Classic Wilderness

Introduction
Highland Tours Iceland
The Classic Wilderness Tour route is an ancient riding trail crossing Iceland´s uninhabited highlands, intimately associated with many dramatic events in Icelandic history. We visit the popular attractions of Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot springs before heading to the interior of Iceland, passing glaciers, hot springs and the fascinating wilderness of the highlands. We ride North between glaciers and spend a night close to a creeping glacier tongue. Hot springs await us at Hveravellir, like an oasis in the desert. We continue towards Northern Iceland until we reach one of its many green and beautiful valleys, our final destination.

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: Myrkholt Farmhouse
Night 3: Mountain Hut Fremstaver
Night 4: Mountain Hut Árbúdir
Night 5: Accommodation in Hveravellir
Night 6: Mountain Hut Áfangi



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 185km total over 6 riding days. On average, we ride between 4-8 hours every day, covering approx. 20 - 40 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 busstation BSÍ in Reykjavík. We will greet you at the bus station or at your hotel/ guesthouse in Reykjavik at 17:30 and drive you to our farm Vellir near Hveragerði. There you will be lodged at our new 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: Hveragerdi – Myrkholt
We go by car to a place near the farm Reykholt in the beautiful area Biskupstúngur. We ride on soft paths until we reach a river, which we cross. We end our tour at the farm Myrkholt, just south of the hot springs at Geysir.
Riding 20 km (approx. 4 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Myrkolt

Day 3: Myrkholt – Fremstaver
We start the riding from Myrkholt, and our first stop will be at Gullfoss. From Gullfoss, we ride into the wilderness, in a black desert of stones and sand. We follow the river Hvítá to the West until we reach Mt. Bláfell, 1160 m above sea level, which gives us a beautiful view over the southern part of the Kjölur route. Weather permitting, we see three glaciers, the famous Eyjafjallajökull,  Hofsjökull and Iceland’s second largest glacier Langjökull, as well as the volcano Hekla and Mt. Hlödufell. We spend the night south of Bláfell in the mountain hut Fremstaver.
Riding 27 km (approx. 5-6 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fremstaver Mountain Hut

Day 4: Fremstaver – Árbúdir
We continue east along Mt. Bláfell. We then cross the Hvítá River on a bridge and pass the waterfall Ábóta, where the ancient Kjölur highland route starts. Kjölur is the oldest road between South and North Iceland, it is mostly even and on average about 700 m above sea level. On our way, we enjoy panoramic views over the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers and the picturesque Kerlingafjöll mountains – Kjölur’s flagship. We follow the Svartá River to the mountain hut Árbúdir, where we spend the night.
Riding 30 km (approx. 6-7 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Árbúdir Mountain Hut

Day 5: Árbúdir – Hveravellir
The tour starts toward Hvítárnes, a grass-rich area changing its character in the summer when the green flower Fifa turns white and fluffy. We come to the lava field Kjalhraun, which many people think gave Kjölur its name. It looks like the keel of a ship. West of Kjalhraun we ride through a narrow cleft to the valley Thjófadalur (the Valley of Thieves). The valley is circular and hidden behind the mountains. It is one of the few places along Kjölur rich with grass. From the valley, we ride over a little mountain comb called Thröskuldur, and from there, we follow a smooth path to Hveravellir, where we can bathe in the hot springs.
Riding 45 km (approx. 8 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hveravellir

Day 6: Hveravellir – Áfangi
Today we have enough time to explore the beautiful nature surrounding Hveravellir before we saddle the horses. Hveravellir is one of the biggest geothermal areas in Iceland. There was an outlaw hideout here in the old days, and south of the area, we pass the ruin of the hut of the outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur. We continue north over the river Seydisá and along the mountains Sandkúlufell, Hanskafell and Saudafell, and spend the night in a mountain hut called Áfangi.
Riding 32 km (approx. 6-7 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Áfangi Mountain Hut

Day 7: Áfangi – Vatnsdalur
We continue north over the Eyvindarstadaheidi Moor. We are now not very far from civilization in North Iceland. We ride with the mountains behind us and the glaciers all around us. On our right we have the big lake Blöndulón, which was created from the power plant by the Blanda River. We continue on soft riding paths and mountain roads and end up in the green valley Vatnsdalur. From there we return by bus to Reykjavik, where the tour ends. 
Riding 28 km (approx. 5-6 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Classic Wilderness

Dates Note:

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

Climate:
                                                Reykjavík area