|
 The
Icelandic Round-Up is a genuine tradition and has
its roots way back in the past when pastures and
fields near the farms were very precious and had to
be kept for the hay harvest. Join
the farmers in South Iceland when they gather the
thousands of sheep from the mountains. Experience
Icelandic horses at their best, sure-footed and
eager to fulfil the task set for them every autumn.
Be a part of the singing and celebrating after the
successful journey into the highlands to secure the
livestock. Visit the many sights of the area, such
as the beautiful valley Gjáin and Stöng, a
reconstruction of an ancient settlement, the
majestic waterfalls Gullfoss and Hjálparfoss, the
famous Geysir Hot Spring Area and Thingvellir
National Park! Accommodation will be at the Holiday
Farm Fossness, popular from our Golden Circle and
Kjölur Tours. A hot outdoor tube will help us
relaxing after the ride each day!
 IT-ICRT14
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights (3
riding days)
US$
1,385
per person
-- based on
€ 895
Departure in 2008:
09/09-09/14
Check
Availability
Meeting Point:
Keflavik airport
Level:
Intermediate
Riding per day: 4-6 hours
Pace:
slow to moderate
Tack:
Icelandic
Horses:
Icelandic
Horses
Min/Max Riders: 8-20
Note: Lodging in holiday farm (2-4 per
room)
Itinerary
Tuesday:
Arrival in Iceland – Transfer to Reykjavík
A
representative meets all participants at Keflavík
Airport and drives them to a guesthouse in
Reykjavík.
At
approx. 17:30 we invite you to a Welcome Meeting
including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive
details of the following tour and meet your fellow
riders.
Wednesday: Reykjavík – Fossnes Holiday Farm –
Hólaskógur – Fossnes
Transfer
to Fossnes Holiday Farm where we meet our hosts and
horses. Our ride starts into the lovely countryside
and continues into black ashes of numerous eruptions
of volcano Mt. Hekla. At Hólaskógur mountain cabin
we meet the farmers who have been riding in the
mountains for some days already to gather the sheep.
We leave the horses at Hólaskógur and drive back to
Fossnes for an overnight stay and a relaxing dip
into the hot out door tube.
Thursday: Fossnes – Hólaskógur – Gjáin – Stöng –
Hjálparfoss - Fossnes
We drive
back to Hólaskógur and saddle up again. We help the
farmers with their flocks of sheep, yet sometimes
leaving them to take a look at some of the
interesting sights in the area. There is the
splendid valley of Gjáin, a little paradise made of
lava and basalt strata decorated with beautiful
vegetation and numerous little waterfalls. Close by
we visit Stöng, a reconstructed farmhouse of one of
the early settlers. Learn about the tragic story
that happened to this once so blooming settlement.
We will stop as well at the magnificent waterfall
Hjálparfoss before returning to Fossnes Farm for the
night.
Friday: Fossnes – Skaftholtsréttir – Fossnes
Today we
ride to the round-up paddock Skaftholtsréttir and
help the farmers sort out their livestock and join
in their singing and celebrating after a successful
journey into the mountains. After the sorting out
each family brings back their flock of sheep to the
home farm. Back at Fossnes we will taste “kjötsúpa”,
a traditional lamb-soup that is offered at every
farm on the the round-up day.
Optional
(not included in the tour price):
"Réttardansleikur"
dance at the community center Árnes, where everybody
relaxes after the excitement of the day and
celebrates yet another successful round -up.
Saturday:
Fossnes - Geysir - Gullfoss – Thingvellir –
Reykjavík
It is time to say goodbye to our hosts and horses.
On our way to Reykjavík we visit beautiful Gullfoss
waterfall, the famous Geysir Hot Spring Area and
Thingvellir National Park, site of the old Icelandic
parliament, before spending the last night at a
guesthouse in Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at
guesthouse at 16:00.
Sunday: Dep. from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík
Airport
Transfer to Keflavík Airport in time for the return
flight home. |
