The dark side of the sun

The Dark Side of the Sun - Solar Eclipse Riding Tour

The event of the summer in Iceland 2026 is the total solar eclipse on August 12th. The eclipse reaches totality between 5:45PM 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?

This tour offers you that and more: For four days we will take you through the area around Hekla, one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, which was once considered by Icelanders to be the ‘Gateway to Hell’ due to regular and powerful eruptions. Despite this fearsome reputation, the lava and ash from these eruptions enriched the soil, which with time created rich pastures around the volcano. The ash and light pumice lava stone have formed incredibly smooth paths ideal for riding adventures in the land of fire and ice. We will take a herd of horses with us on most days. This tour will culminate in experiencing the total solar eclipse during a ride around the volcano Mt. Helgafell as the eclipse begins.
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.

 

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DURATION

5 days - 4 nights - 5 riding days 5th night optional)

RIDING SKILLS

Intermediate riders (family friendly, open for experienced kids 11+)

DEPARTURES

2026: 8-12 August (possible to book an extra night)

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in a beautifully restored farm house owned and decorated by Magnús and Þorey. The house has 3 private rooms available upon request when booking and a cozy sleeping loft accommodating up to 14 people. The house has a spacious bathroom and a restroom as well as a cozy living room for relaxing.

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 on request 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.

Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

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

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Dark Side of the Sun

 

8 August: We will pick you up at the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik around noon and drive about 1,5 hours to our base for the following days: The farmhouse Minnivellir. There we move in and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull and Burfell before going on a single horse ride to explore the area further and get acquainted with the horses and the gear.

9 August: On our first day with the herd we will ride through lava fields and fertile farmland towards the farm Hrolfsstaðarhellir, situated on Rangá river.

10 August: Departing from Hrolfstaðahellir, we journey towards Rettarnes, an ancient sheep roundup site. The ride now takes us up along the Rangá river, alternating between green expanses, rugged lava terrains and ash dunes, until we reach Galtalækur, where we leave the horses for the night.

11 August: It´s time to go home! Our group will go ahead of the heard leading the way into lush green farmland, riding through woodlands, crossing beautiful streams, and passing by the magnificent Thjofafoss waterfall through Skarfanes on our way back to Minnivellir. We round our tour up with a dinner.

12 August: The day of the eclipse

Today is the day! After breakfast we go on another single horse ride along Thjorsá river. Then we have a quick lunch, pack up and get on the bus that takes us to the Ishestar Horse Center in Hafnarfjörður for the Solar eclipse celebrations. 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. Then we return on horse back to the riding center and join the celebrations there, enjoy hamburgers and lamb (and home made sides) from the barbecue.

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.

In the evening you can either book a night in the nearby hotel through us or take a pick up to Reykjavik (in case you have a late night flight).

USEFUL INFORMATION

Airport Transfer

We recommend that you book your transfer with airport direct, as they have more flexible options.

 

Keflavik – Reykjavik (Bus hostel)

Reykjavik (Bus hostel) – Keflavik

 

Terms & Conditions:
If you book online you will be asked to pay the full amount. Please contact us for different payment options.

 

Liability:
Íshestar 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 Íshestar. 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 Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact us at multidaytours@ishestar.is