What to Pack for your Icelandic Horseback Trek

You should be ready for all kinds of weather as the weather can change very quickly. The range can extend from warm and sunny summer days (most likely in July and August) to rain and wind up to gale and even snow at the end of the season.

Heavy-duty rain gear, water bottle, lunchbox, and riding helmets will be provided for you. Here is what you should bring with you:

Packing List for Iceland

• Knee high riding boots - preferably rubber, because of the rivers we cross. See below for disinfection information.

• Warm jacket or overcoat

• Warm (wool or fleece) sweater

• Layers - tops that can be worn together or separately, depending on weather

• Warm socks

• Gloves - used leather riding gloves are not allowed into Iceland, so they must be new or a washable material

• Scarf and a cap or hat

• Buff or headband for underneath your helmet

• Long underwear (also protects against chafing)

• For the ladies – sports bras

• Riding breeches - 2-3 pairs (ideally one fleece-lined or warm)

• House slippers to wear in the accommodation (Icelanders take off their shoes when entering a house)

• Swim suit

• Sunscreen

• Chapstick with UV protection

• Sunglasses

• Band aids, moleskin, and/or second skin plasters for blisters or chaffing

• Bug head net

• Trail snacks

• Ear plugs

• Sleeping mask - there may be up to 21 hours of daylight, depending on the time of year.

How to Disinfect your Riding Gear to Travel to Iceland

Riding gear (riding boots, riding breeches, jackets, hats, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C/104°F) or dry cleaned. Used riding clothes and boots that cannot be placed in a washing machine or dry cleaned should be washed and disinfected as follows:

• Rinse thoroughly with detergent

• Dry

• Spray with disinfectant or bleach solution

• Store for at least 5 days prior to bringing the clothes into contact with horses in Iceland

Saddles, bridles and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country, as well as used riding gloves. Please understand that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad.