Landmannalaugar - Power of Fire and Ice  Tour # 19

Landmannalaugar, colourful beauty in the southern highlands. We are proud to launch again an adventurous ride to visit the Landmannalaugar area. A natural bathing spot is only one of the highlights which make this area one of Iceland’s most popular destinations for all lovers of nature and adventurous souls.
Our new itinerary starts close to the Geysir area. We see the white steam column rising into the sky before we arrive at Myrkholt Farm, home to our partner Gústaf (Gústi) who has been working with us for a couple of years on other tours already. His well trained horses have been the joy of many clients and will excel on the good riding tracks of this tour.
Green countryside changes into rugged mountains as we start our ride. Black ashes await us closer to Mt. Hekla volcano. An outpost in the central highlands is our shelter before we enjoy the colourful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, surrounded by black lava fields where hot water streams have just the right temperature for a refreshing bath. A long riding day brings us back to civilisation and an outdoor hot tub offers relaxation after a good day in the saddle. Another day through the mountains brings us back home to Myrkholt Farm.
Accommodation on this ride is in mountain cabins and a holiday farm in sleeping bags. Warm showers are available most of the nights. Two nights in Reykjavík are included as well, in a guesthouse in rooms with shared facilities.

Accommodation:  2-4 bed units in Reykjavík. Sleeping bag accommodation in shared rooms during the ride.
Group size: Max. 16 guests

Itinerary

Monday: Arrival in Iceland – Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. We invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders. 

Tuesday: Reykjavík – Geysir – Myrkholt – Gullfoss –Helgaskáli Cabin
We drive to Myrkholt Farm, visiting the well-known Geysir hot spring area on our way. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride along pleasant tracks through fertile famland. View majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky glacier fed water passes through bizarre rock formations. Now we head towards the interior and follow beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto Hrunaheiði heath. Here we get a great view over to majestic glacier Langjökull and Gullfoss waterfall. The night is spend in Helgaskáli Mountain Cabin situated on the banks of Stóra-Laxá River. (35 km)

Wednesday: Helgaskáli – Hólaskógur Cabin
We ride past Mt. Helgafell towards the interior. Today we visit the 2nd highest waterfall in Iceland, Háifoss. See the water tumble down for 122 m. Our accommodation for tonight is located close to Iceland’s longest river, Thjórsá. This river is the source for several hydro-power plants which provide Iceland with clean electricity. Hólaskógur is a spacious mountain cabin and offers hot showers.(30 km) 

Thursday: Hólaskógur – Hrauneyjar Highland Centre - Landmannalaugar
On a bridge we cross mighty River Thjórsá and ride north of Mt. Hekla volcano, following good riding tracks through fields of ashes and lava from numerous eruptions. Our ride ends in the Thóristungur area. Here we keep the horses, but continue ourselves to Hrauneyjar Highland Centre, where we spend the night in double rooms.
A bus brings us to the Landmannalaugar area with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colourful mountains and black lava fields. We have time to relax in the natural hot pool, hike through black lava fields or climb a mountain in this wonderful area. This day will be without a doubt one of the highlights of the tour. Return to Hrauneyjar for dinner and an overnight stay. (25 km + bus drive) 

Friday: Hrauneyjar – Hólaskógur – Stöng - Fossnes
We have a long riding day ahead of us and continue on good riding tracks down from the mountains to Hólaskógur, where we change horses and rest for a while. Now we follow the ancient route of Sprengisandur to Stöng, an ancient Saga farm from the 12th century and explore the many sights of the area, such as beautiful Gjáin Valley. Overnight at the Fossnes Farm (known from our Golden Circle tours), situated in beautiful surroundings. After a nice dip in the hot outdoor tub we are ready for a hearty dinner at the farm. (55 km)

Saturday: Fossnes – Myrkholt - Reykjavík
From Fossnes Farm we head off through fertile and across the salmon river Stóra-Laxá. We rest at the round-pen Hrunaréttir, where each autumn sheep are sorted after having spend the summer in the mountains. Return to Myrkholt farm and after having enjoyed refreshments it is time to say goodbye to staff and horses. A bus takes us back to Reykjavík for our last night of this tour. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 19:00. (35 km) 

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