F.A.Q.

Accommodation for multi-day tours

Our guests can either stay at Hotel Eldhestar or Guesthouse Eldhestar.

Accommodation at Hotel Eldhestar is included in the tours 8a/b (summer), 8c and 8f.

Accommodation at Guesthouse Eldhestar is included in the tours 11 and 12 (partly). The first night of our longer tours 10 and 13-20 is always booked in made-up beds at Guesthouse Eldhestar (2- to 4-person rooms with shared facilities). An upgrade to Hotel Eldhestar is possible for an extra charge (if rooms are available). 

For Tours 7, 8a/b (winter), 9 and 30a/b it is your choice (while booking) if you are accommodated in the hotel or guesthouse.

Every tour ends on the last riding day with the transfer back to Reykjavik.

Accommodation during the tours 10-20 is at farms, guesthouses, community centres and simple mountain huts in a sleeping bag (partly dormitory style, bring your own sleeping bag). Some mountain huts in the highlands only have cold water and no showers.

Our tours start from Reykjavik. For transportation from the airport to Reykjavík (BSI main bus station, hotels or guesthouses) please take the Flybus (operated by Reykjavik Excursions). This service is NOT included in the tour price.

Transport to and from Reykjavík is included in all tours except for tour 1a. We pick up from BSI main bus station, hotels, guesthouses and designated bus stops at 08:00 and 13:00. The pick up in Hafnarfjörður, Mosfellsbær and Kópavogur starts at 7:45. Please note that we cannot pick up from private apartments and Airbnb’s.

The tour departure dates indicate the arrival day at Eldhestar. Participants will be picked up at BSI main bus station in Reykjavík at 17:30. For guests arriving earlier, we offer pick-up from hotels, guesthouses and designated bus stops in Reykjavik. On the first evening, we have a welcome dinner. The riding tours start the following day.

Half day tours, day tours and combo tours are mostly available every day and should be booked at least one day before arrival. During the summer season, we recommend booking earlier. Available spots and dates for multi-day tours can be seen on the respective tour page.

Half day tours, day tours, combo tours and multi-day tours can be booked on our tour pages. Please use the shopping cart for booking several tours. If you wish to book tours that don’t have an online booking option yet (tours 7 & 8), please fill out the contact form on the corresponding tour page.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, temperatures are usually moderate all year round. Average temperatures in Reykjavík are about  12°C in July and 1°C in January. Icelandic weather is known to be unpredictable and changing several times a day. A beautiful day can suddenly turn windy and rainy (and vice versa). Travellers to Iceland should be prepared for anything and dress in layers. You can find detailed information about the weather, climate and Aurora here.

Eldhestar operates riding tours every day of the week, all year round, except for the following days: December 24th afternoon, December 25th, December 26th, December 31st afternoon and January 1st.

From mid-May to mid-August the sun only sets for only a few hours per day, and it is effectively light for the whole 24-hour period. In contrast, there are around 4-5 hours of effective daylight during mid-winter. But Iceland’s inexpensive geothermal energy means that streets and buildings are well-lit during winter darkness. You find information about daylight hours in Iceland here.

In general, our riding tours are guided in English. Our guides are English-, Swedish-, or German-speaking. During the summer season, we might have guides that speak other languages.

Riding tours, accommodation and meals as described in the itineraries and transfer from Reykjavik and back. Helmets and rain gear, warm overalls. Not included: Flights and transportation from the airport to Reykjavik and back. All our tours (except for tour 1a) start and end in Reykjavík.

For multi-day winter tours: 

Included: Meals and services as described in the itinerary and 11% VAT.

Children’s discount for children 14 years and younger is 20%.  

For multi-day summer tours: 

Included in the price: Meals and services as described in the itinerary and 11% VAT.

Children´s discount for children 14 years and younger is 20%.

Prices for tours with hotel accommodation are based on a shared double room, single rooms are bookable for a surcharge (based on availability).
Prices for tours with guesthouse accommodation are based on accommodation in 2-4 bedrooms. 

Note: The last night in Reykjavík is not included in our Multi-day tours.

Eldhestar reserves the right to alter the itineraries or change timetables without prior notice to guests if weather conditions or other events outside the control of Eldhestar prevent going on the original tour. The riding routes are therefore subject to weather conditions and can be changed without refunds. Eldhestar does not take any liability for costs incurred because of changes to our timetable or itineraries. Please also note that riding is at your own risk.

On multi-day-tours luggage is taken by car between the overnight stops. Please pack light and do not bring more than one piece of luggage, as we have limited space in the trailer. If you need more luggage for travels in Iceland before or after the tour you are welcome to store it at Hotel Eldhestar. 

All multi-day tours include full board starting with dinner on arrival day and ending with lunch on the last riding day. Dinner on multi-day tours is traditional Icelandic. In summer, lunch is either packed in saddle bags or the cook meets the group. From Sept. 15 – May 15 we offer light lunch at Hotel Eldhestar (soup, bread, cheese, ham etc). Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request – please book in advance. Please note that dinner on the last evening is not included.

All half day tours (except 3b), combo tours (except 4a & 4c) & daytour 5c: Children aged 7 years and older accompanied by an adult. We offer paddock rides for younger children (15 min, children are led).

Day Tours 5a, 5b : Children aged 10 years and older

Day Tour 5d: Minimum age 8 years.

Combo Tour 4a: 10 years, 4c: 11 years

Tour 3b, 6a and 6c (for experienced riders): 12 years or on request.

Multi-day tours: Please contact us regarding booking of children under 15 years.

The best months to see the Northern Lights or aurora borealis are October through April, with peak visibility from December through February. However, as it is a natural phenomenon, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The Northern Lights are the result of charged particles from solar flares colliding with the earth’s atmosphere. They can only be viewed in the darkness of night when there are no clouds blocking your view to the sky. You can follow the Northen Lights forecast here.

Half day tours, day tours 5c & 5d and combo tours: These tours are suited for all experience levels. We select horses according to riding skills and participants on our tours always get to try “tölt”, the special, smooth gait of the Icelandic horse.

Tour 3b, 6a, 6c and 8f: For experienced riders only (riding regularly, capable to control the horses in all gaits in different terrain).

Day tours 5a, 5b and shorter multi-day tours (7-12, except for 8f & 10): These tours are for everyone, but require very good physical condition as we cover 20-25 km per day and ride a lot of tölt (about trot speed). Participants must be able to mount a horse with little assistance.

Longer tours (10, 13-16) require basic riding skills with a secure, balanced seat and a good physical condition. We ride up to 45 km per day mostly in the gait tölt and take a herd of free-running horses with us part of the tour, which requires a certain speed.

Wilderness Tours (17 – 20) are for experienced riders only (several years of riding regularly in all kind of terrain). A large herd of free-running horses follows every day.

It is the rider’s responsibility to assess their own level of riding proficiency. If uncertain, please contact Eldhestar before booking your tour.

Used boots, riding wear, helmets, saddlebags etc. must be disinfected before arrival in Iceland.  Chaps, bridles and other used leather gear must not be brought to Iceland. That is because infectious, contagious diseases can easily be brought into the country, which poses a great threat for the horses as they are not vaccinated. Riding wear is normally washed and shoes are washed and cleaned with VirkonS, Iodine or some other fluid disinfectant. For further information please click here. The riding style in Iceland is similar to English riding. We use simple snaffle bits, bridles with detachable nose-bands and clips on the end of the reins so they can be easily removed when grazing. Our saddles are comfortable with soft, rather flat seat, it is not necessary to bring saddle seat pads.

Eldhestar maintains a high-security standard. Backpacks, large cameras, selfie sticks and other bulky items cannot be taken on horseback. Small waist bags are allowed. Riding is at your own risk.

We will not allow people under the influence of intoxication substances, such as alcohol and/or drugs, to participate in our riding tours.

Remember to take out travel insurance before your journey. Please note that all riding is at your own risk. Residents of the EU/EEA countries should bring their European Health Insurance Card (E-111 form) in case of illness and need for medical care.

Icelandic horses are capable of carrying adults without difficulty. The maximum weight is 110 kg(242lbs). Participants on tours longer than 2 hours must be able to mount a horse with little assistance. Please contact us for more information.

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Reserve your unforgettable Icelandic horse-riding experience today and join thousands of happy riders since 1986. With 350 amazing horses, we can guarantee the perfect match for your riding skills.

Book now to secure your spot on Iceland’s most diverse riding tours, just 30 minutes from Reykjavík!

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Do you have more questions?

We are ready to help plan your perfect riding tour! Whether you need information about accommodations at our cozy Hotel Eldhestar, want to request a guide in your language, or are curious about our eco-friendly approach, reach out now.

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