Shepherd's Trail in Northern Iceland Northern Tours Iceland We are proud to present this beautiful autumn riding adventure in the North West of Iceland. There is a lot of diversity in this tour starting with beautiful mountain views from the wide Húnaflói Fjord and into the mysterious highland with a great view towards the two great glaciers: Hofsjökull and Langjökull We will meet sheep farmers on their way back to civilization after many days in the saddle, herding a big flock of sheep. It is for sure a unique sight to witness 14 000 sheep on their way back home after spending the summer up in the highland followed by over 30 shepherds with 100 horses! You can feel the joy and the excitement as everyone is on their way back home. You can for sure help them out and take part in the singing and happiness. When you take part in this Round-Up you are experiencing the Real Thing! You will be one of the group to herd and sort the animals. Of course, that means long hours outside in sometimes cold weather. Iceland in autumn has many colors and types of weather. Anticipate to be in golden sunshine one moment and to ride in the rain and even sleet during the next. We, therefore, recommend to dress well during these tours, to bring long woolen underwear and lots of woolen socks and gloves. It is also good to bring some „quick energy suppliers “ like chocolate. A warm rider is a happy rider! Short Getaway Ride with Gaited Horses Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Center-based ride Meeting: BSÍ Bus station or at Reykjavik official bus stops Airport: Keflavík International Airport Transfer: BSÍ Bus station or at Reykjavik official bus stops Riders: Max 17 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik for 8:30am on Day 1.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Pick up at 08:30 am from the BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik (see www.busstop.is). Please be ready at the earliest pickup time and dress already in riding clothes.
You will arrive to Hvammur farm around noon and have a nice local lunch. After we have met our horses we start our ride through the beautiful Vatnsdalur valley. The valley is the setting of the Vatnsdælir Saga and our guide, Haukur, will tell us everything he knows about this Saga. It will be interesting to listen to him tell stories of the past and present. Our route runs along the banks of river Vatnsdalsá and we have to cross it several times.
We end our ride deep in the valley where our horses rest. We are transfered back to Hvammur and enjoy a well-deserved meal and relax in the hot tub.
Riding approx. 3-4 hours
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur farm

Day 2: Kárdalstunga to Auðkúlurétt
Today, you will have a great authentic experience! We ride from Kárdalstunga and into the Highlands with a stunning view of the glaciers. We will meet sheep farmers on their way back to civilization after many days in the saddle, herd a big flock of sheep. It is for sure a unique sight to witness 14 000 sheep on their way back home followed by over 30 shepherds with 100 horses!  You can feel the joy and the excitement as this is their last day and everyone is on their way back home. 
We end our day in the Auðkúlurétt corral where we leave the sheep and horses and go back to Hvammur farm and continue our singing.
Riding approx. 8-9 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur farm

Day 3: Auðkúlurétt to Sveinsstaðir
We drive from Hvammur farm to Auðkúlurétt Corrall where a number of people have shown up to help the farmers sorting out their sheep. We can also give a helping hand to Haukur´s grandfather, who is 86 years old and a sheep/horse farmer at Röðull farm.
Auðkúlurétt is the largest sheep corral in Iceland (and possibly in the world) with up to 14,000 sheep. This is also where you can get really deep into the Icelandic culture and it does not get more authentic than this! When our job is done at the corral we continue with our riding tour. We ride from the farm, Reykir, across lake Húnavatn.  We also look at the remarkable stone church at Þingeyrar built in 1877. After this cultural stop, we continue our ride on lowland countryside to Sveinsstadir farm where the horses rest overnight.
Riding approx. 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur farm

Optional (not included in the tour price): Réttardansleikur dance at a nearby community center, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful roundup. On special occasions like this, our guide and farmer, Haukur, put his best dancing shoes on!

Day 4: Sveinsstaðir to Þingeyrar
Today is our last riding day and of course, we finish the tour in style!  We ride from Sveinsstadir towards Lake Hóp (one of the biggest lakes in Iceland).  On our way we pass the historical place, Þrístapar,  where the last execution in Iceland took place in 1830. Haukur will tell us the dramatic story which will leave no one untouched.  We then ride alongside the lagoon Hóp. The black sand at the beach is ideal for riding tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse as well as feeling the joy in the horses when they are running in the shallow water. The view and the movement of the horses give us an unparalleled sense of freedom.
We spend the last evening at Hvammur farm enjoying good food and of course, we sing along and share entertaining stories of men and horses.
Riding approx. 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur farm

Day 5: Departure
After breakfast, we say goodbye and hop on the bus that will take us back to Reykjavík.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                            Akureyri area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	35	36	37	42	50	56	59	58	52	43	38	36
Average Low Temperature (°F)	23	24	26	30	37	43	46	46	40	33	27	24
Average High Temperature (°C)	2	2	3	6	10	13	15	14	11	6	3	2
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-5	-5	-4	-1	3	6	8	8	4	1	-3	-5

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Iceland enjoys a much milder climate than its name and location adjacent to the Arctic Circle would imply. A branch of the Gulf Stream flows along the southern and the western coast greatly moderating the climate. However, the climate can change very quickly. Generally speaking, the south-western part of Iceland receives more rainfall than the rest of the country. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 25°C and winter temperatures in average around 0˚C.

Summer (May to September)
The first half of this period the sun stays above the horizon for almost 24 hours. However, even during the middle of summer the sky can be cloudy or overcast and in that case, the air is usually cool and cold during nighttime.

Winter
The winter season sees long nights and severe winter storms. However, the silence of the frozen expanse and the dance of the Aurora Borealis on a clear night sky draw an increasing number of tourists.

You should be ready for all kinds of weather as it can change very quickly. We provide you with good rain-clothes, a riding helmet and a saddle bag (where you can keep the picnic lunch, a small camera, extra pair of gloves etc.).

Luggage will be transported in the kitchen van. Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases. Pack light because transport space is limited.
We recommend not too much luggage on the tour and you can leave extra luggage at the guesthouse if you want to.

You should be ready for all kinds of weather as the weather can change very quickly.

We recommend that the following items are included when preparing for our longer tours.
• Knee high riding boots -  water resistant/ waterproof
• Warm jacket or overcoat.
• Warm (woolen or fleece) sweater.
• Warm socks and gloves, at least two pairs, scarf and a cap or hat.
• Warm underwear, long if possible (protects also against chafing).
• For the ladies – sports bra.
• Riding trousers.
• Track suit.
• A pair of slippers to wear in the accommodation (Icelanders take off their shoes when entering a house).
• Swim suits, towels, soap etc.
• A small camera to take with you on the ride.
• Band aids and second skin plasters for chaffing.
• Insect repellent, gnat net head cover.
• Chocolate or glucose sweets for strenuous riding days.
• Sun lotion for face and lips (with high sun factor).
• Sunglasses.
• For those with sensitive eyes/contact lenses, goggles.
• Sleeping bag
• Small pillow to sleep on.
• Ear plugs. Some people snore!

Disinfecting of the riding gear
It is important to follow the regulation regarding the disinfecting of used riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be disinfected at least five 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 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! For further information please take a look at: http://www.mast.is/english/frontpage/import-export/import/ridingequipment/ 

Cameras:  
We recommend to bring a small camera that can be taken in a pocket, a waist/hip bag or in the saddle bag.
Large camera equipment we can not allow on the horses for security reasons. Tours are operated with a free running herd - at speed of tölt or trot for most of the day. We take breaks to relax the horses and then it is possible to take pictures. While on the horse taking pictures is rather difficult since the horses are constantly moving. Because of the herd instinct it is not possible to stop an individual horse, they all will follow each other.
You can leave larger Digital SLR with your luggage at the farm or put it in their luggage that will be transferred to the new accommodation.

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Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so you will be staying at the same accommodation every night.

Description
Hvammur farm is located in the beautiful Vatnsdalur Valley which is full of the old Sagas and has the famous salmon fishing river Vatnsdalsá running through. The farmhouse was renovated a few years ago and has a hot tub in the garden with a view over the river.
There are 6 bedrooms with 2-4 beds in each room and two bathrooms.
There is cell service and Wi-Fi internet at this property.

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 can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Icelandic
Horses:		Icelandic Horses
Pace:		Approx 7 hours in the saddle per riding day
Level:		(3.5 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Weight:		Max 242 lbs / 110 kg
Riders:			Max 17 riders

Riding Experience
This tour is a great riding experience that is suitable for 

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. 

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:

(a) 1. nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden who are only required to produce national identity cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin.

Passport Note

Iceland is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by all nationals of referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

2. EU nationals staying longer than 90 days will need to apply for a residence permit from the directorate of immigration in Iceland.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

A stay in another Schengen-Zone country counts as the same as a stay in Iceland. 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes/1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.