Iceland – An Historical Adventure on Horse Back
24– 31 August 2008.

Proposed Itinerary
Sunday 24 August – Flight from London to Reykjavik. Transfer by bus (approx. 2 hours) to Stori Kalfalakur for dinner and overnight. This is the farm where our adventure starts. After dinner our guide will give a talk about the historical aspect of our riding tour and the Icelandic horse. We will also meet our team for the week.
Monday 25 August - After a good wholesome breakfast we meet our steeds and set off in the direction of scenic mountains riding through fertile farmland and along good riding tracks, through lava-fields and along low bushy hillsides. Overnight stay in the Hítarhólmur mountain cabin situated in Hítardalur valley. The valley is renowned for its lava formations and multi-coloured rocks and is considered by Icelanders to be the most beautiful on the island. (6 - 7 hours). Accommodation is basic with double bunk beds and only cold water for washing. There is no mobile phone reception here.
Tuesday 26 August - We start the day with a ride to the round-up place in Hítardalur and proceed west across Hítará River. Be surprised by the change to black ashes and lava covering an area well known as the hideout of Iceland’s most famous outlaw, Grettir. At our finish point for the day we cross a wide river and ride to Kolviðarnes Farm where we leave the horses for the night and walk to Laugargerði Schoolhouse building where we stay overnight. We can enjoy a swim in a pool heated with geothermal water. (7 - 8 hours)
Wednesday 27 August - After rejoining the horses we start our ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. View Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you, known in literature to be the entrance to the centre of the earth and where Jules Verne wrote his famous book Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Feel the horses’ excitement and join in their joy on this extraordinary trail courtesy of the low tide. Our horses spend the night at Traðir Farm while we stay at Lýsuhóll schoolhouse with a geothermal swimming pool on site. (6 - 7 hours) Approx 40 kms
Thursday 28 August - Another day on the yellow coloured, sandy beach. The direction changes and we head back towards mighty Eldborgarhraun lava field. A unique experience for everyone with lava-fields and mountains on one side of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Overnight again at Laugargerði. (6 – 7 hours.)
Friday 29 August - Our last day takes us along the beach and yet a new experience. The sand turns black as we follow the outline of Eldborgarhraun lava field. Imagine the black lava still on the move on your way back to dry land. (5 – 6 hours.) The ride ends at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm where we enjoy our fare well dinner and overnight.
Saturday 30 August - After a leisurely start we transfer back to Reykjavik and have the option of exploring this delightful city or taking an optional whale watching tour or going to the Blue Lagoon. Evening free and overnight Reykjavik Youth Hostel.
Sunday 31 August - Early morning start to catch our return flight to the UK
This itinerary is complex and may be subject to change. Copyright of Classic Tours.

The country with the chilly name is rapidly becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe. Much of Iceland’s popularity is due to its natural features, which include glaciers, hot springs, blue geysers, active volcanoes, red sulpher, snow-capped peaks, vast lava deserts, rivers, waterfalls and green valleys.

Iceland is the second largest island in Europe and stretches 500km east to west and 300km north to south. It is situated in the Atlantic Ocean northwest of Scotland, west of Norway and south east of Greenland. Over half the country is above 400m, with the highest point, Hvannadalshnukur, rising to 2119m. Only 21% of the island is considered arable and habitable. The bulk of Iceland’s population and agriculture is concentrated in the southwest between Reykjavik and Vik.

Icelandic Horses
The Vikings first brought horses to Iceland in year 874 – 930. Because of Iceland’s geographic isolation, the horse has been kept purebred in Iceland for over 1000 years. Life without horses would have been unthinkable. The horse carried inhabitants, who counted on their stamina and sense of direction, over wide lava fields and rough, mountain tracks and acted as a bridge crossing powerful glacial rivers.

In an often harsh environment, only the fittest individuals survived and the Icelandic horse is very healthy and tough. It is strong and sure-footed, has great temperament and stamina and a very good character. Icelandic horses are fully adult at seven years and can reach a very high age, being ridden until they are well into their twenties. Today there are some 80,000 horses in Iceland. Icelandic horses are bred as 5-gaiters with walk, trot and gallop, tolt and pace, of which tolt is the most popular. In tolt the horse moves its legs in the same sequence as in walk. With one foot
always in contact with the ground, the tolt is a very comfortable and pleasant gait that can reach high speeds.

Icelandic horses are about 13hh and can carry up to 22 stone. They are undemanding, hardy, strong and willing. This horse made it possible for people to travel across this difficult country, to carry goods from farms to the trading posts and back. The Icelandic horse is smaller than most of the continental breeds, but even the most demanding rider soon forgets this on the back of a well bred steed, which carries him thorough the Icelandic countryside at a smooth tolt of flying pace. This is a natural pace and has not been produced by training.

Iceland has a relatively mild and equable climate, despite its high altitude and its proximity to the Arctic. It is remarkable for the number of volcanoes, craters, glaciers and thermal springs. Reindeer were introduced in around 1770 and there are approximately 100 species of birds. Whales and seals live along the coasts, together with cod, halibut, haddock and herring, and many trout and salmon thrive in Iceland’s freshwater rivers and lakes.

The population of Iceland is around 260,000, with 90% living in cities and towns, notably the capital Reykjavik. Less than 1% of the land area is cultivated. Livestock rearing is a major occupation with considerable quantities of dairy products, wool, mutton, lamb and chicken eggs produced. Fishing and fish exports are the most important Icelandic industries.

Each days riding will be approximately 30km, and about 7 hours in the saddle (including breaks and refreshments for both horse and rider!) The routes will be both exciting and challenging for riders, fording glacial rivers on horseback being a regular feature of the event. Negotiating glacial rivers, riding along the seashore and climbing mountainous trails make for a varied and action packed event, requiring a good level of fitness from participants.Participants will also be responsible for caring for their horses throughout the ride and will ride two or three horses each day. Evening camps will be set up at suitable holding areas for the horses. Once horses are fed and watered, participants can feast on traditional Icelandic dishes and enjoy the beauty of near–daylight skies.

The BHS Icelandic Challenge 2006, in aid of BHS Welfare, is certainly going to be an unforgettable experience for all participants: herding a hundred plus Icelandic horses across the most challenging terrains and inspiring landscapes.