Northern Exposure

Introduction
Northern Tours Iceland
This tour was nominated by the Sunday Times as one of the 10 best trails in the world!

The North of Iceland is known for its spectacular natural sights and diverse landscape. Our tour goes from Bjarnastaðir Farm near Húsavík to the Lake Mývatn area, famous for its volcanic features and rich birdlife. Ásbyrgi Canyon, Dettifoss, Europe’s largest waterfall, and the strange rock formations at Hljóðaklettar are just some of the gems of nature we´ll be seeing on this amazing tour.

An optional whale watching tour completes the selection of natural attractions on and off shore.

We ride along soft riding tracks ideal for “tölting”, the unique extra gait of the Icelandic Horse. The first day we spend in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and visit both Dettifoss Waterfall and Ásbyrgi Canyon. From rich green pastureland we head towards the Gæsafjöll Mountains and spend a night in a mountain cabin at Theistareykir. Through an area scarred with cracks and fissures from earthquakes and volcanic activity the route takes us to Lake Mývatn where bubbling mud pools and eerie lava formations are a reminder of the powerful energy right beneath our feet. We have the opportunity to bathe in the warm geothermal water of the outdoor pool at the Mývatn Nature Baths. The next two days take us through Laxárdalur Valley to Heiðabær for an overnight stay and relaxation in the swimming pool on site. From there we continue across Reykjaheiði heath towards the coast and back to Bjarnastaðir Farm.

After this amazing tour in an ever-changing landscape we can let our cares float away in the hot tub at Lundur Swimming Pool before sitting down to a hearty farewell dinner at the farm.

Accomodation

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

Description
During this tour, you will sleep in simple accommodations in dormitory style rooms. Please, bring your own sleeping bag!

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Bjarnastaðir Farm
Night 2: Theistareykir Mountain Cabin
Night 3, 4 & 5: Bjarnastaðir Farm

Bjarnastaðir Farm
It is the home of Halldór Olgeirsson and Elín Maríusdóttir and is situated in the low bushy area of Kerlingaskógur, close to the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and Dettifoss Waterfall. You will enjoy great view over the Fjord Öxarfjörður and the famous Lake Skjálftavatn which suddenly appeared over night after a strong earthquake 28 years ago. Halldór and Elín, breeders of both horses and sheep will welcome you with open arms and their warmth and hospitality is indeed second to none.
•Number of beds: 23
•Made up beds: Yes
•Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
•Number of showers: 4
•GSM connection: Yes
•WiFi: Yes

Þeistareykir Mountain Hut
Þeistareykir is known as a geothermal area, with colorful mud pits, tabletop mountains, hills and lava fields, you will find the earth constantly at work. The mountain hut stays warm all year round due to the geothermal activity of the area.
•Number of beds:  30
•Made up beds:  No
•Outdoor jacuzzi:  No
•Number of showers:  0
•Number of WC:  1
•GSM connection:  No
•WiFi: No

Room Occupancy
Single rooms are not available on this trip.


Meals
During the ride full board is provided.

The menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). 
All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.

Dietary restrictions
Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
This tour is a great riding experience that is suitable for advanced riders. You need to be comfortable and in control at all paces, have a firm seat, and feel comfortable riding for up to 7 hours per day. Riders are expected to ride regularly and be capable of handling horses in an open country. Riding days can be as long as up to 35 km in the saddle so you should be in good physical condition and have a basic knowledge of horsemanship. You will get a thorough introduction into the gaits of the Icelandic horse and feel the Tölt, the extremely soft traveling gate of the Icelandic horse.

Riding Gear – Disinfect!
Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which cannot be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to disinfected at least 5 days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Please understand that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature!
We provide saddle bags, rain wear and safety helmet.

Tack & Riding Style
The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different then the tack ordinarily used for other breeds.
The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides, a crupper helps keeping the saddle in place. Riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long.
Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.

The Farmers
The real connoisseurs of the local terrain and history. We make sure that each tour has its own charm and is organized by the local expert, the farmer, and his family. They use their own horses and ride through the part of the country they know so well.
Our farmers have over 30 years of experience in leading riding groups through Iceland.

Herd of Horses
On this ride, you will be riding several days (except for two days) with a free running herd of horses. Herding along free running horses is the traditional way of travelling in Iceland, since horses are changed at least once a day on longer tours. You get to ride a variety of horses. 

Horses
The Icelandic horse is best known for its four-beat smooth gait, the “tölt”, which is very comfortable for the rider, especially on a longer tour.  Riding an Icelandic horse in its native habitat land is an authentic riding experience. The horses are especially chosen for this trip and are suited even for riders who have not had much riding experience. 

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival
Meeting is at Flugfélag Ernir in Reykjavík airport for 7:30 am!  We fly to Húsavík and drive to Bjarnastaðir farm. Please dress already in riding clothes and bring your passport or other identification for your domestic flight.
At Bjarnastaðir, we have lunch and start our ride with a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits. This is truly a day to remember when we ride on the east side of the National Park Jökulsárgljúfur. After riding, we have a sightseeing tour by bus to Europe’s largest waterfall, Dettifoss and the famous Ásbyrgi Canyon, one of the wonders of nature, a wide, horseshoe-shaped canyon with sheer cliff faces up to 100 m high.
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 2 (Tuesday): Kelduhverfi to Theistareykir Mountain Cabin
After breakfast, we drive to Kelduhverfi and start our ride from there. We ride into the mountains and see a magical landscape over Öxafjörður Fjord. We ride to the geothermal area of Theistareykir.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Theistareykir Mountain Cabin

Day 3 (Wednesday): Theistareykir Mountain Cabin to Laxárdalur
Today’s ride goes from the Theistareykir area to Halldorstaðir in Laxárdal. We ride over the rough landscape, going through a geothermal area and lave fields up to the desert area of Hólasandur. Then we ride down to Laxárdalur Valley and over the Laxá River to Halldórstaðir. We then drive to Bjarnastaðir farm, where we stay the night with a hot tub on the premises.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 4 (Thursday): Laxárdalur to Skógarhlíð
We saddle up again and head of through a black sand desert along the colorful Laxárdalur valley with the glittering Salmon River Laxá on our side. A true day of contrasts in the ever changing Icelandic nature. We stop at the very special Hraunsrétt – sheep round-up location made of lava rocks. We then ride to Skógarhlíð, where we leave the horses before we head back to Bjarnastaðir farm where we spend the night. We will enjoy a nice hot bath in Jarðböðin, an outdoor lagoon with geothermal water.
Riding approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 5 (Friday): Skógarhlíð to Bjarnastaðir Farm
Today we set out through Geldingadalur Valley and Reykjaheiði heath. At one point, we will practically cross over from one continental plate to another as we ride over the Mid-Atlantic ridge! It is a fascinating area with deep earthquake fissures, multi-colored mountains and geothermal energy. With all this volcanic activity going on here, it is easy to understand that Iceland is still under “natural construction”. We ride into Öxarfjörður Fjord to Bjarnastaðir Farm, where the hot outdoor tub is waiting and we spend our last night.
Riding approx. 40 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm

Day 6 (Saturday): Bjarnastaðir to Húsavík 
In the morning, you can enjoy the town‘s swimming pool with its hot tubs or just go for a stroll in this beautiful town. Afternoon flight back to Reykjavík and transfer to the city center.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Northern Exposure

Dates Note: Monday- Saturday

Other Info
Meeting: Reykjavik Domestic Airport
Airport: Keflavík International Airport
Transfer: Reykjavik Domestic Airport

Climate:
                                            Akureyri area