LANDMANNALAUGAR 2009
 

ICELAND HIGHLAND RIDING TOUR

Difficulty rating:

7 days / 6 nights, Reykjavik - Geysir - Myrkholt - Hrunaheiði - Helgaskáli - Mt. Helgafell -

Hrauneyjar - Landmannalaugar - Hólaskógur - Stöng - Fossnes - Reykjavik
 

 The Lake Mývatn area is often called the Diamond Circle due to the high density of interesting sights. It witnesses the

 power of Mother Earth with a display of eerie lava formations, high rising steam clouds, black sand deserts and boiling

 multi-colored mud pools. The lake itself is a famous breeding area for ducks, nesting in lush vegetation and raising their

 ducklings, sheltered by nature and protected by man. This tour is an alternative for those who want to combine the

 excitement of a highland ride with comfortable accommodation. You also have the advantage of being in a group of

 maximum 14 guests, which is fewer than we usually, have on our tours. Our hosts for this tour are Bjarni Páll and Elsa

 from Saltvík, well known from the Northern Exposure tours.
 As on the Northern Exposure tour you enjoy the varied terrain surrounding Lake Mývatn. Our ride starts over

 Hvammsheiði Heath and we follow Laxá Salmon River towards Lake Mývatn. A bus brings us to Dimmuborgir, a true

 maze created by nature and Hverarönd boiling mud pools and steam vents. Natural warm water is harnessed at

 Jarðböð geothermal outdoor pool where we can swim in the mineral rich water. The riding leads further into the

 highlands and we catch a glimpse of Ódáðahraun Lava Field, the largest in Iceland, before the ride leads towards the

 shore again. In Bárðardalur Valley we visit Goðafoss Waterfall and ride partly along the river banks back to Saltvík

 Farm. Sail out into the Midnight Sun on an optional whale watching boat trip on your last night in the north. On this

 tour we exchange the usual mountain cabins for beds in double rooms. Single room accommodation is also possible.

 Bathroom facilities are shared and a hot shower is available every night. During the three nights spent at Saltvík Farm

 we enjoy two outdoor hot tubs and the amazing view over the ocean and the Kinnafjöll Mountain Range.
 

Day 1 Mon ARRIVAL ICELAND

Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. We invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders.

Day 2 Tue REYKJAVIK - GEYSIR - MYRKHOLT -

GULLFOSS - HELGASKALI CABIN (B, L, D)
We drive to Myrkholt Farm, visiting the well-known Geysir hot spring area on our way. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride along pleasant tracks through fertile famland. View majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky glacier fed water passes through bizarre rock formations. Now we head towards the interior and follow beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto Hrunaheiði heath. Here we get a great view over to majestic glacier Langjökull and Gullfoss waterfall. The night is spend in Helgaskáli Mountain Cabin situated on the banks of Stóra-Laxá River. (35 km)

Day 3 Wed HELGASKALI - HOLASKOGUR CABIN

(B, L, D)
We ride past Mt. Helgafell towards the interior. Today we visit the 2nd highest waterfall in Iceland, Háifoss. See the water tumble down for 122 m. Our accommodation for tonight is located close to Iceland’s longest river, Thjórsá. This river is the source for several hydro-power plants which provide Iceland with clean electricity. Hólaskógur is a spacious mountain cabin and offers hot showers.(30 km)

Day 4 Thu HOLASKOGUR - HRAUNEYJAR

HIGHLAND - LANDMANNALAUGAR (B, L, D)
On a bridge we cross mighty River Thjórsá and ride north of Mt. Hekla volcano, following good riding tracks through fields of ashes and lava from numerous eruptions. Our ride ends in the Thóristungur area. Here we keep the horses, but continue ourselves to Hrauneyjar Highland Centre, where we spend the night in double rooms.

A bus brings us to the Landmannalaugar area with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colorful mountains and black lava fields. We have time to relax in the natural hot pool, hike through black lava fields or climb a mountain in this wonderful area. This day will be without a doubt one of the highlights of the tour. Return to Hrauneyjar for dinner and an overnight stay. (25 km + bus drive)

Day 5 Fri HRAUNEYJAR - HOLASKOGUR - STÖNG -

FOSSNES (B, L, D)

We have a long riding day ahead of us and continue on good riding tracks down from the mountains to Hólaskógur, where we change horses and rest for a while. Now we follow the ancient route of Sprengisandur to Stöng, an ancient Saga farm from the 12th century and explore the many sights of the area, such as beautiful Gjáin Valley. Overnight at the Fossnes Farm (known from our Golden Circle tours), situated in beautiful surroundings. After a nice dip in the hot outdoor tub we are ready for a hearty dinner at the farm. (55 km)

Day 6 Sat FOSSNES - MZRKHOLT - REYKJAVIK

(B, L, D)

From Fossnes Farm we head off through fertile and across the salmon river Stóra-Laxá. We rest at the round-pen Hrunaréttir, where each autumn sheep are sorted after having spend the summer in the mountains. Return to Myrkholt farm and after having enjoyed refreshments it is time to say goodbye to staff and horses. A bus takes us back to Reykjavík for our last night of this tour. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 19:00. (35 km)
 

Day 7 Sun DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at your guesthouse. Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the flight back home.

 

 Departure Dates 2009

 Monday Jun 29 / Jul 13 / Aug 03, 10

 Prices in US Dollar

 ISH19, Landmannalaugar

 Duration: 7 days, 6 nights, 5 riding days – 180 km