Pearls of the North

Introduction
Highland Tours Iceland
This tour takes us in the area between the two highland deserts Kjölur and Sprengisandur, exploring in detail the landscape south of Hofsjökull, the third largest glacier in Iceland. We start the tour along the glacial river Hvitá and visit the famous Gullfoss waterfall before heading north into the wilderness towards the glacier. At the Kerlingafjöll, the colorful mountain of the “old ladies“, we experience the stunning contrast of glacier ice and hot springs. The Kerlingafjöll area is one of the most beautiful and interesting area in Iceland. The tour continues east towards Sprengisandur, down the beautiful cleft Laxárgljúfur to the green hills Hrunamannahreppur, and end at the farm Kaldbak. 

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a progressive ride so you will be staying in different locations.

Description
Accommodation during the tour is at farms, guesthouses, community centers and simple mountain huts (sometimes dormitory style accommodation). Please, bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Bathrooms are shared everywhere except while staying at the accommodations in Vellir.
Wi-Fi access is only available at the accommodations in Vellir. There are no laundry facilities available during this trip.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Guesthouse in Vellir
Night 2: Mountain Hut Fremstaver
Night 3: Accommodation in Árbúdir
Night 4: Mountain Hut in Kerlingafjöll
Night 5: Svínárnes Mountain Hut
Night 6: Helgaskáli Mountain Hut



Guesthouse in Vellir
You will sleep in made-up beds at the riding farm's guesthouse (2-4 bed rooms, shared facilities - no double beds). The guesthouse offers a comfortable living room, shared bathroom facilities, tea kettle that can also be used to make instant coffee, and small refrigerator. Guests that stay at the guesthouse are welcome to use all facilities and services of our Hotel, including the hot tub.
An upgrade to our hotel is possible for a supplement (if rooms available).

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 from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.

The chefs try and provide a nice variety of foods. Specialties include fish, kjötsúpa (an Icelandic soup, with meat, vegetable and rice) and BBQ.

Alcohol is not included in the price. However, we do bring wine, beer and soda on tour for those who would like to buy it at a discounted price.
We do not allow the consumption of alcohol while people are riding – for instance at lunchtime.

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 220km total over 6 riding days. On average, we ride between 4-9 hours every day, covering approx. 25 - 55 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

Day 1: Arrival
The tour starts in the evening. Tour members who arrive the same day to Iceland should take the flight bus from the airport to the ending bus station BSÍ in Reykjavík. We will greet you at the bus station or at your hotel/ guesthouse in Reykjavik for 17:30 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: Myrkholt – Fremstaver
We start the riding from Myrkhol and along Hvítá to our first stop will be at Gullfoss. From Gullfoss we ride into the wilderness, in a black desert of stones and sand until we come to the Mt. Bláfell, 1160 m above sea level, which gives us a beautiful view over Kjölur. We see the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Hofsjökull and the volcano Hekla and, on the right, Mt. Hlödufell and the Langjökull Glacier. We spend the night south of Bláfell in the mountain hut Fremstaver.
Riding 25 km (approx. 6-7 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fremstaver mountain hut

Day 3: Fremstaver – Árbúdir
We ride east along Bláfell. We cross the Hvítá River over a bridge and follow the best riding roads on Kjölur, which is the oldest road between South and North Iceland. It is mostly even and is about 700 m above sea level. We have a view over the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers and the Kerlingafjöll mountains – Kjölur’s flagship. We follow the Svartá River to Árbúdir, where we spend the night.
Riding 30 km (approx. 7-8 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Árbúdir

Day 4: Árbúdir – Kerlingafjöll
We continue riding along Svartá North towards Hofsjökull, the third biggest glacier in Iceland. The tour ends in “Kerlingafjöll”, the”ladies” Mountains. Here, where the rivers Hvítá and Thjórsá part, you will meet the glaciers as well as hot springs. At Kerlingafjöll you have the possibility to take a bath in nice hot pots, while enjoying the view in the wilderness.
Riding 30 km, 6-7 hrs.

Day 5: Kerlingafjöll – Svínárnes
Today we are heading South from Kerlingafjöll. We are riding along the river Hvitá and see the mountain Bláfjöll on our right side. We will enjoy a great view over the entire are a below us until we reach Svinaness, our hut for the night. Svinanes is a primitive but cosy hut which has been used as an overnight place on the sheep round up for many years.
Riding 36 km (approx. 6-7 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Svinanes mountain hut

Day 6: Svínárnes – Helgaskáli
The tour continues South along Hvítá. Here on our way we have nice scenery in all directions. Later on the day we will turn left and ride over the highlands towards Helgaskáli, our hut for the night.
Riding 30 km (approx. 7-8 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Helgaskáli mountain hut

Day 7: Helgaskáli – Kaldbak
We ride through the highland down the beautiful cleft Laxárgljúfur to the green hills of Hrunamannahreppur, and end at the farm Kaldbak. The bus will pick us up at Kaldbak. With a short stop at Vellir, we will drive to Reykjavík, where the tour will end.
Riding 25 km (approx. 6-7 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Pearls of the North

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