AROUND THE VOLCANO HORSEBACK ADVENTURE

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Rules Regarding Used Riding Equipment

Travel to Iceland, to experience the native lands of the Icelandic Horse, with lush, green valleys, steaming hot springs and free flowing rivers! This tour offers a shorter horseback riding experience in southwestern Iceland, while staying in a comfortable eco hotel. Ride across the black lava fields of the volcano Hengill into the green, hidden Valley of Horses. Ride along the Jórukleif range of mountains and continue along the largest lake in Iceland, Thingvallavatn. Follow the lava steppe leading down to the Reykjadalur Valley with its hot springs where you can relax in the valley's geothermal river.

Is it for me?

The horseback riding on this trip is rated beginner to intermediate. You should be comfortable at a walk and trot and enjoy varied terrain on horseback. It’s a wonderful trip for people looking to experience Iceland on the Icelandic horse, but still keep a certain standard of comfort. Daily riding distance is approximately 4-7 hours, and each afternoon, you return to the eco hotel for dinner and overnight.

Duration:
4 days / 3 nights • 3 days of horseback riding

Departure Dates:
May 14, 21, 28, June 12, 30, July 9, 22, 29, August 13, 20, 28 and September 3 and 20, 2008.

Price:

$980/person

Inclusions:

3 nights of accommodations, all meals, guides, horses and tack.

Not included:
Airfare, transportation to/from Reykjavik, pre and post trip accommodations, personal purchases, travel insurance and alcoholic beverages.

Starting / Finishing Point:
Day 1: Afternoon in Reykjavik / Day 4: Afternoon in Reykjavik

Accommodations:

Spend 3 nights in a comfortable countryside eco hotel with private facilities.

Meals:
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and typical Icelandic, wonderful dinners.

Horses:
The horses are Icelandic Horses. They are small in size but very strong and personable. The The Icelandic horse is known for its stamina and comfortable running walk gait called tölt.

Location:
This horseback riding adventure takes place in southwestern Iceland, in the region between Hveragerdi and Hengill Volcano. The trip starts and ends in Reykjavik with a transfer to Hveragerdi and the farm that will be your home for the duration of the tour. You return to Rekjavik in the afternoon of day 4, where the trip ends.

Thanks to our clients Ilene and John Kummer for sharing their fantastic pictures with us!

What do our past clients say about this trip?

"Once again, you have provided us with an excellent adventure in travel! You sent us all required travel documents. We had no problems with vouchers or payments. Most of the questions I had were already answered in the information you sent us. I am always amazed that you respond so quickly to my Email, given all that you have to do. Since you go on most of these trips, you know what the accomodations are like and what one can expect. You were exactly right about the changeable weather in Island. We were picked up at the bus station, immediately after we arrived in Reykjavik, and transported to Eldhestar. All the staff were very friendly. We were given a great room with a view of the horses. Our room was large and well lit, as were all the rooms. Hrodmar Bjarnason, Manager, met the group the first night, after dinner. He went over all the details of the trip and answered any questions we had.  The next morning, our guide, Veronica,showed us all how to mount and dismount, put a nose band on the horse, and how to saddle the horse, among other important things. Please tell Alex that I FINALLY figured out how to dismount this type of saddle after being used to a western saddle. Veronica was always there to help us with the saddling and she ensured everything was OK before we left out for the trail. All the meals were really good. No pickled herring for us, only the horses. There was always plenty of food. John liked the fact that the hotel had a small bar where he could buy some Icelandic beer after a day of riding. The soup was always delicious! Made with real cream, butter, and vegetables. Since the ranch is located near the greenhouse area, we always had fresh cucumbers and tomatoes. The only thing we all would have enjoyed,was something for dessert after the main meal. We mentioned this to Veronica who promptly went into the kitchen and retrieved some chocolate. We were in heaven and gave her a hearty thank you. The horses were strong, well mannnered, and well trained. The horses were not bothered by the geothermal areas, by cars on the road, or by tourist rookies trying to put the saddle on correctly. They were exceptionally adroit at walking over the lava fields..."

Ilene & John Kummer - Around the Volcano Horseback Adventure - May, 2006

Read Ilene & John's entire letter on our Testimonials Page.