Women´s only - Riding Tour
Midnight summer dream 

Dates 2020
Upon request for private tours of min 6 women riders 
It is all about Good Horses, Food, Wine, Wellness and Local Culture 

This tour combines an adventurous riding tour with a herd of loose running horses in the Icelandic highland with a very special midnight summer bliss!  We start with a day of riding lessons to practise the special gait  enjoy marvelous views of the Volcano Hekla and the glaciers Langjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. We ride into the uninhabited wilderness north of the romantic valley  and follow the mighty salmon river Stóra-Laxá sided by fantastic basalt columns on wonderful tölting tracks.
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Accommodation is offered in double/twin or single rooms with private sh/wc at the cozy Álftröð country hotel.  
​Within seconds, you can be soaking in a hot tub underneath the Midnight Sun. 
For non-riders we can arrange a special non-riding program during the day! 

Type: Multi day tour partly with herd of loose running spare horses 
Operated by:  Exploring Iceland 
Duration:  8 days / 7 nights / 6 riding days
Level of expertise required: Experienced riders in good physical shape.
Area:  South Iceland
Accommodation: Hotel accommodation in double/twin/single rooms with private facilities at cozy Álftröð Hotel  
Meals: Full board - we promise good local food! 
Included: Geothermal Natural bath Secret Lagoon, visit to female ICE-SAR Team, local museums, art studio and home visit to dairy farm among other places.
Min: 6 riders  
Max: 10 riders 
Guide: English / German speaking.
Maximum Weight: 95 kg  

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See more photos on Flickr

Day by day itinerary 

Day 1:  Golden Circle and a Horse Show 
Meet & Greet with your guide in Reykjavik at around 9 am. We take a short city sightseeing tour by bus and stop at an Icelandic Tack shop to buy riding gloves and other useful equipment if needed. By bus we go Thingvellir National Park situated right on top of the Mid Atlantic Ridge. This place is heaven for everybody who is interested in Geology and History. We can clearly see the land drop caused by the plates drifting apart. At Þingvellir, the ancient parliament was founded and our guide will take you to all the major points of interest and tell you about the amazing judicial system of the past. At the Friðheimar Greenhouse Company we enjoy a lovely tomato soup in a very special restaurant and a private horse show showing us the versatility of the Icelandic Horse. We continue to the famous Geysir hot springs and the beautiful Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. Check in at the hotel and enjoy the Welcome Drink and light refreshments.
Take some time for a beauty nap, a walk or enjoy the open “hot tub” (Icelandic version of Jacuzzi) of the hotel. In the evening Welcome Dinner at the hotel 

Day 2:  Riding lesson - ICE SAR - Start our riding 
After breakfast short drive to the farm for a short lesson in the indoor arena to get used to the Icelandic way of riding, the tack and the special gait of the Icelandic horse - the smooth and comfortable tölt.  Lessons will be for approx. 30 minutes for each group (5 riders at a time). After lessons transfer to local Mika Restaurant for a lovely Langoustine Soup – a real treat!  After lunch we have a date with the women of a Mountain Rescue Team and learn everything about their tremendous rescue missions of humans and horses! In the afternoon we go for a short ride around the farm to practice our riding and above all our tölting skills on the trails. We finish the day with a relaxing bath in the Secret Lagoon and its wonderful geothermal water. The pool´s steam rising into the air gives the place a magical feeling. The warm water keeps a temperature of 38-40° Celsius all year round. Close by there is even a little Geysir which erupts every 5 minutes, showing off for the guests relaxing in the hot spring. Changing rooms with showers are on site. After a long and relaxing bath we return to the hotel for a beautiful dinner with local products.

Day 3:  Full day riding along the longest river in Iceland 
After breakfast we return to the farm for our first long day ride from the farm grounds. Today we ride along the banks of mighty Þjórsá glacier with perfect views of Mt. Hekla and the glaciers Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull  - the famous one that grounded all North Atlantic air traffic in 2010. We ride on remote tracks far from any traffic through abundant bird life and stop for a lovely picnic lunch along the way. We leave the horses at new farm and enjoy some coffee and sweat treats at a modern turf house.  After the ride we will visit a local artist who takes her inspiration from Icelandic nature. By now everybody will feel safe in the saddle and in full command of the special gait tölt. Dinner at the hotel and relaxing in the hot tub of the hotel. (riding distance ca. 25 km)
 
Day 4:  Full day riding - Highland Adventure and Sheep Paddock 
After breakfast return to the farm and start for our highland adventure. We go underneath the basalt columns of Hrepphólar along the canyon of the Stóra-Laxá river. We stop at the little local museum Samansafnið along the way and take a peek into the old days of farming life in Iceland. Here we will enjoy a good picnic lunch. Moving on towards the romantic Hrunaréttir sheep paddock we learn about sheep farming in Iceland and see how the paddock comes in handy for the sheep separating after the round up in autumn. We continue our ride to a local farm where we leave the horses for the night. The riders return after a short drive back to their cozy hotel and hot tubs. (ca. 25 km ride). Part of the day today may be with a free running herd of spare horses if everybody feels up to it. 
 
Day 5: Full day riding - Romantic valley and waterfall  
Today we will be tölting after the herd of free running horses through the lovely green and hilly countryside along small family run farms and beautiful views towards the uninhabited wilderness of the romantic valley of Tungufellsdalur. After ride we walk over to the little local parish church where the residing lady who is also a true sewing expert will talk us through the history and making of the Icelandic National Costume. We drive to Waterfall Faxi, a beautiful waterfall where we can walk all the way up to the spraying mist. With a little luck we might spot some wild salmon climbing the salmon ladder next to the waterfall.  Return to the hotel for another lovely dinner and relaxation in the hot tub. 
 
Day 6: Full day riding:  The breathtaking Wilderness of the Highlands
 After rejoining our horses we climb on horseback on a high mountain plateau and follow the narrow tracks made only by sheep and horses. We enjoy wonderful views of the wild green mountainside, follow little creeks with spring water and surely get a wonderful feeling of mountain freedom! We pass the abandoned farm of Kluftir and leave our horses at Kaldbak farm. (riding distance ca. 20 km)
 Please note: Some parts of this ride will be with challenging steep mountain sides and may include leading the horse for short passages. Overnight stay at the hotel and hot tub fun under the Midnight sun.

Day 7: Full day riding:  Countryside lanes and Farewell Dinner in Reykjavík
 After a last breakfast and check out at the hotel we drive to meet the horses for our last ride. The country lanes through charming countryside with small dairy and sheep farms invite for a fast ride.  We stop for another picnic lunch at a dairy farm in a remote valley. We continue on beautiful tracks back to the farm where we have to say good bye to our wonderful horses. (Riding distance ca. 25 km). Drive back to Reykjavík for a last night in the capital. Farewell dinner at good restaurant in Reykjavik.
 
Day 8:  Individual transfer to Keflavik airport.  
Today is the day of departure. We are happy to arrange a visit to the Blue Lagoon or additional sightseeing and nights in Reykjavík. Please note: The visit to the Blue Lagoon must be booked weeks in advance! 

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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Let´s get some facts cleared up:
Why go to Iceland to ride? Here are a few arguments:

• Icelandic Horses are rather small – they look pony size but are actually horses that can easily carry a full grown adult. Just their size makes them so much more „handy“ and less scary.
• They have a special gait, the tölt, a four-beat gait where the sequence of foot is the same as in walk.  This means that at least one foot is on the ground at any time.  That being the case, there is no period of suspension within the tölt.  This lack of suspension in the gait means it has a smoothness which is extremely comfortable for the rider as there is no time when the horse bounces the rider out of the saddle. A lot of experienced equestrians with back injuries have turned to Icelandic Horses because they are just so much softer to sit than for example a large warm blood horse.
• Icelandic Horses are known for their exceptionally good character. Even only after a few lessons indoors or in a riding arena you are safe to go out on the trails.
• They are absolutely adorable with their wild long mane and many colors.

 
If you have settled on Icelandics – why come to us?

• We provide a very customer minded Women - only program. 
• We have caring female guides and instructors who are focused on finding the right horse for YOU. 
• The little hotel is situated in beautiful surroundings in the South of Iceland, amid gorgeous landscape with open wide views to the great glaciers of the south and the famous Mt. Hekla.
• Home made meals cooked with love
• Because you always wanted to bath in a geothermal hot spring...
• And last but not least – because we care! We are all dedicated horsewomen ourselves and the idea that you should miss out on the wonderful companionship with horses is an unbearable thought for us!

 
We look forward to seeing you in the saddle, girls!

• With daily riding tours, either with hand-horses or loose herd of spare horses 15-30 km per day 
• 8 days / 7 nights / 6 riding days.
• Our first ride is a riding lesson in an indoor arena with a dedicated female trainer 
• Fantastic sightseeing & cultural program.
• Natural geothermal bathing springs
• Icelandic home cooked meals with love.
• All 100 % dedicated staff. 
• English/German speaking guide 
• Make new friends in Iceland 

Price 2020:  Depending on the group size. Please contact us for prices! ​ info@exploringiceland.is

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important information

the icelandic horse