Kjolur - Between the glaciers

Från EUR 2 530,00 €
  • Varaktighet: 7 Dagar (cirka)
  • Produktkod: IH-7

Between the glaciers! If you want to see as much as possible of our beautiful country then you should ride across the heart of Iceland on the ancient trail Kjölur.


RIDING ACROSS THE HEART OF ICELAND

Step back in time and ride along the ancient Kjölur trail as
Icelanders did over the centuries when travelling to the annual summer
parliament at Thingvellir, first held in 930 AD. We visit this historic site
where the heart of the nation beats and which became Iceland´s first National
Park in 1930. When we arrive to the south we will wisit and enjoy the Geysir
hot spring area and Gullfoss Waterfall.

Travelling from south to north or vice versa right across the
heart of Iceland we find ourselves traversing sandy deserts close to the mighty
Langjökull and Hofsjökull Glaciers. Sheltered green valleys come as a surprise
in this rugged terrain. Hveravellir is a geothermal area in the highlands where
we can soak in a long hot bath under the Midnight Sun.

If you want to see as much as possible of the unspoilt Icelandic
highlands, this tour, which has been in operation since 1983, is the perfect
choice.

Day-by-Day
Itinerary North - south:



Day 1. Reykjavik - Hvammur

Pick up
 at
BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 18:00.
Our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Hvammur
farm in the north Iceland where horses and staff are waiting for us. After
a lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other we relax and rest so
we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us.

Day 2.   Hvammur – Vatnsdalur Valley –
Forsæludalur – Hvammur

Today is our first
riding day. Great
riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the opportunity to
enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful
valleys in Iceland and the setting of one of the ancient sagas, Vatnsdælasaga. On
our ride to Hvammur we hear tales from Iceland´s heroic past of bloody conflict,
revenge and love. The horses stay at Forsæludalur farm which is the last farm
in the valley before we enter the highland. We stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse. The hot tub offers
a nice relaxation after todays ride (Approx. 20 km)  

Day 3. Hvammur – Forsæludalur – Áfangi Mountain Cabin

As
we ride up the valley the canyon of the Vatnsdalsá river appears with some its
many waterfalls. Today we
ascend up to the mountain plateau
Auðkúluheiði .
The fertile valley with its farms is left behind as our horses run freely over
the soft riding paths of the northern highland. We enjoy the splendid view over the impressive highland
mountains and glaciers around us. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin
Áfangi, beside the huge man-made lake Blöndulón. Hot tub a side. (Approx. 35 km)

Day 4.   Áfangi – Hveravellir Geothermal Area,
Mountain Cabin

On our ride today we pass the mountains
Sandkúlufell and Sauðafell. It is easy to see that we follow a historical
route.  All the way back to the early
settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails
as we do today.  Our route today leads us further to the south
over the beautiful river Seyðisá. The horses run happy with us on the soft
paths of this free and mystical highland area. The destination of todays ride is
Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull
glaciers. Here in this rough but extremely beautiful nature the most famous
outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur survived for years. A natural hot pool invites us to a
deserved relaxing bath. (Approx. 35 km)

Day 5. Hveravellir –
Árbúðir Mountain Cabin

We start the day by riding
through the Valley of Thieves, called Thjófadalir, a remote grassy valley
surrounded by high mountains. From the entrance of the valley we have a
splendid view over the fertile landscape. Our ride leads along the vast lava
fields of Kjalhraun, where we hear a tragic story about two brothers who froze
to death in October 1780 on their way to Skagafjörður with a flock of
sheep.  Following the glacial river
Fúlákvísl we enjoy the view of the mighty glacier Langjökull. The day ends
Árbúðir Mountain Cabin. (Approx. 50 km)

Day 6. Árbúðir – Fremstaver
Mountain Cabin   

We follow river Svartá for
a while before crossing the river Hvítá. Our ride continues along the slopes of
Mt. Bláfell. During the last centuries, traveling through the remote Highland
was a dangerous trip due to outlaws waiting to rob the riders. We spend the
night and rest the horses at Fremstaver Mountain Cabin. (Approx. 35 km)

Day 7. Fremstaver –
Gullfoss Waterfall – Geysir Hot Spring Area – Myrkholt Farm  

We saddle up again and ride
by the canyon of Hvítá river heading southwards to the lowlands. Our horses
bring us in their soft and strong gates the last part of the journey.
  We explore the world famous natural wonders, Geysir and the
majestic Gullfoss waterfall. We say goodbye to our horses as they get
their rest on some of the farm's fertile fields. We celebrate a successful tour
with a great farewell dinner, storytelling and singing. (Approx. 25 km)
  

Day 8.  Myrkholt – Reykjavík

We say good-bye to our
farmer and his crew and return back to Reykjavík. On our drive back to
Reykjavík to your accommodation, we visit the historical site Thingvellir,
Iceland’s first National Park. Approx. arrival at 13:00.

- We reserve the right to
alter the itinerary if necessary -


Day-by-Day Itinerary
      South - North:

Day 1. Reykjavik - Myrkholt

Pick
up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 18:00
where our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders
to Myrkholt Guesthouse, where horses and staff are waiting for us. After a
lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other we relax and rest so
we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us.

Day 2.  Myrkholt Farm -  Gullfoss – Fremstaver
Mountain Cabin

The ride starts off towards
the majestic glacier Langjökull and our first stop is the beautiful Gullfoss
waterfall and
the hot spring area Geysir. Our
ride today leads us to a mountain called Bláfell. There we spend the night and
rest the horses at Fremstaver Mountain Cabin. (Approx. 25 km)

Day 3.  Fremstaver – Árbúðir Mountain Cabin

Our ride continues along
the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. This area was roamed by outlaws in the old days. We
cross River Hvítá and enjoy the view to the glacier fed lake Hvítárvatn.
Tonight we stay at Árbúðir, situated right on the banks of river Svartá.
(Approx. 35 km)

Day 4.  Árbúðir –Hveravellir Geothermal Area, Mountain
Cabin

We
ride along the glacier fed river Fúlakvísl through huge rugged lava fields of
Kjalhraun where we hear a tragic story about two brothers who froze to death in
October 1780 on their way to Skagafjörður with a flock of sheep. During the
ride we enjoy magnificent views of the glacier Langjökull. We continue into the
world of Thjófadalir, or Valley of Thieves, a grassy valley surrounded by high
mountains, a true oasis in the wilderness. The destination of todays ride is
Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull
glaciers. Here in this rough but extremely beautiful nature the most famous
outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur survived for years. At the mountain cabin a natural hot
pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath. (Approx. 50 km)

Day 5. Hveravellir – Áfangi
Mountain Cabin

Our route today leads us
further to the north over the beautiful river Seyðisá. Further, the horses run
free with us on the soft paths of this mystical highland area. We pass the
mountains Sandkúlufell and Sauðafell before reaching our destination. It
is easy to see that we follow a historical route.  All the way back to the
early settlement of Iceland, people traveled on horseback on exactly the same
trails as we do today.  Our well-equipped cabin for the night has a hot tub
next to it.  It is named after the hill Áfangafell which offers great views of
the big glaciers behind us and towards the high mountains of the North
ahead of us. Up to mid-July the sun hardly sets in this part of the
country. (Approx. 35 km)

Day 6.  Áfangi – Vatnsdalur Valley  – Hvammur
Farm

We
continue our ride over the Auðkúluheiði Moor. The valleys with the farms in the
north are getting closer as our horses run freely over the soft riding paths of
the northern higland. It is impressive to see the fertile valley Vatnsdalur
with all its fields and vegetation. As we ride down to the valley the canyon of
the Vatnsdalsá river appears with some of its many beautiful waterfalls. Our
horses stay at Forsæludalur Farm which is the first farm to reach in this area
when you come from the highland. We stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse. The
hot tub offers a nice relaxation after todays ride. (Approx. 35 km)

Day 7. Hvammur –
Forsæludalur – Vatnsdalur – Hvammur

Great
riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the opportunity to
enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful
valleys in Iceland and the setting of one of the ancient sagas, Vatnsdælasaga.
On our ride to Hvammur we hear tales from Iceland´s heroic past of bloody conflict, revenge and love. We say good-bye to our horses as they
get rest in the green fields of the valley. We celebrate a successful tour with
a great farwell dinner, storytelling and singing. (Approx. 20 km)













































Day 8. Hvammur – Reykjavík

We say goodbye to our
farmer and his crew. Transfer back to your accommodation in Reykjavík. Approx.
return at 14:00.  


ACCOMMODATION 

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

NOTE - Tours operate alternatively from north to south, the next tour being from south to north.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Bus transfer from Reykjavík to 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 if requested 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.


- For more information please visit our website www.islandshestar.is -