“Winter adventures for horse lovers”
4 Day Riding and The Northern Lights Horseback Riding Holiday in Selfoss, Árborg
Kálfhóll Farm, South Iceland
Adventurous Horseback Riding Holiday in Iceland
Winter in Iceland means a countryside ablaze with color and the Northern Lights dancing in the Arctic night sky. Enjoy visiting the best-known sights in Iceland, riding the Icelandic Horse along fine bridle paths and viewing a dazzling Northern Lights display after a great day in the saddle. Riding during the winter time is an Icelandic tradition and a wonderful experience.
Key information
- Rider weight limit: 242 pounds / 110 kilograms
- Tack type: Icelandic tack
- Horse breed: Icelandic
Highlights
- 3 days of riding
- 45 kilometers approximate riding distance
- Learn the “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse
- See the green-colored Northern Lights dancing above you
- Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet
- Bus transfer or flight from Reykjavík to the farm
- 3 nights accommodation
- Full-board meals
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
3 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 20 participants
Accommodation
Kálfhóll Farm is home to Gestur and Margrét horse farmers. They have been operating riding tours for many years now and during the wintertime, they are breeding horses. The horses from Kálfhóll farm are very popular for breeding and sought after.
Gestur and Margrét live in Kálfhóll farm in south Iceland. The farm is situated in the beautiful Skeiða and Hrunamannahreppi shire. All around the farm you can see gorgeous countryside where we start the ride. Nearby the farm is the most stunning attractions in South Iceland. The Golden Circle consists of Þingvellir national park, the hot spring area Geysir and the mighty waterfall Gullfoss. Þjórsá the longest river in Iceland 212km coming from the glacier Hofsjökull, the glacier river Hvítá.
You can see the queen of volcanic mountains Hekla in distance and nearby is Þjórsárdalur valley where the famous tv shows Game of Thrones where shot. Þjórsárdalur is known for a natural wonder as Gjáin, the waterfalls Háifoss, Hjálparfoss f.ex.
Program
- Category: Intermediate riders
- Riding distance: Approximately 45 kilometers
- Meeting place: Reykjavík
During this holiday, you will take a tour and visit the Secret Lagoon where you can relax in the mineral rich water. You will ride between rivers, Þjórsá and Hvítá and visit the Golden circle. During the riding days, “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic Horse will be introduced to you while riding on the river trails, made for tölting.
Get ready in the evenings to experience the unique tranquility of the Icelandic countryside and gaze skywards to perhaps see green-colored Northern Lights dancing above you (weather permitting).
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1, Wednesday: Reykjavík – Kálfhóll Farm
Pick up at 18:00 from BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik. We drive to the Horse farm Kálfhóll where we will meet our guide and staff. After we have found our bedrooms we will enjoy a delicious dinner and get to know our fellow riders and staff. We can enjoy the nice hot tub outside and look up into the sky for dazzling Northern Lights. Then get good night sleep before we start our ride the next day.
Day 2, Thursday: Kálfhóll Farm - Þjórsá - Secret Lagoon
After a nice breakfast our guide will introduce us to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits. This first riding day is a perfect way to get to know Icelandic winter riding in a relaxed atmosphere along the mighty river Þjórsá (the longest river in Iceland 212 km). We enjoy the southern countryside with an impressing view of mountain ranges, pastureland in its winter coat and the queen Hekla volcano watching over us in distance.
After a magical day in the winter wonderland, we will go and visit the Secret Lagoon where you can relax in the mineral-rich water. Dinner will be served at the farm and afterward, you can take an evening stroll with your guide and host to look for the Northern Lights again. Overnight at Kálfhóll.
- Approximate ridding time: 15 kilometers
Day 3, Friday: Kálfhóll Farm - Hvítá
You start the day with a short ride in the winter fields by the farm before you have lunch. The ride then takes you to the glacier river Hvítá with the milky water that streams from the glaciers in the highland. You will ride through lava and moss-covered terrain and enjoy the view around.
After a short break near the river, saddle up again and head back through the beautiful countryside to Kálfhóll farm to have a lovely dinner. There is nothing better after a wonderful day in the saddle than to relax in the steamy hot tub, watching the clear sky and hope for the Northern Lights to show up. Overnight at Kálfhóll.
- Approximate ridding time: 15 kilometers
Day 4, Saturday: Kálfhóll - Þjórsá - Geysir - Gullfoss - Þingvellir
After breakfast, you will take your last ride along the Þjórsá river and take in the breathtaking winter pastures one last time. After a light lunch, say goodbye to the horses and hop on to the bus to visit the Golden Circle, with its three most impressive natural sights in South Iceland. Golden Circle consists of the Geysir geothermal area, golden waterfall Gullfoss, and Thingvellir National Park. Geysir is a geothermal area with boiling mud pits, the lively geyser Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters into the air every few minutes. At Gullfoss, you will have a chance to witness the mighty waterfall, and you can feel the power from the water coming down the canyon as you stand near the cliffs.
Then you will be driven to Thingvellir National Park and see an amazing nature and geological phenomena at Thingvellir. Since 2004 Thingvellir has been listed on UNESCO‘s World Heritage List for its geological uniqueness and historical significance. You will be back in Reykjavík at approximately 18:00. *Approximate ridding time: 15 kilometers
Note: The organizer reserve their right to alter the itinerary if necessary.
Location
You will have the chance to ride along iconic areas in Iceland, experiencing the wild beauty of the Icelandic winter landscape.
Food
During your stay, you will be provided with full-board meals. The menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available, if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price at the duty free store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- 3 days of riding
- All transfers during the riding tour
- 3 - 4 horses per person and local guidance
- Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet
- Bus transfer or a flight from Reykjavík to the farm
- Domestic flights where applicable
- Full-board meals
- 3 nights accommodation
What's not included
- Airport transfers
- Alcoholic beverages
- Arrival and departure flights
- Travel insurance
How to get there
Recommended Airports
KEF
Keflavík International Airport
99 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Transfers from and to this airport are not provided.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 14 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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