Beneath the Aurora Borealis
2025 Dates:
▪ February 27-March 3
Duration:
5 days / 4 nights
Difficulty:
All levels welcome
This special edition of the Northern Lights Riding Tour also includes a day for visiting Lake Mývatn to ride on the ice and watch the annual Icelandic ice riding competition, an extraordinary experience for all riders. Visit frozen waterfalls, lava formations, and colvanic hot spots, and spend an afternoon relaxing at the Geosea natural hot baths. This time of year offers ample opportunities to see the northern lights.
Optional at extra cost is also a sailing trip from Husavík harbour either for whale watching or to see northern lights out in the peace and quiet of the arctic sea!
Horses
The Icelandic horse is a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage. They are known for their surefootedness and gentle nature, and they are famous for the Tölt, a gait unique to the breed, which makes them incredibly comfortable over great distances and rugged terrain.
Riders will be accompanied by a loose herd, which adds a unique and exciting dynamic to the ride! Riders will change horses 1-2 times per day, giving them the opportunity to get to know a variety of horses over the course of the week.
Riding
All levels welcome
All riding levels can be catered to on this ride.
Tack
Horses will be in saddles developed specifically for the Icelandic horse, closely resembling Dressage saddles. Saddle bags will be provided.
Terrain
This tour encompasses remote areas only accessible on foot or by horseback, riding on mainly soft riding tracks, ideal for riding the tölt. The ride will travel through farmland, across rivers, winding through hills and mountains to alpine lakes, and across black sand deserts.
Accommodation
Riders are accommodated in shared rooms (2-4 people per room) in a cozy farmhouse where the group will also take meals, all homecooked.
Dining
Breakfasts and dinners are served family-style at the guesthouse. Home-cooked meals consist heavily of lamb and fish. Traditional Icelandic breakfasts include porridge, toast, cold cuts, and cheese. Riders make their own sandwiches in the morning to pack on the trail each day.
*We recommend bringing your own snacks for the trail, and any packets or condiments for adding to your sandwich (peanut or almond butter, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.)
Itinerary
Specific itineraries vary with the weather, and depend on rider ability. Contact us for an outline of what your trip might look like.
Planning and Packing
Rider Resources:
Stories from the Saddle:
Dates
February 27-March 3 2025
Book Now
Price Includes:
All accommodations
All meals
All riding activities, including tack and equipment, riding helmet, rain gear, water bottle, and saddle bags
Airport pick-up and drop-off in Akureyri
Does not include:
Airfare to and from Iceland or to and from Akureyri
Accommodation in Reykjavik
Travel Insurance
Visas
Gratuities and personal expenses
Additional excursions or activities not included in itinerary