Highlights of the North and East  Tour#10

These tours are specially designed for former clients and people with years of experience with Icelandic horses. We offer two exciting departures. One in the East of Iceland and one in the West of the country.

IT-ICRT10

2008 Iceland Specials

Discover the incredible wild beauty of East Iceland and explore an area not known by many people. Even among Icelanders this part of the interior is a best- kept secret. For this tour we combine the completely untamed nature north of Europe´s largest glacier Vatnajökull, where only large herds of reindeer roam free and the sure footed Icelandic horse is the only way of transportation with the fascinating seal colonies along the east coast. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy both a highland tour and a beach ride! View the magnificent Hafrahvammurgljúfur Canyon and the beautiful valley Hrafnkelsdalur where the heroic Viking Age comes alive. The Icelandic author and Nobel-price winner Halldór Kiljan Laxnes used this area for inspiration while writing his popular novel "Sjálfstætt fólk" (Independent people). We will stay overnight at Sænautasel, a reconstructed 18th century farm, a unique experience to see how Icelanders lived before the time of indoor running water and electricity.
Please note: This tour is only recommended for experienced riders with the necessary stamina for long riding days of 40 – 50 km during 7 – 9 hrs.

Meeting Point:  Keflavik  airport
Level:    Strong Intermediate
Riding per day:  5-8 hours
Pace:  moderate with long toelts
Tack:   Icelandic
Horses:   Icelandic Horses
Min/Max Riders: 8-20

2008 Sprengisandur Trail - North
We present a special tour to discover the mysterious Sprengisandur Trail and the vast lava fields of Ódáðahraun. The tour offers three days in the highlands where we follow the Sprengisandur Trail. Legends, ghost stories and songs describe this highland trail – one of the most well known is “Ríðum, ríðum”. The huge glaciers of Vatnajökull and Hofsjökull, surrounded by sand and lava fields and mighty glacier fed rivers characterise this remote wilderness. View impressive mountains and barren ridges while you listen to stories about famous outlaws who lived there and still live thanks to stories that the Icelanders have told and written throughout the centuries. Our hosts on this tour are Bjarni Páll and Elsa known from the Northern Exposure tour. 
Day-by-Day Itinerary:  
Saturday, August 9: Arrival in Iceland – Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. At approx. 19:00 we invite you to a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.   
Sunday, August 10: Reykjavík – Saltvík – Torfunes
Flight to Akureyri and drive to Saltvík Farm. Ride through the lavafields of Aðaldalshraun along the river Skjálfandafljót to Torfunes. Our horses rest at the well known studfarm Torfunes while we drive to Saltvík for the overnight stay. (30 km)
Monday, August 11: Torfunes – Stóru-Tjarnir
 We continue our ride alongside the mighty river Skálfandafljót, through Fellsskógur Forest to the beautiful waterfalls; Barnafoss and Ullarfoss. Shortly after that we head west to the schoolhouse at Stóru-Tjarnir where we stay overnight. (35 km)
Tuesday, August 12: Stóru-Tjarnir – Sörlastaðir
This day takes us through the mountain pass Ljósavatnsskarð and into the area of Vaglaskógur Forrest with the christal clear river Vaglá in the middle of this remarkable “picture”. After a good stop in this popular area we proceed to the diserted farm Sörlastaðir for an overnight stay. (40 km)
Wednesday, August 13: Sörlastaðir – Guesthouse Kiðagil
Our route today goes over the mountain Bæjarfjall into the friendly valley Bárðardalur where we enjoy excellent riding paths and stay overnight at the cozy guesthouse Kiðagil. (45 km)
Thursday, August 14: Gh. Kiðagil – Mountain Cabin Grafarlönd
We ride deeper into the valley Bárðardalur and cross the Skjálfandafljót at the Hrafnabjargarvað crossing, without doubt a thrilling experience. Then we ride further south into parts of the lavafields Ódáðarhraun and deeper into the highland and Sprengisandur to the cabin Grafarlönd, where we stay 2 nights. (45 km)
Friday, August 15 Follow the historic Sprengisandur trail
We continue through a desert of sand and stones and return to Grafarlönd mountain cabin for an overnight stay. (35 km)
Saturday, August 16: Grafarlönd – Stóra-Tunga Laxárdalur
We leave this world of ancient trolls, elves and ghosts and continue through the lavafields of Suðurárhraun to the magnificent waterfall Aldeyjarfoss. We stay overnight at the deserted farm Stóra-Tunga. (40 km)
Sunday, August 17: Stóra-Tunga - Stöng
We continue our ride through the Engidalur Valley and up on Sandfell Mountain where we will have an outstanding view over the beautiful Lake Mývatn, , famous for its geological wonders and rich bird life. We will stay overnight at the Holiday Farm Stöng and after 3 nights in the highland it will be a special thrill to enjoy a nice hot bath in Jarðböð, a newly built geothermal outdoor pool. (35 km)
Monday, August 18: Stöng - Saltvík 
Our  last riding day through the beautiful landscape of the valley Laxárdalur and we ride into Hvammsheiði heath before bringing the horses home to Saltvík farm where we spend the night and enjoy the hot outdoor tubs! (30 km)
Tuesday, August 19: Saltvík – Reykjavík
Return to Akureyri and flight back to Reykjavík Domestic Airport with arrival at approx. 13:30. Last night in a guesthouse in Reykjavík.
Wednesday, August 20: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport|
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the flight back home.

2008 Highlights of the East
This is the perfect opportunity to combine a highland tour with a beach ride! Discover the incredible wild beauty of East Iceland in a region not known by many people. We explore the untamed nature north of Europe's largest glacier Vatnajökull, where large herds of reindeer roam free and the sure footed Icelandic horse is the only way of transportation. View the beautiful valley Hrafnkelsdalur where the sagas about heroic Vikings come alive.
We will stay overnight at Sænautasel, a reconstructed 18th century farm. This tour also takes us to the fertile area of Hróarstunga, between the two mighty rivers; Jökulsá á Brú and Lagarfljót. We stay overnight at Húsey Farm in beautiful surroundings with rich bird life and seals playing on the beach.
Our hosts Jón Þór and his wife Margrét have been our partners in the East for many years. Few people know the rugged wilderness better than Jón Þór.
Day-by-day itinerary:
Thursday, July 24: Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík
All clients will be met at Keflavík Airport by an Íshestar representative and driven to a guesthouse in Reykjavík for an overnight stay. Welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant at 19.00.
Friday, July 25: Reykjavík - Egilsstaðir – Skriðuklaustur – Fjallaskarð Mountain Cabin
Flight to Egilsstaðir town in the morning and a drive to Skriðuklaustur Farm where we meet horses and staff. After a short introduction we start our ride. We ascend from a valley at nearly sea level to the great highland plateau, where vegetation and landscape have already an artic character. Enjoy magnificent views on this ride. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin Fjallaskarð, at the foot of the mountain Eyvindarfjöll. (45 km)
Saturday, July 26: Fjallaskarð – Aðalból Farm
We ride from Fjallaskarð mountain cabin to Aðalból Farm. We ride through the beautiful valley of Hrafnkelsdalur, the setting of the famous Hrafnkelssaga from the Viking Age. Imagine life at the adventurous Saga times while our guides will tell you about historic events and make the Saga come alive. (30 km)
Sunday, July 27: Aðalból – reconstructed Farm Sænautasel
We ride between Matbrunnavatn and Búrfellsvatn Lakes to Sænautasel, enjoying the endless variations of the Icelandic interior. On a clear day we can enjoy a far reaching view over the north-eastern part of the country. Dinner awaits us at Sænautasel, a reconstructed old farm, where we spend the night in the barn and the stable. Accommodation is simple, but a unique experience to imagine how Icelanders lived before the time of indoor running water and electricity. The Icelandic author and Nobel-prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness used this area as background for his novel "Sjálfstætt fólk” (Independent People). (35 km)
Monday, July 28: Sænautasel – Selland - Skjöldólfsstaðir Guesthouse
We continue our ride on Jökuldalsheiði heath past many ghost farms towards Skjöldólfsstaðir Farm. The horses will rest in the meadows while we spend the night in the guesthouse and enjoy the comfort of the swimming pool and hot tub on site. (35 km)
Tuesday, July 29: Skjöldólfsstaðir - Fossvellir Farm
Through beautiful farmland we ride towards the mighty river Jökulsá á Brú and end today’s ride at Fossvellir Farm where we leave the horses and head back to Skjöldólfsstaðir for another night in this cozy guesthouse. (30 km)
Wednesday, July 30: Fossvellir – Geirsstaðir Farm - Húsey Farm
After saddling up the horses we ride into the Hróarstunga area, formed by two major glacier fed rivers, Jökulsá á Brú and Lagarfljót. We head towards the shore and to Húsey Farm, where we stay overnight. The farm is situated in beautiful surroundings and offers rich bird life and seals playing on the beach. During this day’s ride we stop at Geirsstaðir Farm where a church from the year 1002 has been rebuilt, probably one of Iceland´s oldest churches. (40 km)
Thursday, July 31: Húsey Farm – Thorskagerði – Tungubúð Community Centre
This will be a welcomed relaxed day after the long riding days. We ride down to the ocean in the morning to watch the seals play at the sandy shore and continue after lunch to deserted Thorskagerði Farm, where we leave our horses and drive to Tungubúð Community Centre for an overnight stay. (25 km)
Friday, August 1: Thorskagerði Farm – Miðhús – Útnyrðingsstaðir Farm
This day’s ride takes us through green valleys and bushy hills, across River Lagarfljót on a bridge, past Lagarfoss Waterfall and to the beautiful area surrounding Egilsstaðir. Excellent riding paths are the trade mark of this day. We leave the horses at Miðhús Farm and drive to Útnyrðingsstaðir Farm where we spend the next two nights. (40 km)
Saturday, August 2: Hallormsstaður – Miðhús – Útnyrðingsstaðir
This is our last day of riding and we ride over the mountains towering above River Lagarfljót into the Hallormsstaður Forest, where we have to say good bye to our horses and stay for another night at Útnyrðingsstaðir Farm. (40 km)
Sunday, August 3: Útnyrðingsstaðir – Egilsstaðir – Reykjavík
Flight back to Reykjavík in the morning with arrival at approx. 11:00 at Reykjavík Domestic Airport. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Reykjavík.
Monday, August 4: Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport Transfer by bus to Keflavík airport in time for the return flight home.

- We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary.