The Wild East
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Dates 2020
June:  3 - 9
June: 10 - 16
June: 17 - 23 
August:  19 - 25 

Explore the stunning wilderness  of the East. Roaming wild reindeer,
deep canyons, glacial rivers and forests!
All nights spent at the unique and charming Wilderness Center 

Riding and Relaxing at the unique Wilderness Center 
This tour is absolutely unrivalled when it comes to accommodation. The Wilderness Center in East Iceland will be your home for this lovely riding tour into the Wild East of Iceland. It is a peaceful hideaway, located right on the edge of Northern Europe´s most extensive wilderness where you can experience the spirit of the past through  unique accommodation, the rich local food tradition and the award winning Wilderness Exhibition. The route for this tour takes you up into the mountains towards deep canyons, through Iceland´s largest forest and to historical heritage sites! Easy riding distances of up to 26 km make this tour a great option for intermediate and experienced riders who want to explore Iceland´s wilderness without sacrificing their comfort. The cream on the cake is the incredible Wilderness SPA with a bathing hot spring and sauna! Please note that the tour starts in East Iceland so you will need arrangements to get to Egilsstaðir. There are daily flights from Reykjavík Domestic Airport or you may even  want to connect this riding tour with a self drive tour. Please contact us for prices and proposals! 

Type: Multi- day tour with daily rides 
Duration:  7 days /6 nights/6 riding days
Operated by: Trusted partner of Exploring Iceland   
Level of expertise required:  Intermediate riders in good physical shape.
Accommodation:  Made up beds in twin rooms with shared facilities at the charming Wilderness Center. A single supplement applies.  Accommodation in Reykjavik not included but can be arranged.  
Area: East Iceland.  Please note:  This tour starts with pick up at Egilsstaðir. Transport to/from Egilsstaðir is not included in tour price  but can be arranged.
Min: 2 guests Max: 8 guests 
Guide: English speaking 
Price 2020: ISK 259.500.- per person 
Single room supplement: ISK 67.000.-​
​To find the price in your currency: Currency converter ​
Please book below or contact us at info@exploringiceland.is 

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Day by day itinerary 

Day 1:  Arrival in East Iceland 
Please make your own arrangement to get to Egilsstaðir in East Iceland (Reykjavík - Egilsstaðir 635 km). There is a daily flight connection between Reykjavík Domestic Airport and Egilsstaðir Airport or you may want to connect this riding tour with a self drive tour. Please contact us for prices and proposals! 
Meet up with your host for this riding tour in the morning at Egilsstaðir Airport. From there you will be taken along a scenic route by Lake Lagarfljót and to the absolutely unique Wilderness Center, build like a museum and dedicated to the wonderful wilderness in the highland of East Iceland. The Wilderness Center will be your home for the next nights - look forward to living in a museum where meals are prepared in front of you like they did in the old days and the Wilderness SPA with sauna and hot tub will give you plenty of relaxation for a good night´s sleep! After Lunch you will go for your first ride on the beautiful Icelandic Horse to get to know the special gaits of the horse and the Icelandic tack. The route takes you to an abandoned farm called Kleif for you to get an insight into the life of the old rural life in Iceland. If you dare you can try yourself across a glacial river by the means of a traditional cable way. After dinner make use of the geothermal hot spring and relax in the sauna and hammock of the Wilderness SPA! (Riding distance today: Approx. 10 km.) 

Day 2:  Easter Valleys  
After enjoying a cozy breakfast we leave the farm on horseback and ride through Norðurdalur Valley where we pass a farm that is still using the original turf houses for their farm animals. We continue on remote trails into the beautiful Suðurdalur Valley where we leave the horses whereas we return to the Wilderness  Center to have a look at the award-winning exhibition about the history of surviving in the Wilderness. (Riding distance today: Approx. 22 km) 
 
Day 3:  Into the highland  
After breakfast we rejoin our horses and head up and east for the highland. We visit the impressive canyons in Gilsárdalur Valley and ride through the forest at Buðlungavellir where we will keep them for the night. We take the car and drive to Hengifoss, measuring almost 130 m and which is therefore one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. We go for an easy hike (approx. 2 hours) visiting another waterfall called Litlanesfoss, surrounded be large and impressive basalt columns. After dinner make use of our wonderful old style Wilderness Spa! (Riding distance: Approx. 26 km)
 
Day 4:   Who said there where no trees in Iceland? 
You might have heard about the myth that there are no trees in Iceland... well, they haven´t come to Hallormsstaður yet! We ride on beautiful forest trails with lovely views over Lake Lagarfljót, home to our own mysterious "Nessi"! As we reach Skriðdalur Valley we visit the farm animals at Lynghóll, view the ruins of an historical monastry and visit the modern Skriðuklaustur house who used to be home to famous Icelandic writer Gunnar Gunnarsson, author of the iconic "The Good Shepherd". Back to the Wilderness Center for the night! (Riding distance: Approx. 23km)
 
Day 5:   Ocean views 
Once we have joined our horses we will take a new route over the mountains with perfect views over the region Fljótsdalshérað. With a little support from the weather gods we will be able to see all the way to Héraðsflói bay. Later one we will ride again through wonderful Hallormsstaður forest before returning to our base for the night. (Riding distance: Approx. 24 km)
 
Day 6:  Canyons and historical churches  
Today we start completing our circle heading back towards the Wilderness Center. We ride past Bessastaðargil Canyon towards Valþjófstaðarkirkja Church. The modern church houses a replica of the famous medieval carved church door depicting a scene of one of Icelands chivalric sagas and probably one of the most valuable medieval artifacts Icelanders possess today!  
Back at the Wilderness Center look forward to a lovely farewell dinner and a last night underneath the open sky of Iceland´s Wild East! 
(Riding distance: Approx. 23 km)
 
Day 7:  Farewell
After breakfast we need to say goodbye to our lovely hosts who will take us back to Egilsstaðir Airport where the tour officially ends. 
Please contact us for information regarding flights or any add-on programs! 

​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:  The East of Iceland is the natural habitat of the Icelandic Reindeer. Although it is very likely that you will see reindeer on this tour it cannot be guaranteed as they roam wild. Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage our clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland. 

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Included: 

• Transfer from Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport and back.
• 6 nights in authentic Wilderness Center accommodation in double rooms with shared facilities 
• Free use of the Wilderness SPA with geothermal hot tub and Sauna 
• Full board starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day.
• 6 riding days (one short) as per program above 
  
• Raing gear if needed and a safety riding helmet
• Tickets to activities and museums listed in the itinerary
• ​Fully guided tour in English