A great combination! Riding through the famed horse country of Skagafjordur and returning to the same bed each night. The experience of riding through this historically rich and physically beautiful glacial valley and its surrounding mountains is available to all riders who have a moderate level of riding skills and a strong sense of adventure.

This week of fascinating day rides starts on a Monday morning, which means that travelers must leave the US no later than Saturday night, as Sunday will be a rest day and then you'll go north first thing Monday morning. This tour can be enjoyed with either guesthouse or farm accommodations. Rooms with private baths can be reserved at a nearby hotel. Please check with us on prices for hotel accomodations

Sunday: after an early arrival you'll be taken into Reykjavik where you'll have a day to rest and explore this northernmost capital. We'll send you lots of information, as you'll have dinner on your own.

Monday: You'll head to the bus station or airport for the trip to Skagafjordur. Once there, you'll start your riding tour with a trip to some neighboring farms, and the competition grounds at Vindheimamelar. (where the National Horse Meet will be held in 2002.This will be a good place to practice some of the nice gaits of the Icelandic horse. Back at your accommodations, you'll have a nice dinner and a good nights sleep!

Tuesday: The Saga circle. You will ride along the ancient trails of the Sagas to the historic farm site of Steinsstadaholmi. You'll have a panoramic view of some of the most important historical sites in Iceland. There were many decisive battles fought over the independence of the republic of Iceland during the Saga period. Riding along the banks of the braided river Heradsvatn it's easy to get the feeling of the Sagas, and to imagine the battle of Kolbeinn the young and his ally Gissur with the powerful Sturlunga clan.

Wednesday: Into the deep valley of Maelifellsdalur You'll ride to the edge of the highlands through the striking valley Maelifellsdalur. Only crystal clear brooks break the stillness of nature, birds and distinctive four beat gaits of tolting horses. There are great views across Skagafjordur valley, before descending along the spectacular trail down to the corral Stafnsrett, that is the local center of the sheep and horse roundups each fall.

Thursday: On the paths of early settlers From Stafnsrett you'll ride over old trails, used by the settlers of earlier times, traveling between the valleys Hunavatnssysla and Skagafjordur. The valleys are so beautiful, but the horses have to work hard, climbing up the mountain ridges to finish the day back in Varmahlid.

Friday: A meeting with the past at Glaumbaer The last days ride takes you into slightly more recent history at Glaumbaer, a grand old turf-style farm with some of its buildings from the 18th century. Itës a fascinating multi room house, built of turf and wood, that is now a folk museum showing the hardships and comforts that were part of life here in centuries past. Also, for history buffs is the grave of Snorri Thorfinnsson thought to be the first European born in the New World (one thousand years ago!)? There will be lunch in the cafe before riding back home

Saturday: The ride being over, you'll take a bus or plane back to Reykjavik, where you can catch flights for home, or, if you're lucky, set off on more exploration of Iceland

The price for the Golden North is $2248 for the Farm house sleeping bag accommodations package. Contact us for price and availibility of hotel upgrades for this tour. Both options include round-trip airfare on Icelandair from New York, Boston or Baltimore (Minneapolis for $75 more) all transfers and everything for the riding tour, full board during the riding days, (no meals during the Reykjavik tour), admission to the museums, English speaking guides. Not included in either price are US departure taxes (currently about $75 per person) meals on your Reykjavik day, and meals other than breakfast on your departure day. June 6, 16, 23 July 7, 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, 18. Minimum of 5 riders.

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. Horses North can advise on and arrange everything you need to see a bit of Iceland before or after your riding tour. - Guesthouses, hotels, rental cars, as well as many other activities. We can make your Iceland trip a memorable one!

To protect Iceland's horses from the threat of disease used riding gear and boots must be disinfected before bringing them into Iceland. Riding clothes that have been in contact with horses must be washed in hot water or dry cleaned. Riding boots should be new, or disinfected. Many vets use a disinfectant on their equipment and will provide you with some. Clothes that cannot be cleaned or disinfected, leather gloves or chaps, wax coats, may not be brought into Iceland. Boots and clothes which have not been around horses should be dirt free, but need not be disinfected. Please see the Gear list for more details.

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