Northern Lights Ride

Introduction
Iceland Shorts Iceland
Winter in Iceland means a countryside ablaze with color and the Northern Lights dancing in the Arctic night sky.

Enjoy visiting the best-known sights in Iceland, riding the Icelandic Horse along fine bridle paths and viewing a dazzling Northern Lights display after a great day in the saddle. Riding during the wintertime is an Icelandic tradition and a wonderful experience.

We will take a tour and visit the Secret Lagoon where you can relax in the mineral-rich water. We will ride between the rivers Þjórsá and Hvítá and visit the Golden circle. During the riding days, “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic Horse will be introduced to you.

Get ready in the evenings to experience the unique tranquility of the Icelandic countryside and gaze skywards to perhaps see green-colored Northern Lights dancing above you (weather permitting).

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You will be accommodated in Kálfhóll Farm, where the family is well known for their great hospitality. The farm is located in the beautiful Skeiða and Hrunamannahreppi shire. All around the farm you can see gorgeous countryside.
There is a hot tub onsite.

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 but can be purchased in the duty-free store of Keflavik airport.

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 intermediate riders. You need to be comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length trots (tölt) and short canters. 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 (Tuesday): Arrival
Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik around 6:00pm. Our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Kálfhóll Farm, where horses and staff are waiting for us. After a lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other, we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us. We can enjoy the nice hot tub outside and look up into the sky for dazzling Northern Lights.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Kálfhóll Farm

Day 2 (Wednesday): Ride along Þjórsá River & Visit of Secret Lagoon
After breakfast, our guide will introduce us to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits. This first riding day is a perfect way to get to know Icelandic winter riding in a relaxed atmosphere along the mighty river Þjórsá (the longest river in Iceland: 212 km). We enjoy the southern countryside with an impressing view of mountain ranges, pastureland in its winter coat and the Hekla volcano watching over us in the distance. After a magical day in the winter wonderland, we will go and visit the Secret Lagoon where you can relax in the mineral-rich water. Dinner will be served at Kálfhóll Farm and afterward, you can take an evening stroll with your guide and host to look for the Northern Lights again.
Riding approximately 15 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kálfhóll Farm

Day 3 (Thursday): Ride along the Hvítá River 
We start the day with a short ride in the winter fields, by the Kálfhóll farm, before we have lunch. Our ride then takes us to the glacier river Hvítá with the milky water that streams from the glaciers into the highland. We ride through lava and moss-covered terrain and enjoy the view all around us. After a short break near the river, we saddle up again and head back through the beautiful countryside to Kálfhóll farm to have a lovely dinner. There is nothing better after a wonderful day in the saddle than to relax in the steamy hot tub, watching the clear sky and hope for the Northern Lights to show up.
Riding approximately 15 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kálfhóll Farm

Day 4 (Friday): Ride along the Þjórsá River and Golden Circle Tour 
After breakfast, we take our last ride along the Þjórsá river and take in the breathtaking winter pastures one last time. After a light lunch, we say goodbye to the horses and hop on to the bus to visit the Golden Circle: the three most impressive natural sights in South Iceland. The Golden Circle consists of the Geysir geothermal area, the waterfall Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park.
Geysir is a geothermal area with boiling mud pits and the lively geyser Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters into the air every few minutes.
At Gullfoss, you will have a chance to witness the mighty waterfall, and you can feel the power from the water coming down the canyon as you stand near the cliffs.
Then we drive to Thingvellir National Park and see an amazing nature and geological phenomena. Since 2004 Thingvellir has been listed on UNESCO‘s World Heritage List for its geological the uniqueness and historical significance.
We will be back in Reykjavík at approx. 6:00 pm.
Riding approximately 15 km
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Northern Lights Ride

Dates Note: Saturday- Thursday

Other Info
Meeting: Reykjavik
Airport: Reykjavik Airport
Transfer: Reykjavík

Climate:
                                                Reykjavík area