Highland Riding Experience

Dates 2023
June 25 - July 1
July 8 - 14 & 23 - 29
August 20 - 26

True highland riding experience with comfort accommodation
This tour is suited perfectly for all of those who do want to go on an authentic highland ride up into the mountains with a free running herd but shy away from many nights sleeping with lots of strangers in communal rooms. During this tour you stay for 5 nights in cozy nordic cottages in made up beds in 2-bedrooms. A lovely hot tub set in natural surroundings gives you relaxation and comfort after a long ride. One night is spend in sleeping bag accommodation in Galtará mountain hut which offers 2-4 bed rooms and inside showers. Although it is a true mountain hut it offers a bit more of comfort than the regular basic mountain huts! The tour starts and ends in the beautiful Skagafjörður area which has been throughout the centuries one of the key areas of horse breeding. Deep valleys, rich meadows and high mountain plateaus with spectacular views of stunning Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers will be the stunning landscape backdrop of this tour! A small group of just 12 riders will give you the personal touch you are looking for in an authentic ride. On the last day of your ride you will also visit the famous Glaumbær Turfhouse Museum and get a professional introduction into riding the flying pace, the famed 5th gait of the Icelandic Horse! All transfers from and to Reykjavík included but we recommend to connect this tour to a self-drive add-on around North Iceland after the riding tour for example to Akureyri, Lake Mývatn and the famous Geosea baths or a highland bus trip across famous Kjölur Route! Check with us for ideas and prices! More information: info@exploringiceland.is

Type: Multi days tour with spare horses running along in a herd
Operated by: A trusted partner of Exploring Iceland
Duration: 7 days /6 nights/6 riding days
Level of expertise required: Only experienced riders in good physical shape.
Area:  North Iceland
Accommodation: 5 nights in 2-bed rooms in made up beds with shared facilities (rooms with private facilities are available for a supplement). 1 night in sleeping bag accommodation in 2-4 bed rooms with shared facilities in rustic mountain hut. Accommodation in Reykjavík is not included but can be arranged.
Meals: Full board starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on day 7.
Min: 6 riders
Max: 14 riders
Guide: English and/or German speaking guide.
Group: International
Maximum Weight: 100 kg
Price 2023: ISK 508.900,- per person
To find the price in your currency: Currency converter 

Please contact us for more information and booking, we are happy to help!

Day by day itinerary

Day 1: Reykjavík – Skagafjörður North Iceland
By public bus you will travel along the ring road in the morning to Skagafjörður where you will be picked up by our partner at the local bus station. A short drive brings you to your accommodation for the next nights, cozy nordic cottages around a wonderfully warm geothermal hot tub. After some refreshments we set out for our first short ride to get to know the horses, tack and the special 4th gait of the Icelandic Horse, the smooth and comfortable tölt! After the ride enjoy the hot tub underneath the midnight sun and and a lovely meal made with love! (Riding: short ride of approx. 2 hours)

Day 2: Meadows of Skagafjörður
We start our ride through the lush and green meadows of Skagafjörður where farms are remotely scattered through the valley. Around noon we meet up with our of spare loose running horse and will follow the herd. We ride past Mælifellsrétt, a sheep sorting pen where the farmers sort their sheep in autumn. During the ride we will change horse once or twice to be able to travel fast and long without tiring our sturdy mounts. Today´s ride ends at Gilhagi farm where we leave our horses for a well deserved rest while we take a short drive back to our cozy cottages, dinner and hot tub!

Day 3: Into the moutains
After breakfast we need to pack our overnight luggage as the next night will be spend in a true mountain hut with spectacular views over high mountain plateau Eyvindastaðaheiði. We saddle up at Gilhagi farm and ride though the charming valley Gilhagadalur into the mountains enjoying views of extinct volcanic mountain ranges, moss covered fields and mountain flowers. Our accommodation for tonight is the mountain hut Galtará located in wide open landscape with views over lake Blöndulón and the green moors of Eyvindarstaðaheiði. We provide you with sleeping bags for this night in the mountains! After dinner we recommend to go for an evening walk and say good night to our horse companions staying with us in the paddock right by the hut!

Day 4: Riding the Black River Valley
After breakfast we saddle up and follow ancient riding trails across the wast and peaceful highland enjoying the high mountain flora and views. We ride down the Black River Valley (Svartárdalur) until we get to the Stafnsrétt, another sheep sorting paddock used b the local farmers in autumn. After this long riding day we will surely enjoy our cottages and hot tub again!

Day 5: Mountain Pass Kiðaskarð
Once we have returned to our horses at Stafnsrétt we will ride through more challenging and rugged mountain terrain as our sturdy horses climb the meandering trail up to the mountain pass Kiðaskarð from which we can enjoy another view of the highland towards the south and the huge glaciers in the middle of the highland. We ride all the way home and rest again in our cozy accommodation.

Day 6: Flying Pace
Today you will get to know the famed 5th gait of the Icelandic horse - the so called Flying Pace or "skeið". Under the guidance of the instructor you will get to know the breathtaking speed and explosive acceleration of this truly amazing gait! A last farewell ride on your favorite horse will follow before we release our horses into their green and lush fields with a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful four-legged travel companions. At the cottages we will have a wonderful farewell dinner to celebrate this ride and the wonderful companionship of fellow horse lovers we experienced!

Day 7: Back to Reykjavík or add-on
After breakfast a public bus will take you back to Reykjavík where you can catch the flybus if you have an evening flight or stay another night in Reykjavík. Please note that accommodation in Reykjavík ís not included but we are happy to arrange it for you. Another option (additional fee) is to take the highland bus from Varmahlíð bus station to Reykjavík, driving across the famous Kjölur trail and stopping at Hveravellir Mountain resort and Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring. Last but not least you could add a self-drive tour across North Iceland to see Lake Mývatn, go whale watching and enjoy the geothermal GeoSea Bath and Mývatn Nature baths! Please contact us for more options after the riding tour!

Please make sure you read our Useful Information about Riding Tours.

Exploring Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

Good to know: Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage our clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.

Included:

Transfer to and from Reykjavík (public bus)
All ground transportation throughout the riding tour
Full board during the riding tour, starting with lunch on day 1, ending with breakfast on day 7
5 nights in cozy cottages (2 bed rooms with shared facilities – Private facilities might be available for an extra price.)
1 night in a mountain hut (sleeping bag accommodation, sleeping bags are provided)
English and / or German speaking guides
Safety helmets, rain gear, saddlebags
Flying Pace instruction