Solar Eclipse Tour (advanced)

Ride on the path of totality

The event of the summer in Iceland 2026 is the total solar eclipse on August 12th.   The eclipse reaches totality between 5:48PM and 5:50PM and what better way to experience it, than letting a mighty Viking horse take you to a carefully selected viewpoint in the path of totality in West Iceland?  
Are you an experienced rider who wants to experience the total solar eclipse in Iceland on the 12th of August 2026? Then this exciting ride is for you!
 
Here is what we have in store: We will welcome you at the riding center and after a quick introduction to the Icelandic Horses we will match you with your horse for the afternoon. From our stables we ride on excellent riding paths where we cross the Kaldá River and ride around Mt. Helgafell as the eclipse begins. Around 2 hours into the ride we will reach our remote break spot in time to watch as the total solar eclipse blacks out Western Iceland. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience where you get to combine the experience of the mighty Icelandic Viking horses with the Forces of Nature.  

During the totality of the eclipse all riders will be on the ground and the horses will be tended to by the guides. Riders will be offered to have their pictures taken with their own phones or cameras on the horses either before or after the totality.  

Please note that this tour is only for strong intermediate or advanced riders who are comfortable and in control of the horse at all paces. For intermediate rider or beginner riders we recommend the Solar Eclipse Ride – beginners and intermediate riders – Íshestar.
 
The sighting of the Solar Eclipse itself is weather dependent and out of our control. Our riding trails are in the Path of Totality and we will experience the daylight disappear for a while, even if it happens to be cloudy at the time. In case of cloud coverage, the ride will take place as planned and we will experience the wild power behind this rare phenomenon together with the horses.

After the ride we will join the other riding tours for a cozy barbeque at the Íshestar Riding Center. There will be burgers, lamb legs, hotdogs and some vegetarian options on the barbeque, and we will serve some homemade sides.   All food is included in the price and soft drinks can be bought on location.  

If you wish to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, please bring your own as we do not sell them.   Our stables are located a short 20-minute drive outside of Reykjavik’s city center.   If you chose the transfer option, we will drop you off in Reykjavik no later than 10:00PM
  • DURATION: 2.5-3 hour riding tour
  • RIDING SKILLS: Strong Intermediate and Advanced Riders
  • AGE LIMIT: 12 years
  • PICK UP (optional): Pick up is at 14:00 from major pick up points in Reykjavik
  • Riding helmets
  • Rubber boots
  • Rainwear/winter overall
  • Live Tour Guide in English
  • Storage space at the stables for backpacks, bags and valuables (backpacks are not allowed on the tour, due to safety reasons)
  • Food from the barbeque
  • A special edition Íshestar solar eclipse t-shirt
  • Eye protection/solar eclipse glasses
  • Complimentary hot drinks after the ride.
  • Transfer to and from Reykjavik is optional and can be added during the booking process
  • Alcohol and soft drinks are not included
  • We offer to take pictures with your (small) camera or phone before or after the totality. We do not offer to take pictures during the totality and all riders will be on the ground.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME ON THE TOUR?

We reccomend that you bring warm gloves and a thin hat that can fit under the riding helmet. Included in the price is that you can borrow a helmet, warm overall or rain coat and rain pants as well as rubber boots.

Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb.

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

You can book online on our website or by contacting Ishestar by email daytours@ishestar.is or by phone +354 555 7000

We recommend booking a couple of days in advance just to make sure that we have free spaces on the day you wish to arrive.

Included in all Day Tours:

  • riding helmets
  • rubber boots
  • rainwear or a warm winter overall
  • Live Guide in English
  • Please note that riding tours at Mið-Grund and Grimsstaðir do not include transfer as they are Meet on location-only tours.
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50.000 kr.

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