CANYON TRAIL - ICELAND

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You ride in the traditional way, herding free horses and changing to a fresh horse on some days. Visit the best known sights in Iceland, the Geysir Hot Spring area and the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss by riding along bridleways and deep canyons, across wide salmon rivers, through a lovely birch forests with wild mountain flowers to a panoramic highland plateau. There are made up beds throughout the tour, and a hot outdoor tub is available every night. This ride is suitable for fit riders with a basic knowledge of riding.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights - 180 km covered Ride only price 2008: £1,165 Child under 12 years old - £875 2009: £1,245 Child under 12 years old - £935 Departure dates 2008: 16, 23 August 2009: 13,20,27 Jun; 4,11,18,25 Jul; 1,8,15,22 Aug. Approximate riding time per day 4 to 7 hours Riding ability required novice onwards. Min age 7 Group size Max 18 Meeting point (getting there) Keflavik Airport, Reykjavik, Iceland Transfer Included from meeting point Flight guide London - Reykjavik return from £110 Single supplement Not possible, you should be prepared to share on this ride.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - CANYON TRAIL

Day 1
Saturday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. At 17:30 we invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the following trail and meet your fellow riders.

Day 2
Sunday: Reykjavík – Thingvellir – Fossnes Farm – Gnúpverjahreppur – Fossnes Farm
Your horse riding holiday begins as you are transfered from Reykjavík via Thingvellir Nationalpark to Fossnes farm, situated in beautiful surroundings, where we meet horses and guides. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride along pleasant trails and explore the colourful Gnúpverjahreppur countryside. This day is the perfect start to get to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere. During the ride you will enjoy the view of deep green mountains and valleys and the mighty glacial river Thjórsá. Relax in a hot tub before a hearty dinner at the farm. (4 – 5 hours)

Day 3
Monday: Fossnes – Hvítárdalur – Fossnes
We leave the farm and head off to the fertile farmlands of neighbouring community Hrunamannahreppur. We take handhorses along for changing our mounts a couple of times a day and this gives us the opportunity to travel at a comfortable speed. We cross the well know salmon river Stóra-Laxá and stop for our picnic lunch at Hrunaréttir, a paddock for the annual sheep round-up in autumn. We leave the horses at Hvítárdalur Farm and drive back to Fossnes for the night. (6 – 7 hours)

Day 4
Tuesday: Fossnes – Hvítárdalur – Gullfoss – Geysir Guesthouse
We continue our ride on soft trails ideal for tölting towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations. Alongside Hvítá River we follow the ever deepening canyon on to the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and continue to the famous Geysir hot spring area where we will stay for two nights. You have plenty of time to explore this highly interesting area with its countless bubbling hot springs. Outdoor hot tub on site. (6 - 7 hours)

Day 5
Wednesday: Geysir – Haukadalur – Haukadalsheiði – Geysir
Our ride takes us through Haukadalur valley with its beautiful birch forest. Cross clear little streams on the way and enjoy the rich vegetation of wild mountain flowers that bloom during high summer. While you ascend to a highland plateau you will notice the changes in nature as you reach higher ground. A breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and glaciers of the highland around awaits you when you reach the top of Haukadalsheiði. (4 – 5 hours)

Day 6
Thursday: Geysir – Tungufellsdalur – Kaldbakur – Fossnes
We leave the Geysir area and ride along green pastures back to the bridge at Brúarhlöð canyon where we cross mighty Hvítá River. Now we head towards the interior and follow beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto Hrunaheiðar heath plateau and we experience riding along the edge of civilisation. Our horses spend the night at Kaldbakur Farm, while we drive back to Fossnes where we spend the night and enjoy a nice hot bath after this exciting riding day. (6 – 7 hours)

Day 7
Friday: Fossnes – Kaldbakur – Hrunakrókur – Fossnes – Reykjavík
Our last day of riding includes yet again terrific scenery. We cross Stóra-Láxá River close to Laxárgljúfur canyon at Hrunakrókur. The terrain changes to vast green meadows on our way through Laxárdalur valley and we enjoy good riding tracks on our way back to Fossnes Farm (5-6 hours). Here we say goodbye to our guides, staff and horses and return to a guesthouse in Reykjavík for an overnight stay. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 18:00.

Day 8
Saturday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

NOTES - CANYON TRAIL

This popular tour is ideal for families and those who do not have the riding experience necessary for our highland tours. On the Canyon Trail, accommodation is in made up beds throughout the tour. You may bring your own riding gear (eg helmet) but it needs to be dry cleaned or disinfected; officially, a written certificate is needed to prove at the airport that this has been done, but it is rarely asked for. Part of this tour can be booked as a 5-day tour (4 riding days). Luggage is taken ahead every day by truck/trailer to the next night's stop. We recommend you bring bags, rather then hard cover suit cases, and pack light because transport space is limited.

The weight limit for this ride is 20 st/275 lb/125 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfers to and from Keflavik Airport
Horses, saddle bags, rain wear, safety riding helmet.
All meals on the trail days – breakfast only when staying in Reykjavik but there are many good restaurants to chose from in the town.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights
Dinner in Reykjavik on the last evening
Alcohol with dinner (though you can buy it at Keflavik airport and bring it with you)
Travel insurance is recommended and is a sensible precaution.
Bottled water is not easily available in Iceland but the local water is excellent!

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.

Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

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