General Info

Riding strong Icelandic horses in the island country of Iceland is a once in a lifetime experience. Vikings settled in Iceland in the 9th century, bringing horses and other livestock that would help them cultivate the land, explore and survive. Until the 19th century, horses were the sole mode of transportation around this rugged island. The Icelandic horses, though pony sized, are strong and agile, running over Iceland’s craggy terrain with ease. These horses have special gaits or ways of moving including the tölt, a smooth gait where the riders may feel like they’re gliding along instead of bouncing up and down in the saddle.

These multi-day Iceland riding tours require fit riders skilled in the walk, trot and canter. You’ll be riding with an outfitter who is a pioneer for riding in Iceland and practices sustainable tourism, so you can feel good about your trip to Iceland. Icelandair now flies from New York, Boston, Minneapolis, Orlando and Seattle, making getting to Iceland even easier. It’s about a five hour flight from New York’s JFK Airport, making shorter trips feasible too. For travelers who want to combine riding with other adventures in Ieland, the three day Countryside Adventure is a good bet. Equitrekking Travel’s preferred provider of travel services, Julie Snyder, can arrange airfare and accommodations in Reykjavik and suggest other adventures in Iceland to compliment your trip.

Golden Circle 8 days/ 7 nights (6 riding days) Intermediate Riders
Countryside Ride 3 days/ 2 nights (3 riding days) Intermediate Riders
Diamond Circle 8 days/ 7 nights (5 riding days) Strong Intermediate Riders
Geysir Gullfoss 5 days/ 4 nights (4 riding days) Intermediate Riders
Horse Round Up 1- 7 days/ 6 nights (5 riding days) Strong Intermediate Riders
Horse Round Up 2- 7 days/ 6 nights (5 riding days) Strong Intermediate Riders
Horse Drive- 5 days/ 4 nights (4 riding days) Strong Intermediate Riders
Kjolur Glaciers- 9 days/ 8 nights (6 riding days) Strong Intermediate Riders 

Awards & Accolades
Íshestar, the outfitter for these Iceland tours, received the Environmental Award by the Icelandic Tourist Board in 2001.
 

Packing

Please see Equitrekking Travel's General Packing List for some suggested items.

Packing layers is always a good idea for any riding tour, as the weather can change quickly.

The following are other recommended items by the tour operator for these Iceland riding vacations:
•    Riding boots - preferably rubber, because you may be crossing rivers (Please also note that knee high rubber boots are recommended for the Horse Drive)
•    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 from chafing)
•    Sports bra for women
•    Riding trousers
•    A pair of slippers to wear in the accommodations. (Icelanders take off their shoes when entering a house)
•    Swimsuits, towels, soap etc.
•    Your camera
•    Band-Aids
•    Insect repellent
•    Chocolate or glucose sweets for strenuous riding days
•    Sunscreen and lip balm
•    Riding gloves


You will be provided with:
•    Saddle bags
•    Rain gear
•    Safety helmet
•    Sleeping bag (with a sheet) where necessary

Riding gear which has been used abroad needs to be dry cleaned or sterilized. A written certificate is needed to prove that this has been done.

Riding gear (riding boots, riding trousers, jackets, hats, gloves, etc.) needs to be washed (104°F/ 40°C), dry cleaned or disinfected before arriving in Iceland. Most veterinary clinics will be able to do the disinfecting. It is important to obtain a written statement in case of inquiries at customs in Iceland. Saddles, bridles and other leather gear may not be brought into the country.

Used riding clothes and boots that cannot be placed in a washing machine or dry cleaned should be washed and disinfected as follows:
•    Rinse thoroughly with detergent
•    
Dry
•    
Spray with 1% VirkonS® (10g per liter of water)
•    
Store for at least 5 days prior to bringing the clothes into contact with horses in Iceland

Please understand that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases (i.e. rabies or foot and mouth diseases) in Iceland and therefore important to protect the animals of the country. Please help protect Iceland's fragile nature!

For further information and the official form issued by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority please follow this link. Substances which are approved for disinfecting and the way they should be applied are mentioned on the form.
 

About the Horses

Icelandic horses are an important part of Icelandic culture having helped the people of Iceland survive for centuries. The history of the Icelandic Horse can be traced to the settlement of the country in the late 9th century. The Icelandic horse appears in Norse mythology, the sagas, songs and the art of Iceland.

Icelanders take great pride in the Icelandic horse, which has been pure bred for over a thousand years on this isolated island. The Icelandic horse is special because it has five different gaits or ways of moving. Besides the walk, trot and canter/gallop, Icelandic horses may also tölt or pace. The tölt is a smooth four-beat gait. Once you are into this gait, you may feel like you are gliding, instead of bouncing up and down in the saddle. The flying pace is a two-beat racing gait in which both legs on the same side move together. On Icelandic riding tours, you will usually change horses once or twice a day. On most of the longer tours you will ride with spare horses along in a free running herd, the traditional way of riding in Iceland.
 

Activities/Events

These Iceland riding vacations include sightseeing at some of Iceland's top destinations. Trips may include- time in Reykjavik before or after the ride, the hot springs area of Geysir, Iceland’s Golden Waterfalls and Thingvellir National Park, the spot where the North American and European tectonic plates meet and more.

Accommodations/Food

Accommodations:

Golden Circle 8 Day
2 - 4 bed units with shared facilities at Fossnes Farm. Rooms with private facilities for 2 nights at Geysir and 2 nights in a hotel in Reykjavik.

Golden Circle 5 Day
2 - 4 bed units with shared facilities at Fossnes Farm. Rooms with private facilities for 2 nights at Geysir.

Countryside Riding 3 Day
2 - 4 bed units in summer cottages with shared facilities.

Diamond Circle 8 Day
Double rooms in a hotel in Reykjavik. Guesthouses and holidays farms during the ride. Single rooms may be available at an extra charge.

Horse Round-Up One
Hotel in Reykjavik and 2 to 4 bed units at the farm for the horse drive.

Horse Round-Up Two
Hotel in Reykjavik and double rooms at Daeli Farm for the horse drive.

Horse Drive July 2010
2-4 bed units. Accomodations in Reykjavik before or after the ride must be arranged on your own.

Kjolur Glaciers
2 - 4 bed units in Reykjavík. Sleeping bag accommodation in simple mountain cabins during the ride.

Food:
During the ride full board is provided. The 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. 


Drinks:
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.
 

The Ideal Traveler

The ideal traveler to Iceland is adventurous, curious about other cultures and a competent rider. They may enjoy history, experience exotic destinations and new cultures. They may also be interested in a shorter riding trip, of which there are various options in Iceland.

Golden Circle

Dates and Rates 2010:
8 days/ 7 nights (6 riding days)
$2,149.00* USD
(Saturday to Saturday)

July 10-17 (only 1 space left!)
July 17-24 sold out- please inquire about the waiting list
July 24-31
July 31-Aug 7 sold out- wait list available 
Aug 7-14 (sold out- wait list available),
Aug 14-21 (sold out- wait list available),
Aug 21-28 

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates. Included in trip: All airport transfers in Iceland. Accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner while riding and one night in guesthouse or hotel in Reykjavik including breakfast and welcome meal. 3-4 horses per person and local English speaking guide. Raingear, sleeping bag (with sheet) where needed, saddle bag and helmet.

Riding Level: Intermediate Riders

This diverse riding tour takes riders through Southern Iceland’s most famous attractions- the hot springs area of Geysir, Iceland’s Golden Waterfalls and Thingvellir National Park, the spot where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. As they drift apart Iceland is slowly being split in two! Thingvellir is also the location of the assembly fields where Iceland’s parliamentary institution was founded in AD 930. Within 50 years of settlement, the Vikings established one of the world’s first parliaments, meeting during summers at Thingvellir.

On this vacation, you’ll ride through landscapes that have been cut by giant glaciers and charred by hot molten lava. In fact, NASA sent Apollo astronauts to Iceland to prepare them for missions to the moon’s surface. This popular tour is ideal for families and those who do not have the required riding experience for Iceland’s more difficult highland tours, but still have the fitness levels for long days in the saddle and a basic knowledge of horsemanship.

Accommodations
2 - 4 bed units with shared facilities at Fossnes Farm. Rooms with private facilities for 2 nights at Geysir and 2 nights in a hotel in Reykjavik.

Itinerary
Day 1- Saturday- Arrive
Arrive to Keflavík Airport. A representative from your tour will meet you at Keflavik Airport and drive you to a guesthouse in Reykjavik. You are invited to a welcome meeting including traditional Icelandic soup, where you’ll receive details about your tour and meet fellow riders.

Day 2- Sunday- Reykjavik, Parliament Site, Fossnes Farm
You’ll be driven from Reykjavík through Thingvellir National Park to Fossnes farm, located in a hilly area near a glacial river. Here you’ll meet the horses and guides. Get introduced to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits on a trail ride and a ride through Iceland’s colorful countryside, past deep green mountains and valleys and the mighty glacial river Thjórsá. This initial ride will allow you to get adjusted to your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding. Before a hearty dinner at the farm, you might enjoy a soak in the hot tub. (riding distance about 12 miles/ 20 km)

Day 3- Monday- Changing Mounts
Riding out from the farm, you’ll pass through the fertile farmlands of the neighboring community of Hrunamannahreppur. You’ll travel the Icelandic way, bringing other horses along for changing mounts a couple of times a day, which allows the group to travel at greater speeds. Cross the well-known salmon river of Stóra-Laxá and stop for picnic lunch at Hrunaréttir, a paddock for the annual sheep round-up in autumn. You’ll leave your horses at a local farm and drive back to Fossnes for the night. (riding distance about 22 miles/ 35 km)
 


Day 4- Tuesday- Golden Waterfalls and Canyons
Continue on soft trails ideal for tölting, the special gait of the Icelandic horse, towards the an imposing canyon where milky green glacial waters pass through unusual rock formations. Alongside Hvítá River, follow an alongside a deep canyon on to the impressive Golden Waterfalls, called Gullfoss. You’ll continue on to the famous Geysir hot spring area. For the next two nights, you’ll stay in rooms in the Geysir area with private facilities. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the area’s countless bubbling hot springs. (riding distance about 22 miles/35 km)

Day 5- Wednesday, Mountain Views
Today’s ride takes you through Haukadalur valley with its beautiful birch forest. Cross small, clear streams along the ride and enjoy the rich vegetation of mountain wildflowers that bloom during high summer. The scenery changes as you ascend to a highland plateau to reach higher ground. A breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and glaciers of the highlands awaits you when you reach the top. (riding distance about 12 miles/ 20 km)

Day 6- Thursday- Rivers and Valleys
Riding out of the Geysir area, travel along green pastures back to the bridge at Brúarhlöð canyon to cross a mighty river. You’ll journey towards the interior and follow beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto a heath plateau. Here you’ll be riding along the edge of civilization. While the horses will spend the night at another local farm, riders will head back to Fossnes Farm for the night, enjoying a nice hot bath after this exciting riding day. (riding distance about 25 miles/40 km)

Day 7- Friday- Meadows and Trails

Take in canyons as you cross a river and the terrain changes to vast green meadows on the way through Laxárdalur valley, where you’ll enjoy good riding tracks on the way back to Fossnes Farm (riding distance about 19 miles/ 30 km). At the farm, you’ll say goodbye to the guides, staff and horses and return to a guesthouse in Reykjavík for an overnight stay. You’ll arrive in Reykjavik at approximately 6pm.

Day 8- Saturday, Departure
You’ll be transferred by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors.
 

Countryside Ride

Dates and Rates 2010:
3 days/ 2 nights (3 riding days): $972* USD

(Monday to Wednesday)
July 12-14 (only 1 space left!)
July 19-21
July 26-28 (only 3 spaces left) 
Aug 2-4
Aug 9-11
Aug 16-18
Aug 30-Sept 1

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates. Included in trip: While riding, accommodations and breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, as are 3-4 horses per person and local English speaking guide. Raingear, sleeping bag (with sheet) where needed, saddle bag and helmet. This trip does not include airport transfers. You’ll be taken from Reykjavik to the farm to start the riding vacation.

Riding Level: Intermediate Riders

On this short three day, two night riding adventure, visit the wonders of Iceland. Follow fine bridle paths to popular Icelandic sights including the Geysir Hot Spring area and Gullfoss, Iceland’s Golden Waterfalls. Enjoy views of glaciers as you trek through birch forests and green meadows dotted with grazing horses. Learn to “Tölt”, the Icelandic horse’s special gliding gait. Visit Thingvellir National Park, the spot where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. As they drift apart, Iceland is slowly being split in two. Thingvellir is also the location of the assembly fields where Iceland’s parliamentary institution was founded in AD 930. Within 50 years of settlement, the Vikings established one of the world’s first parliaments, meeting during summers at Thingvellir.

This Countryside Riding Adventure is ideal for people who have shorter vacation time, but want to experience riding in Iceland. This tour also ideal if you are looking to ride for a few days and then tack on other adventures in Reykjavik or beyond like whale watching, snowmobiling or hiking. You will need to be an intermediate rider with good stamina for this tour. Two nights are spent in cozy summer cottages with 2 – 3 rooms in each with shared facilities.

Riding Ability: Intermediate Riders. Must ride regularly, be comfortable during long hours in the saddle and be able to handle horses in open countryside at the walk, trot and canter.
 

Itinerary
Day 1- Monday- Geysir Hot Springs and Thingvellir National Park
On the way to the farm, visit the historical Thingvellir National Park. Meet your guides and check into the rooms and enjoy lunch. Your guide will introduce you to the Icelandic horse’s special gaits before you start to ride along pleasant trails towards the Geysir hot spring area. This first riding day allows you get to know the Icelandic horse and the Icelandic way of riding in a relaxed atmosphere. While on the ride, you’ll enjoy views of mountain ranges, valleys and a glacier fed river. 
(riding distance around 16 miles/ 25 km)

Day 2- Tuesday- Forests, Valleys and Streams
Today you’ll ride through birch forest at Haukadalur valley and cross small sparkling brooks to enjoy the vegetation blooming during the summer in Iceland. Watch the scenery change as you climb up onto a highland heath. From the heath, you’ll have a great view of mountains and glaciers in Iceland’s interior! (riding distance around 22 miles/ 35 km)

Day 3- Wednesday: Kjóastaðir –Gullfoss – Kjölur Trail – Reykjavík 

From the farm, ride off towards a majestic canyon where milky, glacier fed water passes through bizarre rock formations. Follow a deep canyon to the impressive Golden Waterfalls, Gullfoss. After having spent some time at the falls, saddle up again and follow the famous Kjölur highland trail before we heading back to the farm. After dinner, bid farewell to horses and guides. You’ll be drivem back to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival time in Reykjavík is 9:30PM. (riding distance around 22 miles/ 35 km)

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors.
 

Diamond Circle

Dates and Rates 2010:
Adult Only Tour
8 days/ 7 nights: $2,682.00* USD Single Supplement of $482.00* USD

Saturday to Saturday
July 10-17 (sold out- waiting list available),
July 24-31 (only 6 spaces available)
August: 7-14 (only 2 spaces available!)
August 14-21 (only 4 spaces available!)

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates. Included in trip: All airport transfers in Iceland, including domestic flights. Accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner while riding and one night in guesthouse or hotel in Reykjavik including breakfast and welcome meal. 3-4 horses per person and local guide. Raingear, sleeping bag (with sheet) where needed, saddle bag and helmet.

Riding Level: Strong Intermediate Riders

This trip takes adult riders to Iceland’s North, one of the most geologically diverse and volcanically active areas of Iceland with lava fields, craters, geysers, simmering mud pools, black desert sands and beautiful Lake Mývatn, a breeding ground for wildfowl. Your tour leads from Saltvík Farm near Húsavík to the Lake Mývatn area. An optional whale watching tour concludes the circle of natural highlights on and off shore.

This tour is an alternative for those who want to combine the excitement riding in the highlands with more comfortable accommodations. You also have the advantage of being in a group with a maximum 14 guests. The hosts for this tour are Bjarni Páll, Elsa and Sævar Freyr from Saltvík Farm. On this tour beds in double rooms are available. Single room accommodation is also possible. Bathroom facilities are shared and a hot shower is available every night. During the three nights spent at Saltvík Farm, enjoy two outdoor hot tubs and the amazing views over the ocean and the Kinnarfjöll Mountain Range.


Itinerary 8 days/ 7 nights (5 days riding)

Day 1- Saturday- Arrival
Arrive to Keflavík Airport. A representative from your tour will meet you at Keflavik Airport and drive you to a guesthouse in Reykjavik. You are invited to a welcome meeting including traditional Icelandic soup, where you’ll receive details about your tour and meet fellow riders.

Day 2- Sunday- Welcome to the North- First Ride and Hot Pots
You’ll fly North in the morning to Akureyri. From the airport, you’ll be driven to an Icelandic farm called Saltvík. This farm overlooks a bay. At the farm, you’ll meet your guides and receive an introduction to the Icelandic horse and their special gaits. It’s time to try out those gaits on your first ride. Ride into the mountains along the river Laxá to the highland plateau Hvammsheiði. You’ll cross the Laxá River at a ford at the end of the riding day. Back at the farm, you have free time to relax or soak in one of the outdoor hot tubs before dinner at Saltvík farm. Soaking in a hot pot is a popular pastime in Iceland and good for sore muscles. You’ll enjoy hot pots like this throughout your trip. Overnight at the farm.  (riding distance about 16 miles/ 25 km)

Day 3- Monday,- Rivers, Lakes and Valleys
Continue riding through Thegjandadalur (the quiet valley) to Laxárdalur valley, named by after famous salmon river Laxá and follow the river all the way to Lake Mývatn. Here stay overnight at Vogar guesthouse, situated in beautiful surroundings near the lake. Enjoy a nice hot bath in Mývatn Nature Baths, a geothermal outdoor lagoon. (riding distance about  25 miles/ 40 km)

Day 4- Tuesday- Lava Field Ride
Continue riding towards Mt. Sandfell through various valleys, enjoying excellent riding paths throughout the day. Today you will view parts of the mighty Odáðahraun lava field, the largest lava field in Iceland and stay overnight at the cozy Guesthouse Kiðagil on the banks of a glacial river. (riding distance about 25 miles/ 40 km)

Day 5- Wednesday- River Banks and Waterfalls
Today you’ll ride through Bárðardalur valley and follow a mighty river towards the magnificent waterfall Goðafoss. Riding on the riverbanks and by this beautiful and historic waterfall is a moment to remember! The horses will rest at a local farm while you are driven to Saltvík Farm for the overnight stay. (riding distance about 22 miles/35 km)

Day 6- Thursday, Hvammsheidi Heath and Waterfalls
Enjoy a last riding day through beautiful landscapes characterized by the rich birch forest Fellskógur and the vast lava fields of Aðaldalshraun. Cross Hvammsheiði heath before bringing the horses back home to Saltvík farm where you’ll spend the night and enjoy the hot outdoor tubs one last time (riding distance about 22 miles/35 km)

• Optional (available at an extra charge): Whale Watching
at Húsavík harbour. End the tour by sailing into the evening sun with, hopefully, whales swimming alongside.

Day 7- Friday, Back to Reykjavik
In the morning, you’ll be transferred to Akureyri by bus for the flight back to Reykjavík Domestic Airport. You’ll arrive at around 1:30PM. Your last night is spent in a guesthouse in Reykjavík.

Day 8- Saturday, Departure
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for your flight back home.
* Please note that this itinerary is subject to changes due to weather conditions or other factors.
 

Geysir Gullfoss

Dates and Rates 2010:
5 days/ 4 nights (4 riding days): $1,348.00 * USD

July 11-15,  sold out- please inquire about the waiting list
July 18-22 (only 2 spaces left)
July 25-29
August: 1-5 sold out- please inquire about the waiting list
August 8-12 sold out- please inquire about the waiting list
August 15-19 sold out- please inquire about the waiting list,
August 22-26 (only 4 spaces left)

(Sunday to Thursday- returning to Reykjavik Thurs morning at around 10:30 or 11:00AM)

For sold out tours, please inquire about the waiting list.

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates. Included in trip: This trip does not include airport transfers. You’ll be taken you’re your hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavik to the farm to start the riding vacation at around 9AM. Accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner while riding. 3-4 horses per person and local English speaking guide. Raingear, sleeping bag (with sheet) where needed, saddle bag and helmet.
 

Riding Level: Intermediate Riders

This diverse riding tour takes riders through Southern Iceland’s most famous attractions in a shorter amount of time. You’ll visit the hot springs area of Geysir, Iceland’s Golden Waterfalls and Thingvellir National Park, the spot where the North American and European tectonic plates meet, and as they drift apart Iceland is slowly being split in two. Thingvellir is also the location of the assembly fields where the Iceland’s parliamentary institution was founded in AD 930. Within 50 years of settlement, the Vikings established one of the world’s first parliaments, meeting during summers at Thingvellir.

On this vacation, you’ll ride through landscapes that have been cut by giant glaciers and charred by hot molten lava. In fact, NASA sent Apollo astronauts to Iceland to prepare them for missions to the moon’s surface. This popular tour is ideal for families and those who do not have the required riding experience for Iceland’s more difficult highland tours, but still have the fitness levels for long days in the saddle and a basic knowledge of horsemanship.

Itinerary
Day 1- Sunday: Reykjavík and Countryside Ride
You’ll be transferred from your hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavík at approximately 9:00AM to Fossnes farm, situated in beautiful surroundings. Here you’ll meet the Icelandic horses and guides. On the way to the farm, you’ll stop in Thingvellir National Park, the location of the assembly fields where the Iceland’s parliamentary institution was founded and an area of rich geology. At the farm, you’ll be introduced to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, you start the ride along pleasant trails to explore the Iceland’s colorful countryside. During the ride you’ll enjoy the views of deep green mountains and valleys and the mighty glacial river Thjórsá. After the ride, relax in a hot tub before a hearty dinner at the farm. (riding distance about 12 miles/ 20 km)

Day 2- Monday: Traditional Icelandic Riding Day
You’ll leave the farm and ride off to the fertile farmlands of the small neighboring community of Hrunamannahreppur. You’ll be riding the Icelandic way with horses along for changing our mounts a couple of times a day. This traditional way of riding gives the opportunity to travel at a comfortable speed. You’ll cross a well know salmon river and stop for a picnic lunch at Hrunaréttir, a round pen for the annual sheep round-up in autumn. You’ll leave the horses at a local farm and drive back to Fossnes Farm for the night. (riding distance about 25 miles/40 km)

Day 3- Tuesday: Hot Springs and Golden Waterfalls
You’ll continue your ride on soft trails ideal for tölting, a faster pace, towards a majestic canyon where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations. Alongside the Hvítá River, you’ll follow a deep canyon on to the impressive Golden Waterfall, called Gullfoss. You’ll continue to the famous Geysir hot spring area where you’ll stay for two nights. You have plenty of time to explore this interesting area with its countless bubbling hot springs. Accommodation in rooms with private facilities. (riding distance about 25 miles/40 km)

Day 4- Wednesday: Mountain Ranges and Glacier Views
You’ll ride through Haukadalur valley with its beautiful birch forest, crossing clear little streams along the way and enjoying the rich vegetation of wild mountain flowers that bloom during high summer. While you ascend to a highland plateau the scenery changes once again. A breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and glaciers of the highlands around awaits you when you reach the top. Accommodation again tonight at Geysir Guesthouse. (riding distance a little over 9 miles/ 15 km)

Day 5- Thursday: Transfer to Reykjavik 

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Reykjavík. The tour has ended. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 10:30 or 11AM.

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors.

 

Horse Round-Up 1

Dates and Rates 2010:
7 days/ 6 nights (5 riding days): $1,596.00 * USD 
September 15- 21 (Wednesday to Tuesday)

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates. Included in trip: All transfers. Accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner while riding. 3-4 horses per person and a local English speaking guide. Raingear, sleeping bag (with sheet) where needed, saddle bag and helmet.

Riding Level: Strong Intermediate Riders

Join Icelandic farmers in this great autumn adventure, the horse round-up. Driving the herd, sorting the horses and celebrating the successful return of horses is an Icelandic tradition. The varied terrain includes the highland moors, green valleys just turning into their autumn colors- red and yellow-- deep blue lakes and rivers. An introductory ride from the main riding center will help you to get acquainted with riding Icelandic style before your ride in the north really starts.

Imagine free and spirited horses rushing down from their highland summer pastures to be returned to their owners. Mares and their foals, young horses and geldings make their way through rough territory, not really willing to give up their freedom yet before winter returns once again.

The ancient tradition of rounding up horses is only kept alive in the north of Iceland. This departure rounds up horses into the round-up pen at Skrapatungurétt and on another departure the horses are brought back to Víðidalstungurétt. The locals celebrate the successful round-ups with a ball called “réttardansleikur” in the adjacent community hall, where farmers and friends celebrate by singing and dancing the night away.

When you arrive in the North you will meet Haukur and Sonja and their family at Hvammur Farm in beautiful Vatnsdalur Valley, among rugged mountains and waterfalls. Haukur and Sonja breed Icelandic horses and are passionate about horses and Iceland. , Accommodation at the farm is in cozy 2 - 4 bed units and in Reykjavík in hotel rooms with private facilities. After a day in the mountains relax in a comfortable warm outdoor tub before a hearty, home cooked dinner.

Itinerary

Wednesday: Arrival in Iceland – Íshestar Riding Center – Transfer to Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to the Íshestar Riding Center. Make sure your flight arrives not later then 4pm (16:00) so you may participate in an introductory riding tour towards Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Travelers who arrive earlier in the day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the hotel and picked up at the hotel again in time for the ride.) After the ride, enjoy a traditional Icelandic soup and receive details of the following tour before the day ends at your accommodation in a hotel in Reykjavík. (10 km)

Thursday: Reykjavík – Hvammur – Vatnsdalur – Stóra-Giljá 
Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where you'll meet horses and guides. The ride starts in the Vatnsdalur valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. You'll ride on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. The horses rest close to Stóra - Giljá Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm, home of your hosts Sonja and Haukur, for your overnight stay. (20 km)

Friday: Stóra-Giljá – Björnsólfsstaðir – Hvammur
After rejoining your horses, ride along the shore of Lake Húnavatn. Follow the expensive salmon fishing river Laxá á Ásum and continue to Blönduós village. Here, cross the glacier fed river Blanda on a bridge and continue to Björnsólfsstaðir Farm in Langadalur valley. This farm belongs to Haukur’s grandfather who is known for his storytelling and warm personality. Overnight stay at Hvammur Farm. (30 km)

Saturday: Gathering horses in Laxárdalur - Skrapatungurétt
Meet up with your horses again at Farm Strjúgsstaðir. Today meet the farmers coming down from the mountains where they already spent some time gathering the horses in their summer pastures. Hundreds of horses come down from the highlands, and you'll participate in herding them to the round up place Skrapatungurétt. During this long riding day join in the singing of the farmers, celebrating this great event of the fall. (45 km)

Optional (not included in the tour price):
A special dance at Blönduós, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.

Sunday: Sorting of the horses and driving the herds to their home pastures
The day starts at the round up place Skrapatungurétt where horses are sorted out. Experience the excitement and view beautiful horses while joining in this great event. When the horses are sorted, participate in returning some of them to their meadows at their home farms. Dinner at Hvammur Farm and time to share your personal experience on this riding adventure with our fellow riders. (25 km)

Monday: Return to Reykjavík – Blue Lagoon (optional)
After breakfast, leave the North and return to Reykjavík. Visit a factory outlet with woollen goods on the way. The approximate arrival at the hotel will be 2pm (14:00). For those interested, a visit to the Blue Lagoon can be arranged (available at an extra charge).

 

Tuesday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport 
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors.

Horse Round-Up 2

Dates and Rates 2010:
7 days/ 6 nights (5 riding days): $1,596.00* USD 
September 28th 

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates. Included in trip: All transfers. Accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner while riding. 3-4 horses per person and local English speaking guide. Raingear, sleeping bag (with sheet) where needed, saddle bag and helmet.

Riding Level: Strong Intermediate Riders

Join Icelandic farmers in this great autumn adventure, the horse round-up. Driving the herd, sorting the horses and celebrating the successful return of horses is an Icelandic tradition. The varied terrain includes the highland moors, green valleys just turning into their autumn colors- red and yellow-- deep blue lakes and rivers. An introduction ride from the main riding center will help you to get acquainted with riding Icelandic style before your ride in the north really starts.

Imagine free and spirited horses rushing down from their highland summer pastures to be returned to their owners. Mares and their foals, young horses and geldings make their way through rough territory, not really willing to give up their freedom yet before winter returns once again.

The ancient tradition of rounding up horses is only kept alive in the north of Iceland. This horse round up collects horses into the round-up pen at Víðidalstungurétt and the Horse Round Up One tour brings the horses back to Skrapatungurétt. The locals celebrate the successful round-ups with a ball “réttardansleikur” in the adjacent community hall, where farmers and friends celebrate by singing and dancing the night away.

You will meet Eggert Pálsson from Bjargshóll Farm with his staff and horses and hosts, Sigrún and Víglundur at Dæli Farm. Tour leaders on this tour are the director of Ishestar, the riding tour company who organizes this tour, Einar Bollason and his assistant, Haukur Hauksson. All these people have worked on this tour since it started it in 2001.

Accommodation for all nights is at a farm in cozy double rooms and in Reykjavík in hotel rooms with private facilities. After a day in the mountains you can relax in a comfortable warm outdoor tub before a hearty, home cooked dinner is served.

Itinerary
Tuesday: Arrival in Iceland – Íshestar Riding Center – Transfer to Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to the Íshestar Riding Center. Make sure your flight arrives not later then 4pm (16:00) so you may participate in an introductory riding tour to Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Travelers arriving earlier that day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the guesthouse and picked up at the guesthouse again in time for the ride.) After the ride, 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 – Hvammur – Sveinsstaðir – Holiday Farm
Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where you'll meet horses and guides. Ride through Vatnsdalur valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. Ride along the banks of River Vatnsdalsá before crossing over to the western side of the valley. The ride ends at Sveinsstaðir Farm, and you'll return to Hvammur Farm for your overnight stay. (25 km) 

Thursday:  Sveinsstaðir – Dæli – Hvammur
This long and exciting riding day takes you alongside the Hóp and across the Gljúfurá River, through the friendly countryside of Vestur-Hóp and into the beautiful valley Víðidalur. Follow Víðidalsá River to Dæli Farm where you will leave the horses. Return to Hvammur farm for your overnight stay. The outdoor hot tub is waiting, as well as a hearty dinner. (40 km)

Friday: Dæli - Kolugil – Víðidalstungheiði – Hvammur
Today, ascend towards the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði and meet the horses coming down from their pastures in the highlands. Enjoy a warm lunch at a mountain shelter before joining the farmers in driving the herd down from the mountains. Before ending your ride at Stóra-Ásgeirsá Farm, stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments. (40 km, during 8-9 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)

Saturday: Víðidalstungurétt – Lake Hóp – Hvammur  
Your day starts at the round up place Víðidalstungurétt, where horses are sorted out. An auction is held right on the spot, and you can join the farmers in their joyful singing, celebrating the return of their horses. In the afternoon, join up with your horses close to Borgarvirki and ride towards Lake Hóp. Feel the excitement of the horses as they reach the open plain. Your trail leads us right across Lake Hóp, Iceland’s fifth biggest lake, on a safe track across the water. Ride past Thingeyrar, a place of great historic importance and into Vatnsdalur valley. It is time to say good bye to the horses and return to Hvammur. (30 km)

Optional (not included in the tour price):
A special 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 – Blue Lagoon (optional) 
Departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at the guesthouse at approximately 2pm (14:00). For those interested, you may tour the Blue Lagoon (not included in the tour price)
 
Monday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors.

Horse Drive

Dates and Rates 2010:
5 days/ 4 nights (4 riding days): $1,580.00* USD 
July 18-22 (Sunday to Thursday)

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates. Included in trip: All transfers. Accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner while riding. 3-4 horses per person and local English speaking guide. Raingear, sleeping bag (with sheet) where needed, saddle bag and helmet.

Riding Level: Strong Intermediate Riders

Only a few Icelandic farmers keep up the tradition of driving their horses to highland pastures for the summer, making the Horse Drive a very special adventure. Haukur and Sonja from Hvammur Farm, lead this unique tour, driving their young horses, mares and foals onto the remote pastures in the highlands every summer.

See the excitement of the young horses who know already what awaits them once they have left the farm. The herd controls the speed of the ride, meaning it can get fast. They may eagerly rush away from the farm, yet make sure that all foals follow along and no horse is left behind. Participants simply show direction to the herd, which is driven by the natural instincts of the Viking horse.

The last day of riding brings you back to Hvammur Farm, in the historic Vatnsdalur Valley where you’ll celebrate the successful drive with a feast in the barn. This is a tradition!

Another highlight of this tour is the drive over the highland route of Kjölur on the way back to Reykjavík. You may bathe in the heart of Iceland in a natural warm pool at Hveravellir and enjoy the beauty of Gullfoss Waterfall and the hot springs of area of Geysir once you reach civilization again.

All nights are spent at Hvammur Farm in 2 - 4 bed units. The warm outdoor tub is just the right place to enjoy the bright nights of the North.

Itinerary
Day 1- Sunday- Saga Ride
Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where you meet the horses and guides. After having gathered up the horses, start your ride through Vatnsdalur Valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. Ride past a historic Icelandic farm and cross a river on the way to Saurbær Farm, where you’ll leave the horses and return to Hvammur Farm for an overnight stay. (riding distance approx. 16 miles/ 25 km)

Day 2- Monday- Highlands to Summer Pastures
This will be your longest riding day, when you ascend towards a highland plateau and drive the horses into their summer pastures. Enjoy a good picnic lunch and coffee at a mountain shelter before returning to Saurbær where your horses spend the night. On your way down from the highland pastures, see mighty Alkugil gorge with picturesque waterfalls tumbling down over rock formations. (riding distance approx. 25 miles/ 40 km)

Day 3- Tuesday- River Ride
Enjoying good riding paths, ride north on the west side of the valley towards Thingeyrar Farm, a historical site with a beautiful church. You’ll follow the banks of the Vatnsdalsá River and cross it a couple of times. The horses spend tonight at a local farm and you return to Hvammur Farm for the night. (riding distance approx. 19 miles/ 30 km)

Day 4- Wednesday- Lakes and BBQ’s
Start the day with a visit to historic Thingeyrar Church. This is the last day of riding. You’ll bring the horses back to Hvammur Farm, crossing a lake on a trail through the water and enjoying the excitement of the horses once they have returned to the black sand on dry land. Ride on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. Celebrate the successful return in the evening with a great barbeque feast in the barn – “Icelandic style”. (riding distance approx. 16 miles/ 25 km)

Day 5- Thursday: 
Scenic Drive
You’ll be driven over the Kjölur Highland Route back to Reykjavík. The bus takes you through the rugged wilderness of the highlands. You may want to take a dip in the natural hot water pool at Hveravellir. You’ll also view the majestic glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, and powerful Gullfoss waterfall, before reaching the well known Geysir hot spring area. Return to Reykjavik at approx. 6:30PM.

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors. Please also note that knee high rubber boots are recommended for this ride.

Kjolur Glaciers

Dates and Rates 2010:

9 days/ 8 nights (6 riding days): $2,385.00* USD

The following dates are sold out, please inquire about the waiting list:

 July 10-18, July 17-25, July 24- August 1, July 31-August 8
August: 7-15 (only 3 spaces left!)
August 14-22 (only 5 spaces left!)
August 21-29

 (only 6 spaces left!)

*Prices subject to fluctuation based on currency exchange rates.



What is included in this trip

• Airport transfer if you participate in the tour program as described.

• 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. The 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, riding helmet and sleeping bag with a sheet.



Riding Level: Strong Intermediate Riders
Riders For this tour, you should be comfortable and in control at all paces, have a firm seat, and be comfortable in the saddle for up to 7 hours per day.

Move back in time and ride along the historic Kjölur trail as Icelanders did throughout the centuries while travelling to the historic summer parliament site at Thingvellir, first held in 930 AD. You'll visit this historic place, which has since become a national park, and is famed for its stunning scenery. Its position is right on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the continental plates are drifting apart. You'll stop at the Geysir Hot Spring area and admire the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall before leaving civilization for the rugged wilderness of the interior.

Travelling from south to north or vice versa right across the heart of Iceland, you will find yourself in remote desert-like areas surrounded by huge glaciers juxtaposed with vast green meadows where only young horses and sheep roam free during summer.

Ride past extinct volcanoes and glacier lakes and across wild glacial rivers.

Riding up into the highlands, the green meadows in the south change to barren sand deserts close to mighty Langjökull and Hofsjökull Glaciers. Sheltered green valleys come as a surprise in this rugged terrain. You'll feel that you are part of Iceland’s history when you follow the same tracks people have used all the way back to the early days of settlement.



Accommodation on this ride is in rustic mountain cabins in the middle of Iceland’s untamed nature. At Hveravellir, a geothermal area in the highlands, you can relax in a long hot bath under the Midnight Sun! If you want to see as much as possible of the Iceland's Highlands, this tour is a good choice.



Itinerary: South- North
Saturday: Arrive in Iceland
– Keflavík Airport –Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. You are invited to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders. 



Sunday: Reykjavík – Thingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss – Kjóastaðir Farm 

You'll be driven to Kjóastaðir Farm, visiting the historical site Thingvellir and the well-known Geysir Hot Spring Area on the way. The ride starts off towards the majestic glacier Langjökull onto a heath. You'll leave the horses at Sandá River for the night. On the way back to Kjóastaðir Farm, you'll stop at the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall. The night is spent in several summer houses in rooms which share a bathroom unit. (riding distance approx. 19 miles/ 30 km)



Monday: Kjóastaðir – Sandá – Árbúðir Mountain Cabin


Your ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. This area was roamed by outlaws in the old days. You'll cross River Hvítá and enjoy the views of the glacier fed lake Hvítárvatn with its floating icebergs. Tonight you'll stay at Árbúðir, situated right at the banks of river Svartá. (riding distance approx. 22 miles/ 35 km)



Tuesday: Árbúðir – Hveravellir Mountain Cabin 
Ride
Ride along the glacier fed river Fúlakvísl through the huge rugged lava fields of Kjalhraun. Here you'll really test your sure footed Icelandic horses. During the ride, enjoy splendid views of the glacier Langjökull. Next, you'll leave the herd for a couple of hours to enter the world of Thjófadalir, or Valley of Thieves, a grassy valley surrounded by high mountains-- a true oasis in the wilderness. Travel on to Hveravellir, a unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. A natural hot pool invites you to a deserved relaxing bath. (riding distance approx. 28 miles/ 45 km)



Wednesday: Hveravellir – Strangakvísl Mountain Cabin

This day will be a very special one, since you'll cross the large glacial rivers, Blanda, Svartakvísl and Strangakvísl on the way to the North. No need to worry, most Icelanders would rather choose a trusted Icelandic horse than a vehicle to cross a river! The location of tonight's mountain cabin offers great views of the big glaciers behind you and towards the high mountains of the North ahead of you. Up to mid July the sun hardly sets in this part of the country. (riding distance approx. 19 miles/ 30 km)



Thursday: Strangakvísl – Galtará Mountain Cabin

Today it is easy to see that you are following a historical route, since large man made stone cones accompany you through a desert of sand and stones. All the way back to the early settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails you'll travel today. Imagine beeing part of a chieftains family, all dressed up and riding the best horses on this historical route. From the mountain cabin Galtará you can overlook the big man made lake Blönduvatn. In August this is a perfect spot for berry picking! (riding distance approx. 16 miles/ 25 km)



Friday: Galtará – Aðalmannsvatn – Lauftún Holiday Farm 

Descend past beautiful Lake Aðalmannsvatn towards the fertile Mælifellsdalur valley in the Skagafjörður area. Enjoy endless herds of horses grazing on striking hills. In good weather conditions, you can see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean at the North coast. Good riding tracks give you the opportunity to enjoy a fast ride feeling the Icelandic horse's special gait- the tölt! You'll end the day at Lauftún Holiday Farm with a hot pot heated with geothermal water. (riding distance approx. 28 miles/ 45 km)



Saturday: Lauftún Holiday Farm – Reykjavík 

Transfer back to Reykjavík for the last overnight stay. Approx. return to Reykjavík at 14:00.



Sunday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport 
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors. Please also note that knee high rubber boots are recommended for this ride.



Itinerary: North - South


Saturday: Arrive in Iceland – Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík

Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. You are invited to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.



Sunday: Reykjavík – North of Iceland - Galtará Mountain Cabin 

Transfer in the morning from Reykjavík to the North of Iceland where staff and horses are waiting. Today is the first riding day and long one as well. You'll ride through the fertile Mælifellsdalur valley and ascend up to the mountain plateau Eyvindastaðaheiði. Ride round beautiful Lake Aðalmannsvatn on soft trails and enjoy the splendid views of the highland mountains around you. Stay overnight at the mountain cabin Galtará, overlooking the huge man-made lake Blönduvatn. In August this is the perfect spot for berry picking! (riding distance approx. 28 miles/ 45 km)



Monday: Galtará – Strangakvísl Mountain Cabin 

Today it is easy to see that you are following a historical route since large man made stone cones accompany you through a desert of sand and stones. All the way through the centuries back to the early settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails as you will today. Wouldn´t it be nice to travel back in time for just a day and to be a member of the ancient families, dressed up in their best clothes and riding their best horses for the big get-together in Southern Iceland? The location of Strangakvísl Mountain Cabin offers superb views over the glaciers in front of you. Up to mid July the sun hardly sets in this part of the country. (riding distance approx. 19 miles/ 30 km)



Tuesday: Strangakvísl – Hveravellir Mountain Cabin 

This day will be a very special one, since you'll cross the large glacial rivers, Strangakvísl, Svartakvísl and Blanda on your way south. But no need to worry, most Icelanders would rather choose a trusted Icelandic horse than a jeep to cross rivers like that! Continue to Hveravellir, a unique geothermal area between the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull. A natural hot pool invites a deserved relaxing bath. (riding distance approx. 19 miles/ 30 km)



Wednesday: Hveravellir – Árbúðir Mountain Cabin 

Leave the herd and ride through the Valley of Thieves, called Thjófadalir, a remote grassy valley surrounded by high mountains. From the entrance of  the valley you'll have a splendid view over the fertile landscapes. When you rejoin the herd your ride leads along the vast lava fields of Kjalhraun. Pass through the Gránunes area. This area was named after the horse Grána. You'll hear about the tragic history here, which happened centuries ago. Following the glacial river Fúlákvísl, enjoy the view of the mighty glacier Langjökull. The day ends Árbúðir Mountain Cabin. (riding distance approx. 31 miles/ 50 km)



Thursday: Árbúðir – Sandá – Kjóastaðir Farm 

Follow the river Svartá for a while before crossing the river Hvítá. Your ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. During the last centuries, travelling through the remote Highlands was a dangerous trip due to outlaws waiting to rob the riders. No wonder superstition was a common thing. You'll leave the horses at Sandá River for the night. On your way to Kjóastaðir Farm, stop at the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall. The next two nights are spent in several summer houses, showers and an outdoor hot tub on site. (riding distance approx. 22 miles/ 35 km)



Friday: Kjóastaðir – Sandá – Kjóastaðir Farm 

On the way back to civilization, cross the River Sandá and leave majestic glacier Langjökull behind you. You'll ride through the desert like region of Haukadalsheiði and down towards forrested hillsides and green valleys, along excellent riding tracks through fertile farmland to Kjóastaðir Farm. Enjoy a relaxing warm shower and a hearty good bye dinner after today's ride. (riding distance approx. 22 miles/ 35 km)



Saturday: Kjóastaðir - Geysir - Thingvellir - Reykjavík

Say good-bye to your guides and return to Reykjavík. On the drive back to Reykjavík for the last overnight stay, visit the well-known Geysir Hot Spring Area and the historical site Thingvellir. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 14:00.



Sunday: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport

Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

*Please note, this itinerary is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes due to weather conditions, the trip guides discretion or other factors. Please also note that knee high rubber boots are recommended for this ride.
 

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Traveler Reviews

We have been riding with Íshestar every summer for the past 6 years. We really appreciate the big selection of tours and every year they come up with something new and exciting for us to try. The fact that all tours are run by local farmers makes this so unique and we have our favourite horses all over Iceland.

-- James and Anne, Ipswich, England

We have been on riding holidays in many countries almost every year since 1989. Ever since we first found Íshestar, Iceland is our top destination and we come back year after year. Nowhere else in the world can you experience driving a herd of horses through such magical nature and on every Íshestar tour you enjoy the same personal service.

-- Claire, Michigan, United States

We are four friends that went together on the riding tour last summer. It was a great tour in a fantastic landscape. Our hosts made us feel like members of their family and we will certainly be back.

-- Angela, Koblenz, Germany

We have our own Icelandic horses at home but I wanted to ride the horse in its homeland and experience the Icelandic nature. Many thanks for a great tour and the best horses I have ever ridden. Riding with the herd is a true adventure.

-- Anna, Göteborg, Sweden

The best thing is the large selection of tours they offer all over the country and yet every tour is run by a local farmer and his family, that know the land like the back of their hands. This is eco-tourism at it’s best!

-- Isabelle, Lyon, France

I read in the brochure that security, quality and personal service have always been Íshestar’s trademarks and I must say after this tour that it couldn’t be more true!
Staff that made us feel welcome and superb horses helped make this our best holiday ever. We will be back!

-- Peter, Odense, Denmark

Reading List

General Guidebooks & Novels
Insight Guides Iceland (Paperback) by Tom Le Bas
5 edition (April 2008), 352 pages
Fully revised and updated, this 352-page guide to Iceland presents the country's highlights in a comprehensive format, illustrated with hundreds of full-colour photographs and 16 maps.

The Rough Guide to Iceland 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback) by David Leffman
The Rough Guide to Iceland is your complete handbook to uncovering the delights of Europe’s largest glacier. From Reykjavik’s nightlife to the dramatic Western Fjords and table-top mountains to the rich birdlife of Lake Myvatn, the full-colour introduction highlights all the ‘things-not-to-miss’.

A Good Horse Has No Color by Nancy Marie Brown
After several visits to study Icelandic sagas, Nancy Brown returns to Iceland to search for the perfect Icelandic horse, one she can bring back to her Pennsylvania farm and make her own. To do so, she must become part of the country's tightly knit horse-breeding community, which can be wary of outsiders and extremely protective of the world-famous breed. In this clear-eyed, evocative account set against Iceland's austere and majestic landscape, she describes what makes Icelandic horses and their owners so distinctive. She also discovers her limitations as a horsewoman and learns much about what she is looking for-in a horse and in her life.

Independent People (Paperback) by Halldor Laxness
From Publishers Weekly-- Originally published in 1946 and out of print for decades, this book by the Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic author is a huge, skaldic treat filled with satire, humor, pathos, cold weather and sheep. 

Coffee Table Companion Book
Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at ShopDarley.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe, including Iceland. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.   

DVD’s
Equitrekking: Season Two DVD featuring Emmy winning PBS episode from Iceland. Available at ShopDarley.com

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman on the second season of Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on Public Television. This seven episode two disc set includes half hour episodes from Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

History Enthusiasts

The Sagas of Icelanders (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) (Paperback, 848 pages) with a preface by Jane Smiley and introduction by Robert Kellogg

Library Journal-- The sagas are stories of adventure set around the turn of the last millennium depicting the heroism of the Norse men and women who discovered and settled Iceland and of their descendents who ventured as far west as North America. The sagas are the first large-scale body of prose in a European language. It marks the beginning of a thousand year Icelandic literary influence on the world. The casual reader may opt to read selections, paying particular attention to Norse creation myths and the story of the discovery and ultimate settlement of Iceland.  

The Icelandic Sagas are among the masterpieces of world literature whose composition stretches from about the year 1000 to 1500. Presenting the adventures of Norse and Viking heroes, the sagas are told with ritual simplicity and a realism that anticipate the modern novel. This volume offers nine full sagas and six tales, all new translations by various hands and all part of The Complete Sagas of the Icelanders, also edited by Thorsson.

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.