Join the farmers in this great autumn adventure. Ride along when they drive the herd, sort the horses and celebrate the successful return of horses and men. The varied terrain on this horse riding holiday includes the highland moors, green valleys just turning into their autumn colours of burning red and yellow, deep blue lakes and rivers and Kolugljúfur gorge where a troll woman resided in the old days.
A short first ride is already scheduled on the arrival day in Hafnarfjörður. This is a good opportunity to get to know the Icelandic horse and prepare for the coming days. From Bjargshóll Farm in the North you follow good riding tracks until you meet the Icelanders who have been gathering horses already for some days. You join them and help driving the herd down to the Víðidalstungurétt corral. When this task has been fulfilled the locals celebrate the successful round-ups with a ball “réttardansleikur” and you are welcome to join in the fun. The next day the horses get sorted. Experience the excitement of horses and men when the horses and foals are selected from the herd and returned to their rightful owners.
Special Offer: 5% discount for all riders that have travelled with us to Iceland before.
No single rooms available (on some or all nights). Riders must be prepared to share.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - HORSE ROUND UP
Tuesday: Arrival in Iceland – Transfer to Reykjavík Transfer from Keflavík Airport to the Riding Center. Make sure your flight arrives not later then 16:00 to be able to participate in a short (1,5 – 2 hours) introductory riding tour towards Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Clients arriving earlier that day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the hotel and picked up again in time for the ride.) After the ride we enjoy a traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the following tour before the day ends at your accommodation in a hotel in Reykjavík. (10 km)
Wednesday: Reykjavík – Bjargshóll – Gauksmýri We drive to the North and meet Eggert with his staff and horses at Bjargshóll Farm. On our way we visit a factory outlet with woollen goods. Our ride takes us alongside the river Miðfjarðará to the ocean and from there underneath Vatnsnesfjall Mountain to Gauksmýri Farm, where we will stay overnight in a cosy country hotel. (35 km)
Thursday: Gauksmýri – Dæli This exciting riding day takes us into the friendly countryside of Vestur-Hóp, past a lake and into the beautiful valley Víðidalur. We follow Víðidalsá River to Dæli Holiday Farm, close to Kolugil canyon. This farm is beautifully located in Víðidalur Valley and we will enjoy the hospitality of Sigrún and Víglundur, who have been working with us for many years. The outdoor hot tubs are waiting, as well as a hearty dinner. (30 km)
Friday: Dæli - Kolugil – Víðidalstungheiði – Dæli Today we ascend towards the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði and meet the horses coming down from their pastures in the highlands. We enjoy a warm lunch in the mountains, before we join other guests and locals following the farmers driving the herd down from the highland. Before ending our ride at Dæli Farm we stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments. Following dinner that day, we spend time with the farmers and other guests in Dæli and join in their singing, dancing and celebrating of this great event of the fall. (30 km, 7-8 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)
Saturday: Víðidalstungurétt – Bjargshóll – Dæli Our day starts at the round up place Víðidalstungurétt where horses are sorted out. An auction is held right on the spot and we can join the farmers in their joyful singing, celebrating the return of their horses. In the afternoon we ride to Bjargshóll Farm and return our horses to their meadows, before driving back to Dæli for a hearty dinner. (30 km)
Optional (not included in the tour price): "Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Víðihlíð, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.
Sunday: Return to the South – Reykjavík Departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at the hotel at 14:00.
Monday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home marking the end of your horseback adventure in Iceland.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
The weight limit for this ride is 17 st/242 lb/110 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
• Airport transfers
• Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the riding tour, includes breakfast only, not lunch and dinner. Traditional Icelandic stew is served on the arrival day.
• During the ride full board is provided. Ther menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
• Rain wear, saddle bag and riding helmet.
For price details click here
A nature lovers trail based in remote and beautiful Scandinavia. The wildlife and scenery is varied and peaceful.
Reading List We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information. Letters From Iceland
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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