Icelandic Winter Experience

Introduction
East and South Iceland
On this tour we combine riding with visiting some of the most popular highlights in South Iceland and activities such as hiking, bathing and whale watching. We ride 6 half-day tours, enjoy a relaxing bath in the hotel´s hot tubs or even in a natural warm river and visit the beautiful Golden Circle (Gullfoss waterfall, the hot springs at Geysir and Thingvellir national park).

At night, 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 are accommodated at a guesthouse. However, it is possible to ask for an upgrade to a hotel accommodation (extra fee applies).


Guesthouse
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 nearby hotel, including the hot tub and restaurant.
The guesthouse offers private twin, triple and quadruple rooms. Each room has washbasins and soap, bed linens, towels and Wi-Fi access.


Hotel (upgraded option)
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.

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.

Itinerary


Sample itinerary - subject to changes

NOTE: 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 in Iceland should take the “Flybus” (operated by Reykjavik Excursions) from the airport to the final bus station BSÍ in Reykjavík (not included in package). 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 dinner. The day will end with a detailed description of the tour (might be the following morning).
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 2 (Tuesday): Riding through meadows and mountains
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. Today 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 your accommodation. 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 2.5-3 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 3 (Wednesday): Ride through Gufudalur valley & Hike through Reykjadalur valley
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 of 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 know 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. We then drive about 5 minutes through Hveragerði, passing the area where we went riding in the morning and start hiking upwards into the magnificent geothermal valley of Reykjadalur. On our way up, we will see the beautiful waterfall Djúpagilsfoss and many colorful hot springs. You also have the opportunity to take a relaxing bath in a warm river, an unforgettable experience! On our way down, we can enjoy a spectacular panorama over volcanic mountains, the village Hveragerði and all the way down to the coastline, where we might see the Westman Islands, weather permitting. The tour ends with some refreshments at the accommodation. We will check the Northern Lights forecast and have a chance to watch a spectacular movie about this phenomenon.
Riding 2.5-3 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 4 (Thursday): Ride around the farm & Whale Watching
Today you will have the chance to experience two big beautiful animals on the same day: the horse and the whale!
We start the day with a nice ride on trails crossing 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 our ride, we warm up with a light lunch.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to the old harbor in Reykjavik for a 3 hours whale watching in Faxaflói bay, with a good chance to see whales and a nice view of Reykjavik and the mountains surrounding the capital. Our bus will take you back to back to your accommodation. Back at our farm coffee and home baked cake will be available and you have the possibility to relax in our hot pots before dinner.
Riding 1.5 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 5 (Friday): Ride along the rivers
Depending on the weather and wind, we will ride for 1.5-2 hours through the surroundings of our farm. Afterwards we will have a light lunch and then go out to the stable again to prepare our horses for the afternoon ride. In the afternoon, we follow 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 4-5 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Guesthouse

Day 6 (Saturday): Ingólfs trail & Golden Circle Tour
The final day starts with a ride on the Ingólfs trail. You will ride in the footsteps of the first settler Ingólfur Arnarsson, who settled in Iceland in the 9th century. On our way on the ancient Viking route on the foot of the table mountain Ingólfsfjall, you will learn more about Iceland’s history and the interesting geology of this area. After the ride and checking out of your room we warm up with a light lunch, coffee and home baked cake. Then you will be picked up to visit the three most impressive natural sights in South Iceland (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 6:00 pm.
Riding 1.5-2 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Icelandic Winter Experience

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