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

If you would like to know what Iceland is all about, this tourwill be revelation for you. At the end of this trail, you will have the opportunity to make a whale watching tour (option in supplement to be paid on the spot)

Also, for those who search for a riding trail with a higher standard of accommodation, we offer the Northern Diamond tour.

See our special information sheet on Icelandic Rides.

Sunday: Europe - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavik 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.

Monday: Reykjavík - Akureyri - Goðafoss - Hvammsheiði - Saltvík
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.

Tuesday: Heiðabær - Theistareykir
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 midatlantic ridge! It is a fascinating area with deep earthquake fissures, multi-coloured mountains and geothermal energy. With all this volcanic activity going on here, it is easy to understand that Iceland is still under “natural construction”!

Wednesday: Theistareykir – Grímsstaðir – Jarðböð – Hraunbrún
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.

Thursday: Skjólbrekka – Laxárdalur – Saltvík
We start the day with an exciting sightseeing tour around Lake Mývatn 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 colourful 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.

Friday: Breiðamýri – Saltvík
Our ride continues over Hvammsheiði heath. We cross Laxá river and ride alongside it for a while through beautiful countryside.We visit Æðarfossar waterfalls and finish our ride on the shore of Skjálfandi bay before returning to Saltvík Farm where the warm outdoor tub is waiting.

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 EUR 60)

Saturday: Saltvík - Akureyri - Reykjavík
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.

Sunday: Reykjavík - Europe
Transfer by bus to Keflavik Airport in time for the flight back home.

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.

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 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.

- Children's discount (under 12 years old): - 340 €
- Family discount available for parents and older children travelling together, 3 or more: - 92 €
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.

- flights from / 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 ambassy. 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.