Sheep round up Rangárvallaafréttur

€ 2,780

As participants you are joining an annual tradition and not a customized riding tour. Being amongst the farming community and lending a helping hand in this age-old tradition of the autumn round-up is as close as you can get to the heart and soul of this nation.

September

6 days

Duration

6 nights – 6 riding days

Riding Skill

Experienced riders, Intermediate riders

Included

accommadation, full board, Outdoor clothing, Protection helmets, Rainwear/warm outfit

Departures 2025

September 14 – 20

AUTHENTIC RIDING HOLIDAY IN ICELAND

On this special tour, we join the farmers in South Iceland as they round up thousands of sheep from the mountains. We gather the sheep into the Rangárvallaafréttur communal sheepfold close to the famous Landmannalaugar geothermal area. The yellow, reddish and greenish hue of the rhyolite mountains give this area a magical touch.
Here, under the stately gaze of Mt. Hekla, we drive the sheep across the black sands, which is the ash spewed by this same volcano over centuries. Local farmers have been rounding up sheep in this area for centuries. Learn from them how to manage the flock, drive sheep down hillsides, across rivers and out of sheltered valleys to their resting place for the night, only to head off again the next day to round up more.
Being amongst the farming community and lending a helping hand in this age-old tradition of the autumn round-up is as close as you can get to the heart and soul of this nation.
As participants, you are joining an annual tradition and not a customized riding tour. Therefore an open mind, good physical health and the ability to work as a team is essential. Expect to be treated as one of the crowd, be prepared to pull your weight each day and enjoy the camaraderie of all those participating.

ACCOMMODATION
Sleeping bag accommodation in simple mountain cabins, shared by the local farmers participating with you in rounding up the sheep.
Accommodation before and after the tour should be arranged individually
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm.
During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty-Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.
rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.
NOTE
Some walking will be involved.
ATTENTION
Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.
Flight to and from Iceland is not included
Please bring your own sleeping bag with you on the tour
Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases
Pack light because transport space is limited.

    Please send us an Enquiry about when you want to go on this tour.

    Duration

    6 nights – 6 riding days

    Riding Skill

    Experienced riders, Intermediate riders

    Included

    accommadation, full board, Outdoor clothing, Protection helmets, Rainwear/warm outfit

    Departures 2025

    September 14 – 20

    Day by Day itineraray

    1. Sunday: Transfer to Hungurfit – HvanngilPick up between 09:00-10:00 pick up points (www.busstop.is) in the morning. Please be ready at the earliest pick up time. Your accommodation might be the first one for pick up and dress already in riding clothes. On to Hungurfit where we meet the horses and fellow riders. We use this day to gather up the horses and drive them to Hvanngil Mountain Cabin. This is a short riding day which gives us time to get acquainted with the terrain and to learn about the task which lies ahead. Overnight stay in Hvanngil (4 – 5 hrs.)
    2. Monday: Hvanngil – Mælifellssandur – Strútur – HvanngilMælifellssandur a large area of sand and stones north of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, is our destination for today. This area is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, mostly barren yet covered with grass here and there. This is what attracts the sheep who seek into this remote area far away from any human contact. (8 – 9 hrs.)
    3. Tuesday: Kaldaklof – BratthálsToday we cover the area Kaldaklof between the mountains Einstigsfjall and Brattháls. Even though not too far apart the area is covered with lava fields, craters and lakes and sheep can be found widely. Therefore it is important to keep your place in the human chain to make sure that no sheep stays behind. Another and final night in Hvanngil. (8 hrs.)
    4. Wednesday: Álftavatn – Sáta – KrókurWe leave Hvanngil in the morning, pack our belongings into a transport vehicle and start gathering up the sheep at beautiful Lake Álftavatn and surroundings. We cover the mountains Faxi and Sáta and stay overnight at Krókur Cabin (8 hrs.)
    5. Thursday: – Rangárbotnar – SultarfitWe leave Krókur and ride through the area of Sultarfit and Rangárbotnar, through Reiðskarð Mountainpass and Laufahraun Lavafields. Sheep can be found in sheltered valleys and we make sure that they all return home. Overnight in Hungurfit Cabin. (9 hrs.)
    6. Friday: Áfangagil – Galtalækur FarmReynifellsbrú is the final destination for our flock today. Here close by is the round pen where the sheep will be sorted tomorrow. On our way we search the area in Austurdalur and Lambadalur Valleys and alongside Valá River to make sure that no sheep stays behind. We spend our last night at Foss Farm, (8 hrs.)
    7. Saturday: Day of the round-upThis is the final and well celebrated day of the round-up. At noon the sorting of the sheep starts and lasts until each sheep has been returned to its owners. Participate in sorting the sheep, pass the flask around and join in the singing and celebrating after a successful ride into the mountains. Once the sorting is finished we drive back to Reykjavík where this great tour ends at approx. 18:00.– We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary –

    Accommadation

    Useful informations

    Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. Book my ticket.

    Liability:

    We reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of our partners. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

    For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions