Gongur  2002

2002

Join in an Old Icelandic tradition as the sheep are brought home from their summer pastures. This continues to be an important part of Icelandic rural life, with many city-dwellers returning to their family farm to share in the work, the lamb stew and the fun of the round-up! The Gongur tour is for experienced riders, who are physically fit and in good condition. The trip involves both walking and riding, at times, through nearly impassable landscape. It's a real adventure! The Polar Hestar Gongur with runs from September 9-16 2002 Departure dates for any tours are flexible, but riders on this tour must leave the US no later than the evening before the ride, while Europeans can arrive in Iceland on the Monday morning that the tour starts. September 9: After arriving in Iceland, riders will transfer to Reykjavik airport for a beautiful flight over the highlands to Akureyri, 'capital' of northern Iceland. Polar Hestarwill take you for a beautiful 40-minute ride to their farm at Grytubakki, near the little fishing village of Grenivik. You'll have an afternoon to relax and enjoy the farm, before dinner and a good nights sleep. September 10: After a good Icelandic breakfast and a relaxed morning, you'll .get acquainted with the horses, by taking a 3-4 hour ride in the wonderful landscape surrounding Grytubakki. It's a good start to a fun week! September 11: Today, you will go a bit farther afield, across the river Fnjoska, and then to Laufas, 19th century old-style turf gable house church and rectory. The well-preserved house and furnishings show what life was like in the old days, still remembered by many Icelanders. There will be a swim in a hot pool this evening. September 12: The horses will get the day off, as the riders take a drive to Lake Myvatn, You'll see the waterfall of the gods-Godafoss, the pseudocraters of Skutustadir and the boiling mud pools at Namaskard. A visit to visit to the volcano Krafla and the volcanic crater Viti, created after an explosion of steam in 1724, will offer some beautiful view over the central highlands of Iceland. September 13: Today the Gongur starts! You'll ride over Leirdalsheidi into Fjordur where there is nobody but for the 4000 sheep who have spent the summer getting fat there! The evening is spent either in the hut called "Gil" or at Grytubakki. September 14: Early in the morning, riders are split up into two groups, going along the ocean shore. Everyone tries to herd the sheep up to "Gil" -which can be difficult, as sheep are very clever at getting into tight spots! A good night's sleep is guaranteed! September 15: This is the big day! You'll be both on horseback and on foot, as you move the sheep down to the valley, where they are pushed into a large pen. The real fun begins as individual farmers pick out their own sheep, and put them in smaller pens off the large central one. After the sheep are separated, everyone goes to their farm for a traditional meal of lamb stew. And lots of singing! September 16: After breakfast, and after a final wave to the sheep, riders return to Akureyri, where everyone will say goodbye. You'll head back south for flights back home, or on to further explorations in Iceland. Accomodations on the Gongur are traditionally Icelandic. You'll need to bring a sleeping bag, and the outfitter will provide mattresses. The farmhouses, mountain huts and cabins where you'll sleep are all warm and clean. Typically there are several beds per room, and in huts there may be one big room to sleep in. Most will have shared bathroom facilities. The price for the Gongur 2002 is $1885. per person. The price includes round trip per person airfare from NYC, Boston or Baltimore on Icelandair (Minneapolis for $75 extra), all transfers while in Iceland, internal flight to and from Akureyri, and all meals, sleeping bag accommodations in dormitory style rooms in farm houses and mountain huts with shared bathroom facilities, 3-4 horses per rider, all tack and equipment while on the tour. Not included are departure taxes, (currently about $66 per person) breakfast and lunch on the day of arrival in Iceland, and lunch the day of departure, 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. 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. 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 guesthouses and hotels, we can help you find good maps, good roads and good sunsets.