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)
  2008

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 - Thingeyrar Farm

You’ll have a pretty bus ride from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm in the north where you’ll meet your horses and guides. The day's ride goes through the beautiful Vatnsdalur valley, the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. You’ll visit the farm at Hof, where one of the first Icelandic settlers built his farm in the 9th century. Tonight's stay is at the guesthouse at Thingeyrar Farm. (4 - 5 hours of riding)

Monday
Thingeyrar - Thingeyrarsandur - Hóp - Borgarvirki - Hotel Hóp

Riding begins today on the sandbar Thingeyrasandur and continues on the trail towards Lake Hóp. You will feel the excitement of the horses as they reach the open plain. Then the trail leads across Lake Hóp, Iceland’s fifth biggest lake, on a safe track that crosses the water when the tide is right. Back on dry land you’ll visit Borgarvirki, a fascinating fortress from the Viking ages. Tonight you’ll stay at Hotel Hóp, a cozy countryside hotel, with excellent facilities for riders and their horses. (6 - 7 hours)

Tuesday
Hotel Hóp - Vatnsnes - Hvítserkur - Hóp - 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
Thingeyrar - Beach Ride - Thingeyrar

Another day of riding in black sand on the coast of the North Atlantic. If the weather cooperates, there will be views of the snow capped West fjords in the distance. Perfect riding tracks make it easy for the horses to perform at their best! (5 - 6 hours)

Thursday
Thingeyrar - Kjölur Highland Route - Reykjavík

After you say good bye to the guides and horses, you’ll board the scheduled bus to Reykjavík that goes via the Kjölur Highland Road. This bus takes you through the rugged wilderness of the Icelandic highland, with the majestic glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull and the green oasis of Hveravellir, where you can take a dip into natural hot water pools. There will be stops at the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, before reaching the well known Geysir area. You’ll be back in Reykjavik about 6:40 PM. Your last night will be in 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 11 times in the summer of 2008. 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.

Departure dates for any tours are flexible, but American riders on this tour must leave the US no later than the evening before the ride starts in Iceland, while Europeans can arrive in Iceland on the morning that the tour starts.

Price*
The price includes round trip airfare, with fuel surcharge, from NYC, Boston, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Orlando (ask for prices from Toronto, Halifax, and Europe). Price also includes all transfers while in Iceland, made up beds in guest and farm houses with shared facilities, all meals, tack and equipment while on the tour, and a last night in a hotel in Reykjavik, with private bath. *NOT included are US departure taxes and fees - which are up to $92 (as of November 2007) and subject to change, breakfast and lunch on the day of arrival in Iceland, dinner on your last riding day back in Reykjavik, lunch the day of departure and the cost of any extra any additional travel. Additional fuel charges added after March 1 '08 wiill also be extra.

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