Great riding from a northern farmThis fun ride offers a great opportunity to see northern Iceland from the back of a smooth gaited horse, as each days ride goes out like the arm of a star, in a different direction and then back to the farmhouse at Grytubakki. It's relaxing and easy, so you can hike and explore in addition to riding every day. 4 Daysof relatively easy riding on the edges of Iceland's wilderness. Saturday: After arriving at Keflavik International Airport the Flybus will take riders into the Reykjavik airport, for a dramatic 45 minute flight to Akureyri, the "capital" of northern Iceland. Here Polar Hestar will pick up riders for a short drive to their farmhouse Grytubakki for dinner and a good night's sleep. Sunday: After a restful morning, the horses will be saddled up. The first ride, of about 3 hours will be down to the River Gljufura and around the mountain Hofdi. The island of Hrisey can be seen in the middle Eyjafjordur, with its steep snow covered mountains that go down to the sea. This first ride will help acquaint riders with the special qualities of the Icelandic horse, and let everybody get to know their particular mount. Dinner and overnight at Grytubakki. Monday: A longer riding tour is on the schedule today; about 5 hours. First you'll ride down to the town of Grenivik and further on to the coast of Latrarstrond. You'll be among the glories of nature all day. There are fields full of young horses along the way - you may meet the more curious foals. You will ride past many abandoned farmhouses and old buildings, showing that the area was more populous in the old days. It's a beautiful area, with a wonderful atmosphere. Tuesday: It's up to the mountains, today, through the forest of Bardartjorn to Leidrdalheidi. There are lots of dramatic views, including the entire fjord Eyjafjordur. There are many nice places to settle in for a good lunch. In the afternoon you will continue on, eventually returning to the farmhouse at Grytubakki for dinner. Wednesday: After breakfast you will ride to Laufas, where the famous turfhouses now make up a museum. You will leave the horses in a meadow, while you explore this area and get an introduction into the world of the past. The ride back will go past Helfuholl, or holy hill, which is rumored to cover a Viking ship full of gold, whose exposure would cause all the churches that can be seen from the hill, to burn down. (Nobody has tried to touch it, at least not yet!) Thursday: After breakfast it's time to say good-bye, as riders return to Akureyri, for flights back to Reykjavik and home, or for further explorations in Iceland. Download a PDF of the itinerary of this tour Accomodations on the Star tour are traditionally Icelandic. You'll need to bring a sleeping bag, and Polar Hestar will provide mattresses. The farmhouses, mountain huts and cabins where you'll sleep are clean and warm. Typically there are several beds per room, and in huts there may be one big sleeping room. Most will have shared bathrooms The Star Tour will have 5 departures during the summer of 2003. Departure dates for all 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 Sunday morning that the tour starts. Here are the dates and prices
June 7 - 12 $2050 p/p; All other dates are $2223 p/p; Fully inclusive from NYC, Boston or Baltimore.
All Horses North tours offer fully inclusive prices. This includes round-trip airfare on Icelandair from New York, Boston or Baltimore (Minneapolis for $75) all airport transfers, and everything for the riding tour. Included with this are 3-4 horses per rider, English speaking guides, all meals and sleeping bag accommodations in farm houses with shared facilities, rain gear, and safety helmets. The price does not include US departure taxes (around $66. per person), lunch on the first and last day and extra travel.
Dates don't work? Because we work with several different outfitters, we can often suggest similar tours; if the one you've chosen occurs at a time that doesn't quite fit your travel schedule. Give us a call to discuss alternatives!
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 guesthouses and hotels, we can help you find good maps, good roads and good sunsets. |
