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The Arctic North

This part of Iceland is inhabited by only a few people, most of them living in little fishing villages along the coast. There is a lot of diversity in this tour starting with beautiful mountain views from the wide Öxarfjörður Fjord. The Peninsula of Melrakkaslétta, which stretches almost to the Arctic Circle, is a paradise for birdwatchers and people with geological interest.

Dates 2024

  • July: 1 - 8

This part of Iceland is inhabited by only a few people, most of them living in little fishing villages along the coast. There is a lot of diversity on this tour starting with beautiful mountain views from the wide Öxarfjörður Fjord. The Peninsula of Melrakkaslétta, which stretches almost to the Arctic Circle, is a paradise for birdwatchers and people with geological interest. Here we are right on top of the Mid Atlantic Ridge where the North-American and Eurasian plates drift apart. From mid-June to mid-July this area is “home” to the Midnight Sun which sends its golden light over the deep fjords of North Iceland.

Hosts for this tour are Halldór and Elín with their family from Bjarnastaðir Farm, known to many Icelanders for their excellent breeding of horses. Halldór is a respected member of his community and among other things, he is a “mountain king” when the time calls for gathering up the sheep in autumn.

Attention

  • Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.
  • Flight to and from Iceland is not included
  • Bring bags rather than hardcover suitcases
  • Pack light because transport space is limited.

Tour Highlights

Húsavík

is a town in north Iceland with around 2300 inhabitants around 10 km from the domestic airport. The town is famous for whale watching tours

Bjarnastaðir Farm

is situated in north-east Iceland in the low bushy area of Kerlingaskógur, close to the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and Dettifoss waterfall. It is the farm of Elín and Halldór, breeders of both horses and sheep, who will welcome you with their open arms

Fjord Öxarfjörður

is a broad fjörd in north east Iceland located right on top of the Mid -Atlantic ridge

Lake Skjálftavatn

After earthquakes 1975-1976 the land suddenly sank and the shallow but generous fishing lake Skjálftavatn emerged. It is among the larger lakes of Iceland and a source of generous fishing rivers

Tungurétt

round-up place

Melrakkaslétta

plains could translate Arctic Fox Field. It is inhabited by few with most of them living in little fishing villages along the coast. It has a highly versatile geography ranging from mountains up to 400 m high above sea level to cliffs, valleys, tundra and lakes full of trout. It is a real bird heaven with the largest migrations in spring and autumn and home to both Syberian driftwood and seals

Blikalónsdalur

A grassy grown valley with cliffs on its many edges that reaches all the way to the moors in the south

Hraunhafnarviti

is a lighthouse only 3 km away from the Arctic Circle. There we have good hiking roads and its harbor Hraunhöfn is often mentioned in many of the Icelandic Sagas

Arctic Circle

is the northern polar circle positioned 66, 33 degrees north of Equator but changes slightly. Iceland is just south of it but Grímsey, a small island, reaches north above it. For 24 hours each year during June and December solstices the sun remains solely above or below the horizon

Raufarhöfn

Most of the 250 inhabitants of this small village live of traditional fishing. It is the most northern village of Iceland’s mainland and where the Arctic Henge is located

Flautafell

 is an old abandoned farm-house where nobody lives anymore. It’s about 65 meters above sea level with beautiful nature all around

Langanes

The peninsula is known for its rich bird life and stunning nature with rock stacks in the sea full of birds and wildlife

Öxarfjarðarheiði

The heath is about 500m above sea level and around 60km long. Around 1850 there were lots of farms but all were abandoned after the volcanic eruption in 1875. Now this heath is very rural and you hardly ever see people there

Jökulsárgljúfur National Park

was situated north around the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and the waterfall Dettifoss. Since 2008 it has been a part of Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe

Vatnajökull National Park

is a world Heritage Site since 2019 that combines the former parks Skaftafell in the south and Jökulsárgljúfur in the north. The area is large with varied geography of glaciers, waterfalls, rivers and a glacier lagoon. It has high geothermal and volcanic activity that also marks the landscape and its history

Ásbyrgi

one of the wonders of nature, a horseshoe-shaped canyon. The old saga says that the god Odin from northern mythology rode his giant horse Sleipnir who stepped down on the ground and formed this shoe print

  1. Day 1: Reykjavík – Húsavík – Bjarnastaðir – Presthólar

    Meeting place is at Flugfélagið Ernir in Reykjavík airport at 07:30.  We fly to Húsavík and drive to Bjarnastaðir farm.  Please dress already in riding clothes and bring your passport or other identification for your domestic flight. Bus transfer to Bjarnastaðir Farm, where we meet up with the guides and horses and have lunch. After a short introduction to the horses, we set out through Kerlingaskógur´s low bushy and enjoy great views over the Fjord Öxarfjörður and the famous Lake Skjálftavatn which suddenly appeared over night after a strong earthquake 28 years ago when the land had been lowered by 4 meters overnight. During our ride to Presthólar, we stop at Tungurétt round-up place and Kvíar (Fjárborgir) Canyon. Overnight at Bjarnastaðir and on our way there, we stop at Lundur swimming pool. Approx. 34 km

  2. Day 2: Presthólar – Blikalón

    We head north and enjoy the soft tracks of the Melrakkaslétta plains. The name Melrakki derives from an almost forgotten word for the fox. This area is a paradise for birds and well known for its fantastic nature, beautiful lakes filled with trout and rich vegetation. We finish the day by riding down the Blikalónsdalur valley, leave the horses at Blikalón and drive to Bjarnastaðir farm for an overnight stay. Approx. 40 km

  3. Day 3: Blikalón – Raufarhöfn

    During this riding day along the coast, we stop at Hraunhafnarviti Lighthouse, only 3 km away from the Arctic Circle and finish off at Raufarhöfn village. Most of the 250 inhabitants of this small village live of traditional fishing and we will take a good look at their way of life here in the far north of Iceland. Approx. 30 km

  4. Day 4: Raufarhöfn – Flautafell

    Today we continue to ride towards Flautafell farm which draws its name from the mountain Flautafell hovering over the area. Flautafell farm is an old abandoned farmhouse where nobody lives anymore. It’s about 65 meters above sea level with beautiful nature all around. Approx. 30 km

  5. Day 5: Sightseeing around Langanes

    On this exciting day, we rest the horses and head out on a fun bus tour to Langanes peninsula. The peninsula is known for its rich bird life and stunning nature with rock stacks in the sea full of birds and wildlife.  0 km Sightseeing day.

  6. Day 6: Flautafell – Bjarnastaðir

    We meet our horses where we left them at Flautafell and head towards Bjarnastaðir over Öxarfjarðar heath. The heat is about 500m above sea level and around 60km long. Around 1850 there were lots of farms on the but all were abandoned after the volcanic eruption in 1875 so now this heath is very rural and you hardly ever see people there. Approx. 30 km

  7. Day 7: Bjarnastaðir – Jökulsárgljúfur

    On this adventurous day, we ride beside the majestic Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. The canyon is part of the Vatnajökull glacier national park. Through the canyon, you can see the longest glacier river in Iceland Jökulsá flowing from Vatnajökull glacier. On the way is a perfect photo stop where you can see the whole canyon behind you.  Approx. 30 km

  8. Day 8: Bjarnastaðir – Húsavík – Reykjavík

    Before we say goodbye to horses and drive to Húsavík airport to catch the flight to Reykjavik we will ride to Ásbyrgi canyon one of the wonders of nature, a horseshoe-shaped canyon. The old saga says that the god Odin from northern mythology rode his giant horse Sleipnir who stepped down on the ground and formed this shoe print. Arrival in Reykjavík in the afternoon. Approx. 30 km

    – We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary –

  • Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm.
  • During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty-Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.
  • Rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

Bjarnastaðir farm

Bjarnastaðir Farm, home of Halldór Olgeirsson and Elín Maríusdóttir is situated in the low bushy area of Kerlingaskógur, close to the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and Dettifoss Waterfall. You will enjoy great view over the Fjord Öxarfjörður and the famous Lake Skjálftavatn which suddenly appeared overnight after a strong earthquake 28 years ago. Halldór and Elín, breeders of both horses and sheep will welcome you with open arms and their warmth and hospitality is indeed second to none.

  • Number of beds: 23
  • Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
  • Number of showers: 4
  • GSM connection: Yes
  • WiFi: Yes

Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. Book my ticket.

Terms & conditions:
Íslandshestar requests a confirmation payment upon booking of minimum 30% of the tour price. When the confirmation payment is received the seat is secure. The remaining balance is due 2 weeks before the tour departs. If you book the tour through the website the full amount is requested. Children’s under 12 years receive 25% discount on our multi-day tours.

Liability:
Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íslandshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveller. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions and/or contact us at [email protected]

Reviews

I really wish I would have done this trip sooner, this is truly a life changing experience and one you can´t describe until you try it your self! The horses, nature, hosts, and helpers were amazing. I 100% recommend all riders to ride with them!

 L.E. Germany.

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