Iceland Advanced Horse Retreat, Ride with the herd for 6 days 

“This truly is the land of soul-enriching, breath-taking, and life-affirming natural sights!”

This eight-day, seven-night retreat is an adventure-packed journey through Iceland’s awe-inspiring landscapes. You’ll gallop through the untamed countryside on the back of our majestic Icelandic horses, taking in breathtaking vistas at every turn. Discover the charm of quaint villages and connect with the warm and welcoming local community and artisans.

Join Colleen Cannon, a true master of her craft, and our superhero guide Oli (along with other knowledgeable Icelandic guides) on this unforgettable journey. Oli’s herd of magnificent Icelandic horses will carry you through the rugged terrain and leave you in awe of their grace and beauty.

Don’t miss your opportunity to discover the wonders of Iceland in the company of kindred spirits.

This beautiful country, which is known as the Land of Fire and Ice, is brimming with contrasts: glaciers meet volcanoes, rugged mountains meet cascading waterfalls, and light meets dark. The people from this isolated and secluded Northern Island radiate the warmest, most vibrant energy that screams live life fully. From the lively Reykjavik city center that runs on geothermal power to the rural fishing villages, the unique Icelandic culture blends old and new. And despite the country‘s name, Icelandic summers are surprisingly mild and green, with nonstop daylight thanks to a phenomenon known as the midnight sun. Join us as we play all day and night, exploring Iceland’s dramatic landscapes!

Pre-retreat hike:

On July 7th we are offering an Optional pre-retreat hike, please contact colleen@womensquest.com if you want to participate!

What to Expect:

Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Each morning, we’ll wake up to breathtaking views from our guesthouse, where we’ll begin our day with a gentle Qi-Gong, yoga, and centered riding practice, followed by a delicious and nutritious Icelandic breakfast.

On the first day of our retreat, we’ll hike to the top of Glymur waterfall, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall. For the next six days, we’ll embark on thrilling horseback rides through mountains, rivers, and streams alongside a herd of 30 Icelandic horses. With their smooth four-beat gait known as the tölt, we’ll enjoy an almost bounce-free ride, making for a comfortable and exhilarating experience.

Our adventure will take us from the Snaefellsness Peninsula to Breiðabólsstaður farm, covering over 6 + hours of riding through the Icelandic countryside each day. We’ll even get to change horses along the way! We’ll also make stops at various attractions, including swimming pools and hot springs, where we can soak in geothermal waters and take in the stunning surroundings.

We will spend our first two days riding along the beach, enjoying the stunning coastal views and the thrill of galloping through the surf and even crossing a river where the horses will swim. 

Please note that advanced riding experience is required to participate in this adventure. Get ready for a week of invigorating experiences, unforgettable sights, and an immersion in Icelandic culture that you won’t soon forget!

Highlights:

• 7 nights lodging at  Breiðabólsstaður farm with healthy, organic food and 6 days of guided horseback rides
• Daily relaxation practices including yoga for centered riding, meditation, and Qigong, designed to relax and empower
• Hiking Glymur, the second highest waterfall in Iceland
• Krauma Hot Spring and Spa which is next to our farm, *extra fee
• Visit the highest-flow hot spring Europe: Deildartunguhver
• Tour of Reykholt where we will visit Borgarfjörður, which is a museum, rich in the culture and history of the sagas, music, geology, and the life story of Snorri Sturluson that lived in the valley near our farm
• An evening of sound meditation
• Amazing organic, locally sourced meals and cooking class with Birta, our culinary expert for the week at Breiðabólsstaður farm. All food will be made with local Icelandic ingredients and medicinal herbs. Birta prepares delicious food at every meal with sack lunches for our horse rides. She will even teach us how to bake the BEST BREAD ON EARTH!
• Transportation during the week. Pick up and Drop off in Reykjavik 
• Lifelong friendships and unforgettable experiences
• Professional instruction and guidance

Included in the Price:

• 7 nights, 8 days at our newly built guesthouse: Breiðabólsstaður farm
• Healthy, nourishing, and delicious food at every meal with sack lunches for our horse rides (One lunch on your own which is a lunch for our first hike day)
• 6 -7 days of guided horseback riding with the 30+ horse herd, starting with 2 full days of epic riding on the beach. Dreamy! 
• Beautiful hikes through stunning landscapes that feature cascading waterfalls, Glymur (the 2nd tallest waterfall)
• After every ride, we will stop at local swimming pools and geothermal hot springs to unwind and heal. Not only is the Icelandic water refreshing, but it also has healing properties. We go regularly to Krauma Hot Spring and Spa which is next door to our guesthouse.
• Organized cooking lesson with Birta at Breiðabólsstaður farm using local Icelandic ingredients including medicinal herbs and the special sourdough rye bread
• Evenings of sound meditation
• Daily relaxation practices, including riding-centered yoga riding, meditation, and Qigong, designed to calm and empower you
• Transportation during the week: pick up in Reykjavik on July 7th  at 9 am at the City Center, and drop off back in Reykjavik on July 14th. 
• Lifelong friendships and memorable experiences

What is not included in the price:

• 2 lunches and 1 dinner OYO
• Entry in to the Pools and Hot Springs after every ride, and entry into Krauma Hot Spring 
• Entry into the Sky Lagoon
• lodging on July 7th, the night before the retreat starts
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Airfare
• Transportation to and from Reykjavik. There is the Flybus available

What are the accommodations?

7 nights at Breiðabólsstaður farm.

Breiðabólsstaður farm will be our home near Snaefellsnes for our horseback riding adventures. Family owned and operated, this is a great place for us to experience the local culture! We are staying on this farm with Oli and Beta. We will overtake the whole place and we get to be immersed in Icelandic home culture. The best part is that Beta is an amazing chef and will lead us in a cooking class prepared with fresh medicinal herbs and veggies from her garden.

What airport do I fly in to?

Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF), KEF stands for Keflavik which is about 30 minutes south of Reykjavik

July 7th: 9:00 am: Pick up at the City Center in Reykjavik
July 14th: We will end the tour in Reykjavik with a final soak. Please have your flight leave after 4 PM on July 14th. We can hire a car to take people to the airport from our soaking destination. You will arrive back to the airport at 1 PM

Travel Options:

 You will fly into Kelflavik International Airport KEF. Please arrange to arrive on the 7th in the morning, we will walk around that day and go to the Sky Lagoon at 5pm (price not included).  

The retreat will formally begin on JULY 7th at 9:00 am, we will leave at 9 am for our hike to Glymur on the way to our guesthouse.

There is a shuttle service that runs to and from the airport to most hotels and guesthouses at a cost of ~$39 one way. You can book online here: www.re.is/flybus. If you don’t see your hotel you will need to contact your hotel and ask them if they can assist you in finding the nearest drop location.
The retreat will conclude after breakfast and final horse connection time on the 15th.

We return to Reykjavik on July 14th and you will have two options:

• stay an extra night in Reykjavik and fly out on the 16th
• We will be going to the Blue Lagoon or a special floating experience, we have to pay Oli the airport transfer fee of around $50 per person for going back from the Blue Lagoon to the airport

In Keflavik you need 3 hours before your flight departs.

Important to note that we pick up and drop off in Reykjavik,  we will help arrange transportation! 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RETREAT: Q&A!

Women’s Quest Cancellation & Travel Insurance Policy

Cancellation Policy

Because our vendors and partners require advance commitments we must adhere to the following cancellation terms.  If you have to cance your retreat

• 91 or more days before the retreat start date
You will receive a refund of all payments minus your deposit which is non-refundable.

• 90 days or fewer before the retreat start date
All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Women’s Quest reserves the right to cancel a retreat due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, all retreat payments will be refunded. However, Women’s Quest is not responsible for any additional expenses you may have incurred, including (but not limited to) airfare, lodging, or other travel costs.

Travel Insurance

To protect your investment, Women’s Quest strongly recommneds all participants purchase travel insurance. This ensures you are covered if something unexpected arises before or during your retreat.

Travel insurance is especially important if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to:

• Illness or injury (including testing positive for COVID-19)
• Family or personal emergencies
• Travel delays or interruptions
• Medical treatment while traveling
• Emergency evacuation or trip interruption

We recommend a policy that includes coverage for:
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation

For maximum peace of mind, consider a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) policy. While more expensive, this option offers the greatest flexibility if your plans change.

For all trips to Iceland involving horses (riding or otherwise), it is mandatory you secure travel insurnce that includes coverage for emergency evacuation and return to your home country.  

To compare policies, we suggest using Squaremouth, the travel insurance comparison platform:
https://www.squaremouth.com/22393

Before purchasing, please review your policy carefully and consult a travel insurance agent if you have any questions about coverage.

Are you ready to join Women’s Quest on our Icelandic horseback riding retreat? Sign up today!