Book Now
Book Now
Book Now
Book Now
Book Now
Book Now
Book Now

Under the mystique midnight sun

On this unique tour, we will let the midnight sun guide our path! We start our ride in the afternoon and ride until past midnight. The midnight sun is nowhere brighter than where we will be riding in the northernmost part of Iceland.

Dates 2024

  • June: 16 - 21

On this unique tour, we will let the midnight sun guide our path! The midnight sun is nowhere brighter than where we will be riding in the northernmost part of Iceland. We will be riding exactly when the Summer Solstice occurs on June 21 when we have the longest day of the year. On that day we will have the unique opportunity to see the sunshine through all three pillars of the Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn. This is a newly built monument for the island´s Pagan worshippers.

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 riding a few days on the beach. 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 the transport space is limited.

Tour Highlights

Húsavík

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

Bjarnastaðir Farm

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

Öxafjörður Fjord

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

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

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

Arctic Henge

Located in Raufarhöfn the Arctic henge is a sundial that plays skilfully with shadow, light, time and precise location. It has four pillars with openings in the four main directions affecting the appearance of the sunrays during the days and seasons. Inside the henge there are 68 dwarfs mentioned in the famous prose Edda that have assigned roles by Óðinn

Kvíar

a slope which is about 165 meter above sea level with beautiful view

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

Wow! I am lost for words honestly, this tour is so unique and riding in the midnight sun is just wonderful. If you are thinking about joining this tour, think no more just join it! A.E. Germany

  1. Day 1. Reykjavík – Húsavík – Bjarnastaðir – Katastaðir

    Meeting place is at Flugfélagið Ernir  in Reykjavík airport at 13:15. We fly to Húsavík and drive to Bjarnastaðir farm.  Please bring your passport or other identification for your domestic flight. At Bjarnastaðir Farm, we we meet up with the guides and horses. After dinner and a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, we start our ride. We will ride throughout Öxafjörður Fjord along the coast to Katastaðir where we leave our horses and drive to Bjarnastaðir farm where we sleep in made up beds. (33km)

  2. Day 2. Katastaðir – Sigurðarstaðir

    On this day we ride on the beach from Katastaðir to Sigurðarstaðir. This path where we will be riding on is quite isolated and it is not likely that we will meet a soul on our way. We will witness the blazing midnight sun on the northern coastline and hear nothing but the sound of the hoofbeat clicking on the ground, the waves of the ocean and birds quiring in the night. After this amazing peaceful ride in the night, we will drive to Bjarnastaðir to rest. (28km)

  3. Day 3. Sigurðarstaðir – Raufarhöfn

    We will continue our journey on the beach to the northernmost part of Iceland the small village Raufarhöfn. Most of the 250 inhabitants of this small village live of traditional fishing. On the way, we will witness a rich birdlife along the coast and get to witness this beautiful place which has the longest days and shortest nights in Iceland because of its position. (24 km)

  4. Day 4. Melrakkaslétta – Katastaðir

    On this day we will head back over the soft tracks of the Melrakkaslétta plains. Melrakkaslétta is known for its rich birdlife, many lakes to fish in and its unique beauty over the Summer Solstice. Its name comes from the arctic fox and if you look closely you might even see one stealing eggs from a birds nest. We will leave our horses at Katastaðir and get a good sleep at Bjarnastaðir farm. (35 km)

  5. Day 5. Katastaðir – Bjarnastaðir

    Summer Solstice occurs on this day! We will be at Raufarhöfn town to witness the longest day and shortest night in Iceland. We will have the unique opportunity to see the sunshine through all three pillars of the Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn. We ride back with the majestic mountains on the east leading the way to Bjarnastaðir farm. We ride through Kvíar slope which is about 165 meter above sea level and witness the undescribable beauty of the northernmost parts of Iceland when the midnight sun shines over us. (38 km)

  6. Day 6. Sightseeing ásbirgi – Húsavík – Reykjavík

    Here we will say goodbye to horses and drive to Húsavík airport to catch the flight to Reykjavik. On the way, we will drive 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.

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

  • Flight from Reykjavík to Húsavík and bus drive 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: 18
  • Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
  • Number of showers: 2
  • 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.

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 traveler. 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.

Perfect tour! Great staff, beautiful landscapes. Amazing horses, good food. I would definitely recommend it!

  M.O. Germany.

Similar tours