Geplaatst IJSLAND.
Onze droom wordt werkelijkheid. Wij gaan rijden bij ishestar. Dit is de toer die wij gaan doen.
Tour 5 - Snæfellsnes - Magical and Mysterious
Highlights:
The Snæfellsnes peninsula is named after the glacier covered cone volcano Snæfellsjökull, one of the most characteristic sights in Iceland which was recently designated a National Park. Its mystic atmosphere has been described in words and written language and became famous through Jules Verne´s novel "A journey to the centre of Earth"! The area is home to elves and trolls. Many of the famous Sagas origin from this specatcular area. Rich bird life attracts visitors from all over the world. Snæfellsnes itself is often called "Iceland in a nutshell" because of its extreme diversity of landscape. Ride through mighty lava fields, craters and ashes of ancient eruptions and enjoy wide-open stretches of light-coloured sand on the beaches where only the tide sets a limit to the freedom of horses and riders. Our hosts, Sigurður (Siggi) and Ólöf are proud of their large selection of well trained horses. Whether you like the easy going horse or a more spirited one, you can be sure to find the right horse to suite your liking.
Saturday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. At 17:30 we invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the following tour and meet your fellow riders.
Sunday: Reykjavík - Stóri Kálfalækur – Grímsstaðir Farm
Morning transfer to Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm, where horses and staff are waiting for us. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride into the mountains through fertile farmlands and along good riding tracks to Grímsstaðir Farm, where we spend the night. This farm, with its proud history dating back to medieval times, sits in beautiful surroundings underneath the mountain Grímsstaðarmúli. (5 - 6 hours)
Monday: Grímsstaðir – Hítarhólmur Mountain Cabin
The ride today leads through multi-coloured mountains and along low bushy hillsides. Hítardalur is a geological paradise. Vast lava fields, soft tracks through ashes and the high palagonite (tuff) mountains give you the impression of taking a ride on the moon! Overnight stay in the Hítarhólmur mountain cabin situated near the beautiful lake Hítarvatn. (5 - 6 hours)
Tuesday: Hítarhólmur - Kolviðarnes – Lindartunga Community Centre
We continue our ride through this mystical volcanic valley. We stop at the sheep gathering place Hítardalsrétt and if you take a good look you can see the troll woman Hít who was turned into stone returning late from a date. We proceed west across Hítará River and travel trough an area well known as the hideout of Iceland's most famous outlaw, Grettir. At Kolviðarnes Farm we leave the horses and drive to Lindartunga community centre where we stay overnight. On our way to Lindartunga we can enjoy a swim in a pool heated with geothermal water. (7 - 8 hours)
Wednesday: Lindartunga - Traðir – Lýsuhóll Schoolhouse
After rejoining the horses we start our beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. View majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses' excitement and take part in their joy on this extraordinary trail released by the 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)
Optional (available at an extra charge):
Drive along the coast towards the romantic fishing villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar. Here we are right underneath magical Mt. Snæfellsjökull. Visit the Information center of the Snæfellsnes National Park and learn about its mysterious powers. View beautiful bird cliffs along the shore, shaped by powerful waves. Meet giant Bárður Snæfellsás and hear about historic celebrities like the far travelled Guðrún Þorbjarnadóttir and mass murderer Axlar Björn! (Price per person: ISK 2.500)
Thursday: Lýsuhóll - Traðir – Kolviðarnes – Stóri-Kálfalækur
Another day´s ride on the yellow coloured, sandy beach. Direction changes and we head back towards mighty Eldborgarhraun lava field. An unique experience for everyone with lava-fields and mountains on one side of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. We leave the horses at Kolviðarnes Farm and drive to Stóri-Kálfalækur, where we spend the last two nights. Hot showers on site. (6 – 7 hours.)
Friday: Kolviðarnes – Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm
Last day on 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. The ride ends at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm, where we enjoy Ólöf's farewell dinner (5 – 6 hours.)
Saturday: Stóri-Kálfalækur - Reykjavík
Transfer back to Reykjavík for an overnight stay in a guesthouse. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 11:00.
Sunday: Dep. from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the flight back home.
. Geniet er maar van, want voor je het weet is je droom weer voorbij.
