Iceland Experience
Apply by May 15th and receive $250 off!
Take the Road Less Traveled August 22-28, 2024
The Icelandic Horse
Have you ever wanted to ride an Icelandic horse? We know these horses for their calm demeanor and social personalities. They are a small, comfortable, gaited breed who are sure-footed and sensitive in the best way. Come with me to introduce you to the tölt, a smooth pace similar to power walking, that is unique to this breed. The tölt is a four beat gait, with no suspension, similar to a power walk and can be ridden slowly like a trot or fast like a canter.
This event is for riders of ALL levels and experience who want to soak in the wonders of Iceland with a trail ride atmosphere. Ride with me one to two hours each day on a guided experience for an invigorating exploration of the iconic countryside alongside rivers, to waterfalls, up a volcano, and across the famous black sand beach.
It’s Not All About Riding
Iceland is known for its friendly people, fresh and creative cuisine, and stunning landscapes. Each day we will explore the coast of Southern Iceland, a different experience each day. With our local tour guide, Gunnsi, we will be charmed with tales of Vikings, learn the history and significance of each site, and explore some of the larger and smaller known destinations.
About Your Host, Heather Wallace
Heather Wallace is short, sassy, and bold on the ground but not in the saddle! She is the bestselling author of non-fiction books Confessions of a Timid Rider, Adulting with Horses, Girl Forward, and her debut fiction romance, Back Door Horse. She is the co-host of the #1 Independent Equine Podcast, Adulting with Horses for all horse women who love a good laugh.
Heather is an avid traveler, having explored 13 different countries including Mongolia, where she rode Mongolian horses and was an official for an endurance horse race.
Heather’s favorite part of traveling is getting to understand and experience other cultures firsthand.
Explore the South Coast of Iceland
Horses are only one part of our experience in the Land of Fire & Ice! The South Coast of Iceland is known for it’s amazing waterfalls (there are too many to count), black sand beaches, and glacier.
See them first hand and soak in the truly unique island which is growing each day due to volcanic activity.
Sample Itinerary
Meet and Greet- August 22nd
Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland and check into your hotel. We will secure a group rate downtown, which is optional for your stay. During the evening, join me for Happy Hour and welcome dinner to get to know each other and savor some local fare! *Dinner will be dutch, as the tour begins officially the next morning.
Day One- Geysir and Vikings
We will meet at the hotel in Reykjavik at 9AM (HOTEL TBD). Our guide from Season Tours will pick us up to begin our tour! Today will include a 2 hour horse riding experience at Geysir Hester to ride alongside the river in the Geysir area. We will also visit the Hjálp double waterfall and Stöng Viking theory house.
Dinner and stay at Hotel Leirubakki horse farm. Visit the onsite hot tub and “Viking pool” to relax your muscles after the day.
Day 2 – Remote Waterfall
Breakfast then leisure until 10 am where we will go on a one hour horseback ride in the area. After the ride and a light lunch, gourmet soup and Icelandic bread, we drive to visit an oasis in the desert and have a short hike to Þjófafoss waterfall. After this we will go back to the hotel for relaxing. Dinner at 7 pm.
Day 3 – Glacier and Black Sand Beach
After breakfast at 9:30 am we pack our bags and head to Vík, stopping by Dyrhólaey on the way. After lunch in Vík we go for a one hour horseback ride on the black sand beach.
On the way to Country Hotel Anna we stop by Reynisfjara beach and the basalt columns. Then hike back and forth to Sólheimajökull outlet glacier from Mýrdalsjökull. It is an easy hike of about 1.5 hours at a slow pace. Dinner at hotel, 7 PM.
Day 4 – Hidden Gems Adventure
Horse riding for two hours in the morning up to a beautiful, currently inactive, volcano, followed by the hidden gems adventure in the afternoon, including a beautiful gorge, Nauthúsagil and if weather permits, a semi-natural bathing place, Seljavallalaug.
Return to our hotel for dinner late in the afternoon.
Day 5 – Crater lake, Selfoss, and Reykjavík City
Drive back to Reykjavík, with lunch in Selfoss on the way and visiting a volcanic crater. A short introduction of Reykjavík arriving early enough in the city to enjoy what the city has to offer.
Accommodations:
We will stay at two different hotels in the South Coast.
2 nights at Leirubakki, a beautiful hotel with fine dining, horse riding on site, and access to local hiking trails.
2 nights at Hotel Anna, a quaint country hotel at the base of a stunning volcano, which was the family home of a female author and travel writer.
Available to a 8 participants only:
- Single room rate is $4875 per person ($4625 if you register by May 15).
- Double room rate is $3975 per person ($3725 if you register by May 15).
The rate includes everything listed below. Payment by bank transfer or via secure credit card payment by Wise or PayPal, is required to secure your spot on the trip.
*I highly recommend travel insurance in case of emergency cancellation due to illness or injury.
Included:
- Five days of guided tours and activities, on and off horseback.
- Four nights in hotels with breakfasts and gourmet dinners, and one lunch on day two.
- Four days riding of Icelandic horses, 1-2 hours across different terrains. Beginner Friendly but with options for faster riding if weather allows!
- Cultural experiences and excursions.
- Helmets and rain gear for horse riding provided.
Not Included:
- Reykjavík hotel stays before and after experience.
- Airfare to/from Keflavik Airport, Iceland.
- Transport to/from airport. Private taxi scheduled in advance or Grey Line Bus options.
- 3 lunches (we will stop each day on our tour so it will be available for purchase).
Don’t Wait, Apply Now! Applications are only open for a limited time.
