mountain bliss
the eyjafjallajökull - thorsmork adventure
Dates
Upon request
Only for private groups of min 6 riders
This tour can also me tailor-made upon group´s wishes
Upon request
Only for private groups of min 6 riders
This tour can also me tailor-made upon group´s wishes
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Who doesn´t remember Eyjafjallajökull – and the (in)famous volcanic eruption that caused almost a complete shut down of north atlantic air traffic in 2010? This short but exciting riding tour takes you into the breathtakenly beautiful valley of Þórsmörk, nestled in between the three mighty glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull. Named after Þór (Thor), the norse god of thunder, it is an oasis of lush birch, fern, moss and wild flower vegetation. The ring of glaciers and mountains shield the valley from the harsh weather conditions of the Icelandic highlands, creating its own special micro-climate. Accommodation is at the rustic Volcano huts with access to the unique LavaSPA with sauna and natural hot pool. Rest with a drink from the bar at the campfire and listen to the sound of nature! Please note that non-riding guests are welcome to this tour as well. The Þórsmörk Nature Reserve is a true hiker´s paradise and easy and more challenging walks can be done right from the mountain hut. This tour is hosted by our wonderful partners Kiddi and Birna, who know this area better than anybody else! The cheerful couple has been breeding and training horses for decades and guests who want to experience the speedy and soft tölt of the Icelandic Horse will not be disappointed by the choice of well trained horses. Riding & Relaxing at its best!
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Type: Multi days tour with spare horses running along in a herd
Duration: 3 days / 3 riding days Operated by: Exploring Iceland Level of expertise required: Only experienced riders in good physical shape. Area: South Iceland Accommodation: 2 nights in made up beds in double rooms with shared facilities and access to unique Lava SPA. Please note that single rooms are few and only available upon request. A single supplement surcharge may apply. For small groups of up to 5 travelling together small private cottages can be rented with made up bunk beds. Please contact info@exploringiceland.is for availabilities and prices) Accommodation in Reykjavik not included but can be arranged. Meals: Full board during the ride starting/ending with picnic lunch on first/last day. Included: Unique Lava SPA with sauna, showers and natural hot pool. Campfire. Optional: Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur Maximum Weight: 110 kg Price: Depending on group size. Please ask us for a special price for your group! info@exploringiceland.is |
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Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Reykjavík – Hvolsvöllur – Seljalandsfoss – Þórsmörk Meet & Greet with your guide at 8:00 am at BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík. If preferred we can arrange a pick up at your accommodation in the capital area between 7 and 8 am. Please be ready at the earliest pick up time and in your riding clothes. We travel along the ring road direction southeast passing the Flói area with its many famous horsebreeding farms. At the home of our partners Kiddi and Birna we will be given a thorough introduction to the Icelandic way of riding, the tack and the special gait of the Icelandic horse, the soft and speedy tölt. Off we go towards Seljalandsfoss – one of the few waterfalls in the world you can actually walk behind! It surely is an incredible feeling to stand behind the rushing water – often adorned with a beautiful rainbow! We continue on secluded country lanes through the beautiful Fljótshlíð district and meet up with our herd of loose running spare horses. We will cross the mighty glacial river Markarfljót on a bridge and continue our ride past glacier tongues and lava streams into the amazing nature reserve of Þórsmörk. Crossing the glacial river Krossá we will reach Húsadalur valley, our blissful mountain home for the next two nights. Enjoy a lovely dinner and some drinks from the bar in the cozy cabin and the LavaSPA with sauna, showers and a natural hot pool! (Riding distance ca. 35 km) Day 2: Almenningar and Stakkholtsgjá – Tour inside the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve We will spend the whole day riding within the nature reserve with its spectacular glacier views and incredible lush vegetation! In the morning we go for a ride to the beautiful Almenningar area, a former summer grazing area for sheep. Nestled in between three glaciers, this area boasts its own mild micro-climate. Set among dark and mysterious lava formations and sharp mountain ridges lies a beautiful birch forest with hundreds of wild flowers, fern and other small shrubs. We will spend the first part of the day observing the powerful glacial rivers and ride in ever changing landscape with spectacular views of glaciers and volcanoes. After lunch at the Volcano huts we return into the saddle, this time riding towards Stakkholtsgjá, a narrow 100 m deep and two kilometers long canyon with high cliffs and a nesting ground for the majestic Fulmar bird. We ride inside the canyon along the banks of a small mountain stream up to a gorgeous waterfall – a natural paradise! Dinner and the LavaSPA await us. (Riding distance ca. 20 km). Optional massage available at the LavaSPA. (Needs to be prebooked, please contact info@exploringiceland.is for further information). Day 3: Þorsmörk – Fljótshlíð – Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Center – Reykjavík Today´s ride takes us back towards the beautiful slopes of Fljótshlíð district, famously known for its natural beauty and its rich Saga heritage. It is here, where the dramatic Njáls- Saga took place! Listen to the impassioned story of love and hate, of trust and revenge and of the beautiful but wicked Hallgerður Langbrók! We ride underneath the huge Eyjafjallajökull glacier whose eruption brought down international airtraffic for weeks in 2010! This day’s ride ends at the home of our lovely hosts Kiddi and Birna. After saying good by to our wonderful horses we head back to Reykjavík. A visit to the fascinating Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur can be included (optional). (Riding distance ca. 35 km) Information for non-riding members of the group: On the first day non-riders will be transfered to a specialized mountain truck that will take them into the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve where they will meet up with the riders later during the day. Meals and evenings at the LavaSPA are spend together with the riders, during the day there are sample opportunities for individual walks and hikes in the area. On the third day the non-riding members take the mountain truck in the early afternoon back to meet the group later on for the visit to the Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Center and the common return bus trip to Reykavík. A discount is offered for non-riding members. 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. |
Included:
- Transfer from/to Reykjavík on first/last day.
- 2 nights in made up beds in double rooms with shared facilities. Please note that single rooms are few and only available upon request. A single supplement surcharge may apply.
- Full pension during the tour starting/ending with picnic lunch on the first/last day.
- 3x riding days according to programme.
- Entrance to the LavaSPA
- English speaking guide. Other languages might be available upon request.
Additional service:
