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ICELAND / HORSE RIDING TRAIL IN LANDMANNALAUGAR, DRIVING A 60 HORSES HERD...
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
A tour to Landmannalaugar: one of the natural highlights of Southern Iceland. Colourful rhyolite mountains form this unique area and surround black lava fields where hot water streams are just at the apropriate temperature for a refreshing bath. Ride into the mountains and through the lava field of Skaftáreldar, the result of the devastating eruption of 1783. This tour introduces you to the amazing power of fire and ice, which has influenced life in Iceland ever since the days of the first settlers. Also included in this tour is a visit to beautiful Skógarfoss, Gullfoss, Waterfalls and the world famous Geysir. See our special information sheet on Icelandic Rides. |
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ITINERARY
Day 1 - Monday: 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.
Day 2 - Tuesday: Reykjavík – Geysir – Gullfoss – Kálfhóll
- Fossnes
We visit the well known sights of Iceland, Geysir
hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall on our way to Kálfhóll
Farm, where we meet staff and horses. Our ride starts alongside the mighty
glacial river Thjórsá, using a soft trail that will
make it easy for horse and rider to enjoy the famous gate; tölt
!! We will follow this trail almost all the way to Fossnes Farm where
we will stay the first night, enjoy a dip into the hot tub and a
good dinner. (38 km).
Day 3 - Wednesday: Fossnes – Hólaskógur
Now it’s time to ride into the mountains and valleys where
black ashes of numerous eruptions of volcano Mt. Hekla remind us
of the huge powers hidden down below. We stop at Gjáin valley
with it’s rich vegetation, and Stöng, the site of a 12
th century Viking farm. Over night at Hólaskógur cabin. (35 km)
Day 4 - Thursday: Hólaskógur – Landmannahellir
We cross mighty River Thjórsá on a bridge and ride north of Mt.
Hekla and Mt. Valafell, using good riding tracks through fields of ashes and
lava from Mt. Hekla eruptions. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the
trail takes us through an amazing landscape. Today's ride ends in the beautiful
area of Landmannahellir where we spend 2 nights in a mountain cabin. (40 km)
Day 5 - Friday: Landmannahellir - Landmannalaugar - Landmannahellir
Today we ride to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot
pool, surrounded by colourful mountains and lava from 1480. We will
put our horses in the stable there and have a good part of the day
to relax in the hot pools or visit the numerous sights, before returning
to Landmannahellir. This day will be without a doubt, one of the
highlights of this tour.(40 km )
Day 6 - Saturday: Landmannahellir – Klettur Cabin
This is another exciting and a long riding day when we take another route
north of Mt. Valafell with a view to the mighty glacier Vatnajökull.
Part of today’s ride is on the famous Sprengisandur Trail.
You can just imagine the thousands of horses and farmers using this
trail through the centuries on their way to or from the parliament,
then beeing held at Thingvellir. We cross River Thjórsá again
and continue to the mountain cabin at Klettur where we stay overnight
in beautiful surroundings. (55 km)
Day 7 - Sunday: Klettur – Fossnes
Today we ride through valleys and across small rivers to Fossnes Farm where we leave the horses behind. We drive to Kalfholl Farm for refreshments and continue to the swimming pool in Brautarholt where we can enjoy the geothermal water. A bus takes us back to Reykjavík
for our last night of this tour. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík
at 19:00. (32 km)
Day 8 - Sunday : Reykjavík – Europe
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return
flight home.
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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. See our special information sheet on Icelandic Rides. |
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YOUR GUIDES
ACCOMMODATION
In Reykjavik, you will be accommodated in guesthouses in rooms with shared facilities. 2 to 4 riders share a room.
On the ride, accomodation are mostly in mountains cabins and guesthouse 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
| Landmannalaugar 2012 | ||
| July 02 to 09 | 1768 € |
available |
| July 09 to 16 | 1768 € |
available |
| July 23 to 30 | 1768 € |
full |
| July 30 to August 06 | 1768 € |
available |
| August 13 to 20 | 1768 € |
available |
- Children's discount (under 12 years old): -330 €
- Family discount available for parents and older children travelling together,
3 or more: - 85 €
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
- full board (except at Hafnarfjordur - Reykjavik, breakfast)
- english-speaking equestrian guide
- Tte 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 inquiry !
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Iceland
LENGTH
8 days / 7 nights, 6 days on horseback.
LANGUAGE
English.
GROUP SIZE
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 :
CH47_islande_landmannalaugar_en
