Adventures - Horses - Highlands - Culture and Local Food
Lightly sprinkled with a bit of luxury

We introduce you to
... our wonderful horses
... the uninhabited highlands of Iceland
... the culture of our ancient island
... the excellent local food

We welcome you to this outstanding riding tour to the Icelandic highlands. Enjoy a good mixture of adventure on horseback, driving a herd of free running horses, comfortable lodging and selected meals with fresh local ingredients. - A visit to the bird paradise Drangey island and a white water rafting tour complete this tour.

Duration	9 days / 8 nights - 6 riding days
Departures	Tour A: 18.06. - 26.06.2010 Tour B: 30.07. - 07.08.2010
Daily rides	ca. 20 - 40 km
Riding skills	Good riding skills and a good physical condition are required
Accomodation	Hotel in Reykjavík, on the tour 5 nights in made up beds in Hestasport Cottages and 2 nights in a mountain hut, Tour A: sleepingbag accommodation, Tour B: made up beds
Number of participants	min: 6, max: 12

Itinerary
Friday, Day 1
Your flight to Iceland should arrive at International Airport Keflavík ideally between 2 pm and 4 pm. From here you will be taken directly to the domestic airport in Reykjavík right in time for the domestic flight to Sauðárkrókur in North Iceland. We welcome you at Sauðárkrókur Airport and drive to our cottages in Varmahlíð where you spend the first night of your holiday. After a welcome dinner we meet in the hot tub for a relaxing bath and a first get-together. In case you arrive earlier in Iceland, please let us know where we can meet you.
Saturday, Day 2
After a long sleep and a good breakfast our guides introduce you to our horses. You saddle for a 2-3 hours ride this morning. This gives you the chance to get used to the Icelandic Horse with its special gaits. After a lunch break we head out for a boat trip to the island Drangey, a bird paradise in the fjord. In ancient times this island was called the "food chest" of Skagafjörður, since it provided a lot of birds and eggs for the poor population. The climb onto the top is a bit demanding, so you should be prepared with good hiking boots. On the way back the captain may stop to give you the opportunity for deep sea fishing. The sea is at some spots full of cod and you might bring a good dinner home. After this adventurous afternoon we look forward to the hot pool and a good dinner.
Sunday, Day 3
Today we start travelling with our horses. Passing the waterfall Reykjafoss right after we leave our base, we enter the valley Mælifellsdalur before we mount the pass Kíðaskarð. A beautiful scenery welcomes us and we have the feeling as if the mountains embrace us. At the top of the pass the view is wide and we might even see the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull in the distance. When descending into Svartádalur valley we see the coral Stafnsrétt where every year the sheep are gathered. This is our destination and here we leave our horses for tonight whereas we drive ½ an hour back to our cottages.
Monday, Day 4
Before we leave this morning, we have to pack our luggage for the next two days. We can leave all unnecessary equipment at home. Our horses wait for us at Stafnsrétt and soon after leaving this secluded place we ascend the ridge Háatunga. Nature pure awaits us and for the next hours we possibly meet some sheep, but neither human beings nor cars. For a delicious picnic we meet our van and we continue well stained through the highlands to the mountain hut Galtará, located not far from the lake Blöndulón. We make ourselves comfortable for the next two nights. This convenient cabin provides even hot water and showers. We stay in 2-4 bed rooms.
Tuesday, Day 5
Fortified by a hearty breakfast, we set out on a round trip in the highlands. We pass stone cones from the time of our ancestors who used them as markers when travelling to the yearly parliament session at Þingvellir. Pleasant tölt paths alternate with more difficult terrain. In the evening we reach Bugar, where we keep the horses tonight. We drive 20 minutes back to Galtará after a whole day highland adventure with many new impressions.
Wednesday, Day 6
After having packed our luggage we leave Galtará today, catch our horses at Bugar and ride back into civilization. We pass by Lake Aðalmannsvatn before we descend into the fertile and beautiful valley Mælifellsdalur. Right hand rises the mountain Mælifellshnjúkur that is, just like Drangey island, a landmark of the Skagafjörður area. In the evening we keep our horses at the coral Mælifellsrétt whereas we drive 20 minutes to our Hestasport Cottages, where the Hot Pot is awaiting us.
Thursday, Day 7
We saddle our horses a last time for the ride home. Soon we reach the river delta of Héraðsvötn. We cross several small streams and enjoy excellent riding trails until we reach Vindheimamelar. Now it is time to say goodbye to our horses, we release our trusted companions into the meadows. In the afternoon we meet at the boathouse of Hestasport-Activity Tours and head out for a white water rafting tour. We chose a river that is suitable for everybody, so all of us can enjoy a new experience and an unusual perspective to watch an amazing gorge. More information about the rafting tour you find here . After this wet adventure we look forward to the hot pool and a good farewell dinner. What better way to end a riding tour than with a relaxing bath in a naturally heated hot tub!
Friday, Day 8
Time to say good bye! On our way to Sauðárkrókur airport we make a stop at Glaumbær, a grand old farm, turned into a folk museum. Here you will also find the burial grounds of Snorri Þorfinnsson, the first white man born on the American continent. The old farm and the surrounding houses will not only give the visitor an excellent view of how Icelanders built their houses, but it will also provide a window into the lives of past generations. At the coffee house "Áskaffi" we enjoy lunch as at grandma´s times. The atmosphere in this house from 1886 is very cosy and you get to try typical Icelandic dishes and a rich assortment of cakes and home made hot chocolate. The flight leaves Sauðárkrókur around 02:00 PM and in the early afternoon you check into the hotel in Reykjavík. Now you have some time left for shopping or choosing out of the wide range of entertainment, this small capital has to offer. Make the best out of being back in civilization and enjoy a last night out with your fellow riders.
Saturday, Day 9
Transfer from the hotel to Keflavík airport, right in time for your flight home.

Price Tour A: 1.950 EUR per person

Price Tour B: 2.380 EUR per person

Included in the price:

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Absolute Iceland

Adventures - Horses - Highlands - Culture and Local Food Lightly sprinkled with a bit of luxury

Price Tour A: 1.950 EUR per person

Price Tour B: 2.380 EUR per person

Adventures - Horses - Highlands - Culture and Local Food
Lightly sprinkled with a bit of luxury