Trail of Hope

2010

In the area of Lake Hóp in beautiful Northwest Iceland

  • Accommodations in made up beds
  • 4 Days of riding in the North
  • Returning South through the highland desert (by coach)

This tour is an ideal opportunity to enjoy a comfortable ride in different types of landscapes. You get to ride through untouched nature and get an excellent insight into Icelandic history when listening to stories from the Saga ages. Visit Borgarvirki, an impressive fortress made out of basalt strata. Experience the adventure of riding in water on your way across Lake Hóp. The bus trip back to the south over Kjölur highland route is another highlight of this tour. Drive between two glaciers, enjoy the hot springs in Hveravellir and the Geysir area and the mighty waterfall Gullfoss. Accommodation is in made up beds in 2 - 4 bed rooms.

Friday Night
Travelers from the US leave for Iceland

Saturday
Welcome to Iceland

From Keflavik International Airport, a convenient shuttle bus will drop you at your hotel. Then you’ll have the day to explore Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik. There’s lots to do and see, and plenty of interesting places to eat. Then get a good night’s sleep, as tomorrow you ride!

Sunday
Reykjavík - Hvammur - Vatnsdalur - Sveinsstaðir

You’ll have a pretty bus ride from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm in the north where you’ll meet your horses and guides. You’ll get helmets and rain gear and then set off through the beautiful Vatnsdalur valley, the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. You’ll cross the river - Vatnsdalsá, and then ride up the western side of the valley to Sveinsstadir Farm, where the horses will spend the night. Riders return to Hvammur . (25 km)

Monday
Hvammur - Sveinsstaðir - Hóp - Borgarvirki

You’ll start from Sveinsstaðir Farm and ride alongside the lagoon Hóp. The black sand at the beach is ideal for riding tölt, the special gait of the Icleandic horse. This trail along the shore gives you an idea of the beatiful lagoon you are going to cross tomorrow. You continue the ride along the banks of Víðidalsá river and cross over it. Before leaving the horses at Stóra-Borg you will ride past Borgarvirki, a fascinating fortress from the Viking ages. The night is spent at Hvammur Farm. (30 km)

Tuesday
Hvammur – Hvítserkur – North Atlantic – Thingeyrar

This is a day for discovering the beauty of the Vatnsnes peninsula, known for its plentiful bird life. Hvítserkur, a majestic basalt rock, towers just off the shore and is a nesting ground for cormorants. You’ll re-cross Lake Hóp, this time on a different route and return to Thingeyrar. You’ll can relax in the geothermal waters of the local swimming pool before a hearty dinner at the farm. (4 - 5 hours)

Wednesday
Hvammur - Thingeyrar – Húnavatn –Hvammur

The day starts with a tour of the lovely old church at Thingeyrar. This is your last day of riding and you’ll bring the horses back to Hvammur Farm. You’ll ride across Lake Húnavatn, emerging on the black sand of the east side of the Lake. The ride continiues on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. The ride ends with a celebratory barbecue back at the farm – “Icelandic style”! (25 km

Thursday
Hvammur - Kjölur Highland Route - Reykjavík

You’ll say good bye to the guides and horses, you’ll board the scheduled bus that travels the Kjölur Highland Route back to Reykjavik. You’ll travel through the rugged wilderness of the Icelandic highland, with the majestic glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, and the green oasis of Hveravellir, where you can soak in the natural hot water pools. There will be stops at the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, before reaching the geothermal field at Geysir . You’ll be back in Reykjavik about 6:30 PM. On your last night we upgrade you to a nice hotel so you can experience some of the fabled nightlife, or just get a good meal and relax..

Friday
Home again!.. Or..

For those returning home, the Flybus will take riders back to the Keflavik International Airport in the early afternoon, giving you the morning to explore Reykjavik or rest.
Or you can start further explorations of Iceland, and we’ll be happy to help plan those travels.

You can download a PDF of The Trail of Hope itinerary

Dates and Per Person Prices*

The Trail of Hope runs 7 times in thesummer of 2010. Here are the dates for the riding tour in Iceland. Travel time, from your home to Iceland, may include an extra day at the beginning and end. For the last night in Iceland we upgrade to a nice hotel near Reykjavik center. The price for this tour is $2950 p/p d/o, and $3146 for a single.

The Trail of Hope runs from Sunday through Thursday in Iceland .

Dates
June 18 to 25
July 9 to 16
July 23to 30
July 29 to August 6
August 6 to 13
August 13 to 20
August 20 to 27

*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.

The price also includes all airport transfers, a night before and after the tour in Reykjavik hotels with breakfast. During the ride, you’ll spend all nights in double or quad rooms in guesthouses. All meals are included during the ride, while you’ll need to add lunch and dinner on your days before and after the ride.
*Not included are meals on pre-and post-tour days and any additional expenses or travel you may choose.

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