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Discover the incredible wild beauty of East
Iceland on the Egilsstaðir Tour and explore an
area not known by many people. Even among
Icelanders this part of the interior is a best-
kept secret. Experience the completely untamed
nature north of Europe´s largest glacier
Vatnajökull, where only large herds of reindeer
roam free and the sure footed Icelandic horse is
the only way of transportation into this
breathtaking wilderness. The endless variations
of the interior from fertile valleys and deep
canyons to some of Iceland´s highest mountains
will warm the heart of every nature lover. Learn
about the heroic Viking Age while riding through
of the locations where some of the Icelandic
Sagas originated. The Icelandic author and
Nobel-prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness used
this area for inspiration and as background for
his famous novel "Sjálfstætt fólk” (Independent
People). Our hosts Jón Þór and his wife Margrét
live on the Farm Glúmsstaðir set into the
beautiful settings of the East Icelandic
countryside. Jón Þór has been our partner in the
East for many years and there are probably very
few people who know the rugged wilderness better
than him.
Optional Tour:
For the first time we offer a great optional
tour by bus to the old reconstructed farm of
Sænautasel, a unique experience to see how
Icelanders lived before the time of indoor
running water and electricity.
Itinerary
Sunday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport -
Reykjavík
A
representative meets all clients at Keflavík
Airport and drives them to a guesthouse in
Reykjavík. At approx. 17:30 we invite you to a
Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic
soup. Receive details of the following tour and
meet your fellow riders.
Monday: Reykjavík - Egilsstaðir -
Skriðuklaustur – Fjallaskarð Mountain Cabin
Flight to Egilsstaðir town in the morning and a
drive to Skriðuklaustur Farm where we meet
horses and staff. After a short introduction to
the Icelandic horse and its special gait we
start our ride. We ascend from a valley at
nearly sea level to the great highland plateau,
where vegetation and landscape have already an
artic character. Enjoy magnificent views on this
ride. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin
Fjallaskarð, at the foot of the mountain
Eyvindarfjöll. (6 - 7 hours)
Tuesday: Fjallaskarð – Aðalból Farm
We ride from
Fjallaskarð mountain cabin to Aðalból Farm. Here
we leave the herd behind and ride on one horse
through the beautiful valley of Hrafnkelsdalur,
the setting of the famous Hrafnkelssaga from the
Viking Age. Imagine life at the adventurous Saga
times while our guides will tell you about
historic events and make the Saga come alive.
Among other sites we visit the waterfall
Faxafoss named after one of the most famous
horses in Icelandic literature. (5-6 hours)
Optional
tour:
After dinner we
offer an optional tour by bus to Sænautasel, a
reconstructed old farm. Here we will be offered
some refreshments and enjoy the unique
experience to see how Icelanders lived before
the time of indoor running water and
electricity. The Icelandic author and
Nobel-prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness used
this area as background for his novel "Sjálfstætt
fólk” (Independent People). Don't be surprised
if we meet a modern version of his character
“Bjartur from Sumarhús” in this part of the
country. We are sure you will be enjoying the
endless variations of the Icelandic interior
between Matbrunnavatn and Búrfellsvatn.
(Price per person 2.500 ISK)
Wednesday: Aðalból – Hafrahvammagljúfur – Sauðá
Mountain Cabin
A
highlight of today is the ride to the gigantic
canyon Hafrahvammagljúfur. This huge, narrow,
steep canyon is an unforgettable sight. Enjoy
far-reaching views over Iceland's rugged
interior, when we ride across the fertile
landscape of Vestur-Öræfi. Overnight stay at
Sauðá Mountain Cabin, situated 5 km north of
Vatnajökull glacier, in the main summer pastures
of reindeer in Iceland. (6 - 7 hours)
Thursday: Sauðá - Snæfell - Vatnajökull Glacier
– Snæfell Mountain Cabin
Our
ride continues towards the magnificent Mt.
Snæfell, one of the highest mountains Iceland.
In the afternoon we change to 4Wheel-drive
transportation and drive towards Europe’s
biggest glacier, Vatnajökull. View endless
stretches of ice and snow and explore the
glacier, a truly thrilling experience. Overnight
stay at the foot of Mt. Snæfell in a spacious
mountain cabin. (4 - 5 + 3 hours)
Friday: Snæfell - Eyjabakkar – Laugarfell
Mountain Cabin
A
good chance to see more reindeer herds and
countless numbers of pink-footed geese on our
way round Mt. Snæfell and into the beautiful
pastures of Eyjabakkar, with Eyjabakkajökull
glacier towering over us. Natural hot pool on
site. We stay for the night at Laugarfell
Mountain Cabin. (6 - 7 hours)
Saturday: Laugarfell – Skriðuklaustur –
Hallormsstaður Guesthouse
View beautiful waterfalls in the glacier fed
river Jökulsá in Fljótsdalur as we descend to
Norðurdalur valley. The riding tour ends at
Skriðuklaustur Farm where we say good bye to the
horses and drive to Hallormsstaður forest,
Iceland´s biggest forest. Relax in the nearby
swimming pool after an exciting riding
adventure. Overnight at Hallormsstaður
Guesthouse. (6 - 7 hours)
Sunday: Egilsstaðir - Reykjavík
Flight back to Reykjavík in the morning with
arrival at approx. 11:00 at Reykjavík Domestic
Airport. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in
Reykjavík.
Monday: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík -
Keflavík Airport
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the
return flight home. |
