1,690 €

DESCRIPTION
MAP
Gallery

Your ride starts close to Eldgjá, the biggest volcanic canyon in the world and close to lava fields originating from Laki’s craters during Skaftáreldar, a devastating eruption in the 18th century. About 135 craters erupted on a huge fissure and they covered the area with lava and the whole country with ashes for about two years. Animals succumbed to hunger or volcanic
poisoning, a large part of the human population died and only 38.500 people survived the disaster. From there we pass through the Northern Fjallabak and reach the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar. We spend a day riding through this amazing volcanic and geothermal area with its hot springs and colourful mountains. We head back counter-clockwise towards the lava fields of the Hekla volcano and with stops close to Tindfjallajokull glacier.

This tour is part of the ISHESTAR Special Tour Forces of Nature. You can decide to take the full experience on the round tour (9 riding days), or just the Southern route (5 riding days) or the Northern route (4 riding days).

DURATION

RIDING SKILLS

Advanced riders

DEPARTURES

Departure 2021: July 22-27

ACCOMMODATION

Shared rooms in simple mountain cabins and sleeping bag accommodation during the ride. Accommodation after the ride are to be arranged individually.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm and back.

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

ACCOMMODATION

Shared rooms in simple mountain cabins and sleeping bag accommodation during the ride. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Pick up in Reykjavik between 12 and 13

Day 2: Lambaskarðshólar – Landmannalaugar (car transfer to Landmannahellir) (ca. 35 km) On the road to Nowhere

A long exciting day lies in front of us. We ride with our herd Northwards through the mountains, past the Eldgjá Canyon entering the Northern part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This is a mountainous region and we will navigate our way over and through the mountain ranges, crossing rivers until we reach the colourful geothermal area of Landmannalaugar. We leave the horses but will not spend the night here, instead drive to the more remote and serene cabin Landmannahellir.

Day 3: (car transfer to) Landmannalaugar – Landmannahellir (ca. 25 km) The Kaleidoscope of Iceland´s colours

Today we drive back to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colourful mountains and lava from 1480. We spend the morning there with the opportunity to hike or take a dip in the pool. After lunch we embark with our herd on the scenic ride returning to Landmannahellir. The colours change from the blue-yellow-reddish of the rhyolite mountain ranges of Landmannalaugar to the greenish black lava fields and unreal blue dotted lakes all in between. We cross rivers and lakes and pass through an obsidian field before arriving back in Landmannahellir. This day will be without a doubt, one of the highlights of this tour.

Day 4: Landmannahellir – Hungurfit (ca. 45 km) Through the Smokey Valley

We start our day with a steep ascend into the mountains. When we reached Pokahryggur at about 1000 metre,, we are rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Southern Highlands, with Torfajokull, Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull in sight. From there we descend into Reykjadalur, a remote valley with hot springs, small geysers and colourful mountains. Our ride takes us past the black obsidian lava fields of Hrafntinnusker towards the prominent table mountain Laufafell, where a hidden waterfall provides the perfect backdrop for a break. We are riding through a black lava desert and on the banks of the Eystri-Rangá river until we reach the cabin at Hungurfit, just North of Tindfjallajokull, our place for the night.

Day 5: Hungurfit – Foss (ca. 35 km) Winding down

Our last riding day leads us further West, with the infamous Mt. Hekla volcano to our right side. Hekla is one of the most active and most feared volcano in Iceland, the lava fields in the South date back to the 12th century. Constant eruptions have not only destroyed human settlements throughout the centuries but also created fertile soil. Our ride takes us on the slopes of Tindfjallajökull through lush farmland at the edge of lava fields and crossing the rivers Ytri-Rangá and Eystri-Rangá. For most parts of the day we follow the well-known Hekla Trail and ride on good riding tracks where it is easy to enjoy the tölt. This is the perfect day to wind down and let all the impressions from the trip sink in during the Farewell Dinner in the cabin at Foss.

Day 6: Foss – Reykjavik

Departure

We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary

USEFUL INFORMATION

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 traveller. 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

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is in shared rooms in simple mountain cabins and sleeping bag accommodation during the ride. We will be staying in the following cabins. Toilets and water are all cabins but showers can be limited.