Golden Highlights Ride, Iceland

Wild and Exotic Golden Highlights Icelandic ride sample  itinerary

Day 1: On arrival into Keflavik airport, you will be met and transferred to a hotel in Reykjavík. We invite you to a welcome meeting including traditional Icelandic soup at the Íshestar Riding Center. One of our staff members will share with you details on the days to come. 

Day 2: Today you will be transferred from Reykjavík via Thingvellir Nationalpark to Fossnes farm, situated in beautiful surroundings, where you will meet your horses and guides.On your way you pass through the spectacular scenery of Thingvellir National Park, and the assembly fields where the oldest parliamentary institution was founded in AD 930. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse you will start your ride along pleasant trails and explore the colourful countryside. You will cross the salmon river Stóra-Laxá and stop for your picnic lunch at Hrunaréttir, a paddock for the annual sheep round-up in autumn. Your  horses will rest at Hvítárdalur Farm and you will be driven to the Geysir hotel for the night.

Day 3: Today you will continue your ride on soft trails towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations. Alongside Hvítá River you will follow the ever deepening canyon on to the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and continue to the famous Geysir hot spring area where you will stay for another night. You will have plenty of time to explore this fascinating area with its countless bubbling hot springs.

Day 4: Today you will leave the Geysir area and ride along green pastures back to the bridge at Brúarhlöð canyon where you will cross the mighty Hvítá River. You will head towards the interior and follow the beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto Hrunaheiðar heath plateau riding along the edge of civilisation. Your horses will spend the night at Kaldbakur Farm, while you will be driven back to the Geysir hotel for a final night.

Day 5:  Today you will cross the Stóra-Láxá River close to Laxárgljúfur canyon at Hrunakrókur. The terrain changes to vast green meadows on your way through Laxárdalur valley and you will enjoy good riding tracks on your way back to Fossnes Farm. This evening's accommodation at the farm will be in rooms with shared facilities and an outdoor hot tub offers relaxation after a great riding day.

Day 6: Today will take you through varied terrain, you will start to follow the Thjórsá River on your way along green meadows which slowly turn into fields of black ashes from numerous eruptions of volcano Mt. Hekla. At Hólaskógur mountain cabin your horses will rest for the night and you will be driven back to Fossnes Farm for another overnight stay and a relaxation in the hot outdoor tub.

Day 7: Today is your last your last day of riding, you will head towards the mountains and you will ride up to Klettur Mountain Cabin where the farmers stay during the fall when gathering sheep in the area. From there you will continue through valleys and across small rivers back to Fossnes Farm, where you will say good-bye to your horses and guides as you return to Reykjavík where you will spend the night at a hotel.

Day 8: Today you will be transferred by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for your return flight home.

Notes:

The price is inclusive of all activities described, together with full board and lodging, based on two people sharing, except at the hotel in Reykjavik where the rate is bed and breakfast only. A single supplement wil apply to anyone who does not wish to share accommodation.

Breakfast consists of a Scandinavian breakfast buffet. All riders will be able to make their own packed lunch after breakfast. Dinner consists of traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb) and are two course (either soup and main course or main course and desert) and guests are encouraged to serve themselves. Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance.  Water is included with all meals as well as a water bottle for you to take with you on the ride. Tea and coffee are offered for breakfast and dinner, as well as a refreshment when you return to your accommodation after spending the day riding along with cake and/or cookies. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost of this itinerary and we recommend that clients purchase their preferred alcoholic beverages at the duty - free store at Kevflavik Airport upon their arrival. If requested in advance it is possible to order local beer and wine but we recommend purchasing your own alcohol on  arrival into Kevflavik airport.

The price does not include international or domestic airfares, alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature, gratuities, etc. Extra activities such as whale watching and/or a visit to the Blue Lagoon can be arranged for an additional charge.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the client to ensure they obtain the correct visa prior to travel. Wild and Exotic will assist with visa applications if instructed but cannot be held responsible for a client's failure to obtain a visa for whatever reason.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.

  Wild and Exotic fact sheet for the Golden Highlights ride, Iceland

Accommodation: On the Golden Highlights ride you will spend 2 nights in a three star hotel in Reykjavík, 3 nights at different hotels with private facilities in the Geysir area and 2 nights at a farm in rooms with shared facilities.

Children: We accept children from 9 years of age if they have the required riding level.

Clothing List: A recommended clothing list will be provided at the time of booking.

Distance and times: On the Golden Highlights ride you will spend 6 riding days averaging 30 - 35 km per day.

Drinks: Water is provided during the day and we provide water bottles to take along on the ride, coffee and tea are also provided for breakfast and dinner.

Game / Wildlife:  Birds and fowl (arctic ptarmigan) and wild roaming sheep.

How to Get There: International flight to Keflavík International Airport

Horses: The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small and late-developers, but are also long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return. The Icelandic displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The only breed of horse in Iceland, they are also popular internationally, and sizable populations exist in Europe and North America. The breed is still used for traditional farm work in its native country, as well as for leisure, showing and racing.

Insurance: Travel insurance is mandatory for all Wild and Exotic clients.

Length of Rides: 8 days/7 nights - 6 riding days

Luggage: Your luggage will be transported by the support vehicle.

Meals: Breakfast consists of a Scandinavian breakfast buffet. All riders will make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table. Dinner consists of traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb) and are two course (either soup and main course or main course and desert) and clients are encouraged to serve themselves. Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance. 

Medical and safety: The nearest health centre for medical attention is in Laugarás village, approx. 25 km from the accommodation. The nearest hospital is in Selfoss village, approx. 50 km from the accommodation.

Power supplies: Wall socket for Europlug/Schuko-Plug (CEE types) with two round prongs in the rooms.

Riding Ability: Strong intermediate riders

Single Supplement: Limited number of rooms available at an extra charge.

Size of the Rides: This ride has been designed upon your request for 8 - 10 riders.

Tack: The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different then the tack used for other breeds. The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides a crupper helps keeping the saddle in place. Riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long. Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.

Terrain:  You will be riding through the countryside, highlands and mountains.

Tipping: There is no tipping in Iceland (including taxi, hotel and restaurant services). Exceptions exist within the travel industry and nobody will be offended when a satisfied guest offers a tip. The amount is flexible and no specific assumption of the tip amount

Visas: For UK nationals: British citizens require a valid passport, but no visa is required. British citizens and passport holders endorsed with British National Overseas or British Overseas Territories Citizen do not require a visa for stays of up to three months in any six-month period. In all other cases, a visa is required.

Weather: July and August are the warmest months. The weather in Iceland is changeable and depends mostly on the tracks of the atmospheric depressions crossing the North Atlantic.

Weight Limit: 110 kg