If you are not ready for a lot of days in the saddle, yet you’re an outdoor person with a basic knowledge of riding and good stamina, this tour might be what you are looking for.. Following fine bridle paths to the magnificent sights of Iceland, Geysir Hot Spring area and Gullfoss Waterfall. During three riding days your guide leads you to these wonders of Iceland.

Enjoy the view of glaciers in front of you while riding through a lovely birch forest and green meadows with grazing horses. “Tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse will be introduced to you. We use this comfortable gait for parts of our tour, and also trot and walk the horses in between. On the way to Kjóastaðir Farm you’ll pay a visit to Thingvellir, a place of historic and geological importance, and first national park of Iceland.

Kjóastaðir Farm is home of Hjalti and Åsa. Their capable staff takes very good care of their guests and will find a horse that will suits each rider. Two nights are spent in cozy summer cottages, 2 – 3 rooms in each with shared facilities. This tour is a shorter version of the popular new Trail of Hope Tour.

Here's what's in store:
Saturday Night:
Travelers from North America leave for Iceland on an overnight flight with an early morning arrival at Keflavik Airp

Sunday
You will arrive at Keflavik International Airport and use your voucher to take the flybus shuttle to the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik, (about a 40 minute ride). You’ll have the day to explore Iceland’s capital city. An overnight in Reykjavík is included to give you a chance to catch up after your very short overnight flight.

Monday:
Reykjavík – Thingvellir – Geysir – Kjóastaðir Farm

Your outfitter will pick you up after breakfast for a pleasant bus ride, to Kjóastaðir Farm, visiting the historical site Thingvellir on your way. After having met your guides you’ll check into your room and enjoy lunch. Your guide will introduce the Icelandic horse and its special gaits before you start your ride along pleasant trails of the Bláskógarbyggð district towards Geysir hot spring area. A perferct first riding day where you’ll get to know the Icelandic horse and the way of riding in a relaxed atmosphere. While on your ride you'll enjoy the great view of mountain ranges, valleys and the glacier fed river Hvítá. (25 km)

Tuesday:
Tungufljót – Kjarnholt – Kjóastaðir

More beautiful South Iceland today! You’ll start with a ride through a beautiful birch forest at Haukadalur valley and cross small sparkling brooks and enjoy the summer wildflowers and vegetation. Those plants will change as you As you ride up to Haukadalsheiði heath where you’ll have a great view of mountains and glaciers in the interior! (35 km)

Wednesday:
Kjóastaðir –Gullfoss – Kjölur Trail – Reykjavík

You’ll leave the farm and head off towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky, glacier fed water passes through bizarre rock formations. You’ll follow the ever deepening canyon to the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. After having spent some time there you’ll saddle up again and follow the famous Kjölur highland trail for a while before you head back to the farm. After dinner it’s time to bid farewell to horses and guides and be driven back to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival time in Reykjavík is 10:00 PM. (35 km)

Thursday:
You can leave Iceland on the afternoon flight or go on to more exploring. If you fly out today you'll have the morning to explore Reykjavik and then leave for the international airport at Keflavik on the shuttle bus in the early afternoon.

Saturday and Tuesday night's accommodations in Reykjavik are included in the price. If you are going to leave Iceland after this tour you'll fly out on Wednesday morning to mainland Europe and to the US on Wednesday afternoon.

Dates
The Countryside Riding Adventure tour runs 10 times during the summer of 2010. The riding tour starts in Iceland on Mondays. .

June 12 to June 17

June 26 to July 1

July 3 to July 8

July 10 to July 15

July 17 to July 22

July 24 to July 29

Aug 31 to Aug 5

Aug 7 to Aug 12

Aug 14 to Aug 19

Aug 28 to Sept 2

These are travel dates.

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. 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.