Trail of Hope   Tour # 18

This new 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 doesn´t feel ready for one of the highland trips yet. Still, you get to ride through 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. On your bus trip back via the highland on Kjölur route, you won´t miss the geothermal areas Hveravellir in between two glaciers, Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, and the Geysir Strokkur.

IT-ICRT18
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights   -120km
US$ 1,795 per person  
- based on € 1,165
Departures in 2008:  
06/22-06/26    06/29-07/03    07/06-07/10
07/20-07/24    07/27-07/31    08/03-08/07
08/10-08/14    08/17-08/21    08/24-08/28
08/31-09/04    09/07-09/11
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Meeting Point:  Reykjavik
Level:    Intermediate
Riding per day:  5-9 hours
Pace:  moderate
Tack:   Icelandic
Horses:   Icelandic Horses
Min/Max Riders: 6-16
Note: Lodging in holiday farm  (2-4 per room)

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. 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!

Itinerary

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

We use the day for discovering the beauty of the the Vatnsnes peninsula, known for its plentiful bird life. With a little luck you can view seals playing on the shore. There are many folk tales about the Icelandic seal and some people say that you can attract them by whistling! Worth giving a try! Hvítserkur, a majestic basalt rock, towers just of the shore and is a nesting ground for cormorants. We ride again across Lake Hóp at a different place and return to Thingeyrar Farm. After the ride we drive to a local swimming pool with the typical Icelandic “Hot Pots” for a relaxing bath in geothermal water before we return to Thingeyrar for our evening meal and two more nights. (6-7 hours)

Wednesday: Thingeyrar – Ströndin – Thingeyrar   

It´s time for another exciting beachride! Today we head for the coast of the North Atlantic and enjoy the marvellous view we have from Thingeyrar along the coastline with beautiful mountains in the background. In clear weather conditions we might be able to see all the way to the remote Westfjords peninsula. There are perfect riding tracks in the soft black sand where you can enjoy the soft Tölt of the Icelandic Horse! In the evening we will enjoy a traditional festive dinner at our Farewell Party accompanied with Icelandic songs and story telling. (5-6 hours)

Thursday: Thingeyrar  –  Kjölur Highland Road  –  Reykjavík

It is time to say good bye to our guides and we drive on the scheduled bus over Kjölur Highland Road back to Reykjavík. Have your camera, bathing suit and towel at hand because today is not just a transfer day! The bus takes you through the rugged wilderness of the Icelandic highland with stops at the geothermal area of Hveravellir with the possibility to take a dip into a natural “Hot Pot” heated with geothermal water. You will see the majestic glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, the glacier lake Hvítárvatn and stop for visiting at the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and Geysir Area. Return to Reykjavik Main Bus Terminal (B.S.I) at approx. 18:40. Transfer to your accommodation in Reykjavík by bus.