Dancing Lights Ride

Introduction
East and South Iceland
This tour includes everything to make the perfect winter holiday: horseback riding, relaxing in thermal pools and sightseeing of the most famous natural sights in South Iceland. 

Every day starts with a morning ride, followed by a light lunch with soup and coffee at our comfortable accommodation, before you continue the program with riding, bathing in Hveragerðis excellent thermal swimming pool or sightseeing.

On the last day of the trip, you will take part in a excursion to the beautiful Golden Circle (Gullfoss waterfall, the hot springs at Geysir and Thingvellir national park). When the sky is clear and the Aurora Borealis forecast promising, you can just walk outside to observe the stunning phenomena or we drive where the chances to watch the Northern Lights are the best.

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location. 

Description
You will sleep in a cozy countryside hotel that features 37 spacious rooms (all with private facilities), a warm, light-filled restaurant and traditional hot tubs to relax in at the end of the day. The hotel’s interior is inspired by the colors and materials found in Icelandic nature, genuine craftsmanship and age-old traditions. It was built in accordance with ecological guidelines and is the first lodging in Iceland to be awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
The rooms have double or twin beds and some of them are available as triple rooms. All rooms are outfitted with the luxurious Hästens beds, unrivalled sleep comfort handcrafted from sustainable, natural materials, such as genuine hypoallergenic horsehair, cotton, wool, flax and Swedish pinewood. Each room has a door to the garden, allowing you to step outside and observe the northern lights, weather and season permitting.
Wi-Fi access is available in all rooms.



Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, a single supplement fee applied.
Single room accommodations are subject to availability.



Meals
All meals are included.

The food we serve is inspired by traditional Icelandic cuisine and revolves around typical Icelandic ingredients. Wherever possible, we source our food locally and much of our produce is grown in the town of Hveragerði, less than 2 km from our farm. Meat and fish are supplied by farmers and fishermen in our area. Specialities include fish, kjötsúpa (an icelandic soup, with meat, vedgetable and rice) and BBQ.

Dietary Restrictions
We are able to cater to most dietary needs with prior notice. However, we are unable meet the needs of those who have food allergies which cause anaphylaxis.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
This ride is suitable for intermediate riders, with a secure, balanced seat and a good physical condition. We ride up to 45 km per day mostly in the gait tölt and take a herd of free-running horses with us part of the tour, which requires a certain speed.

Pace
We cover about 215km total over 7 riding days. On average, we ride between 4-9 hours every day, covering approx. 20 - 45 km.

Tack and Riding Style
The riding style in Iceland is similar to English riding. We use simple snaffle bits, bridles with detachable nosebands and clips on the end of the reins so they can be easily removed when grazing. Our saddles are comfortable with soft, rather flat seat, it is not necessary to bring saddle seat pads.

Riding Gear – Disinfect!
Used boots, riding wear, helmets, saddlebags etc. must be disinfected before arrival in Iceland.  Chaps, bridles and other used leather gear must not be brought to Iceland. That is because infectious, contagious diseases can easily be brought into the country, which poses a great threat for the horses, as they are not vaccinated. Riding wear is normally washed and shoes and are washed and cleaned with VirkonS, Iodine or some other fluid disinfectant.
We can lend you a riding helmet for the length of the tour.
Backpacks, large cameras, selfie sticks and other bulky items cannot be taken on horseback tours. Small waist bags are allowed.

Horses
Since 2007, our breeding program has followed two fundamental ideas. First, we strive to breed well-behaved and well-gaited riding horses that ought to suit most of our guests. Second, we breed horses with experienced riders in mind, suitable for riding classes and the company’s horse shows. As our greatest challenge has always been combining well-behaved and reliable horses with soft and simple gaits, we invested in mares that are likely to produce the expected results. Another important factor in achieving the desired outcome is choosing the right stallion for those mares.

Free running herd of horses
Experience the diversity of the Icelandic horse in its natural environment, far from civilization. On this trip, we travel with herd of free-running horses, as Icelanders used to travel in the old days. You may switch horses from time to time.

Itinerary


Sample itinerary- subject to changes

Please, note that this tour is dependent on weather and Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed.

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival
The tour starts in the evening. Tour members who arrive the same day to Iceland should take the “Flybus” from the airport to BSÍ final bus stop in Reykjavík (not included). We will greet you at the bus station or at your hotel/ guesthouse in Reykjavik for 17:30-18:00 and drive you to our farm Vellir near Hveragerði. There you will be lodged at our guesthouse. We will get to know each other during the dinner. The day will end with a detailed description of the tour.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 2 (Tuesday): Ride to Reykjafjall & Thermal Spring
After breakfast, your guide meets you for a short introduction in the stable. The guide will provide the necessary riding equipment (riding helmet, warm overall or rain gear) and start with a short riding demonstration before you get to know the horses during a few rounds in the paddock. We ride on soft trails along the meadows surrounding our farm, a good opportunity to get familiar with the special gait of the Icelandic horse, the “tölt”. We then follow the river Gljúfurá, head towards the volcanic mountains and ride on an old route along the slopes of the mountain Reykjafjall. Our reliable horses take you up and down the trail, while you enjoy nice views of the diverse landscape between the ocean and the volcano Hengill. Back at the farm we warm up with light lunch before we choose horses for the afternoon program.
We spend another hour on horseback before driving to the thermal swimming pool in Hveragarði to soften up in soothing, warm geothermal water, relax in the steam sauna or take a swim in the comfortably warm outdoor pool. Imagine sitting in a steamy hot tub as a light snowfall turns the grass around you white. Afterwards, coffee and home baked cake will be served in the cozy environment of the hotel. We check the Northern Lights forecast and get some useful information about this natural phenomena. If the forecast is favorable, and the sky is clear, we look out for the lights at the farm or go on a hunt!
Riding approx. 4.5 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 3 (Wednesday): Ride through Gufudalur valley & rivers
We start the day by riding on excellent trails along the slopes of Reykjafjall Mountain and through a green forest. We pass by many hot springs in the colorful geothermal area Gufudalur valley. This area is situated just above the village of Hveragerði and expanded dramatically during the big South Iceland earthquake in 2008. The path continues along the volcanic hills above the village, which is known for its beautiful location between the green mountains of volcano Hengill and wide plains. We stop close to the stable area for some refreshments and learn more about the Icelandic horse before riding back to our farm for lunch. After lunch we saddle our horses again for the afternoon ride, following the river Gljúfurá  to an old cemetery and further down to the soft river banks of the mighty glacial river Ölfusá.  From there, we have a view of the river and if the weather allows the famous volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. Upon your return to the farm, dinner will be served.
Riding approx. 5 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 4 (Thursday): Final ride around the farm & Golden Circle Tour
On the final day you will ride through meadows, lava fields and a small river. On our way, we enjoy the nice scenery of volcanic mountains and farmland, passing several farms which give us an idea of how agriculture has developed in the last decades. After the riding and checking out of your room we warm up with a light lunch and coffee or tea. Then you will be picked up to visit the three most impressive natural sights in South Iceland along the “Golden Circle”: The famous Geysir geothermal area, the “golden waterfall” Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park. The Geysir geothermal area boasts spouting springs, including Strokkur, the most active geyser in Iceland. At Gullfoss you are given the opportunity to stand next to the amazing waterfall, watching enormous quantities of water tumble violently into a deep canyon. You also spend time encountering a cross-section of Iceland’s natural wonders and geological phenomena at Thingvellir National Park, an area of historical and geological significance. You will be back in Reykjavík around 6:00pm.
Riding approx. 2 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Dancing Lights Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Reykjavik
Airport: Keflavik Airport
Transfer: Reykjavik BSI central bus station on Day 1 at 5:30PM or hotels/guesthouse

Climate:
                                                Reykjavík area