Around The Volcano 2008 Winding over mountains with great views, Hot Springs and into the Valley of Horses 4 Days Hotel Accommodations Horse Back Riding Tour

This four-day ride is a fine way to see why the Icelandic horse is so well suited to their homeland. You'll travel over mountains, into lush hidden valleys, through glacial streams with marvelous vistas of southern Iceland.

Because of its short length this tour is part of our "Hors'e d'oeuvres" series - great ways to start (or end) a trip to Iceland. It comes with airfare, transfers and all the accomodations needed, and we can add on extra days, and activities that will make for a great Iceland adventure.

Day 1:
Welcome to Iceland!
Tour members arrive at Keflavik Airport, and take the Flybus to the Hotel Loftlieder, where you can check luggage, have breakfast and set out to see some of the nation's capital. But be back at the Hotel by 5:30 in the afternoon, as that's when the outfitter will pick you up and take you to their farm, Vellir, in Hverdagerdi, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Over dinner that evening, the riders will get to know each other and tour details will be explained. You'll spend the next three nights in a room in the Hotel Eldhestar. (Singles may be available if they're booked as part of the package)

Day 2:
Hveragerdi - Kolvidarholl
Following the old route to Hellisheidi, riding across the moor to the volcano Hengill and over the lava field Kristnitokuhraun the sure footing and agility of the IcelandicHorse is at its best. This lava came from the eruption of Hengill in 1000, said to be retribution by the old gods Thor, Odinn and Freyar. The night is spent in a mountain hut after a 21-kilometer ride, lasting about 4 hours.

Day 3:
Kolvidarho11- Nesjavellir - Villingavatn
You'll start the day by riding below the mountains Husmuli and Hengill. and soon, you'll lead the horses throug the narrow cleft to the lush grasses of Marardalur -Valley of Horses. Then you'll ride through Dyrifyoll (Door-Mountains) and find a great view over Lake Thingvallavatn. This is a fascinating place for several reasons. From a geological point of view - it's where the American and European continental plates are drifting apart. It's played a major role in Iceland's history, being the site where the ancient government of Iceland met for hundreds of years. Heading off the mountain, riders come down to the geothermal area at Nesjavellir and head to the nearby farm Villingavatn. 30 km, 6-7 hours. 

Day 4:
Thillingavatn - Reykjadalur - Hveragerdi
The day starts with a ride up to a view of both Thingvallavatn, and also the mountain Skjaldbreidur, an extraordinary shaped mountain that is always capped with snow. Then it's down to the shimmering volcanic lakes at Kattatjarnir, and on to a steep path of lava leading down to the valley Reykjadalur - the Valley of Steam. It's great to take a dip in the warm stream running through the valley before riding on down to Hveragerdi where the tour ends. After saying goodbye to the horses, riders head back to Reykjavik where the night will be spent in a guesthouse-or hotel if you want an upgrade. Often riders all go out to one of Reykjaviks' many good restaurants for a last dinner together, (but it's not included in the price!) 

Day 5:
Home again!
The tour officially ends this morning after breakfast. You can continue exploring Iceland or, if your trip is over you can can take the Flybus shuttle out to the airport later in the day. (You could take a bus that will give you a few hours visit to the Blue Lagoon on the trip to the airport.)

Download a PDF of the itinerary of the Around the Volcano Tour

Accommodations on Around the Volcano tour are NOT typically Icelandic. Your evenings will be spent in the Hotel Eldhestar, at their farm in Hveragerdi, which is the first in Iceland to be designated at an Eco-Hotel. It features Hastens beds from Sweden, heated floors, nice bathrooms and of course, views of horses. In the evenings, you'll have presentations about Icelands' unique nature and geology, and a chance to soak in the farms hot pot. The last night of the tour is in a Hotel or guest house in Reykjavik

Dates:
The Around the Volcano Tour runs 13 times in 2008. The first day is always a transfer day, which allows you to rest from the short night of sleep on the flight, before you start riding on the second day. American travelers will have to leave the US on, or before, the night prior to the start of the tour.

Price*
Price includes round trip airfare, including fuel surcharge, from Boston, New York, Minneapolis, or Orlando (ask about prices from Toronto, Halifax and Europe) all airport transfers, hotel accommodations in Reykjavik with private bath and breakfast before or after the ride, a comfortable hotel room on the outfitters farm during the ride with private bath, all meals during the ride, as well as safety helmets and rain gear. *Not included in the price are US departure taxes (about $92 in February 2008) breakfast and lunch on your arrival day, dinner on your last riding day back in Reykjavik, lunch on the day of departure and the cost of any additional travel. Additional airline fuel charges added after March 1 '08 wiill also be extra.

We can arrange your travel dates to give you any extra time you might want, either before or after a riding tour, so that you can explore Iceland. We can even extend your trip to mainland Europe easily and inexpensively.Please note that travel dates to and from Iceland are flexible and a little bit of extra travel is the perfect way to end a great riding tour. At Horses North, we've traveled all over Iceland, and can advise and book everything you will need to see more of this spectacular island. From rental cars and restaurants to guest houses and hotels, we can help you find good maps, good roads and good sunsets.