Iceland – Winter Riding & Northern Lights

• Overview
• Details
• Dates and Prices
• Photos
• Itinerary

Overview

Winter in Iceland – Ride, Relax & See the Northern Lights

Experience Iceland in winter, when the countryside glows with colour and the Northern Lights dance across the Arctic sky. Explore Iceland’s most iconic sights on the back of the Icelandic Horse, riding along scenic bridle paths and enjoying the unique tolt gait over river trails.

Relax in the Secret Lagoon, soaking in its warm, mineral-rich waters, and discover the natural wonders of the Golden Circle. Each evening, soak in the tranquility of the Icelandic countryside and, weather permitting, watch the spectacular Aurora Borealis light up the night sky.

Winter in Iceland is as beautiful as it is unpredictable, so the itinerary may be adjusted to ensure the best experience in every condition.

Accommodation & Meals

You will stay in family-run guesthouses throughout the trip. Prices are based on twin or quad-share rooms with twin or bunk beds; single rooms are available on request for a supplement. Bathrooms are shared.

During the ride, full board is provided, featuring cosy guesthouses and farmhouses serving home-cooked Icelandic meals—soups, stews, fish, and lamb, with hearty breakfasts and packed lunches prepared by riders. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be arranged if requested at booking.

Riders are provided with rainwear, a water bottle, and a saddlebag, and wearing a riding helmet is compulsory.

Most guesthouses feature hot tubs, perfect for relaxing after a long day in the saddle.

Details

• Runs October to December, February and March
• Set departures
• Minimum 2 / Maximum 20 riders
• Centre based ride – staying at Kálfhóll farm
• 4 Days / 3 nights (3 days riding)
• 5-7 hours riding per day
• Suits intermediate riders
• Rider weight limit – 110kg / 240 lbs

Riding Ability:
Riders must be at ease at all 4 paces across varied, uneven terrain and be in good physical condition. You must be secure in the saddle and be comfortable riding for long hours of up to 5-6 hours a day.

Much of the riding is at a tölt, which can be fast, so you need to be a confident rider able to adapt to different riding styles. General fitness is as important as riding experience due to the long hours in the saddle.

If you know how to ride a horse using English riding style you should have no problems riding an Icelandic horse. Western-style riders should not experience any difficulties adjusting to the Icelandic way of riding either. The guides will take some time at the beginning of each tour to explain the correct way to saddle the horse, mount it and how to ride the different gaits. They will carefully explain how and when to ride “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse.  The height of horses is from 13hh – 14hh.

Horse breed:
The Icelandic Horse breed is best known for its four-beat smooth gait, the “tölt”, which is very comfortable for the rider, especially on a longer tour. Riding an Icelandic horse in its native habitat is an authentic riding experience.

Herding along free running horses is the traditional way of travelling in Iceland, since horses are changed at least once a day on longer tours. You will get to ride a variety of horses.

Group Size:
Riding groups are a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 20 riders plus a lead rider and other group leaders.

Type of Tack:
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 keep the saddle in place. The riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to the English riding style, but stirrups are worn long.

Bits used are mostly simple snaffles and the Bridles have a detachable noseband with clip-on reins.

Helmets are strongly recommended, and a packing list will be provided when you book the ride.

Saddlebags, wet weather gear, and water are provided.

Dates and prices:

The rates are calculated in Euros and all rates are based on twin/quad-share accommodation.

Depending on your flight times, you will need at least one night in Reykjavik after your ride.

Cost: from €1360.00 euros per person.

All rates are based on the Euro and subject to currency fluctuation, so please contact us for the most up to date Australian dollar conversion for your riding holiday.  We use the ANZ bank sell rate for our conversion.

Includes

• All accommodation in twin or quad share rooms
• Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm
• During the ride, full board is provided. Our 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.
• 3 full days of riding on horseback, including 3-4 horses per person and riding gear
• Trained riding guides
• Rainwear, water bottle, saddlebag, and riding helmet

Not included

• International flights and transfers to start of ride paid locally
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Entry to sights and activities not mentioned
• Drinks not included with meals, additional incidentals, and tips
• 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 in the Duty-Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.

Photos

Itinerary

Day 1: (D) Tuesday – Reykjavík – River cabins at Kálfhóll

Pick up at 18:00 from BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik. Drive to Kálfhóll farm where you will meet our guide and staff. We will stay at the River cabins at Kálfhóll farm and enjoy a delicious dinner at while getting 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.

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Day 2: (B,L,D) Wednesday – Kálfhóll Farm – Þjórsá – Secret Lagoon

Drive to the Farm Kálfhóll where 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 Kálfhóll and afterward, you can take an evening stroll with your guide and host to look for the Northern Lights again. Overnight at River cabins. (Approx. 2 hours)

Day 3: (B,L,D) Thursday – Kálfhóll Farm – southern countryside  

We start the day with a short ride in the winter fields by the farm before we have lunch. We ride through lava and moss-covered terrain and enjoy the view we have all around us. After a short break near the river, we 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 River cabins. (Approx. 2-3 hours)

Day 4: (B,L) Friday – Kálfhóll – Þjórsá – Geysir – Gullfoss – Þingvellir

After breakfast, we take our last ride along the Þjórsá river and take in the breathtaking winter pastures one last time. After a light lunch, we say goodbye to the horses and hop on to the bus to visit the Golden Circle, the 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 we drive 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 the uniqueness and historical significance. We will be back in Reykjavík BSÍ at approx: 18:00. (Approx. 2 hours)

Please note that this program is for your information only and the itinerary may be modified according to the availability of the hotels, the weather, and any other local conditions, and some sights may be closed for various reasons.

OTHER INFORMATION

Location
Near Reykjavik

Weather
Weather website: http://www.holiday-weather.com/

Activities
You will enjoy a visit to the Secret Lagoon, and sightseeing of the Golden Circle, including Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gulfoss waterfall. In the evenings, hope for clear weather for some Aurora spotting!

Languages spoken
English, Icelandic

Closest Airport
Reykjavik

Snaffle Travel is happy to provide a competitive quote on international flights, travel insurance, car hire, and hotels before and after your ride.  Please contact us for further information, booking terms and conditions to info@snaffletravel.com.au

This holiday is calculated using Euros and is subject to currency fluctuation.  We will update the final invoice 7 days before final payment.  This itinerary is subject to our terms and conditions and the deposit is non-refundable.  Please ask for our *terms and conditions* which apply to riding holidays.

Please contact Snaffle Travel for further information, riding holiday booking terms and conditions to info@snaffletravel.com.au

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