5 Day Easy Ride in Icelandic Nature in Hvammur, Skagafjarðarsýsla

Facilities

Day 1: Reykjavik - Hvammur

You will be picked up at BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. or from pick up points in Reykjavik where the Íslandshestar bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Hvammur farm where horses and staff are waiting for you. After a lovely introductory meal, you will get to know each other, relax, and rest so that you are well prepared for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Hvammur - Vatnsdalur

You will learn the basics about the Icelandic horse and head out to the first riding tour safely through Vatnsdalur valley. You will ride on the eastern side, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. You might even see foxes or falcons flying in the air and if you look really closely, you could see the elves and trolls that live in the mountains hiding behind the rocks. Your ride ends at Sveinsstaðir where you leave your horses and head back to Hvammur farm.

Day 3: Hvammur - Sveinsstaðir - Þingeyrar nágrenni

On this exciting day, you will visit Þingeyrar church which some might say is the most beautiful church in the whole of Iceland. It is a stone church with 1000 golden stars painted on the ceiling and other beautiful handcraft that makes it extraordinary. The first monastery was held there until 1550 and many of the Icelandic sagas were written there.

You will ride through extraordinary surroundings of Þingeyrar in rich birdlife and sandy beaches with Lake Hope on the one side and the North Atlantic on the other. After an enlightened riding day, you can relax in the outdoor hot tub at Hvammur Farm before a hearty dinner.

Day 4: Hvammur - Thingeyrar - Húnavatn

Today you will continue to explore the northern countryside and continue your ride towards Vatnsdalur. You might even cross Húnavatn river if everyone is up for the task which is an amazing experience. The agent saga says that the Viking Ingimundur Gamli (old) found two polar bear cubs at the river and named the river Húnavatn (cups water). After a wonderful riding day, you will go on a bus tour to the nearest town Blönduós for nice swimming in the public pool and see one of Iceland's greatest glacial rivers. In the evening, you will celebrate a successful riding tour with a great farewell dinner.

Day 5: Hvammur - Reykjavík

It is time to say goodbye to your guides and drive back to your accommodation in Reykjavík. The approximate arrival is at 12:30 p.m. in Reykjavík.

Íslandshestar's horse center

Íslandshestar's horse center was opened in the year 2000 in an outskirt of a small town called Hafnarfjörður. Surrounding the horse Center is a beautiful landscape full of lava, trees, mountains, and wilderness. The center is only 15 minutes drive from Reykjavik and it operates all one to five hour day tours from there. During the winter time, they have about 70 horses stabled but in the busiest summertime about 150 horses who they herd to the nearby field for green grass and overnight stay.

Their stable is connected to the center with a middle building where they keep their tacks. Their connected stable accommodates up to 54 horses and outside of the stable, they have a large paddock. Just across the street, they have another stable where they accommodate their private tours. That stable consists of a cozy kitchen, two bathrooms, and a shower and can accommodate up about 30 horses. There, they have a good indoor riding area as well.

The Icelandic horse

The history of the Icelandic horse can be traced right back to the settlement of the country in the late ninth century. Viking settlers brought their best horses with them, from various origins, though mostly of Germanic descent. The breed has remained pure for over a thousand years so today there is only one breed of horse in Iceland - the Icelandic horse. Today, there are close to 80,000 horses in Iceland, an incredible number for a nation that counts only 330,000 people.

The Icelandic Horse is intelligent, good-tempered, and versatile. It is the most colorful breed in the world with over 40 different colors and over 100 variations. Travel on horseback is growing in popularity and Icelandic horsemen are respectful and considerate when it comes to nature, just as they are with their horse. All sorts of competitions are held, emphasizing the different gaits of the horses, from novice fun classes to top class championships.

The Icelandic horse is unique amongst horse breeds because it masters five gaits including walk, trot, tölt, canter or gallop, and flying pace. The breed is best known for its four-beat smooth gait, the “tölt”, which is very comfortable for the rider and elegantly displayed by the horse.

Tack type

The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different than the tack ordinarily used for other breeds. The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides, a crupper helps to keep the saddle in place. Riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long. Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.

On the third day of the tour, you will visit Thingeyrar church.

Vatnsdalur valley in Iceland has one of three uncountable phenomena in Iceland clusters of mounds and hillocks.

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During the ride, full board is provided. 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.

• Activities mentioned in the itinerary
• Horse riding sessions
• Rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, and riding helmet
• Tour to Thingeyrar church
• Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm
• 4 nights accommodation
• Daily full board meals
• 11% VAT

• Alcoholic beverages
• Flight to and from Iceland
• Individual travel insurance

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• 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.