TYPOLOGIES

DIAMOND CIRCLE

DIFFICULTY

Medium

MIN. AGE

12 years

2,190 €

RIDING IN NORTH WHICH IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE

The North of Iceland is best known for its great natural sights and beautiful landscape. Our tour leaves from Saltvík Farm near Húsavík and leads to the Lake Mývatn area, known for its volcanic features and countless numbers of wild breeding ducks.
We ride on mainly soft riding tracks, ideal for riding “tölt”, the unique gait of the Icelandic horse. The first two days we ride along the shore and over Hvammsheiði heath and cross the river Laxá. The next day will take us from the forested hillsides in Laxárdalur via the black sand deserts of Hólasandur to lake Mývatn, where boiling mud pools and eerie lava formations remind you of the active volcanic energy hidden beneath the surface. After a long day in the saddle, it is ideal to take a relaxing soak in the outdoor bathing facility with hot geothermal water at “Jarðböð”.
We will ride the next day towards the Gæsafjöll Mountains. Through an area covered with cracks and fissures from countless earthquakes and volcanic activity, the route leads towards the mountain cabin at Þeistareykir, a place with bubbling hot water and white clouds rising to the sky from the steam vents. We will spend the night at this magical place. On the last day, we ride home to Saltvík, enjoying the terrific view over Skjálfandi bay!
An optional whale watching tour concludes the circle of natural highlights on and offshore. A visit to the picturesque and mighty waterfall Goðafoss will be something to remember.

Bjarni Páll at Saltvík farm operate this tour, click here to get to know them better.

DURATION

6 days - 5 nights - 5 riding days

RIDING SKILLS

Strong Intermediate and advanced riders

DEPARTURES

Dates 2021: June 28-3 July, July 5-10, 12-17, 19-24, August 2-7, 16-21, 23-28, September 6-11

ACCOMMODATION

The accomodation on this tour is in 2-4 pers. rooms with made up beds at Saltvík holidayfarm and one night in a cozy mountain hut at Þeistareykir (sleeping bags)

NOTE

Bring your own sleeping bag!

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Domestic flight from Reykjavík to Húsavik and transfer to/from the farm.

During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available on request when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.

Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

ATTENTION

Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.

Flight to and from Iceland is not included

Please bring your own sleeping bag with you on the tour

Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases

Pack light because transport space is limited.

Day 1: Reykjavík – Saltvík – Saltvík (15km)
In the morning you leave your guesthouse to go to Eagle Air airport for a direct flight to Húsavík. Saltvík is only a 5 min. drive from the airport. At Saltvik, we start our ride after a short introduction to the Icelandic horses and their special gaits. We ride along the seaside of the arctic ocean north of Iceland enjoying a fantastic view out towards the arctic circle. A relaxing bath in a warm outdoor tub before dinner at Saltvik farm is well deserved after this first day of our journey!

Optional in the afternoon (80 euros which include transport from/to Saltvík): A whale watching tour starting from the harbor in Húsavík can be offered. Húsavík and the bay of Skjálfandi are known to be the best places in the world to find and see some of the gentle giants of the ocean. Humpbacks, Mink Whales, Dolphins and even Blue Whales are some of the creatures you can expect to see!

Day 2: Saltvík – Aðalból (30km)
We ride across Hvammsheiði heathlands following excellent soft “tölttrails” and riverbanks of Mýrarhvísl river towards the big Laxá river which we cross at passing where the river spreads out over 100 m wide river path! During the ride, we enjoy a great view over the green valleys of the north, Aðaldalur and Reykjadalur.

Day 3: Aðalból – Mývatn (40km)
Today we ride from the farmlands of Aðaldalur towards the deserted wasteland of Hólasandur before arriving at the nature paradise lake “Mývatn” This is a day of many contrasts, from green valleys to the black desert on our way to the lava fields and green birch forests of the Mývatn area. A magnificent view over the lake Mývatn area that is surrounded by mighty volcanoes awaits us when we come closer to the lake. Before dinner, we relax and enjoy a nice hot bath in Jarðböð, an outdoor lagoon with geothermal water overlooking the lake.

Day 4: Mývatn – Þeistareykir (40km)
We leave the Mývatn area and head up towards the mountains, passing Gæsadalur oasis and riding at the footsteps of the mighty old volcano Gæsafjöll. When we get closer to the geothermal area of Þeistareykir we start noticing huge cracks and fissures which are remarks of the enormous powers of nature hidden under the roots of Iceland :) We practically ride across the boundaries which connect the tectonic plates of North America and Europe and the power of creation becomes real when we arrive at the destination of Þeistareykir with bubbling craters and mud pools all around the hut where we spend the night!

Day 5: Þeistareykir – Saltvík (35km)
On the last day of our journey, we ride home to Saltvík farm crossing the lava fields of Bóndhólshraun. Then following nice riding trails through the valley Geldingadalur and along Skarðaháls with a great view over the bay of Skjálfandi north of Iceland. The last track leads across Reykjaheiði back home to our farm Saltvík where we celebrate our adventures in the evening with a cheerful farewell party!

Day 6: Saltvík – Reykjavík
After a hearty breakfast, it´s time to drive with our small bus back to Reykjavík and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way.

Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. Book my ticket.

Terms & Conditions:

If you book the tour through the website the full amount is requested. Íshestar requests a confirmation payment upon booking of a minimum of 30% of the tour price. When the confirmation payment is received the seat is secure. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the tour departs.
Children under 12 years receive a 25% discount on our multi-day tours.

Liability:
Íshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions and/or contact us at ishestar@ishestar.is

Saltvík Guesthouse

Located 5 km from central Húsavík, Saltvík Guesthouse offers accommodation with views of the surrounding mountains and Skjálfandi Bay.

We offer accommodation in a newly established guesthouse with 7 double rooms with private bathrooms and one small apartment that sleeps 4-5 persons, ideal for families or friends.

We use our old farmhouse for guests that are joining the multi-day riding tours. The old farmhouse has 6 rooms for 2-4 persons each. It features a nice living room and a great view towards the sea along with two shared bathrooms.

Tour Map