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 Starting
off near Húsavík on the North coast of Iceland this
tour leads through an ever-changing landscape and
offers each day new scenery and impressions. Our
hosts on this tour are Bjarni Páll and his wife
Elsa. Bjarni Páll takes special interest in geology
so you can expect to see and hear a lot of
interesting facts about the Icelandic nature! Ride
along soft riding tracks ideal for tölt, the special
gait of the Icelandic horse. Experience incredible
Lake Mývatn with its countless numbers of breeding
ducks and pseudo craters. Enjoy a breathtaking view
of majestic Waterfall Goðafoss. At Hverarönd boiling
mud pools and eerie lava formations remind you of
the power of the volcanic energy hidden beneath.
Relax in hot geothermal water in Jarðböð, a new
outdoor bathing facilitiy. An optional tour with a
peaceful sail on a whale watching boat introduces
you to the giants of the ocean. If you would like to
know what Iceland is all about, this tour will be a
revelation to you.
Itinerary
Sunday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport -
Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in
Reykjavík. At 17:30 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 Holiday Farm
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. (4 - 5 hours)
Tuesday: Heiðabær - Theistareykir Mountain Cabin
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”! (6 - 7 hours)
Wednesday: Theistareykir – Grímsstaðir – Jarðböð –
Community Centre Skjólbrekka
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 community centre Skjólbrekka, where we
stay over night. (6 - 7 hours)
Thursday: Skjólbrekka – Laxárdalur – Saltvík Holiday
Farm
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 mudpools 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. (5 - 6 hours)
Friday: Breiðamýri – Saltvík Holiday Farm
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. (6 - 7 hours)
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 ISK 4.000)
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: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík -
Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the
flight back home.
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