Riding the Rift Valley
in between the continents
Dates 2023
June: 22 - 26: fully booked
August: 3 - 7
August: 17 - 21
Thursday - Monday
June: 22 - 26: fully booked
August: 3 - 7
August: 17 - 21
Thursday - Monday
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Volcano, Rifts,National Park, Rivers and Mountain views
This tour takes you straight into the Rift Valley at Þingvellir National Park. While riding on secluded lava and birch lined trails in between the North American and Eurasian continental plates you will get a magnificient insight into the fascinating geology and history of Iceland! Imagine tölting on our soft and gentle horses through lava fields, over highland plateaus and along lovely lake shores as you will discover the wonderful natural wonders of the South. Explore the ancient parliamentary place which is the birthplace of the Icelandic Nation. Included are visits to Geysir hot spring, the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and to the geothermal Fontana SPA is where you can sweat in the steam of a natural hot spring and jump into Lake Laugarvatn to cool off! Accommodation at the 5 star hotel Grímsborgir. Please contact us if you prefer other accommodation! Hotel Grímsborgir *****: With 68 beautiful and spacious superior double rooms and a first class Restaurant Hotel Grímsborgir is without doubt one of the best hotels South Iceland has to offer. Every room has a nice terrace and access to hot tubs in a common area. |
Type: Multi day tour with spare horses
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights/ 5 riding days Operated by: Exploring Iceland Level of expertise required: Experienced riders in good physical shape Area: South Iceland Accommodation: 5* hotel accommodation in double/twin/single rooms with private facilities. Accommodation in Reykjavik not included but can be arranged. Meals included: Breakfast and good lunch (mix of picnic and cooked). Included: Fontana Geothermal SPA Visit Min: 2 pax Max: 6 pax. Guide: English speaking. Other languages upon request. Group: International Maximum Weight: 95 kg 2023 Price per person in ISK: Price p.p.in double/twin room at Hotel Grímsborgir*****: ISK 459.000 Single supplement: ISK 136.700.- To find the price in your currency: Currency converter Non-Riders welcome! The area offers great opportunities self-drive tours while your travelling partner is out for trail riding (min.2 riders) Please contact us for suggestions and prices info@exploringiceland.is |
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Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Riding toward the National Park Pick up at 10 am at your accommodation in Reykjavík by your wonderful Icelandic hosts! Today´s ride will take you through a stunning mountain landscape with basalt columns, Tröllafoss waterfall and beautiful mountain views. The ride ends at a local farm. We go by car to your hotel accommodation for next 4 nights (riding distance ca. 15 km) Accommodation: Hotel Grímsborgir for next 4 nights Day 2: Arriving in Thingvellir National Park Far away from traffic we will enjoy the bridle paths used by Icelanders throughout the centuries when they travelled to Þingvellir for their annual summer Parliament (ancient Thing) meetings! We ride along secluded trails from the farm along a big lake to Skógarhólar, the common equine facilities in the National Park where our horses stay for next 2 nights. (riding distance ca 23 km) Day 3: Riding in the Rift Valley - Fontana SPA Today we spend the whole day riding in the beautiful National Park. We begin with riding the new Bláskógaleið where we will be riding with a herd of loose running spare horses to the farm ruins of Gjábakki. Here we will enjoy a hearty lunch. After lunch we will take you on an exciting ride „in between the continents“ as you will be riding in the rift valley between the dividing plates of North America and Eurasia! We then ride into and over one of the many rift zones which will be for sure an adventure to remember! After the ride we will go visiting the famous historical sights of Þingvellir National Park. This place is really the heart of the Icelandic Nation. Here the Icelanders met for their annual Thing meetings from 930 to the end of the 18th century, it is here where they decided to take on Christianity in the year 1000 and declared independence in 1944. We end the day by driving to Fontana Spa for soaking in the geothermal pool and enjoy the oldest sauna in Iceland. (riding distance: 20 km) Day 4: Gullfoss – Geysir – Friðheimar - Riding through Game of Thrones scenery After breakfast we go on a fascinating sightseeing tour to the famous Golden Circle i.e. we will admire the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and enjoy the hot spring area of Geysir with spouting Strokkur (the churn). Before heading back to Thingvellir we enjoy lunch and a stable visit at Friðheimar greenhouse restaurant which is absolutely lovely and unique in the world! We enjoy a great ride through the National Park in the afternoon with stunning trails through old farms and famous Games of Thrones scenery (riding distance: 15 km) Day 5: Riding back towards Reykjavik Today we will ride back towards Reykjavik. We ride along and over river Öxará (the Ax River) and over heaths and meadows towards the capital area. There are several routes to choose from as riding to/from the National Park was the most popular route during centuries. When we are getting closer to Reykjavik we take you by car to your accommodation in Reykjavík in the late afternoon. (ca. 35 km) 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. |
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Included:
Please note: Dinner is not included and only the riding tour is guided. Guide is not staying at the hotel |
