Southern Highlights

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Exploring Iceland on Horseback :

Southern Highlights Riding Tour with Hotel accommodation

We do this tour with the great Tour Operator:  Exploring Iceland.

Dates 2017
June 11 – 16
July 16 – 21
August 20 – 25

This tour combines a wonderful riding tour with 6 riding days of 20 to 30 km daily rides to the main sightseeing highlights in the South of Iceland with cozy Country Hotel accommodation. During the ride we enjoy marvelous views of volcanoes and glaciers, visit on horseback the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss, the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð and ride all the way up to the erupting hot springs of the Geysir field. We visit Þjórsárdalur valley with its magnificient waterfall Hjálparfoss, an open air museum with a reconstructed house from the Viking era and ride along the edge of beautiful Gjáin with its numerous waterfalls and lava formations. Enjoy tölting along the mighty salmon river Stóra-Laxá sided by fantastic basalt columns on wonderful tölting tracks. Accommodation is offered in double/twin or single rooms with private sh/wc at three different cozy country hotels. In the evening enjoy a relaxing bath in the jacuzzis offered by all three hotels! Three nights are spend at the Icelandair Hotel Fludir. The Hotel is situated in walking distance to the natural hot bathing springs of the Secret Lagoon. One night each are spend at Hotel Gullfoss and Hotel „Litli Geysir“, perfectly situated for walks to the main sights of Gullfoss and Geysir.

Join our team and our wonderful well trained soft tölting horses with great temperament.

  • Additional or less riding days riding days possible.

  • Ideal for private tours!

Type:   Multi days tour with spare hand horses
(larger groups partly with spare horses running along in a herd)

Duration:  6 days / 6 riding days

Level of expertise required:  Medium experienced riders in good physical shape.

Area:  South Iceland

Accommodation: Hotel accommodation in double/twin/single rooms with private facilities at cozy Country Hotels incl. breakfast. Accommodation in Reykjavik not included but can be arranged.

Included: Geothermal Natural bath Secret Lagoon

Min: 2 pax
Max:  8 pax (bigger groups upon request).

Guide: English and/or German speaking. Other languages upon request.

Group: International

Maximum Weight: 110 kg

 

Detailed description:

1st day : Arrival  – Thingvellir – Ride to Flúðir Village – Secret Lagoon

Pick up at 9 am at your accommodation in Reykjavík by a member of our Exploring Iceland Team and drive to the fascinating UNESCO Heritage site Thingvellir, situated right on top of the Midatlantic Ridge. This place is heaven for everybody who is interested in Geology and History. We can clearly see the land drop caused by the plates drifting apart. At Thingvellir, the ancient parliament was founded in 930 AD and our guide will take you to major points of interest and tell you about the amazing legal system of the past.  We continue to Hotel Fludir for check in and a light lunch before meeting up with the horses. After a good introduction into the Icelandic tack and the special gait „tölt“ we head off for our first gentle riding tour along good riding tracks through lovely green countryside with its numerous little farms, sheep, horses and cattle. Our ride ends at Flúðir village and tonight we will invite you to the natural bathing springs of the Secret Lagoon. The Lagoon´s  natural settings and steam rising into the air gives the place a magical feeling. The warm water holds 38-40 Celsius all year. In the lagoon´s surrounding there are several geothermal springs and a little Geysir which erupts every 5 minutes, showing off for the guests relaxing in the hot spring. We recommend a dinner at the lovely hotel restaurant which uses mainly locally sourced, mainly organic produce and meats. (riding distance ca. 12- 15 km) Optional tour: Have a look at our optional tour recommendations below!

 

2nd day : Flúðir – Hrunaréttir – Brúarhlöð Canyon – Hotel Gullfoss

After breakfast and check out at the hotel we start off to our first long riding day. Equipped with a good pick nick lunch we leave the lovely Flúðir village and take our first stop at the Hrunaréttir Sheep corral, used for separating the sheep when they return from their summer stay in the highland. We continue on country lanes perfect for tölting through the green and hilly countryside. Be prepared for some thrilling views of the Hvítá river as it runs through the mighty Brúarhlöð canyon. We follow along  the narrow paths of the steep canyon ridge with perfect sight of the Langjökull glacier and the volcano Bláfell.  Overnight at Hotel Brattholt right by the Hvítá Canyon. After dinner at the hotel we recommend a relaxing bath in the hotel´s outside hot tub followed by a walk in this amazing scenery. (riding distance ca. 25 km)

 

3rd day : Gullfoss – Haukadalur Forest – Geysir hot springs

Today is going to be a day full of attractions. After breakfast and check- out at the hotel we continue along the canyon for a couple of km until we reach the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Plenty of time to explore the waterfall from above at the viewing platform and close by on the waterfall walk. Lunch and coffee at the Gullfoss café. We continue our ride through the lovely Haukadalur forest with its cute little parish church and romantic churchyard and hear the story of Bergþór the Giant! We finish our our ride around the Geysir area with its boiling hot springs and the famous Geysir Strokkur erupting on a 6-10 minutes interval with a 30 m fontaine! Tonight you spend the night at the „Little Geysir Hotel“ in easy walking distance to the Geysir site. So you will have plenty of time to explore the geothermal field, the local exhibition and of course enjoy the indoor jacuzzi! Plenty of dinner options on site. (riding distance ca. 20 km)

 

4th day : Geysir Hotel – Waterfall Faxi – Flúðir Village

By now you are an expert in the saddle and the next long riding day will be a piece of Icelandic cake! From Geysir we ride on lonely country lanes on super good tölting tracks towards the Faxi waterfall, where we will leave the horse at another sheep corrall while enjoying lunch at the Faxi Café with perfect view of the surrounding Tungufljót river! We return over the Hvítábridge to our lovely Icelandair Hotel Flúðir for two more nights. Evening at your own disposal – you might want to check out the local pool with jacuzzi and sauna, revisit the Secret Lagoon or simple relax in the hotel´s hot tub in the beautiful garden. (riding distance ca. 30 km)

 

5th day : Flúðir – Stóra-Laxá Canyon – Basalt columns of Hreppholar

Today we close the circle when we ride from Flúðir via the romantic parish church Hruni along the Stóra-Laxá canyon with beautiful views of the famous salmon river. We stop at the local Samansafn Museum, taking a step back in time! We continue our ride underneath the majestic basalt columns of Hrepphólar and enjoy a good coffee and home made cake at the quirky ceramic studio Bragginn.  Transfer back to the hotel and evening at own disposal. Check out our optional tours below! (Riding distance ca. 20 km)

 

6th day : Þjórsárdalur valley – Viking settlement – Hjálparfoss waterfall

Today we start by taking our riding horses by trailer further up the road into the beautiful Þjórsárdalur valley. Here we enjoy a full day´s riding in very different scenery! In the backdrop we have the mighty volcano Mt. Hekla and visit on horseback the beautiful waterfall Hjálparfoss, a Viking settlement and the beautiful Gjáin canyon with its many  waterfalls! A wonderful riding adventure in again completely different surroundings and return to the farm before releasing the horses into their well deserved rest. (Riding distance ca. 20-25 km) Private transfer back to Reykjavik and arrival in Reykjavík in the evening.

 

 

Exploring Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

 

Included:

  • Transfer to/from Reykjavík to farm on 1./6. day

  • 3 nights in double/twin or single rooms with private facilities at ICELANDAIR Hotel Flúðir incl. breakfast

  • 1 night in double/twin or single rooms with private facilities including breakfast at Hotel Gullfoss

  • 1 night in double/twin or single rooms with private facilities including breakfast at Hotel Litli Geysir

  • 6x Lunch (sometimes picknick lunch) during the tour

  • 6x riding days according to programme

  • 1x coffee & cake treat and museum on 5th day.

  • 1x visit to Secret Lagoon incl. towel on the 1st day.

  • German or English speaking guide. Other languages upon request.

 

 

 

 

Optional add-ons for the evenings and extra days at Hótel Flúðir:

Prices upon request (price depending on group size and service. Please contact us!)

 

 

Optional service in Reykjavík 

We are more than happy to assist you in arranging additional nights in Reykjavík and any further explorations of Iceland.

Flybus transfer to and from BSÍ/accommodation in Capital area 2.800 ISK

Flybus transfer to and from BSÍ/accommodation including Blue Lagoon from 9.500 ISK

Double room with private facilities including breakfast in Reykjavík from from 12.000 ISK per person/night

Double room with shared facilities including breakfast in Reykjavík from  10.000 ISK per person/night

 

 

For Bookings or more information please send us email:  simmi@ridingtourssouthiceland.is