Golden Circle
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Saturday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport –Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a hotel in Reykjavík. We invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the following tour and meet your fellow riders.
Sunday: Reykjavík – Thingvellir – Gnúpverjahreppur – Fossnes Farm
Transfer from Reykjavík via Thingvellir Nationalpark to Fossnes farm, situated in beautiful surroundings, where we meet horses and guides. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride along pleasant trails and explore the colourful Gnúpverjahreppur countryside. This day is the perfect start to get to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere. During the ride you will enjoy the view of deep green mountains and valleys and the mighty glacial river Thjórsá. Relax in a hot tub before a hearty dinner at the farm. (20 km)
Monday: Fossnes – Hvítárdalur – Fossnes
We leave the farm and head off to the fertile farmlands of neighbouring community Hrunamannahreppur. We take handhorses along for changing our mounts a couple of times a day and this gives us the opportunity to travel at a comfortable speed. We cross the well know salmon river Stóra-Laxá and stop for our picnic lunch at Hrunaréttir, a paddock for the annual sheep round-up in autumn. We leave the horses at Hvítárdalur Farm and drive back to Fossnes for the night. (35 km)
Tuesday: Fossnes – Hvítárdalur – Gullfoss – Geysir Guesthouse
We continue our ride on soft trails ideal for tölting towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations. Alongside Hvítá River we follow the ever deepening canyon on to the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and continue to the famous Geysir hot spring area where we will stay for two nights. You have plenty of time to explore this highly interesting area with its countless bubbling hot springs. (35 km)
Wednesday: Geysir – Haukadalur – Haukadalsheiði – Geysir
Our ride takes us through Haukadalur valley with its beautiful birch forest. Cross clear little streams on the way and enjoy the rich vegetation of wild mountain flowers that bloom during high summer. While you ascend to a highland plateau you will notice the changes in nature as you reach higher ground. A breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and glaciers of the highland around awaits you when you reach the top of Haukadalsheiði. (20 km)
Thursday: Geysir – Tungufellsdalur – Kaldbakur – Fossnes
We leave the Geysir area and ride along green pastures back to the bridge at Brúarhlöð canyon where we cross mighty Hvítá River. Now we head towards the interior and follow beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto Hrunaheiðar heath plateau and we experience riding along the edge of civilisation. Our horses spend the night at Kaldbakur Farm, while we drive back to Fossnes where we spend the night and enjoy a nice hot bath after this exciting riding day. (40 km)
Friday: Fossnes – Kaldbakur – Hrunakrókur – Fossnes – Reykjavík
Our last day of riding includes yet again terrific scenery. We cross Stóra-Láxá River close to Laxárgljúfur canyon at Hrunakrókur. The terrain changes to vast green meadows on our way through Laxárdalur valley and we enjoy good riding tracks on our way back to Fossnes Farm (30 km). Here we say goodbye to our guides, staff and horses and return to a hotel in Reykjavík for an overnight stay. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 18:00.
Saturday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.
TRIP DETAILS AT-A-GLANCE
There is no better way to visit the hot springs area of Geysir and the Golden Waterfall – Gullfoss – than by riding through the lovely countryside of South Iceland. On our way to the farm we witness the great scenery at Thingvellir National Park – the assembly fields where the oldest parliamentary institution was founded in AD 930.
This popular tour is ideal for families and those who do not have the required riding experience for our highland tours. Still riding days can be long so you should be in good physical condition and have a basic knowledge of horsemanship.
On our first riding day you get acquainted with the Icelandic horses and their special gaits on a relaxed ride through the countryside surrounding Fossnes Farm. Your guides lead spare horses along as you ride towards the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall and the hot springs area of Geysir. We ascend through lovely birch forests with wild mountain flowers to a highland plateau with great views of mountains and glaciers. The last two days of the ride are more challenging since you now herd your spare horses along. You experience riding along the edge of civilisation when crossing the highland moor of Hrunaheiði. On our last riding day we enjoy the good riding tracks when we follow Laxárdalur Valley on our way back to Fossnes Farm.
Our partner Sigrún lives with her family at Fossnes Farm, situated in a hilly landscape near the glacial river of Thjórsá. Accommodation at the farm is in 2 - 4 bed units with shared facilities but at Geysir we enjoy the comfort of rooms with private facilities. Two nights are spent in a hotel in Reykjavík, one night before the tour and one after. Three nights are spent at Fossnes Farm and two nights at Geysir Hotel.
What is included
• Airport transfer if you participate in the tour program as described.
• Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the riding tour, includes breakfast only, not lunch and dinner. Traditional Icelandic stew is served on the arrival day.
• Transfer to the farm and back to Reykjavík
• 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 if requested in advance. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
• Rain wear, saddle bag, riding helmet and sleeping bag with a sheet.
Not included
• 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
Duration: 8 days – 7 nights – 6 riding days – 180 km
Meeting place: Keflavík International Airport
Dates: 2011:
June 11 - 18
June 18 - 25
June 25 - July 2
July 2 - 9
July 9 - 16
July 16 - 23
July 23 - 30
July 30 – August 6
August 6 - 13
August 13 - 20
August 20 - 27
PRICE: $2,090 PER PERSON.
