for the night. On our way back to Kjóastaðir Farm we stop at the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall. The night is spend in several summer houses in rooms which share a bathroom unit.
(30 km)

Monday: Kjóastaðir – Sandá – Árbúðir
Our ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. This area was roamed by outlaws in the old days. To be on the save side you might want to take a little stone along today as a special token for safety during the ride. You might need it later today... We cross River Hvítá and enjoy the view to the glacier fed lake Hvítárvatn with its floating icebergs. Tonight we stay at Árbúðir, situated right at the banks of river Svartá.
(35 km)

Tuesday: Árbúðir – Hveravellir
We ride along the glacier fed river Fúlakvísl through huge rugged lava fields of Kjalhraun that the sure footed Icelandic horses master with such bravery. During the ride we enjoy splendid views of the glacier Langjökull. We leave the herd for a couple of hours to enter into the world of Thjófadalir, or Valley of Thieves, a grassy valley surrounded by high mountains, a true oasis in the wilderness. On to Hveravellir, a unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. A natural hot pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath.
(45 km)

Wednesday: Hveravellir – Strangakvísl
This day will be a very special one, since we cross the large glacial rivers, Blanda, Svartakvísl and Strangakvísl on our way to the North. No need to worry, most Icelanders would rather choose a trusted Icelandic horse than a vehicle to cross a river! The location of tonight's mountain cabin offers great views of the big glaciers behind you and towards the high mountains of the North ahead of you. Up to mid July the sun hardly sets in this part of the country.
(30 km)

Thursday: Strangakvísl – Galtará
Today it is easy to see that we follow a historical route, since large man made stone cones accompany us through a desert of sand and stones. All the way back to the early settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. Imagine beeing part of a chieftains family, all dressed up and riding the best horses on this historical route. From the mountain cabin Galtará we can overlook the big man made lake Blönduvatn. In August this is a perfect spot for berry picking!
(25 km)

Friday: Galtará – Aðalmannsvatn – Lauftún
We descend past beautiful Lake Aðalmannsvatn towards the fertile Mælifellsdalur valley in the Skagafjörður area. Enjoy endless herds of horses grazing on striking hills. In good weather conditions you can see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean at the North coast. Good riding tracks give you the opportunity to enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! We end the day at Lauftún Holiday Farm with a hot pot heated with geothermal water.
(45 km)

Saturday: Lauftún Holiday Farm – Reykjavík
Transfer back to Reykjavík for the last overnight stay. Approx. return to Reykjavík at 14:00.

Sunday: Reykjavik - Europe
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

Important : Some of our departures are operated from the North.

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

The ride is supervised by a team of professionals of the trail ride in Iceland that perfectly knows the Icelandic horses and the specificity of the country.

Accommodation
In Reykjavik, you will be accommodated in hostel in rooms with shared facilities. 2 to 4 riders share a room.
On the ride, accomodation are mostly in mountains cabins and guesthouses 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.

- Children's discount (under 12 years old): - 325 €
- Family discount available for parents and older children travelling together, 3 or more: - 95 €
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.

- 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

- flights to Reykjavik
- 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.

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.

The rigour of the Icelandic climate, which has formed the immense spaces that you cover, only allows the trail rides from June to September.

However this period is really ideal seeing that the sun shines during the best part of the day.

Formalities
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.