Horse Round Up in Iceland     Tour #15 
Skrapatungurétt  and  Vididalstungurétt

The Icelandic Round-Up is a genuine tradition and has its roots way back in the past when pastures and fields near the farms were very precious and had to be kept for the hay harvest.

Imagine free and spirited horses coming down from their highland summer pastures towards the inhabited areas to be returned to their owners. Mares and their foals, young horses and geldings make their way through rough territory, not really willing to give up their freedom yet before winter returns once again.
Join the farmers in this great adventure of the autumn and participate in driving the herd, sorting the horses and celebrating the successful return of horses and men. The terrain is varied and includes the highland moors, green valleys just turning into their autumn colors of red and yellow, blue lakes and rivers, all nurturing the horses up to their last day in the highlands. An introduction ride from the Riding Center will help you to get acquainted with riding Icelandic style before your ride in the North really starts.
Only in the North of Iceland the old tradition of rounding-up horses is kept alive. Our September departure rounds up horses into the round-up pen at Skrapatungurétt and our October departure brings the horses back to Víðidalstungurétt. In both places the locals celebrate the successful round-ups with a ball “Réttardansleikur” in the next community hall. Farmers and friends join this celebration and sing and dance the night away.
Our partners Haukur and Sonja at Hvammur Farm will do their best to make your ride an unforgettable adventure.

IT-ICRT24
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights     (4 riding days)
 US$ 1,669   per person
-- based on € 1,077
Departures in 2008:  
A. 09/11-09/16    Skrapatunga
B.  10/01-10/06   Víðidalstungurétt - Dæli 
 Availability and Reservation

Meeting Point:  Keflavik  airport
Level:    Good Intermediate
Riding per day:  4-6 hours
Pace:  Moderate
Tack:   Icelandic
Horses:  Icelandic Horses
Min/Max   8-16 riders
Accommodation for all nights at the farm is in cosy 2 - 4 bed units and in Reykjavík in hotel rooms with private facilities. After a day in the mountains we can relax in a comfortable warm outdoor tub before a hearty, home cooked dinner is served.

   Driving a Herd of  horses

September Itinerary  -  A. Skrapatunga

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Thursday: Arrival in Iceland – Íshestar Riding Center – Transfer to Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to the Íshestar Riding Center. Make sure your flight arrives not later then 16:00 to be able to participate in an introductional riding tour to Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Clients arriving earlier that day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the guesthouse and picked up at the guesthouse again in time for the ride.) After the ride we enjoy a traditional Icelandic soup and receive details of the following tour before the day ends at your accommodation in a guesthouse in Reykjavík. (10 km)
Friday: Reykjavík -  Þingeyrar – Röðull - Hvammur
We drive to the North and meet guides and horses at Thingeyrar Farm, a place of great historic importance. Today we cross Lake Húnavatn on a save trail in the water. An exciting yet save adventure and truly one of the highlights of this tour. We follow the expensive salmon fishing river Laxá á Ásum and end our ride at Farm Röðull where Haukur’s grandfather lives. He is known for his storytelling and warm personality. Overnight stay at Hvammur Farm, home of Sonja and Haukur. where we stay during this tour (30 km).
Saturday: Gathering horses in Laxárdalur - Skrapatungurétt
We meet up with our horses again at Farm Strjúgsstaðir. Today we meet the farmers coming down from the mountains where they already spent some time gathering the horses in their summer pastures. Hundreds of horses are coming down from the highlands and we participate in herding them to the round up place Skrapatungurétt. During this long riding day join in the singing of the farmers, celebrating this great event of the fall. (35 km)
Optional (not included in the tour price):
"Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Blönduós, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.
Sunday: Sorting of the horses and driving the herds to their home pastures
Our day starts at the round up place Skrapatungurétt where horses are sorted out. Experience the excitement and view beautiful horses while joining in this great event. When the horses are sorted we participate in returning some of them to their meadows at their home farms. After dinner at Hvammur, nearby farmers will join us for a farewell party after this great tour. (25 km)
Monday: Return to Reykjavík – Blue Lagoon (optional)
After breakfast departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. We visit a factory outlet with woolen goods on our way. Approx. arrival at the guesthouse at 14:00.
Tuesday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

October Itinerary    B. Víðidalstungurétt - Dæli

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Wednesday: Arrival in Iceland – Íshestar Riding Center – Transfer to Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to the Íshestar Riding Center. Make sure your flight arrives not later then 16:00 to be able to participate in an introductional riding tour to Mt. Helgafell Volcano. (Clients arriving earlier that day are picked up upon arrival, driven to the guesthouse and picked up at the guesthouse again in time for the ride.) After the ride we enjoy a traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the following tour before the day ends at your accommodation in a guesthouse in Reykjavík. (10 km)
Thursday:  Reykjavík – Bjargshóll – Dæli Holiday Farm
We drive to the North and meet guides and horses at Bjargshóll Farm, where we start our ride. Our first riding day takes us through the beautiful valleys Fitjárdalur and Víðidalur each with their own salmon fishing river. We cross the river Víðidalsá and end at Dæli Holiday Farm, close to Kolugil canyon, beautifully located in Víðidalur Valley. Accommodation for the next three nights is at the farm. (30 km)
Friday: Dæli - Kolugil – Víðidalstungheiði – Dæli
Today we ascend towards the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði and meet the horses coming down from their pastures in the highlands. We enjoy a warm lunch at a mountain shelter before we join the farmers in driving the herd down from the mountains. Before ending our ride at Dæli Farm we stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments. Following dinner that day, we spend time with the farmers and other guests in Dæli and join in their singing and celebrating of this great event of the fall. (36 km, 8-9 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)
Saturday: Víðidalstungurétt – Bjargshóll - Dæli
Our day starts at the round up place Víðidalstungurétt where horses are sorted out. An auction is held right on the spot and we can join the farmers in their joyful singing, celebrating the return of their horses. In the afternoon we ride back to Bjargshóll Farm and return our horses to their meadows, before driving back to Dæli for a hearty dinner. (30 km)
Optional (not included in the tour price):
"Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Víðihlíð, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.
Sunday: Return to the South – Reykjavík – Blue Lagoon (optional)
Departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. We visit a factory outlet with woollen goods on our way. Approx. arrival at the guesthouse at 14:00.
For those interested we plan a tour to the Blue Lagoon (not included in the tour price)
Monday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.