This four-day ride is a fine way to see why the Icelandic horse is so well suited to their homeland. You'll travel over mountains, into lush hidden valleys, through glacial streams with marvelous vistas of southern Iceland.

Because of its short length this tour is part of our "Hors'e d'oeuvres" series - great ways to start (or end) a trip to Iceland. It comes with airfare, transfers and all the accomodations needed, and we can add on extra days, and activities that will make for a great Iceland adventure.

You’ll travel over mountains, into lush hidden valleys, through glacial streams with marvelous vistas of southern Iceland. Off the horse, you’ll enjoy the pleasures of the outfitter’s very comfortable Hotel.

Day 0:
Iceland here we come! Travelers from North America leave for Iceland on an overnight flight with an early morning arrival at Keflavik Airport

Day 1:
Welcome to Iceland!
Riders will arrive at Keflavik International Airport and then take the Flybus shuttle to the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik. You can check your bags, grab some breakfast, and then set out explore a bit of Iceland's capital city. Around 5:30 PM the outfitter will pick you up at the BSI bus terminal and take you to their farm, about an hour outside of the capital. The tour group meets over dinner and is given details of the tour ahead. Horses North clients are upgraded to a night in the comfortable Hotel Eldhestar. (Singles may be available if they're booked as part of the package)

Day 2:
Hveragerdi - Kolvidarholl
Following the old route to Hellisheidi, riding across the moor to the volcano Hengill and over the lava field Kristnitokuhraun, the agility and comfortable gaits of the Icelandic Horse is at its best. You'll ride over lava which came from the eruption of Hengill during the year 1000; the same year Iceland officially became Christian. Legend calls thee eruption the revenge of the old gods Thor, Odin and Freya. You'll ride on the track between lava and hills ("milli hrauns og hlidar") down to Kolvidarholl, which has been a rest stop on the trail for centuries. The horses will stay there and you'll go back to the hotel, after a 21 km ride, lasting about 4 hours.

Day 3:
Kolvidarho11- Nesjavellir - Villingavatn
The day starts by riding below the mountains Husmuli and Hengill. Soon you'll dismount and lead the horses through the narrow cleft to the lush grasses of Marardalur, the Valley of Horses. Then you'll ride through Dyrifjall (Door-Mountains) and at the top be rewarded with a great view over Lake Thingvallavatn. From a geological perspective this area it's quite unique, being where the North American and European continental plates are drifting apart. It's played a major role in Iceland's history, being the site where the ancient government of Iceland met for hundreds of years. Heading off the mountain, riders come down to the geothermal area at Nesjavellir and again leave the horses to rest, as you return to the hotel, after riding 30 km in 6-7 hours.

Day 4:
Thillingavatn - Reykjadalur - Hveragerdi
The day starts with a ride up to a view of both Thingvallavatn, and also the mountain Skjaldbreidur, an extraordinary shaped mountain that is always capped with snow. Then it's down to the shimmering volcanic lakes at Kattatjarnir, and on to a steep path of lava leading down to the valley Reykjadalur - the Valley of Steam. It's great to take a dip in the warm stream running through the valley before riding on down to Hveragerdi where the tour ends. After saying goodbye to the horses, riders head back to Reykjavik 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's many good restaurants for a last dinner together, (but it's not included in the price!) 

Day 5:
Home again!
The tour officially ends this morning after breakfast. You can continue exploring Iceland or, if your trip is over you can can take the Flybus shuttle out to the airport later in the day. (You could take a bus that will give you a few hours visit to the Blue Lagoon on the trip to the airport.)

Download a PDF of the itinerary of the Around the Volcano Tour

Accommodations on Around the Volcano tour are NOT typically Icelandic. Your evenings will be spent in the Hotel Eldhestar, at their farm in Hveragerdi, which is the first in Iceland to be designated at an Eco-Hotel. It features Hastens beds from Sweden, heated floors, nice bathrooms and of course, views of horses. In the evenings, you'll have presentations about Icelands' unique nature and geology, and a chance to soak in the farms hot pot. The last night of the tour is in a Hotel or guest house in Reykjavik

Dates:
The Around the Volcano Tour runs 12 times in 2010. The first day is always a transfer day, which allows you to rest from the short night of sleep on the flight, before you start riding on the second day. American travelers will have to leave the US on, or before, the night prior to the start of the tour.

*Price
Price includes round trip airfare, including fuel surcharge and departure taxes from Boston, New York, Minneapolis (ask about prices from Toronto, Halifax and Europe). Add $110 per person from Seattle. Also includes all airport transfers, hotel accommodations in Reykjavik with private bath, tv, internet connection, and breakfast after the ride, a comfortable hotel room on the outfitters farm during the ride with private bath, all meals during the ride, as well as safety helmets and rain gear.
*Not included in the price are travel insurance, breakfast and lunch on your arrival day, dinner on your last riding day back in Reykjavik, lunch on the day of departure and the cost of any additional 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.Please note that travel dates to and from Iceland are flexible and 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 guest houses and hotels, we can help you find good maps, good roads and good sunsets.

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