This Classic Wilderness Tour shows you the secret heart of Iceland - the wilderness between the glaciers that has been used by Icelandic travelers for many centuries. Your journey on this ancient route will be with the traditional herd of horses, but you'll have the advantage of good guides, great food, comfy mattresses and songs to sing. But you'll still need to watch out for the giants and ghosts who inhabit the highlands.

First Night
Overnight flight to Iceland
Americans fly out on the night before the tour begins in Iceland. Travelers from Mainland Europe can leave on the same day.

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. Luggage can be left here, you can get some breakfast, and it will be very convenient to explore a bit of Iceland’s capital city. Around 5:30 PM, your outfitter will pick up riders at the BSI bus terminal, and take them to their farm in Hveragerdi, about an hour outside of the capital where they can check into the comfortable country hotel. The tour group meets over dinner and are given details of the tour ahead.

Day 2
Hveragerdi - Torfastaðir- Geysir

After breakfast, riders will be driven to the farm Torfastaðir in the Biskupstungur region. Here, you’ll meet the horses, and enjoy a 4 hour ride, and get used to their unique gaits and qualities.

Day 3
Geysir-Fremstaver

After a civilized soak in the hot pools at Geysir, you’ll head for the wilderness. You’ll ride past Gullfoss, then into a black desert of stones and sand. You’ll follow the River Hvita west until coming to Mt. Blafell, which is 1160 meters above sea level, and offers a beautiful view over Kjolur. Three glaciers greet you - Eyjafjallajokull, Hofsjokull and Langjokull, as well as the volcano Hekla. The night will be spent south of Blafell in the mountain hut Fremstaver, after riding about 7 hours.

Day 4
Fremstaver - Arbudir

You’ll ride further east along Blafell, crossing the Hvita River, past the waterfall Abota to the beginning of the Kjolur trail. It’s the oldest road between South and North Iceland, quite flat and about 700 meters above sea level. The view over highlands and glaciers is impressive. You’ll ride along the Svarta River to the hut Arbudir, where the night will be spent after riding about 40 km. in 8 hours.

Day 5
Arbudir - Hveravellir
You’ll head off towards Hvitarnes, a grassy area that blossoms with Fifa flowers in the summer’s light. Then you’ll ride through the lava field Kjalhraun, shaped like the keel of a ship, for which the Kjolur may be named. The trail heads into a narrow cleft into the Valley of Thieves, Thjofadalur, hidden behind the mountains. The grass in this lush field is welcomed by the horses! Then it’s up over the mountain named Throskuldur and from there it’s an easy ride to Hveravellir. Your reward for getting there will be a dip in the natural hot spring at Hveravellir.

Day 6
Hveravellir - Afangi
There will be time to explore the area around Hveravellir in the morning, before saddling up. The vast highlands surround you in all directions. Riding past the ruins of the hut of the outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur you can understand how the highlands were fit only for criminals! After a ride of 28 km, in 5-6 hours, the night will be spent at a mountain hut north of the Galltara River.

Day 7
Afangi - Blondudalur
The last day’s ride continues north along the Thegjandaa River, over the moor named for the outlaw, called Eyvindar-stadaheidi. Now the mountains are behind you and the glaciers surround you. It’s a pretty ride along the large blue lake Blonduvirkjun. You’ll go past two hills named for Vekell the Strong, called Vekelhsaugar. This fellow is said to be the first to ride Kjolur - and now you will have joined him. The horses will be left at Bollastadir farm, while the riders will head back south to Reykjavik for a last night in a guesthouse. Typically everyone goes out to a restaurant together, although it’s not included in the price!

Day 8
The tour officially ends this morning after breakfast. You'll have some time to explore Reykjavik, and then take the Flybus shuttle out to the airport for late afternoon flights. Or, you could take a bus that will take you to the Blue Lagoon for a couple hours before heading on to Keflavik airport.