EGILSSTAÐIR - SECRETS OF THE EAST 2008

HIGHLAND RIDING TOUR

Difficulty rating:

9 days / 8 nights, Reykjavik - Egilsstaðir - Hrafnkelsdalur Valley -

Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon -  Mt. Snæfell - Vatnajökull Glacier -

Eyjabakkajökull Glacier - Fljótsdalur - Norðurdalur Valley - Reykjavik
 

Departures Saturdays: July 06, 13 / August 10, 17

Discover the incredible wild beauty of East Iceland and explore an area not known by many people. Even among Icelanders this part of the interior is a best-kept secret. An endless variation of landscape, from fertile valleys and deep canyons to some of Iceland's highest mountains, will warm the heart of every nature lover.
Our hosts, Jón Thór and his wife Margaret, have been our partners in the East for many years and there are probably very few people who know the rugged wilderness better than Jón Thór. He is a sheep farmer, a true natural horseman and a unique character with a passion for the rough landscape of the East. With his warm personality and dedication, Jón takes very good care of his guests and few people leave this tour without being touched by his sincere love and respect for the land. His horses are used to managing all obstacles with determination and power. For such a tour into the untamed nature, the sure footed Icelandic horse is the best way of transportation.
From almost sea level the ride ascends to the great highland plateau where vegetation and landscape bear an artic character. Hrafnkelsdalur Valley is the location of the Hrafnkels Saga during the Viking Ages. Hear about the historic events and view Faxafoss Waterfall, named after one of the most famous horse in Icelandic literature. Hafrahvammagljúfur is a gigantic canyon and an unforgettable sight. The ride leads towards the second highest mountain in Iceland, Snæfell and a 4wheel-drive vehicle takes you to Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. You actually walk onto it. Enjoy an area where large herds of reindeer roam free before following Jökulsá River running down Norðurdalur Valley in a number of beautiful waterfalls until we reach green meadows again.
True to the character of this ride accommodation is in rustic mountain cabins with limited facilities. A natural hot pool is a surprise in remote surroundings and the last night of the ride is spent at a convenient holiday farm. Two nights in Reykjavík are included, one at the beginning and one at the end of this tour in a guesthouse with shared facilities.
 

Day 1 Sun ARRIVAL ICELAND (D)

A representative will meet you at Keflavik Airport and drive you to a guesthouse in Reykjavik. At 17:30 we invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.
 

Please note: If you plan on arriving in Iceland before the actual tour start date, you must arrange your own airport/hotel transfers. Passengers from San Francisco and Orlando will receive transfer vouchers
for their return Fly Bus transfer on the last day of their tour departure.

Day 2 Mon REYKJAVIK - EGILSSTAÐIR - SKRIÐUKLAUSTUR - FJALLASKARD MOUNTAIN CABIN (B, L, D)
Flight to Egilsstaðir Town in the morning and a drive to Skriðuklaustur Farm where we meet horses and staff. After a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gait we start our ride. We ascend from a valley at nearly sea level to the great highland plateau, where vegetation and landscape have already an artic character. Enjoy magnificent views on this ride. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin Fjallaskarð, at the foot of the mountain Eyvindarfjöll. (45 km)
 

Day 3 Tue FJALLASKARD - ADALBOL FARM (B, L, D)

We ride from Fjallaskarð Mountain Cabin to Aðalból Farm. Here we leave the herd behind and ride our horses through the beautiful Hrafnkelsdalur Valley, location of the famous Hrafnkels Saga during the Viking Age. Imagine life at the adventurous Saga times while our guides will tell you about historic events and make the Saga come alive. Among other sites we visit the waterfall Faxafoss named after one of the most famous horses in Icelandic literature. (35 km)

Optional (available at an extra charge):
A bus tour to Sænautasel, a reconstructed traditional farm. The Icelandic author and Nobel-prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness used this area for inspiration and as background for his famous novel 'Sjálfstætt fólk” (Independent People). Enjoy the diversity of the Icelandic highlands between Matbrunnavatn and Búrfellsvatn on your way. It is a unique experience to see how Icelanders lived before the time of indoor running water and electricity. Icelandic refreshments are offered in a reconstructed barn build of turf and rocks. (Price per person approx. $ 38)
 

Day 4 Wed ADALBOL - HAFRAHVAMMAGLJUFUR - 

SAUDA MOUNTAIN CABIN (B, L, D)
A highlight of today is the ride to the gigantic canyon Hafrahvammagljúfur. This huge, narrow, steep canyon is an unforgettable sight. Enjoy far-reaching views over Iceland's rugged interior, when we ride across the fertile landscape of Vestur-Öræfi. Overnight stay at Sauðá Mountain Cabin, situated 5 km north of Vatnajökull Glacier, in the main summer pastures of reindeer in Iceland. (45 km)

 
Day 5 Thu SAUDA - SNAEFELL - VATNAJÖKULL

GLACIER - SNAEFELL MOUNTAIN CABIN (B, L, D)
Our ride continues towards the magnificent Mt. Snæfell, one of the highest mountains Iceland. In the afternoon we change to 4Wheel-drive transportation and drive towards Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull. View endless stretches of ice and snow and explore the glacier, a truly thrilling experience. Overnight stay at the foot of Mt. Snæfell in a spacious mountain cabin. (25 km)
 

Day 6 Fri SNAEFELL - EYJABAKKAR - LAUGARFELL

MOUNTAIN CABIN (B, L, D)
A good chance to see more reindeer herds and countless numbers of pink-footed geese on our way round Mt. Snæfell and into the beautiful pastures of Eyjabakkar, with Eyjabakkajökull Glacier towering over us. Relax in a natural hot pool after your ride, close to Laugarfell Mountain Cabin where we spend the night. (45 km)
 

Day 7 Sat LAUGARFELL - SKRIÐUKLAUSTUR -

ÚTNYRDINGSSTADIR FARM (B, L, D)
View beautiful waterfalls in the glacier fed river Jökulsá in Fljótsdalur as we descend to Norðurdalur Valley. The riding tour ends at Skriðuklaustur Farm where we say good bye to the horses. Overnight at Útýrðingsstaðir Farm. (45 km)

Day 8 Sun ÚTNYRDINGSSTADIR - EGILSSTAÐIR - REYKJAVIK (B, L, D)
Flight back to Reykjavík in the morning with arrival at approx. 11:00 at Reykjavík Domestic Airport. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Reykjavík.

Day 09 Mon DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at your guesthouse. Morning free for own activities. Afternoon transfer to Keflavik Airport. .

Some of our departures are operated from the North.
Reversed itinerary available upon request.

 Departure Dates 2008

 July 06, 13

 August 10, 17

 Prices in US Dollar

 Duration: 9 days/ 8 nights / 6 riding days - 245 km