The Snorri Sturluson Saga Tour

History and Horses

A mix of history and natural wonder on a ride through an area that is also important to the ancient arts of Icelandic writing. Based at a very comfortable farm with its own hot pot this 5-day ride offers made- up beds (no sleeping bags!) this tour leaves plenty of time to relax after each day's riding. It also leaves a bit of time for some exploration of Iceland before or after.

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland!
Tour members arrive at Keflavik Airport, and take the Flybus shuttle to the Hotel Loftlieder, where you can check luggage, have breakfast and set out to see some of the nation's capital. But be back at the Hotel by 5:30 in the afternoon, as that's when the outfitter will pick you up and take you to their farm, Vellir, in Hverdagerdi, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Over dinner that evening, the riders will get to know each other and tour details will be explained. Guest cabins at the farm will be a place for a good night's sleep!

Day 2: Hveragerdi-Oddstadir in Lundarreykjadalur-Flokadalur
After breakfast, riders will take a bus west towards Borgarnes, to the farm Oddsstadir. Here it's time to meet the horses, and set off on an easy ride through the valley of Lundarreykjadalur to the church Lundur. This old church was often mentioned in the sagas - it was the winter residence of Bishop Rudolfur before he settled at the farm Baer. After seeing the church, riders will cross the mountain at the pass Lundarhals on the old riding path Lundursneid, where there is a spectacular view over the Borgarfjordur hills. Then it's down to the valley Flokudalur named after the former slave Floki who got his freedom and lived here in the early years of Iceland's settlement. You'll return to Oddsstadir for dinner and a good nights sleep. But don't forget to take a soak in the hot pot! 15 km, app.. 4 hours.

Day 3: Flokadalur - Reykholt
Today you'll ride further up Flokadulur along the old mountain road called Okvegur. and then through the gorge Rausgil, to Reykjolt. This is the farm where Snorri Sturluson lived in the 13th. Century. Snorri is the most famous Icelandic author, poet and scientist who wrote the books Snorri's Edda and Heimskringla. At Reykholt there is museum and historical center where you can learn a bit more about Snorri and life in medieval Iceland. There will also be a visit to Snorri's hot pot, which is still heated by the same hot spring that Snorri used. And you have just ridden over the same route that Gissur Jarl Thorvaldsson rode when he went to kill Snorri in 1241! The horses are left at Reykholt and riders return to Oddsstadir for the night. 25 km, app. 6 hours.

Day 4:Reykholt- Fossatun
You'll start off through the broad valley of Reykholtsdalur, to the farm Fossatun near the river Crimsa, and from there. some very nice trails take you to the biggest hot spring in Iceland, called Deildartungulrver. You'll also pass the farm Baer where Bishop Rudolfur lived after Lundur. In addition to building one of the first monasteries in Iceland in the year 1000, he started the use of Latin letters in the Icelandic language instead of runes. The evening will be back at Oddsstatir. 30 km, app. 7 hours.

Day 5: Fossatun - Oddstadir
The last days ride completes the circle to Lundarreykyodalur riding along the lush banks of the river Grimsa, one of the worlds' most famous salmon rivers. After a 20 km. ride, lasting around. 5 hours everyone is driven back to Reykjavik later in the afternoon where the night will be spent in a guesthouse-or hotel if you want an upgrade. Often riders all go out to one of Reykjavik many good restaurants for a last dinner together, (but it's not included in the price!)
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Day 6: Farewell...perhaps.
The tour officially ends after breakfast. There will be a relaxed morning to see more of Iceland's capital before taking the Flybus shuttle back to the airport for flights home. OR, if you're lucky enough to be exploring more of Iceland, you can get underway.

Download a PDF of the itinerary of this tour

Accomodations for Snorri Sturluson's Saga Tour are in traditional Icelandic guesthouses. You'll have made up beds in farmhouses, in double, triple or quad rooms, most with shared bathroom and showering facilities. These farm guesthouses are clean, warm and comfortable, but are not hotels. (No room service, in-room phones or television)

The cost of Snorri Sturluson's Saga Tour is $2125 per person on the tour of June 9 -14 and $2325 for the other dates. This is a 5 day ride and we package it with accommodations in Reykjavik the night after the last riding day, as well as with round-trip airfare on Icelandair from New York, Boston or Baltimore (Minneapolis for $75 more) all transfers and everything for the riding tour. Included with this are 3-4 horses per rider, English speaking guides, all meals and farm guesthouse accomdations with made up beds with shared facilities, rain gear, and safety helmets, and a last nights stay in a Reykjavik guesthouse (Hotel upgrades are available!) The price does not include US departure taxes (presently around $74 per person), lunch and dinner on first and last days and any optional travel.

We can arrange your travel dates to give you any extra time you might want, either before or after a riding tour, so that you can explore Iceland. We can even extend your trip to mainland Europe easily and inexpensively.A little bit of extra travel is the perfect way to end a great riding tour. At Horses North, we've traveled all over Iceland, and can advise and book everything you will need, to see more of this spectacular island. From rental cars and restaurants to guesthouses and hotels, we can help you find good maps, good roads and good sunsets.

Visit our sister site www.icelandadventure.com for some more information on Iceland and touring and photos

We can mail complete itineraries and will talk to you via e-mail or phone if you have any questions.