3 nights 2.5 days riding - with hotel or guest house accommodation
Day One
The tour begins in the evening. Guests who arrive in Iceland airport on the same day take the aiport shuttle Flybus (Reykjavik Excursions) from the airport to Reykjavík BSI. We will pick you up at BSÍ or at your hotel / guesthouse between 17.30 and 18.00 and drive to our farm (circa. 40 minutes driving), where you will be staying at our hotel on site to the stables or guest house. All meals are included: breakfast, light lunch, coffee & cake and three course dinner. The day ends with dinner.
Day Two
After breakfast, your guide meets you for a short introduction in the stable. The guide will provide the necessary riding equipment (riding helmet, warm overall or rain gear, riding boots are also available) and then start with a short riding demonstration before you get to know the horses during a few rounds in the paddock. Today we ride 4-4.5 hours, starting with the tour Meadows and Mountains. We ride on soft trails along the meadows surrounding our farm, a good opportunity to get familiar with the special gait of the Icelandic horse, the “tölt”. We then follow the river and head towards the volcanic mountains and ride on an old route along the slopes of the mountain Reykjafjall. Our reliable horses take you up and down the trail, while you enjoy nice views of the diverse landscape between the ocean and the volcano Hengill. Back at the farm we warm up with light lunch before we choose horses for the afternoon program Winter Warmth. We spend another hour on horseback before driving to the local thermal swimming pool to soften up in soothing, warm geothermal water, relax in the steam sauna or take a swim in the comfortably warm outdoor pool. Imagine sitting in a steamy hot tub as a light snowfall turns the grass around you white. Afterwards, coffee and home baked cake will be served in the cozy environment of the hotel. We check the Northern Lights forecast and will give you useful information about this natural phenomena. If the forecast is favorable, and the sky is clear, we look out for the lights at the farm or go on a hunt!
Day Three
Today we experience a variety of amazing nature. We start the day with the tour Horses & Hot Springs, riding on excellent trails along the slopes of Reykjafjall Mountain and through a green forest. We pass by many hot springs in the colorful geothermal area Gufudalur valley. This area is situated just above the village of Hveragerði and expanded dramatically during the big South Iceland earthquake in 2008. The path continues along the volcanic hills above the village, which is known for its beautiful location between the green mountains of volcano Hengill and wide plains. We stop close to the stable area for some refreshments and learn more about the Icelandic horse before riding back to our farm for lunch. After lunch we saddle our horses again for the afternoon ride, Soft River Banks, following the river Gljúfurá to an old cemetery and further down to the soft river banks of the mighty glacial river Ölfusá. From there, we have a view of the river and if the weather allows the famous volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. Upon your return to the farm, dinner will be served.
Day Four
On the final day you will ride The Heritage Tour in the morning. This tour takes us on nice trails through meadows, lava fields and a small river. On our way, we enjoy the nice scenery of volcanic mountains and farmland, passing several farms which give us an idea of how agriculture has developed in the last decades. After the riding and checking out of your room we warm up with light lunch and coffee or tea. Then you will be picked up to visit the three most impressive natural sights in South Iceland along the “Golden Circle”: The famous Geysir geothermal area, the “golden waterfall” Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park. The Geysir geothermal area boasts spouting springs, including Strokkur, the most active geyser in Iceland. At Gullfoss you are given the opportunity to stand next to the amazing waterfall, watching enormous quantities of water tumble violently into a deep canyon. You also spend time encountering a cross-section of Iceland’s natural wonders and geological phenomena at Thingvellir National Park, an area of historical and geological significance. You will be back in Reykjavík around 18:00.
OPTION 2 Northern Lights Grand Tour
5 nights 4 days riding with hotel or guest house accommodation
Riding distance circa 50 km (2 - 5 hours per day)
Choose this tour to give you more riding, a whale watching experience and more opportunities to see the Northern Lights
Day One - Three Itinerary as above
A choice of staying in our Hotel or Guest House.
Day Four
Today you will ride The Heritage Tour in the morning and Whale watching in the afternoon. This tour takes us on nice trails through meadows, lava fields and a small river. On our way, we enjoy the nice scenery of volcanic mountains and farmland, passing several farms which give us an idea of how agriculture has developed in the last decades. After the riding and checking out of your room we warm up with light lunch. In the afternoon we take you to the old harbour in Reykjavik for about 3 hours whale watching in Flaxafloi Bay, with a good chance to see whales and spectacular views of Reykjavik and the mountains surrounding the city. Once back at the accommodation afternoon tea is served and time to relax in the hot tubs before dinner.
Day Five
After breakfast we ride the Siggi Tour. This is the area around the riding centre. After warming up with a light lunch we get the horses ready for the Soft River Banks ride, which follows the river to an old cemetery and the banks of the mighty glacial river Ölfusá. From there, we have a view of the river and if the weather allows the famous volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. Upon your return to the farm, dinner will be served.
Day Six
Your final day starts with the Long Mountain ride. We ride in the footsteps of the first Icelandic settler Ingolfur Arnarsson, who arrived in the 9th century. On our way on this ancient Viking route we pass the table mountain and learn more about the history and interesting geology of this area. Back at the guest house we check out of the rooms and have a light lunch, tea and cake before heading off on the Golden Cirlce Tour. A bus and guide pick you up to visit the three most impressive natural sights in South Iceland: The famous Geysir geothermal area, the “golden waterfall” Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park. The Geysir geothermal area boasts spouting springs, including Strokkur, the most active geyser in Iceland. At Gullfoss you are given the opportunity to stand next to the amazing waterfall, watching enormous quantities of water tumble violently into a deep canyon. You also spend time encountering a cross-section of Iceland’s natural wonders and geological phenomena at Thingvellir National Park, an area of historical and geological significance. You will be back in Reykjavík around 18:00.
2024 Dates
23 Sept
07 October
14 October
28 October
04 November
18 November
Price
Northern Lights Tour
3 nights 4 days plus excursions £1250pp (hotel) or £995 (guest house)
Double Room for Single occupancy extra £65 per night in hotel or £35 per night in guest house.
Please note: The government 'Lodging Tax' is now included in the price.
Northern Lights Grand Tour
5 nights 6 days plus excursions £1995pp (hotel) or £1595 (guest house) limited availability now for Autumn dates - 23 Sept, 24 Oct and 04 Nov are full.
Please note: The government 'Lodging Tax' is now included in the price.
This tour is dependent on weather and Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed.
Hotel Accommodation
Our hotel was built with ecological technology and is the first lodging in Iceland to receive the Nordic Swan. The Swan certification ensures the highest standards in terms of quality, environment, and health. Among other regulations, certified operations are subject to certain guidelines regarding energy and water consumption, waste management and use of chemicals.
The daily changing menu is comprised of the finest selection of Icelandic produce with a vegan or vegetarian option.
Every day from 16:00 to 22:00 you can enjoy our hot tubs or just relax in the hotel.
Guest House Accommodation
The small cosy guest house is located next to the hotel. Accommodation is in shared twin, triple or four bed rooms. The guest house has a comfortable living room, shared bathroom facilities, tea and coffee making facilities. Guests staying here are welcome to use all faclities and services of the hotel, includung hot tubs and restaurant. The Guest House is shared rooms (doubles, triples and four bed) with shared bathrooms on site to the stables and hotel. All meals (breakfast, light lunch, coffee & cake and three course dinner) are taken in the hotel next door and you are welcome to use the hot tubs and hotel facilities during your stay.
What to bring
We can provide you with hats, riding boots and rain/ outerwear but please have good shoes, comfortable leggings or tracksuit bottoms (riding jodphurs not necessary), gloves and a buff is recommended and if you want to bring a camera, please bring a small waist bag as backpacks cannot be taken on horseback. Bring your swimsuit and towel!
Riding wear / gear – Caution: Disinfect!
Used boots, riding wear, helmets, saddlebags etc. must be disinfected before arrival in Iceland. Chaps, bridles and other used leather gear must not be brought to Iceland. That is because infectious, contagious diseases can easily be brought into the country, which poses a great threat for the horses as they are not vaccinated. Riding wear is normally washed and shoes and are washed and cleaned with VirkonS, Iodine or some other fluid disinfectant.
Riding Ability
The riding style in Iceland is similar to English riding. We use simple snaffle bits, bridles with detachable nose-bands and clips on the end of the reins so they can be easily removed when grazing. Our saddles are comfortable with soft, rather flat seat, it is not necessary to bring saddle seat pads.
These tours are suited for all experience levels. We select horses according to riding skills and participants on our tours always get to try “tölt”, the special, smooth gait of the Icelandic horse.
Children from Age 10 years.
Weight limit
Icelandic horses are capable of carrying adults without difficulty. The maximum weight is 120 kg/18 stone . Riders must be able to mount a horse with little assistance.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, temperatures are usually moderate all year round. Average temperatures in Reykjavík are about 12°C in July and 1°C in January. Icelandic weather is known to be unpredictable and changing several times a day. A beautiful day can suddenly turn windy and rainy (and vice versa). Travellers to Iceland should be prepared for anything and dress in layers.
Daylight hours
From mid-May to mid-August the sun only sets for only a few hours per day, and it is effectively light for the whole 24-hour period. In contrast, there are around 4-5 hours of effective daylight during mid-winter. But Iceland’s inexpensive geothermal energy means that streets and buildings are well-lit during winter darkness.
For tips regarding your holiday such as what to wear and riding ability, please visit the Travel Tips page.
We work hard to ensure that each customer has a great time on their holiday. Please see some riding holiday reviews here.
We have a large range of holidays to suit a range of riding abilities. Please see here for more information.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.