10 day riding experience

Arrive From Keflavik Airport And Meet With The Tölt And Nature Team

You get picked up at Keflavik International Airport (1) by the guide that will be a part of your journey for the next eight days. The first destination of your journey is a by Lake Elliðavatn, which is located on the outskirts of Reykjavik next to the Heiðmörk Natural Reserve whose small forests and lava formations are protected by the State of Iceland. The owners of Fellsendi Horse Farm invite you to their home overlooking the lake and adjacent to the largest cluster of stables in the Reykjavik area (2).

After a brief introduction from the Tölt and Nature team, a dinner and cocktails will be served and our guests have the opportunity to meet one of the breeders from Hrisdalur and Fellsendi Horse Farms.

We Meet Professional Breeders, Riders And An International Judge

After breakfast we will drive to Mosfellsbær (2) where Eysteinn Leifsson, an accomplished breeder and one of the most successful exporters of the Icelandic horse will welcome the group. Leifsson is an international horse judge and he will host a 3 hour seminar where hour guests will receive riding guidance from Leifsson while riding first class horses. It is important to identify the riding skills of each of our guests to better mach each rider with an appropriate horse in the longer riding tours of the journey.

After lunch in Reykjavík we will start our journey to Akureyri which is approximately 4 hours drive. On the way we will visit the professional trainer and rider Jakob Sigurðsson and take a tour of the Steinsholt Horse Farm where Sigurðsson will showcase some of his highest rated horses for our guests. Afterwards, our guests will have the opportunity to walk around the stables and engage in discussions with his staff of professionals.

The evening will end at Akureyri (4), which is the capital of north Iceland. Our accommodation will be in a classic Icelandic house located in the town center (pictured). Icelandic lamb will be served the traditional Icelandic way prepared by our Chéf.

Guests will spend the night in double rooms and all that Akureyri has to offer is within 3 minute walking distance from the house.

Torfunes Horse Farm – Long Riding Tours In The Unspoiled Nature

We will drive for 45 minutes to the Torfunes Horse Farm which showcases around 120 horses. Baldvin Kr. Baldvinsson who has over 40 years experience as a top breeder of the Icelandic horse. Among the horses are Blær from Torfunes (avg grade 8.55) and Máttur from Torfunes (avg grade 8.52).

In the spring of 2008 a total of 11 horses trained at Torfunes received the average  total breeding assessments of 8.16. Two of those mare’s received 8,47 in average grade, two of the highest assessments awarded world-wide in 2009.

Baldvin will take our guests on a 6 hour riding tour to Goðafoss waterfall on breeding horses from Torfunes. Lunch will be served on the riding tour and each of our guests will have two horses to ride in the untouched landscape of Northern Iceland.

After the riding tour we will drive back to Akureyri and relax and recoup in the geothermal heated swimming pool next to our house and a dinner after the relaxation.

Competition On Breeding Horses In Front Of International Judges

We will visit the Torfunes Horse Farm and start out with a 3 hour riding tour in the woodlands of Northern Iceland to prepare us for the adventurous day.

Upon return to Torfunes the owner will offer us a tour around the whole farm where our guests will be offered to take part in the daily routine of a professional horse breeder. Following the tour we will relax and watch professional jockeys showcase 10 of the highest rated horses from Torfunes. We advise you to pay close attention to details, as you will have the opportunity later in the day to do exactly that – and be judged by a panel of international judges and professional jockeys.

You will take part in a riding competition – where you will showcase three of our award winning horses. You will be judged by the professional panel of international judges and professional jockeys. Your performance will be evaluated in accordance with international standards and we will conclude the competition with a award ceremony.

The night will be concluded over dinner in Akureyri where you will be served with traditional game feast – showcasing the best in Icelandic culinary.

Flugumýri Horse Farm – Equine Science Department at Hólar

We will start our journey to the West of Iceland on day 5 and we will be stopping at several renowned horse breeding farms as well as visiting the Equine Science Department at the University of Holar – the home of the Icelandic Horse.

Flugumýri Horse Farm is in Skagafjörður which has been at the centre of Icelandic horse breeding. The family of Flugumýri will welcome us to their home and give us a tour around the stables where we will watch some award winning horses, for example the young and promising stallions Seiður and Segull from Flugumýri.

Our next stop will be at the Equine Science Department of Hólar University, which provides professional education in the fields of horse breeding, horse training, horsemanship, and riding teaching. The department is an international centre for education and research in the fields of horse breeding, horse training, horsemanship, and riding teaching.

We will conclude the day at Grundarfjörður in the West of Iceland at Fellsendi Horse farm (6) where dinner will be served and relax in the hot-tub overlooking the sea.

Ride in the Midnight Sun – Party With Local Horse Riders

Grundarfjörður at Snæfellsnes offers one of the most spectacular views that Iceland has to offer. We will visit the Fellsendi Horse farm and we will experience a regular day of the family running the horse farm. As such you will attend to the horses and prepare the stables.

After breakfast we will offer a riding tour around the mountain Kirkjufell (pictured on next page) and enjoy the full depth and breadth of the untouched Icelandic landscape.

In the evening, several local horse riders will join us for an evening filled with guitar playing, singing and outdoor barbequing of traditional Icelandic lamb and mingle with the locals.

You will have the opportunity to ride in the midnight sun and experiencing the never-ending Icelandic summer day while enjoying a spectacular scenery and mingling with the locals.

Morning Ride – Sightseeing Around Snæfellsnes – Challenging Terrain

After serving you with traditional Icelandic breakfast we will head up to the Fellsendi Horse Farm where you will select your horse for the 3 hour morning ride around the area.

After lunch we will venture on a boat journey around Breiðafjord which is known for its countless number of small islands.

We will return to Fellsendi before dinner and after dinner we will relax for our 3 hour riding tour in the midnight sun. On the way we will take a long stop where local hosts will serve us traditional Icelandic snacks and we will listen to a narrator explaining to us the mythical story about the troll living in the uninhabitable lava that we will cross.

The journey offers a rare inside look into the strength and the ability of the Icelandic horse to adjust to tough riding conditions as we will pass through a very challenging terrain in the fall of night.

Hrisdalur Horse Farm – Riding On The Shores Of Löngufjörur

We will sleep in and then we will drive for 30 minutes to the Hrisdalur Horse Farm (7) on the Southern Side of Snæfellsnes. Hrisdalur is an elegantly designed horse farm and breeding center and we will be welcomed by the professional horse trainers Siguroddur Pétursson and Ásdís Sigurðardóttir.

Hrísdalur specializes both in breeding horses as well as horses for competition. You will have the opportunity to ride and see the breeding horses from Hrísdalur, including the offspring”s of Aron from Strandhöfða, Þórodd from Þóroddsstöðum and Álf from Selfossi.

We will take a 5 hour riding tour along the unparalleled shores of Löngufjörur where we will ride near the magical glacier Snæfellsjökull. We will be escorted by professional riders who regularly showcase the breeding horses from Hrísdalur at local and international competitions.

After the riding tour we are invited to the weekly night celebration at Hrisdalur where we will mingle with the staff of Hrisdalur and enjoy their home made traditional cuisine. After the celebration we will drive back to Fellsendi where we will spend the night.

Last Riding Tour – Dinner In Reykjavik – Photo Show Of The Journey

We will revisit the Hrisdalur Horse Farm on day 9 where you will have the opportunity to try other horses than you rode the day before and get used to them under the guidance of the professionals at Hrisdalur.

After a light lunch we will commence our 4 hour riding tour towards the glacier Snæfellsjökull. Each participant will have two horses to ride, and we will be taught the proper way to ride with one horse on the side, which is necessary on all longer riding tours in Iceland.

Midday café will be served under the glacier where we will relax in the unspoiled nature where a rare photo opportunity will arise with the glacier as a backdrop for a picture of you with your award-winning breeding horse.

Upon return to Fellsendi we will drive back to Reykjavik where we will be served dinner and cocktails and we will discuss the journey and reflect on our experience. To mark the occasion you will be shown a photo show of your journey and you will be given a copy to take back home.

Wake Up In Reykjavík – End Of Journey – Outward Flight

Most flights depart Iceland early in the morning and our staff will arrange your transportation to the airport.

However, if there is time we will take you a around Reykjavik and show you the sights.