If you are not ready for a lot of days in the saddle, yet you’re an outdoor person with a basic knowledge of riding and good stamina, this tour might be what you are looking for.. Following fine bridle paths to the magnificent sights of Iceland, Geysir Hot Spring area and Gullfoss Waterfall. During three riding days your guide leads you to these wonders of Iceland.

Enjoy the view of glaciers in front of you while riding through a lovely birch forest and green meadows with grazing horses. “Tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse will be introduced to you. We use this comfortable gait for parts of our tour, and also trot and walk the horses in between. On the way to Kjóastaðir Farm you’ll pay a visit to Thingvellir, a place of historic and geological importance, and first national park of Iceland.

Kjóastaðir Farm is home of Hjalti and Åsa who also guide for the Kjölur ride. Their capable staff takes very good care of their guests and will find a horse that will suits each rider. Two nights are spent in cozy summer cottages, 2 – 3 rooms in each with shared facilities. This tour is a shorter version of the popular new Trail of Hope Tour.

Here's what's in store:
Sunday:
You will arrive at Keflavik International Airport and use your voucher to take the flybus shuttle to the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik, (about a 40 minute ride). You’ll have the day to explore Iceland’s capital city. An overnight in Reykjavík is included to give you a chance to catch up after your very short overnight flight.

Monday:
Reykjavík – Thingvellir – Geysir – Kjóastaðir Farm

Your outfitter will pick you up after breakfast for a pleasant bus ride, to Kjóastaðir Farm, visiting the historical site Thingvellir on your way. After having met your guides you’ll check into your room and enjoy lunch. Your guide will introduce the Icelandic horse and its special gaits before you start your ride along pleasant trails of the Bláskógarbyggð district towards Geysir hot spring area. A perferct first riding day where you’ll get to know the Icelandic horse and the way of riding in a relaxed atmosphere. While on your ride we enjoy the great view of mountain ranges, valleys and the glacier fed river Hvítá. (25 km)

Tuesday:
Haukadalsheiði - Sandfell – Kjóastaðir

Today you ride through a beautiful birch forest at Haukadalur valley. You’ll cross small sparkling brooks and enjoy the vegetation blooming during the summer. Watch the vegetation change as you proceed up onto a highland heath. From Haukadalsheiði heath you’ll have a great view of mountains and glaciers in the interior! (35 km)

Wednesday:
Kjóastaðir –Gullfoss – Kjölur Trail – Reykjavík

You’ll leave the farm and head off towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky, glacier fed water passes through bizarre rock formations. You’ll follow the ever deepening canyon to the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. After having spent some time there you’ll saddle up again and follow the famous Kjölur highland trail for a while before you head back to the farm. After dinner it’s time to bid farewell to horses and guides and be driven back to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival time in Reykjavík is 10:00 PM. (35 km)

Thursday:
You can leave Iceland on the afternoon flight or go on to more exploring. If you fly out today you'll have the morning to explore Reykjavik and then leave for the international airport at Keflavik on the shuttle bus in the early afternoon.

Saturday and Tuesday night's accommodations in Reykjavik are included in the price. If you are going to leave Iceland after this tour you'll fly out on Wednesday morning to mainland Europe and to the US on Wednesday afternoon.

Dates
These are the dates for the riding tour in Iceland, starting on Sundays, and running through Tuesday evening.. Travel time -your first and last night in Reykjavik, is in addition to this, so your actual trip would start perhaps two nights before, if you’re coming from the US, or the day before if you’re coming from Europe.

Price*
The price for the Countryside Riding Adventure is $2711 per person. The price includes round trip airfare, with fuel surcharge, from NYC, Boston, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Orlando (ask for prices from Toronto, Halifax, and Europe). Price also includes all transfers while in Iceland, made up beds in guest and farmhouses with shared facilities, all meals, tack and equipment while on the tour, and a last night in a hotel in Reykjavik, with private bath. *NOT included are US departure taxes and fees - which are up to $92 (as of February 2008) and subject to change, breakfast and lunch on the day of arrival in Iceland, dinner on your last riding day back in Reykjavik, lunch the day of departure and the cost of any extra and additional travels. Additional airline fuel charges added after March 1 '08 wiill also be extra.. Additional airline fuel charges added after March 1 '08 wiill also be extra.