Solar Eclipse Ride – beginners and intermediate riders

Path of totality on horseback

[URIS id=8873]

DATE

12th of August 2026

DURATION

1,5-2 hour riding tour

WHAT´S INCLUDED

Riding

Helmet

A special edition Íshestar t-shirt

Food from the barbeque

Protective solar eclipse glasses

WHAT´S NOT INCLUDED

Transfer to and from Reykjavik

Soft drinks

Alcoholic beverages

RIDING SKILLS

Beginners and intermediate riders

PICK UP

Pick up is at 15:00 from all major pick up points in Reykjavik.

AGE LIMIT

7 years old

Path of totality ride for everyone

 

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 travelling to Iceland to experience the total Solar Eclipse on the 12th of August 2026? Or just happen to be in Iceland for a once in a lifetime experience? Then you are in luck!

 

Here is what we have are planning:

We will welcome you at the riding center and after an introduction to the Icelandic Horses we will match you with your horse for the afternoon.

 

From our stables we ride on excellent riding paths as the eclipse slowly begins. Roughly 20 minutes before the total eclipse we will reach a carefully selected view point where we will have an undisrupted view of of the eclipse over the lava fields as it blacks out Western Iceland. After around half an hour of break we will mount the horses again and continue our loop back towards the riding center.

 

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.

 

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.

 

This tour is suitable for all levels of riders and the group will be split into two before heading out on the trails. We will have one group for intermediate riders who will get a chance to try the tölt and another group who will complete the tour in walk.

 

If you are looking for a tour for experienced riders you can take a look here: Solar Eclipse Ride – Advanced Riders – Íshestar

We also offer a multiday tour for experienced riders which you can read more about here: The dark side of the sun – 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 wild power behind this rare phenomenon together with the horses. In case of cloud coverage, the ride will take place as planned and we will experience the daylight disappearing for a while, even if it happens to be cloudy at the time.

 

 

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 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

ATTENTION

  • The age limit to ride on this tour is 7 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, including getting on and off the horses of their own accord.
  • If you are arriving in your own car, please be at our stable 30 minutes before departure.
  • Please note that the riding tour is 1,5-2 hours and with barbeque and transfer, it is a total of up to 7,5 hours.
  • It is not allowed to ride with backpacks or bags but they can be stored safely at Íshestar riding center
  • Used riding gear (riding boots, riding trousers, jackets, hats, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C), dry cleaned or disinfected before arriving in Iceland. Used leather gear and any type of riding gloves may not be brought into the country. For more information see: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun

WHATS INCLUDED

  • Riding helmets, rubber boots, and rainwear/warm outfit during the ride.
  • Trained guides who speak multiple languages (English, Scandinavian and German).
  • Íshestar t-shirt special solar eclipse edition
  • Food at the barbeque

FAQ

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.

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.

Please understand 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: www.mast.is

HOW DO I BOOK?

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

WHEN AM I GOING TO BE PICKED UP?

If you purchased a pick-up it starts at a certain time for each tour (see information box above) the driver has to pick up other guests as well but please be ready at your location at the given pick-up time and if you have any trouble call us +354 555 7000.

MY PICK UP LOCATION IS NOT ON THE LIST?

Please contact us at info@ishestar and we will try to find a pick-up location near you.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?

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.

WHEN WILL I BE BACK AT MY HOTEL?

Usually, you will be back at your hotel around an hour after the tour ends.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR DAY TOURS?

Included in all our day tours:
Transfers, riding helmets, rubber boots, rainwear or a warm outfit during the ride.
Our tour guides are English and Scandinavian-speaking, some speak German.
See tour programs for details on what is included in combination tours.