Countryside Rides  Tour # 11
This new short tour in the beautiful North is the ideal chance for everybody who wants to enjoy a comfortable ride in many different kinds of landscapes but has not many days to spare for a riding trip. Still, you get to ride through a lot of  untouched nature, see icelandic wildlife like seabirds and seal colonies at close distance and get an excellent insight into the historical times by visiting Thingeyrar, where Iceland´s first monastry was founded in 1133 and where today one can find one of Iceland´s most treasured churches. Listen to ancient stories from the Sagas of the Viking Time and visit Borgarvirki, an impressive fortress made out of basalt strata. It is every Icelander´s dream to ride once across Lake Hóp. Although the water does not reach high up the horses´ legs we ride for kilometers through Iceland´s fifth big lake – truly a great experience. Accommodation is in made up beds in 2-4 bed rooms and our hosts Haukur and his wife Sonja will try everything possible to make your trip an unforgettable adventure!

Code: IT-ICRT11
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights - 3 riding days - 95 km

 US$ 1,158 per person
-- based on € 747 
Departures in 2008: 
06/30-07/02    07/07-07/09    07/14-07/16    07/21-07/23
08/04-08/06    08/11-08/13    08/18-08/20
 Check Availability

Meeting Point:  Reykjavík
Level:    B-C
Riding per day:  4-6 hours
Pace:  slow to moderate
Tack:   Icelandic
Horses:  Icelandic Horses
 

Itinerary

The horses are especially chosen for this trip and are suited even for riders who have not had much riding experience. Still riding days can be as long as up to 35 km in the saddle so you should be in good physical condition and have a basic knowledge of horsemanship. You will get a thorough introduction into the gaits of the Icelandic horse and feel the Tölt, the extremely soft travelling gate of the Icelandic horse. We will change horses once a day and take a herd of free running horses with us!

Sunday: Reykjavík – Hvammur - Vatnsdalur – Thingeyrar Farm

Bustransfer from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm in Vatnsdalur Valley, where we meet horses and guides. We start our ride through Vatnsdalur, crossing the river Vatndalsá. This beautiful valley is the setting of the famous Vatnsdæla-Saga and we visit the historical farm Hof, where Ingimundur the Old, one of the first Icelandic settlers raised his farm in the 9^th century. At Thingeyrar Farm, we have the opportunity to visit one of Iceland´s most beautiful churches. Made out of stone in the 19^th century and beautifully decorated, this church is a jewel of architecture. Inside there are beautiful relicts such as an old altar wing probably made in Nottingham, England in the 15^th century. Thingeyrar Farm owns also one of the richest grounds in Iceland, due to natural revenues from bird and seal wildlife, drift wood and the fluffy downs of the Eider Duck. We stay overnight at the cozy Thingeyrar Farmhouse. (4-5 hours)

Monday: Thingeyrar – Thingeyrarsandur – Hóp – Borgarvirki - Hotel Hóp

What a day! We start riding over the big sander Thingeyrasandur and towards Lake Hóp. Feel the excitement of the horses as they reach the open plain. The trail leads us right across Lake Hóp, Iceland´s fifth biggest lake. We ride for kilometres through the water, but don´t worry our guides know the area just like their backgarden and will lead you on a safe track across the water. On our way we visit the famous Borgarvirki, a fascinating fortress from the Viking Saga Age. The natural basalt strata and the ruins of old shelters will give you an insight into the heroic past of Iceland. We stay at Hotel Hóp, a cozy country hotel, with custom made facilities for riders and their horses. (6-7 hours)

Tuesday: Hotel Hóp – Vatnsnes – Hvítserkur- Hóp – Thingeyrar - Reykjavík