Landmannalaugar Expedition
A six-day Riding Journey for experienced riders, travelling with a free-running herd into and through the extraordinary, ever-changing Landmannalaugar Highlands before riding all the way home.
€ 3,690 per person
Landmannalaugar Expedition
Journey Snapshot
- Duration
- 6 riding days, 6 nights
- Group Size
- 12-14 riders
- Typical Riding
- 4-6 hours per day
- Daily distance
- Typically around 30–40 km on travelling days
- Riding level
- Advanced • Experienced and riding fit → Riding Levels
- Riding Style
- Travelling with a free-running herd • Regular horse changes • Individual-horse riding
- Accommodation
- Minni-Vellir Farmhouse • Riders’ Loft • Landmannahellir mountain hut (2 nights) • Sleeping-bag accommodation → Accommodation
- Region
- South Iceland – Hekla, Landmannahellir & Landmannalaugar → Map
- Evenings
- Chef-prepared dinners • Two nights in the Highlands • Outdoor hot tub at Minni-Vellir
The Journey
Day 1 – Minni-Vellir → Hrólfsstaðahellir · approx. 15–20 km
The Journey begins
We pick you up in Reykjavík before lunch and travel to Minni-Vellir, our farmhouse beneath Hekla. After a light lunch and time to settle in, we meet our horses and prepare for the first stage of the Journey.
We set out from Minni-Vellir on individual horses, riding towards Hrólfsstaðahellir. Riding without the herd gives us time to get to know our horses and one another, and to settle into the riding before the dynamics of the herd are introduced.
Our destination is Hrólfsstaðahellir, where the herd is waiting for us. We leave our horses there for the night and return to Minni-Vellir, ready to continue the Journey with the herd the following morning.
Day 2 – Hrólfsstaðahellir → Rjúpnavellir · approx. 30 km
With the herd towards the Highlands
This morning we return to Hrólfsstaðahellir, where we meet the herd and set out together, following the smooth banks of the Ytri-Rangá upstream through Réttarnes.
Our first stop is at a historic stone sheep corral, where we give the horses time to rest and enjoy the views beneath Hekla. From here, we leave the river and ride towards Galtalækur, where we stop for lunch.
After lunch, we begin our gradual ascent towards Hekla and the Highlands. The landscape starts to change as we gain ground, and before reaching our destination we cross the Ytri-Rangá.
We finish the day’s ride at Rjúpnavellir, where the horses remain for the night before we continue deeper into the Highlands the following morning.
Day 3 – Rjúpnavellir → Landmannahellir · approx. 35 km
Climbing into the Highlands
Today we leave Rjúpnavellir and begin the real climb into the Highlands. With the herd travelling alongside us, we steadily gain altitude as the landscape around us changes. The greener country is gradually left behind and the terrain becomes increasingly volcanic, opening into black sands, lava and mountains, with small lakes appearing among the stark Highland landscape.
After a long day in the saddle, we arrive at Landmannahellir, our home for the next two nights. Here, horses and riders stay together in the Highlands, surrounded by the landscape we have spent the past days riding towards.
Day 4 – Hidden Trails of Landmannahellir · approx. 20 km
Some places deserve more than a passing visit.
After three days travelling towards and into the Highlands, today we change the rhythm of the Journey. The herd stays at Landmannahellir for a well-earned rest while we set out on individual horses to explore the quieter trails of the surrounding area.
Without the free-running herd, we can follow more secluded trails and discover corners of the Highlands that we would otherwise pass by. One of these takes us to a hidden, unnamed waterfall tucked away in the landscape around Landmannahellir.
This is a very different day of riding – more intimate, exploratory and shaped by the landscape around us. For many of our riders, it becomes one of the highlights of the entire Journey.
Later, we leave the horses at Landmannahellir and travel by vehicle into Landmannalaugar itself. There is time to explore its colourful rhyolite landscape on foot and relax in the natural geothermal spring before returning to the mountain hut for dinner and our second night in the Highlands.
Day 5 – Landmannahellir → Áfangagil · approx. 35 km
The Journey home begins.
After two nights at Landmannahellir, we rejoin the herd and begin our Journey home.
We leave Landmannahellir behind and ride through the stark volcanic country north of Hekla, descending through a landscape of black ash, pale pumice, lava and mountain lakes. The surroundings are open and exposed, with the colours and textures of the volcanic landscape changing as we travel.
After a full day travelling with the herd, we reach Áfangagil, where the horses remain for the night. We return to Minni-Vellir, knowing that the following morning we will rejoin them for the final stage of our Journey home.
Day 6 – Áfangagil → Minni-Vellir · approx. 40+ km
The long ride home.
Our final day begins at Áfangagil as we set out with the herd for the last stage of our Journey home. We ride west of Hekla and around the ancient Merkurhraun lava field before joining the Þjórsá river and passing Þjófafoss waterfall.
As we continue, the landscape becomes greener, taking us through surprisingly rich vegetation and woodland – a striking contrast to the open volcanic country of the previous days. Our route brings us to the remote historic farm site of Skarfanes, where we stop before continuing along riding trails reputed to be among the finest in Iceland.
As the kilometres pass, you begin to sense that the horses know they are on their way home. As we draw closer to Minni-Vellir, their excitement grows – and it is difficult not to share it.
Eventually, Minni-Vellir comes back into view. After six days travelling into the Highlands, taking time to explore them and riding a different route home, horses and riders complete the final kilometres together and arrive back where our Journey began.
One last evening together
Back at Minni-Vellir, there is time to relax after the long ride, enjoy the hot tub and come together for one final chef-prepared dinner. After six days on the trail, it is a chance to look back on the Journey and enjoy one last evening together.
After breakfast the following morning, we say goodbye to the horses and to Minni-Vellir before transferring back to Reykjavík.
Please note: The itinerary describes our planned route, but conditions in the Icelandic Highlands can change quickly. Weather, trail conditions and water levels in rivers may require us to adapt the route. Our guides will always make these decisions with the safety and wellbeing of our guests and horses in mind.
Smaller Groups. Bigger Herds.
We deliberately travel with a generous number of horses for the size of the group. This allows riders to change horses regularly and experience their different characters and abilities, while sharing the work between the horses throughout the Journey.
Riding with a free-running herd brings its own rhythm to the Journey. The horses travel together through the landscape, and as the terrain changes, so does the pace and character of the riding.
Over six days, you will ride a number of different horses, getting to know the versatility of the Icelandic horse while becoming part of the movement of the herd through the Highlands.
Long days in the saddle. Changing terrain. Different ways of riding.
Landmannalaugar Expedition is designed for experienced, riding-fit riders who are comfortable spending several hours a day in the saddle.
We typically ride for 4–6 hours each day, with travelling days covering around 30–40 km. The terrain changes considerably throughout the Journey, from farmland and smooth riding trails to black sands, lava, mountain country, river crossings and more demanding Highland terrain.
Most of the Journey is ridden with the free-running herd, changing horses regularly along the way. But not every day follows the same rhythm. We begin the Journey on individual horses, and at Landmannahellir the herd rests while we explore the surrounding Highland trails on individual horses again.
There are opportunities for active riding and tölt where terrain and conditions allow, but this is not a Journey defined by speed. Its challenge comes from six consecutive days of riding, substantial distances, changing terrain and weather, and the dynamics of travelling with the herd through the Highlands.
Riders should be confident and balanced at all paces, comfortable riding different horses and physically prepared for consecutive days in the saddle.
Minni-Vellir is our home base, with two nights together in the Highlands.
For the first two nights of the Journey, we return to Minni-Vellir, our farmhouse beneath Hekla. While the horses remain at the destination reached that day, we transfer back to Minni-Vellir for dinner and the night.
On Day 3, horses and riders arrive together at Landmannahellir, where we spend the next two nights in the Highlands. Accommodation here is simple and shared, in a traditional mountain hut surrounded by the landscape we have spent the previous days riding towards.
On Day 5, we leave Landmannahellir and begin the Journey home. The horses remain overnight at Áfangagil while we return to Minni-Vellir, where we spend the final two nights of the Journey.
Accommodation is in sleeping bags throughout the Journey. At Minni-Vellir, we sleep in proper beds in the Riders’ Loft, while Landmannahellir offers simple, shared mountain-hut accommodation.
Back at Minni-Vellir, there is time to relax after the day’s riding, enjoy dinner together and make use of the outdoor hot tub.
Landmannalaugar Expedition is first and foremost a riding Journey, but staying for two nights at Landmannahellir gives us something particularly valuable: time to experience the Highlands rather than simply ride through them.
On Day 4, after exploring the quieter trails around Landmannahellir on horseback, we travel by vehicle into Landmannalaugar itself. There is time to explore its colourful rhyolite landscape on foot and relax in the natural geothermal spring before returning to the mountain hut.
Beyond the Saddle is also found in the smaller moments along the Journey – stopping at waterfalls and historic places, evenings together at Landmannahellir, and the changing landscapes and stories we encounter along the way.
These are not separate excursions from the Expedition. They are part of taking the time to experience the places we have ridden so far to reach.
Good food after a day in the saddle
Each morning begins with a breakfast buffet, where you can also prepare sandwiches and snacks to take with you for the day. Lunch is carried in our saddlebags or brought to us along the route where access allows.
In the evening, we come together over a chef-prepared dinner, with an emphasis on Icelandic food and locally sourced ingredients. It is a chance to relax, talk about the day and enjoy the company of the group.
For our two nights at Landmannahellir, our chef travels into the Highlands with us, preparing dinner at the mountain hut and bringing the same Íshestar hospitality to our time there.
Practical Information
- The age limit to ride on this tour is 16 years old.
- The weight limit for all our tours is 110 kg/240 lbs.
- It is the responsibility of each rider to assess whether they are physically able to take part in the trip, and to choose the tour according to their riding experience.
- Please check with your travel/accident insurance that horse riding tours are covered.
Arrival & First Ride
Our Journey begins with a pickup in Reykjavík and a transfer to Minni-Vellir, our farmhouse beneath Hekla. After arriving and settling in, we prepare the horses and set out on the first stage of our riding Journey.
Final Day & Return to Reykjavík
On the final riding day, we complete our Journey back to Minni-Vellir, arriving home together with the horses. We spend one final night at the farmhouse before departing the following day.
Support Along the Way
Our support team meets us at accessible points along the route, bringing supplies and lunch and arranging transfers between Minni-Vellir and the horses when needed.
As we travel deeper into the Highlands, some sections take us well away from vehicle access. Here, we carry what we need for the riding day in our saddlebags.
For our two nights at Landmannahellir, our support vehicle brings our overnight luggage and supplies to the mountain hut. We recommend packing lightly and bringing only what is needed for these two nights.
- All food and accommodation during the tour
- Helmets, saddle bags, water bottles
- Íshestar gift bag, including an exclusive Íshestar T-shirt
- A great riding experience
- All-in pricing – No additional booking fees
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT ON A RIDER?
Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb.
CAN I WEAR MY OWN RIDING CLOTHES?
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note 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. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
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€3,690 per person
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