Absolute Iceland

Day One

Your flight should arrive at the latest at 16:00. You will be transferred to the domestic airport in Reykjavik for your flight to Sauðárkrókur in northern Iceland where you are met and transferred to Varmahlíð. Settle into your cottage and after dinner perhaps enjoy a dip in the hot pool to relax after your journey.

Day Two

This morning’s ride is a great introduction to the Icelandic Horse. For those who have never ridden an Icelandic Horse before, your guides will instruct you in riding the different gaits.

After lunch head out by boat to Drangey Island, a bird paradise in the fjord. In ancient times this island was called the "food chest" of Skagafjörður, since it provided a lot of birds and eggs for the poor population. The climb onto the top is a bit demanding, so you should be prepared with good hiking boots. On the way back the captain may stop to give you the opportunity for deep sea fishing. The sea is sometimes full of cod and you might bring a good dinner home.

[Please note: if weather conditions do not allow for the trip to Drangey Island, you will head out for a white water rafting adventure. A river is chosen that is suitable for everyone. This is an amazing opportunity to view the spectacular gorges.]

Return to the cottages for the night.

Day Three

Today you ride past the waterfall Reykjafoss and enter the valley Mælifellsdalur before going up to the pass at Kíðaskarð. At the top of the pass the view is far reaching, and you might even see the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull in the distance. When descending into Svartádalur valley you see the Stafnsrétt corral, where every year the sheep are gathered. The horses are left here for the night and you return to the cottages.

Day Four

This morning, you need to pack your bags for the next two days (travelling clothes and extra kit can be left at the cottages). The horses wait for you at Stafnsrétt and soon after leaving this secluded place you ascend the ridge Háatunga. After lunch continue riding through the highlands to the mountain hut Galtará, located not far from the lake Blöndulón. You will stay in this mountain cabin for the next two nights, with twin rooms, hot water and showers.

Day Five

Fortified by a hearty breakfast, you set out on a round trip in the highlands, passing stone cairns from the time of when travellers used them as markers when travelling to the yearly parliament session at Þingvellir. Pleasant tölt paths alternate with more difficult terrain. In the evening you reach Bugar, where the horses stay tonight. Drive back to Galtará.

Day Six

Time to pack up your bags again as you leave Galtará. On the ride back from Bugar you pass Lake Aðalmannsvatn before descending into the fertile and beautiful valley Gilhagadalur. To the left you will see the mountain Mælifellshnjúkur which, like Drangey Island, is a landmark of the Skagafjörður area. In the evening the horses stay at Gilhagi, whilst you return to the Hestasport Cottages, where the Hot Pot is waiting for you. 

Day Seven

Saddle the horses for a last time for the ride home. After crossing the Eggjar ridge, you soon reach the river delta of Héraðsvötn. You cross several small streams and travel on excellent riding trails until you reach Vindheimamelar. It is finally time to say goodbye to your horses, as they are released into the meadows.

You return to the cottages for a final dip in the hot tub after a long day riding, and a farewell dinner.

Day Eight

After a final farewell to your guides, you transfer back to Reykjavik on the ‘Kjölur Bus’; travelling over the highlands following the ancient Kjölur route between the glaciers. The bus stops en route at the geothermal area Hveravellir, the golden waterfall Gullfoss and the famous hot spring area Geysir.

You arrive in Reykjavik in the afternoon and check into the hotel; the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore Reykjavik at leisure (dinner is to your own account).

Day Nine

You are transferred to Keflavík Airport in time for your return flight home.