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Sheep Round-Up on Horseback


Itinerary for Sheep Round-Up on Horseback




Sample Itinerary: Melrakkaslétta Sheep Round-Up (approx. 130km total) - subject to changes

Day 1 (Thursday): Arrival & Introductory Ride
Meeting is at Flugfélagið Ernir in Reykjavík domestic airport for 08:00 am on Day 1. Morning flight from Reykjavik Airport to Húsavík and bus transfer to Bjarnastaðir Farm, where we meet up with the guides and horses and have a late lunch. On the way, we will stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest waterfall and Ásbyrgi National Park. Ásbyrgi is one of the wonders of nature, a wide, horseshoe-shaped canyon with sheer cliff faces up to 100 m high. According to legend, Sleipnir, the Norse god Odin's eight-legged horse, put one of his hooves down as the god rode by.
After a short introduction to the horses, we set out on a 2 -3 hours ride through Kerlingaskógur´s low bushy area and enjoy great views over the Fjord Öxarfjörður and the famous Lake Skjálftavatn which suddenly appeared over night after a strong earthquake 28 years ago, when the land had been lowered by 4 meters overnight.
Riding approx. 30km
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Bjarnastaðir

Day 2 (Friday): Rounding up the sheep in Núpasveit
We start early and each rider will join a local farmer and his dog to be his/her mentor and guide during the tour. This area is rich with vegetation, green valleys and small lakes and we continue until late afternoon. We leave horses and sheep at a remote old hut and return back to the farm for a hearty dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir

Day 3 (Saturday): Rounding up the sheep to Katastaðarétt communal fold
The Peninsula of Melrakkaslétta, which stretches almost to the Arctic Circle, is a paradise for birdwatchers and people with geological interest. Here, we are right on top of the Mid Atlantic Ridge, where the North-American and Eurasian plates drift apart. The vegetation is ideal for the sheep and the local farmers are very proud of their stock.
We meet up with our horses and continue driving the sheep down to Katastaðarétt communal fold, where they are kept for the night together with the horses.
Riding approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir

Day 4 (Sunday): Melrakkaslétta Sheep Round-Up 
This is the final and well celebrated day of the round-up. In the morning, the sorting of the sheep starts and lasts until each sheep has been returned to its owners. Participate in sorting the sheep, "pass the flask around" and join in the singing and celebrating after a successful ride into the mountains. Once the sorting is finished, we join the farmers from Daðastaðir Farm and Presthólar Farm and help them drive the sheep home. Farewell dinner at Bjarnastaðir.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir

Day 5 (Monday): Departure & optional Whale Watching Cruise
We say good bye to horses and staff and to Húsavík airport to catch the flight to Reykjavik. We stop in Húsavík for a while and those who want can decide to do a whale watching cruise (available at an extra charge). Arrival in Reykjavík in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch 
 


Sample Itinerary:  Landmannaafréttur Sheep Round Up - subject to changes

Day 1 (Friday): Arrival & Introductory Ride
Pick up between 09:00 – 10:00 am from pick up points in Reykjavik www.busstop.is. Please be ready at the earliest pick up time, already in riding clothes. Transfer from Reykjavík in the morning to the Riding Centre. Receive details about the adventure ahead of you. Then, we go to Landmannahellir, where we meet the horses and fellow riders. We ride into the famous Landmannalaugar area with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colorful mountains and black lava fields. This is a short riding day which gives us time to get acquainted with the terrain and to learn about the task which lies ahead.
Riding 3 – 4 hrs
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

Overnight stay in Landmannalaugar

Day 2 (Saturday): Ride to Jökulgilið
Jökulgilið, a long and shallow valley with multiple colors and rock formations, is our destination for today. The valley is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, mostly barren, but yet covered with grass here and there. This is what attracts the sheep into this remote area far away from any human contact. A glacier fed river makes it hard to access the valley during the summer time and it is only now that we can ride in and look for the sheep that have been grazing there all summer.
Riding 8 – 9 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay in Landmannalaugar

Day 3 (Sunday): Sheep Round Up around Landmannalaugar
Today, we cover the area between Landmannalaugar and Landmannahellir. The area is covered with lava fields, craters and lakes and sheep can be found everywhere. Therefore, it is important to keep your place in the human chain to make sure that no sheep stays behind.
Riding 8 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay in Landmannalaugar

Day 4 (Monday): Landmannahellir 
We leave Landmannalaugar in the morning, pack our belongings into a transport vehicle and ride back to Landmannahellir, driving our spare horses along in a free running herd. Today, we explore the surroundings of Landmannahellir, which has a long tradition as a night rest for those gathering sheep. Originally two caves there were used as a shelter for horses and men.
Riding 8 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay in Landmannahellir

Day 5 (Tuesday): Mt. Hekla volcano
Green grass turns into black ashes as we approach Mt. Hekla volcano. Mt. Hekla is an active volcano and has erupted regularly, spewing lava, pumice and ash into the sky. Sheep can be found in sheltered valleys and we make sure that they all return home. While some of us are out in this wilderness looking for sheep, others drive the flock to Mt.Valahnjúkar. 
Riding 10 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Landmannahellir

Day 6 (Wednesday): Ride to Áfangagil
Áfangagil is the final destination for our flock today. Here is the round pen where the sheep will be sorted tomorrow. On our way, we search the area to make sure that no sheep stays behind. We spend our last night at Galtalækur Farm, underneath towering Mt. Hekla volcano.
Riding 8 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Galtalækur Farm

Day 7 (Thursday): Landmannaafréttur Sheep Round-Up
This is the final and well celebrated day of the round-up. At noon, the sorting of the sheep starts and lasts until each sheep has been returned to its owners. Participate in sorting the sheep, pass the flask around and join in the singing and celebrating after a successful ride into the mountains. Once the sorting is finished we drive back to Reykjavík where this great tour ends at approx. 6:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

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Sample Itinerary:  Rangárvallaafréttur Sheep Round Up - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival & Introductory Ride
Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 6:00 in the morning. Please, be ready for pick up and dress already in riding clothes. We will transfer to Hungurfit where we meet the horses and fellow riders. We use this day to gather up the horses and drive them to Hvanngil Mountain Cabin. This is a short riding day which gives us time to get acquainted with the terrain and to learn about the task which lies ahead.
Riding 4-5 hrs
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvanngil

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Mælifellssandur
Mælifellssandur a large area of sand and stones north of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, is our destination for today. This area is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, mostly barren yet covered with grass here and there.
Riding 8-9 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvanngil

Day 3 (Tuesday): Kaldaklof Ride
Today we cover the area Kaldaklof between the mountains Einstigsfjall and Brattháls. Even though not too far apart the area is covered with lava fields, craters and lakes and sheep can be found widely. Therefore it is important to keep your place in the human chain to make sure that no sheep stays behind.
Riding 8 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvanngil

Day 4 (Wednesday): From Álftavatn Lake to Krókur
We leave Hvanngil in the morning, pack our belongings into a transport vehicle and start gathering up the sheep at beautiful Lake Álftavatn. We cover the mountains Faxi and Sáta and stay overnight at Krókur Cabin.
Riding 8 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Krókur Cabin

Day 5 (Thursday): Rangárbotnar & Sultarfit
We leave Krókur and ride through the area of Sultarfit and Rangárbotnar, through Reiðskarð Mountain pass and Laufahraun Lavafields. Sheep can be found in sheltered valleys and we make sure that they all return home.
Riding 9 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hungurfit Cabin

Day 6 (Friday): Ride to Reynifellsbrú
Reynifellsbrú is the final destination for our flock today. Here, close by is the round pen where the sheep will be sorted tomorrow. On our way, we search the area in Austurdalur and Lambadalur Valleys and alongside Valá River to make sure that no sheep stays behind.
Riding 8 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Foss Farm

Day 7 (Saturday): Round-Up & Departure
At noon, the sorting of the sheep starts and lasts until each sheep has been returned to its owners. Participate in sorting the sheep, pass the flask around and join in the singing and celebrating after a successful ride into the mountains. Once the sorting is finished we drive back to Reykjavík BSÍ where this great tour ends at approx. 6 pm.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

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Sample Itinerary:  Reykjaréttir Sheep Round Up - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival & Introductory Ride
Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 10:00 am. Please, be ready for pick up and dress already in riding clothes.
You will arrive at Kálfhóll farm around noon and have a nice lunch. We then go to the stable where you will do a test ride to get know your horse. We will then ride ahead by the river Thjórsá. We stay overnight at Kálfhóll.
Riding approx. 15 km
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kálfhóll Farm

Day 2: Sandlækjarmýri to Reykjaréttir
Today, we ride towards the herd of sheep coming down from the mountains. We will meet them on the way to the roundups and herd them with the locals. It is an amazing sight to see a flock of sheep kilometers long! When we arrive we will have our lunch bag. While the sheep stay overnight by the corrals, we drive back to Kálfhóll farm and dream about the Round-Up which will take place the next morning.
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kálfhóll Farm

Day 3: Round-Up
The Round-Up starts early so we wake up early and go by bus to Reykjaréttir corrals, since our horses are already there. You get the opportunity to help to collect sheep for a local farmer, it is an interesting job and quite fun and does not get more authentic! When all the sheep are at the right place with their farmer, we head back on our horses to Kálfhóll farm. On our way, we stop at a local pub “Hestakráin” (The Horse Pub) where we will have a traditional Icelandic meat soup.
When we arrive at Kálfhóll, a farewell dinner will be served and relaxing hot tub awaits us. Those who want to party with the locals in the evening are offered a lift to the pub for a local dance (réttarball) but you can also just relax at the farm.
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kálfhóll Farm

Day 4: Departure
Breakfast will be served and later on, we say goodbye and the bus will take you back to Reykjavík BSÍ.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Sheep Round-Up on Horseback
Tour Code: IT-ICRT14
5 days / 4 nights
Dates : September

Trip Rating :
Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Basic
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  MaxReserve
D 2024 09/05 - 09/08 4d / 3n 4 day trip, Reykjaréttir 8 Reserve
A 2024 09/05 - 09/09 5d / 4n 5 day trip, Melrakkaslétta 8 Reserve
B 2024 09/13 - 09/19 7d / 6n 7 day trip, Landmannaafrettu... 8 Reserve
C 2024 09/15 - 09/21 7d / 6n 7 day trip, Rangárvallaafré... 8 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Icelandic
Horses: Icelandic
Pace: Between 4-6 hours of riding per day. 1...

Airport: Keflavik Airport
Location on Google Map
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What To Bring
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