HORSE ROUND UP B 2009

VIDIDALSTUNGURETT - COUNTRYSIDE RIDING TOUR

Difficulty rating:

6 days / 5 nights / 4 riding days, Reykjavik - Mt. Helgafell  - Lake Húnavatn -

Laxárdalur - Skrapatungurétt - Hvammur - Reykjavik
 

Departure Round-Up B, Sept 30

 Imagine free and spirited horses coming down from their highland summer pastures towards the inhabited areas to

 be returned to their owners. Mares and their foals, young horses and geldings make their way through rough territory,

 not really willing to give up their freedom yet before winter returns once again.
 Join the farmers in this great adventure of the autumn and participate in driving the herd, sorting the horses and

 celebrating the successful return of horses and men. The terrain is varied and includes the highland moors, green

 valleys just turning into their autumn colors of red and yellow, blue lakes and rivers, all nurturing the horses up to

 their last day in the highlands. An introduction ride from the Íshestar Riding Center will help you to get acquainted

 with riding Icelandic style before your ride in the North really starts.
 Only in the North of Iceland the old tradition of rounding-up horses is kept alive. Our September departure rounds

 up horses into the round-up pen at Skrapatungurétt and our October departure brings the horses back to Víðidals-

 tungurétt. In both places the locals celebrate the successful round-ups with a ball “Réttardansleikur” in the next

 community hall. Farmers and friends join this celebration and sing and dance the night away. Our partner Eggert

 from Bjargshóll Farm and our hosts Sigrún and Víglundur at Dæli Farm will do their best to make your ride an

 unforgettable adventure.
 Accommodation for all nights is in made up beds. Between two and four people share a room. A warm outdoor tub

 offers relaxation after your day in the mountains and a hearty, home cooked dinner completes your experience of

 the Icelandic kind.
 

Day 1 ARRIVAL REYKJAVIK (D)

Transfer from Keflavik Airport to the Íshestar Riding Centre. Make sure your flight arrives not later then 16:00 to be able to participate in an introductional riding tour to Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Clients arriving earlier that day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the guesthouse and picked up at the guesthouse again in time for the ride.) After the ride we enjoy a traditional Icelandic soup and receive details of the following tour before the day ends at your accommodation in a guesthouse in Reykjavík. (10 km)

Day 2 REYKJAVIK - BJARGSHOLL - DÆLI

HOLIDAY FARM (B, L, D)
We drive to the North and meet guides and horses at Bjargshóll Farm, where we start our ride. Our first riding day takes us through the beautiful valleys Fitjárdalur and Víðidalur each with their own salmon fishing river. We cross the river Víðidalsá and end at Dæli Holiday Farm, close to Kolugil canyon, beautifully located in Víðidalur Valley. Accommodation for the next three nights at the farm. (30 km)
 

Day 3 DÆLI - KOLUGIL - VIDIDALSTUNGHEIDI -

DÆLI (B, L, D)
Today we ascend towards the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði and meet the horses coming down from their pastures in the highlands. We enjoy a warm lunch at a mountain shelter before we join the farmers in driving the herd down from the mountains. Before ending our ride at Dæli Farm we stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments. Following dinner that day, we spend time with the farmers and other guests in Dæli and join in their singing and celebrating of this great event of the fall. (36 km, 8-9 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)

Day 4 VIDIDALSTUNGURETT - BJARGSHOLL -

DÆLI (B, L, D)

Our day starts at the round up place Víðidalstungurétt where horses are sorted out. An auction is held right on the spot and we can join the farmers in their joyful singing, celebrating the return of their horses. In the afternoon we ride back to Bjargshóll Farm and return our horses to their meadows, before driving back to Dæli for a hearty dinner. (30 km)

Optional (not included in the tour price):
'Stóðréttardansleikur' dance at Víðihlíð, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.

Day 5 REYKJAVIK - BLUE LAGOON (B, L, D)
After breakfast departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. We visit a factory outlet with woolen goods on our way. Approx. arrival at the guesthouse at 14:00. We offer an optional bus drive to the Blue Lagoon for a swim in the blue-colored, mineral rich water (not included in the tour price).

Day 6 DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to Keflavik Airport in time for the return flight home.
 

Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for this ride.

For those interested in more riding days, we suggest our popular 2-day Viking Adventure Tour

before this tour, or maybe you would like to add some riding days at the farm before the tour starts? Please contact us for more information.

 

 Departure Date 2009

 Horse Round-Up B, Sept 30

 Prices in US Dollar

 Duration: 6 days / 5 nights / 4 riding days - 106 km