7 Day Horse Riding Adventure on the East Fjords of Iceland
Description
Details
Description
Experience the desolate East Fjords of Iceland from horseback on this full-week riding tour, where you’ll trail over steep mountains into lush green valleys embedded with folklore and history. If you want to embark on the most authentic of Icelandic adventures and get to know the country’s most beloved animal, this is the tour for you.
Setting out from Egilsstaðir, this seven-day riding tour consists of riding the amazing Icelandic horse through the fjords and valleys of the East Fjords. This unique horse breed is known throughout the world for possessing five gaits; as well as boasting a big and curious personality; and a friendly, good-tempered nature.
The landscapes you can expect to see during your week in the East include the stretches of Vöðlavík Bay, the historical fjord of Viðfjörður, the settlement area Barðsnes, and Iceland’s most eastern point Gerpir, just to name a few. Each of these locations are relatively unknown except to the locals of the area, such as your guides, but all are spectacular in their wilderness.
Besides from horse-riding and sightseeing, the itinerary entails visiting and staying at farms, eating homemade cuisine, listening to stories of myths and folklore, singing songs and soaking in geothermal swimming pools at the end of a long day of riding.
If you love horses and want to experience the untouched natural landscapes of Iceland, you don’t want to miss out on this incredible opportunity. Secure your spot now on this annual adventure and become a member of the East Fjords horse family. Check availability by choosing a date.
Included
Map
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival at Egilsstadir
Your adventure begins at the site of Iceland’s earliest settlement, Egilsstaðir, a small town named after the hero of Egils Saga whose family lived in the area. You’ll receive a pickup at the airport, after which you will be brought to the horse farm to get to know the animals, your group of local guides and the rest of your travel companions.
After enjoying an early lunch, you’ll take the herd of horses to graze in the valley of Fannardalur. Then, it’s time to saddle up and ride up the hills of Efsti-Dalur. Once you have descended the mountains, you’ll have a coffee break at a local farm before bringing the herd back.
Come afternoon, you can enjoy a soak in the geothermal swimming pool to rejuvenate your spirits and prepare your muscles for the days ahead. The evening concludes with a tour around the town of Neskaupstaður, after which you will have dinner and retreat for the night.
Day 2 - The Mountains of Berufjordur Fjord
After breakfast, you will pack your lunch packs and saddle up the horses. Today, you will ride through some stunning natural sceneries, where you will trail up ancient mountain paths to enjoy panoramic fjord views of Berufjörður from the top.
This day is also when you will meet up with your jeep support, enjoying coffee and cakes in their company. After a full day of incredible sights, you will arrive at your base for the night, Karlsstaðir in Vöðlavík Bay. Relax, renew and maybe have a bath in the river if weather allows, before a night full of singing and storytelling. You will spend the night at Karlsstaðir.
Day 3 - Bird Watching & Beach Riding
Today, prepare to ride along the shoreline to the Krossanes Peninsula. Here lie the remains of a deserted farm, providing you with an insight of the harsh living conditions in these desolate areas during days long passed.
As you make your way back to Karlsstaðir, you ride along the sandy stretches of Vöðlavík Bay, where you can race your horses to a gallop and ride into the very waves of the Atlantic Ocean. After enjoying a late lunch at the hut, you saddle up once more and ride the herd to Viðfjörður Fjord, visiting an old farmhouse swept with history.
Get to know the farm and have some rest, before taking a bird watching walk on the shore. The species of bird that inhabit the East Fjords include swans, arctic skuas, gannets and looms, just to name a few.
You will spend another night at Karlsstaðir, having dinner and singing songs before retreating for the night.
Day 4 - Bardsnes Settlement Ruins & Hellisfjordur Fjord
History buffs take heed, for today you will ride to the area of Barðsnes, where you’ll locate ruins from Iceland’s Age of Settlement. Then, you continue up the cliffs to enjoy views of the island’s most eastern point, Gerpir.
After lunch at a local farmhouse, you ride along the shore to the fjord of Hellisfjörður, swept with an ancient history of farming and whaling. Then, you will ride over the Götuhjalli trail with its views of Neskaustaður Town, before heading back to Skorrastaður and hopefully catching a soak in the swimming pool before closing time.
After the pool, you will have dinner and rest up, spending the night in Skorrastaður.
Day 5 - Chasing Waterfalls & Racing on Black Sand
Today, you take the herd for grazing on your way up to a beautiful hidden gem in the area, a cascading waterfall. Allowing your companion horses to rest for a while, you change steeds and head back to the farm for lunch.
Come afternoon; you will take the horses around the surrounding fjord to go racing on the black sand beaches of the bay. Those willing can join their horses for a swim in the river, before enjoying a traditional Icelandic holiday meal. Another night of celebration and singing awaits, before retreating back to Skorrastaður farm.
Day 6 - Competition Time
On the last day of your horse riding adventure of the East, you will head to the competition field and see who has topped their riding skills the most. Follow the traditional competition program and put your skills to the test, before having fun with alternative horse riding games.
After lunch, you will embark on a tölt-ride in the fjord, but tölt is the acclaimed fifth gait of the Icelandic horse, a briskly-paced but smooth-as-silk gait resembling the trot. After enjoying the hot tubs of the swimming pool once more, you will enjoy the last meal of your tour and take part in the final celebrations come nightfall.
Day 7 - Farewells
It’s time to say goodbye to the East Fjords and their horses for now, as you pack up your things and catch your ride back to Egilsstaðir Airport after breakfast.
Know that you just spent a full week on an authentic Icelandic horse-riding adventure through some of the most stunning landscapes the island has to offer. Join this adventure today and make memories to last you a lifetime.
What to bring
Good to know
This tour takes place in July, but even though it is known as one of the hottest months of the year in Iceland, the weather in the land of ice and fire is unpredictable. Please make sure to bring plenty of warm layers.
