Horse Round up
Víðidalstungurétt
Date 2021
September 28 - October 3
Join the farmers in their annual horse round up in North Iceland
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Come to North Iceland and join the farmers in this great autumn adventure when they round up the mares, foals and young horses that have been spending the summer almost wild in the mountains. Ride along when they drive the herd from the highland, watch the exciting sorting of the horses and celebrate with the locals after the Round Up.
The ride takes us over a great variety of different terrains from highland moors to green valley´s just putting on their autumn coat of flaming red and yellow. We will ride alongside deep blue lakes and rivers and visit Kolugljúfur gorge, home to a vicious troll lady! When you take part in the Icelandic Round ups you are a true part of it – it is „Authentic Iceland“ at its best! Riding distances vary from approx. 25 km to 37 km and accommodation is provided at a lovely farm lodge in rooms with private facilities and a hot tub close to the sorting pen. At night – with a little luck - the northern lights may dance across the arctic sky, a truly magic experience! |
Type: Multi day tour with spare horses running along in a herd
Operated by: A trusted partner of Exploring Iceland Tour Duration: 6 days / 5 nights/ 4 riding days Level of expertise required: Experienced riders in good physical shape Area: North Iceland Accommodation: Double /twin with private facilities at a farm lodge and hotel (1st night). Single rooms are spare and a single room supplement applies. Accommodation in Reykjavik after the ride is not included but can be arranged. Meals: Full board starting with breakfast on day 2 and ending with breakfast at day 6. Lunch is mostly picnic lunch. Min: Guaranteed departure Max: 12 guests Guide: English and German speaking Group: International Maximum Weight: 110 kg Price 2021: ISK 278.000 per person Single rooms are spare and a single room supplement applies. Please contact us for single room availability and prices. Currency converter For inquiries and bookings please contact: info@exploringiceland.is |
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Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Iceland – Meeting with other guests at Guesthouse in Keflavík. Individual arrival in Iceland. A free shuttlebus brings all guests to a Bed & Breakfast Guesthouse in Keflavík where they meet the group. The evening is spend individually, go for a stroll, check out the restaurant right next door and most of all meet and chat with your new friends! Dinner and evening individually. Accommodation: BB Hotel Keflavík Day 2: Transfer to the farm – first ride to Gauksmýri – Dæli Lodge Hotel Breakfast with the guides in the morning and bus transfer to the North where you will meet the horses and rest of the team. Our first ride is to get acquainted with the horses, the Icelandic Tack and of course the beautiful soft tölt – the main travelling gait of the Icelandic Horse. We ride on remote tracks and learn a lot about the Icelandic Horse, its past and modern significance for the Icelandic people. Our ride takes us along the river Miðfjarðará to the fjord Miðfjöður and from there underneath Vatnsnesfjall Mountain to farm the Gauksmýri where we leave the horses for the night and drive to Dæli Lodge, our home for the next four nights. Riding distance (ca. 25 km). After a lovely hearty dinner we spend the evening in the warm hot tubs looking out for the Northern Lights! Accommodation: Dæli Lodge Hotel 3. Day: Gauksmýri – Dæli After breakfast we drive back to the horses at Gaukmýri and saddle up again. Today is going to be a long and exciting day as we take to the mountains one more time. We ride through the charming countryside of Vestur-Hóp and into the beautiful Víðidalur Valley, all the way to Dæli Lodge. Dinner and a bath in the hot tubs and hopefully some beautiful Northern Lights await us after the ride! (Riding distance: approx. 37 km) 4. Day: Dæli – Kolugil – Víðidalstunguheiði – Dæli After breakfast we ride upon the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði where we will meet the mares, foals and young horses which have spend the whole summer wild in the mountains. We accompany them as they come down from their pastures in the highlands to the farming area. During this ride we join the locals and farmers driving the herd down from the highland. Before ending our ride at Dæli Farm we stop at Kolugil Farm for refreshments. Join the farmers in the singing and celebrating of this great and very much authentic event of the fall. (Riding distance approx. 30 km) 5. Day: Víðidalstungurétt – Dæli – Bjargshóll Today is the day of the big sorting! The horses are driven in small groups into the large paddock where they are sorted by their owners and they do not always cooperate so make sure to have the camera handy for some spectacular pictures. In the early afternoon we ride back to Bjargshóll Farm and return our horses to their meadows for a well deserved rest, before driving back to Dæli for a our last dinner together. (Riding distance: approx. 30 km) After dinner we have the opportunity to join the farmer´s traditional dance “Stóðréttardansleikur” at the community hall. Please note: The entrance is facultative and a formal dress is not required. Day 6: Back to Reykjavík Departure from the North after breakfast (ca 11:00) and return to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at 14:00. Drop off at BSÍ bus station in Reykjavík to catch the flybus to Keflavík airport. From there you can also easily catch a taxi to your accommodation in the capital area. We are more than happy to arrange your Reykjavík accommodation for you! Please make sure you also read our Useful Information about Riding Tours Notice: 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. Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings can not be guaranteed. Short time Forecast |
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Included:
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Good to know: When you participate in the Round Ups you are experiencing the real Thing! You will be one of the group to herd and sort the animals. Of course that means long hours outside in sometimes cold weather. Iceland in autumn has many colors and types of weather. Anticipate to be in golden sunshine one moment and to ride in rain and even sleet during the next. We therefore recommend to dress well during these tours, to bring long woolen underwear and lots of woolen socks and gloves. It is also good to bring some quick energy supplies like chocolate. A warm rider is a happy rider! Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price.
We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland. |
