Leading a herd of Icelandic horses 2021
Imagine a herd of free and wild horses galloping along the hillsides of their summer pastures to return to their owners. Mares with their foals, young horses and herd leaders… this ancient tradition has remained alive and intact only in the north of Iceland. Ride side by side with the farmers on this autumn feat and celebrate the return of the horses safely to the farm with the traditional dance called “réttardansleikur”. You will pass through enchanted landscapes: valleys ablaze with autumn colors, the blue of mountain lakes and the cold rock of the Kolugljúfur gorges. An authentic experience for better or for worse, this season the climate in Iceland can offer days of splendid sunshine or pouring rain .. so get ready for a truly unique experience!
Shared guaranteed departure dates, minimum 1 person departing from Italy
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 8 MAX 16
Arrange for an autonomous transfer from the airport to the capital. The meeting with the guides will take place between 7.30 and 8.30 (at the bus station or the hotel for those arriving the day before). We suggest you to be ready to ride the horse by that time. Transfer by bus to Hvammur, where we will meet our guide and the horses. We will leave for the Vatnsdalur Valley, passing the impressive Hvammsfoss waterfall. We will leave the horses near the town of Stóra and we will return by transport to the farm in Hvammur (about 20 minutes) for dinner and overnight.
We will join our horses immediately after breakfast and ride along the shore of the beautiful Lake Húnavatn, then along the banks of the Laxá á Ásum and continue to the village of Blönduós. Here we will cross a bridge over the glacier of the Blanda river and continue to the Björnsólfsstaðir farm in the Langadalur valley (about 30 km). Dinner and overnight.
Today will be an exciting day: in fact we will find ourselves with the farmers who have been in the mountains for a few days to gather the herds of horses to bring them back down from the pastures. Hundreds of horses arriving, and we will have to help them keep them together and in the right direction. We will attend the celebration of this day. Optional the dance "Stóðréttardansleikur" (for a fee) in Blönduós, during which everyone celebrates another “round up”. Dinner and overnight at a local farm.
Our day will begin at the meeting point of the horses, Skrapatungurétt, from which they will then be divided and returned to their respective owners. An incredible confusion and a lot of excitement. Last dinner and overnight at a local farm.
After having breakfast ,we will drive back south to the capital, where we will arrive at around 1pm. From the bus station you can independently reach the airport (plan a flight that leaves in the evening), or on request you can book a support night in the capital.
Tariff per person, starting from:
Departure | Double |
---|---|
From 16 September 2021 to 20 September 2021 | € 2,150 |
From 29 September 2021 to 3 October 2021 | € 2,050 |
Notes
(B / L / D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = Dinner
Shared guaranteed departure dates, minimum 1 person departing from Italy:
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°°° (EXPERTS)
ACCOMMODATION: farms
EQUIPMENT: ICELANDIC FITTINGS AND FINISHES
HORSES: ICELANDIANS, this strong horse is the original “Viking”, its existence has been known since the 19th century and its collaboration has allowed humans to settle in this territory. Breed with peculiar characteristics, such as its half stature, the long and thick mane and its particular “ambiata” gait, very fast. This horse despite having a wild spirit, also given by still living in the wild today, is able to establish a friendship and complicity with its rider, unique in the world.
GAIT / MOVEMENT: 4 to 6 hours in the saddle. Moderate gaits with long trots (amble). You will experience the unique experience of riding accompanied by the herd.
TYPE : itinerant with overnight stay in local farms
ACCOMMODATION:
4 nights in local farms in rooms usually with two or four beds. Friendly and familiar atmosphere.
Varied typical local cuisine with main dish based on lamb or fish. It is possible to prepare a vegetarian menu if notified in time. Each rider will have to prepare a packed lunch for breakfast that will be eaten during the mid-day break.
Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
The tariff includes
The tariff does not include
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