Landmannalaugar adventure
jul & aug 2026 | €3490pp | Iceland
RIDE WILD through rivers & volcanic plains
Overview
Become truly off grid and ride wild with a herd of loose horses on a 6 day volcanic Iceland adventure.
Starting the Ishestar riding centre, you’ll ride through vast lava fields and over hills covered in lupins, all in sight of a striking volcano.
Sleeping in a farmhouse and rustic wooden cabins, you’ll continue your journey across volcanic plains and the Icelandic highlands, reaching a stunning valley which make you feel like you’ve stumbled into The Lord of the Rings and offers the chance for a dip in a hot spring.
Journeying on a few different horses, you’ll traverse more of Iceland’s incredible scenery, galloping and tolting your way home alongside a herd of loose horses.
This really is the adventure and escape of a lifetime.
What you need to know
€3490pp
Running 13-19th July and 20-26th August
7 days and 6 nights
Riding alongside loose horses
3-7 hours riding each day
All meals and accommodation included
Sleeping in a farmhouse and authentic Icelandic mountain lodge
Shared accommodation
Pick up and drop off from Reykjavik
Fast riding with multiple chances to gallop
Generous and friendly hosts
You’ll ride 2-3 horses
Dates: 13-19th July, 20-25th August
Price: €3490pp
Location: Iceland
Riding level: Advanced and experienced. Able to control horse in a group up to a gallop and over difficult terrain.
Time in the saddle: 3-7 hours a day
Horses: Icelandic
Weight limit: 95kg
Currency: Icelandic kronar
Saddle type: Icelandic
Need to know
OVERVIEW
Accommodation during the trip
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Transfers to and from the BSI bus station.
Rain gear and riding hat if needed
Sleeping bag available on request
What’s included:
Flights into and out of Iceland
Accommodation in Reykjavik
Any meals in Reykjavik
Travel insurance (you must have this)
Transfer to and from the airport
What’s excluded:
Food: for breakfast you’ll have access to an assortment of fruit, cereals, bread, skyr (similar to yogurt), jams etc. For lunch you will make a packed lunch to take with you everyday (in saddle bags) mostly consisting of sandwiches, meat, cheese, fruit and veggies. For dinner it will be fresh fish or meat, potatoes, veggies etc. They can accommodate a variety of dietary requirements.
Accommodation:
Day 1: You’ll arrive at the Ishestar riding centre at midday and after your ride for the day, you’ll travel by bus for 1.5 hours to Minnivellir farmhouse.
Day 2: Minnivellir farmhouse.
Day 3: Icelandic lodge in Landmannahellir.
Day 4: Same as above.
Day 5: Minnivellir farmhouse.
Day 6: Minnivellir
Day 7: Organise accommodation in Reykjavik
You will need to bring a blow up pillow and a sleeping bag for the accommodation in Landmannahellir. If you need to rent a sleeping bag from Ishestar, you can do that during the booking.
Accommodation and food
All of the horses on the farm are Icelandic horses. No other horses are allowed to be imported into Iceland as Icelandic horses aren’t vaccinated. You will need to clean your gear with a special cleaning agent when coming (more info given after booking).
The horses are considered the most important members of the family at Ishestar at enjoy lots of time off outside of the tours.
Icelandic horses are well adapted to the varied and rugged terrain. They have 2 additional gaits, the ‘tolt’ and the ‘pace’, allowing the horses to make fast yet sure footed progress over long distances.
You’ll get the chance to ride and bond with 2-3 horses on this trip and you will be matched with them based on your riding experience and the experience you want to have on the trip.
Horses
Riding hat, gloves and comfortable riding boots
Lots of layers. It can get warm in the sun however colder in the shade, especially if it’s raining. We’d recommend some short sleeve and long sleeve shirts along with some fleeces / jumpers
A waterproof rain jacket and trousers. They will provide these if you need them but it’s nice to have your own
Sunglasses (for the sun and dust)
A water bottle
A blow up pillow and a sleeping bag
Warm clothes for sleeping
A power pack for charging your phone
A charging adapter
A book for entertainment
Toiletries, towel, jodphurs etc
A sleeping mask if you like sleeping in pitch black as the sun sets very late and rises very early in the summer and ear plugs as you’ll be in shared accommodation.
Swim suit
What to pack:
Itinerary
Day 1:
You’ll be picked up at the BSI Bus station in Reykjavik around noon and driven to the Ishestar riding center. There you’ll pick out your riding equipment and meet your horse for the day. You’ll ride through vast lava fields and hills covered in lupins towards the volcano Helgafell. Your ride will take you through outlandish landscapes and surprisingly green oases. After the ride, you’ll pack your gear into the trailer and then enjoy a coffee while watching the horses before dinner. Afterwards, you’ll drive 1.5 hours to your base for the next few days, farmhouse Minnivellir
Day 2:
You’ll journey towards the majestic Hekla volcano and the landscape will change from lush fields to ash and sand dunes with sharp lava rocks, both testimonies of the power of Hekla's eruptions. You’ll reach the Rangá river and have your lunch break at a historical sheep round-up spot. After lunch, you’ll cross the river and ride closer to Hekla until you reach Rjúpnavellir, where you’ll leave the horses and drive back to Minnivellir for the night.
Day 3:
After a nice breakfast and a short drive, you’ll start your ride into the highlands. With a view of the Hekla volcano, you’ll climb up into the mountains, through black sand and past small lakes until you reach the remote valley Landmannahellir. You’ll stay there in an authentic Icelandic mountain lodge.
Day 4:
After an exhilarating ascent up to the highlands, you’ll leave the herd behind for a well deserved rest and ride on a single horse ride to explore the area. After a warm lunch in the hut, you’ll travel to Landmannalaugar by bus, passing through an obsidian field and experiencing the colours change from the greenish black of lava fields to the blue-yellow-red of the rhyolite mountain. In Landmannalaugar you’ll have time to enjoy a soak in the thermal hot spring as well as a hike through the area. You’ll return to the hut in Landmannahellir for a warm dinner and a cozy evening.
Day 5:
You’ll leave the scenic Landmannahellir area and ride north of Mt. Hekla, down from the highlands. A desert of black ash and light pumice is a lasting result of the numerous eruptions of this volcano, the most active one in Iceland and known as the Gateway to Hell. You’ll leave the horses for the day and drive back to Minnivellir for a cozy evening.
Day 6:
Your last day of riding will lead you west of Mt. Hekla and around the big lava field ‘Merkurhraun’, that’s is about 6000-8000 years old. You’ll ride alongside the river Þjórsá and past the beautiful waterfall Þjófafoss. You’ll ride through fertile farmland and lush green fields, crossing the rivers Ytri-Rangá and Eystri-Rangá on your way back to the accommodation.
Day 7:
You’ll pack your bags, bid the horses farewell, and return to Reykjavik. You’ll arrive to the BSI bus station around 12pm.
your guides
Ishestar will be your hosts and guides during your trip. Started in 1982 by Einar Bollason, they’ve been the leading equine tourism company in Iceland since. Driven by their passion for the Icelandic horses and magical riding escapes, their mission is to provide an unforgettable experience in unparalleled surroundings.
They’re an incredibly friendly team and very welcoming hosts who make you feel comfortable and at ease throughout your whole journey. The rides will often be led by current owner Magnus as well as other team members.
The horses at Ishestar are the most important members and guide you just as much as the team. They’re sure footed and charismatic and enjoy regular time off in extensive fields of luscious green grass.
