Horse Drive

Introduction
Iceland Shorts Iceland

Accomodation

All nights are spent at Hvammur Farm in 2 - 4 bed units. The warm outdoor tub is just the right place to enjoy the bright nights of the north.

Riding

Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday: Reykjavík – Hvammur – Vatnsdalur
Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. After having gathered up the horses we start our ride through Vatnsdalur. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride past the historical farm Hof and cross the river Vatnsdalsá on our way to Saurbær Farm, where we leave the horses and return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight stay. (25 km)

Day 2 Monday: Saurbær – Grímstunguheiði – Saurbær
This will be our longest day when we ascend towards the highland plateau Grímstunguheiði and drive the horses into their summer pastures. We enjoy a good picnic lunch and coffee at a mountain shelter before we return to Saurbær where our horses spend the night. On our way down from the highland pastures we see mighty Alkugil gorge with picturesque waterfalls tumbling down over rock formations. (40 km)

Day 3 Tuesday: Saurbær – Vatnsdalshólar – Thingeyrar – Hvammur
Enjoying good riding paths we ride north on the west side of the valley towards Thingeyrar Farm, a place of great history with a beautiful church. We follow the banks of Vatnsdalsá River and cross the river a couple of times. Vatnsdalshólar are considered to be uncountable small hills which formed after an enormous landslide. The horses spend the night at Thingeyrar Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm for the night. (30 km)

Day 4 Wednesday: Hvammur - Thingeyrar – Hvammur
We start the day with a visit to historic Thingeyrar Church. This is our last day of riding and we bring the horses back to Hvammur Farm. We cross Lake Húnavatn on a save trail in the water and enjoy the excitement of the horses once they have returned to the black sand on dry land. We ride on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. Celebrate the successful return in the evening with a great barbeque feast in the barn – “Icelandic style”. (25 km)

Day 5 Thursday: Hvammur – Kjölur Highland Route – Reykjavík
We drive over the Kjölur Highland Route back to Reykjavík. The bus takes you through the rugged wilderness of the highland. Be amazed by natural hot water pool at Hveravellir - enjoy a dip? View the majestic glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, and powerful Gullfoss waterfall, before reaching the well known Geysir. Return to Reykjavik at approx. 18:30.
subject to change

Rates and Dates for Horse Drive

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Reykjavik City at your hotel on Day 1
Airport: Keflavik Airport
Transfer: Keflavik Airport

Climate:

As its name suggests, Iceland is cold, but not as cold as might be expected because of the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which regulate the climate. The summer temperatures in Reykjavík range from 41°F (5°C) at night to as high as 77°F (25°C) during the day. The average January temperature is 31°F (-0.5°C). The south is the wettest part of the country, but snow is rare. Coastal areas tend to experience winter gales and are generally windy. During the summer months there is almost continuous daylight; early spring and late autumn feature long twilights. From mid-November until the end of January, in the darkness of winter, the opposite is true, with the country only experiencing a few hours of daylight each day. The Northern Lights are often visible in autumn and early winter.
 
 Despite its extreme north Atlantic situation, Reykjavik's climate is not as cold as might be expected, its average mid-winter temperatures being no lower than those in New York City. This is because the Icelandic coastal weather is tempered by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The city's coastal location does, however, also mean it is prone to wind, and gales are common in winter. Reykjavik is also a very wet city, having on average 213 rainy days out of the year, with spring having slightly more sunny days.

You should be ready for all kinds of weather as it can change very quickly. We provide you with good rain-clothes, a riding helmet and a sleeping bag. Also a saddle bag (where you can keep the picnic lunch, a small camera, extra pair of gloves etc.).