Touch of the Highlands Ride, Iceland Starring Warwick Schiller - Horse Riding Holidays and Safaris

Touch of the Highlands Ride Starring Warwick Schiller, Iceland

6 NightsStrong Intermediate to Advanced

This is your chance to discover one of the wildest, most dramatic places on Earth with horsemanship legend Warwick Schiller, as a herd of 70 Icelandic horses tölts by your side.

From the moment you swing a leg over an Icelandic horse, you’ll become swept up in the saga that is Iceland. And with none other than horsemanship legend Warwick Schiller riding right alongside you, this promises to be an adventure you’ll never forget!

The beating heart of The Touch of the Highlands Ride is hands down the unique Icelandic horses. Over the course of itinerary, you’ll have the pleasure of riding between 10 to 12 different horses, each and every one as brave-hearted as the next. We guarantee that by the end of your ride you’ll be ready to give your herd of 70 horses a standing ovation – BRAVO.

As a synchronised Globetrotting group, you’ll tölt across the black earth, shifting valleys and milky-blue river deltas of Iceland, with Warwick there alongside you every step of the way. The focal point for the entire trip is the free-running herd of Icelandic horses gallivanting ahead or behind you at all times. Without your herd, there is no way you would be able to cover so many kilometres each day. We’ve been told by your guide and host, Magnus, that horse herding in Iceland is a dying art, so this is a UNIQUE PRIVILEGE to be part of – both for the remarkable culture and the remarkable company!

Believe us when we say, once you’ve tölted under a midnight sun in Iceland beside none other than Warwick Schiller – your biggest equestrian mentor – there is no turning back. You’ll be transformed. FOREVER.

Fast Facts

  • Horse Breed:Icelandic horses - the jewel in the crown of this itinerary!
  • Pace:The pace varies on a daily basis but it’s a fast-paced ride. Expect to mostly trot and tölt, with the occasional canter. The pace is dictated by the herd of horses that you are riding alongside.
  • Type of tack:English all-purpose saddles and bridles.
  • Time in Saddle:4 to 6 hours in the saddle per day (this is also dependent on the weather, which could see you in the saddle for up to 8 hours).
  • Ride Length:7 days, 6 nights, with 6 riding days.
  • Seasons:August.
  • Riding Ability:Suitable for strong intermediate to advanced riders with good physical fitness. You must have had previous experience riding in English tack. You'll need to be up for an adventure and able to handle up to 6 hours' riding a day.  Not sure what your riding ability is? Watch THIS video to find out.
  • Weight Limit:A maximum of 100kg / 220lbs (depending on height, physical condition and riding ability). It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
  • Minimum age:18
  • Accommodation:Throughout the 7 day itinerary you’ll stay in varying accommodation. On 5 of the 6 nights, you’ll stay in comfortable cottages made up of 2 to 3 bedrooms, each with a shared bathroom. Although you may share a bathroom with just 1 other guest, please be prepared to share with up to 5 other guests. Assignment of rooms is at the hosts’ discretion, although special requests will be considered.
    On the remaining night you’ll stay in a remote, rustic mountain hut with 2 to 4 guests per room. There is warm running water for showering in this mountain hut. #winning
  • Inclusions:

    The price includes all ground transportation throughout the riding tour, private bus transfers between Reykjavik and Varmahlíð on days 1 and 7, and full board during the tour, starting with a light meal for lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the final day. Sleeping bags, mats, helmets, rain gear and saddlebags are also provided.

  • Exclusions:

    The price does not include alcoholic beverages, international flights, travel insurance and any additional activities outside the itinerary.

 

DEPARTURE DATES & RATES

NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% interest-free payment plan!

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes all ground transportation throughout the riding tour, private bus transfers between Reykjavik and Varmahlíð on days 1 and 7, and full board during the tour, starting with a light meal for lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the final day. Sleeping bags, mats, helmets, rain gear and saddlebags are also provided.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include alcoholic beverages, international flights, travel insurance and any additional activities outside the itinerary.

PLEASE NOTE:
– Specific security and content requirements apply to participate in this ride.
– Rescheduling or cancellation on short notice may occur, and there are limited refund rights, so comprehensive travel insurance and fully flexible travel and accommodation bookings are essential.

Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. Depending on the ride you choose to book and your country of residence, there will be a 1.2% to 2.9% surcharge.

Click HERE to read more about our fees and charges.
Click HERE to read our recommendations on which cards are best to use to avoid international transaction fees.
WHY IS THE PRICE QUOTED IN EUR?
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.

Itinerary

Expand AllCollapse All

Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change due to weather and other influencing factors.

Expand AllCollapse All
  • Day 1

    Welcome to Reykjavik, globetrotters! This morning you’ll meet up with your fellow globetrotters and the one and only Warwick Schiller (deep breaths, deep breaths!) and take the private bus to Varmahlíð (around 4.5 hours). Here you’ll be met by your guides and taken to the cottages where you’ll spend the night. After settling into your rooms and sharing a light lunch, everyone will head to the stables for the much-anticipated introduction to the herd of Icelandic horses {insert squeals of delight!}.

    For your debut ride, your guides will take you to the amazing natural paradise of the river delta of Héraðsvötn. The terrain offers the best possibilities to fully experience the gaits of the Icelandic horse, especially the legendary tölt.

    After an exhilarating ride, you’ll enjoy dinner together as a group before taking a relaxing bath in the natural hot tub under a dusky night sky (it doesn’t get dark until 10pm). It’ll likely be at this moment that you’ll pinch yourself just to make sure that all of this isn’t a DREAM.

    (Riding time: two hours.)

  • Day 2

    Today, your EPIC Icelandic adventure with Warwick Schiller begins in earnest (seriously, how lucky are you?!). After a hearty, stomach-sticking breakfast, you’ll be driven to the stables, saddle the horses and, together with the herd of free-running horses, start your six-day riding adventure. The accompanying herd allows all riders to change horses during the day, so your mounts can have a well-deserved rest and run free with their friends.

    This morning you’ll be riding through the stunning landscape of the river delta towards the pen known as Mælifellsrétt. The herd will get a slight head start on their journey towards the pen, and you’ll meet them there at around noon. After lunch, you’ll ride with the herd along a low-traffic road towards the south, deeper into the valley. You’ll end the ride at Gilhagi farm, where the horses will stay overnight.

    You and the gang will be transferred back to the cottages, where a delicious dinner will already be waiting for you upon arrival. A hot shower, flushing toilets and WiFi will be available. These are the perks of The Touch of the Highlands Ride: if you end up riding in less than ideal weather conditions, you know you’ll soon return to a warm and cosy cottage with a hot shower.

    (Riding time: four hours.)

  • Day 3

    You’ll be heading out this morning to spend a night in the highlands, so make sure you pack your luggage – a small backpack with just your essentials for two days will suit perfectly, and everything you don’t need can be left at the cottages until your return. After a short drive back to Gilhagi farm, you’ll mount up and ride through the scenic canyon Gilhagadalur and into the highlands. The lush meadows on the verge of the canyon are a welcome treat for the horses.

    Your destination is the mountain hut Galtará, located near the Blöndulón Reservoire in the wide moor Eyvindarstaðaheiði {try and pronounce that!}. The horses will also spend their night here, only a few steps away from your hut. Even though it’s remote, the Galtará hut has the added luxury of running hot water and showers – yay! No doubt Warwick will have a few stories to share across the dinner table tonight. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see the Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers shimmering in the soft light of the midnight sun.

    (Riding time: six to seven hours.)

  • Day 4

    After breakfast at this charming, valley-perched mountain hut, you’ll prepare for another adventurous day. Leaving the peaceful Galtará and the stillness of the highlands behind, you’ll follow wide riding trails that allow for endless tölting. Depending on the weather, you may even be able to pick crowberries, the aromatic wild thymian, or the healthy Iceland moss.

    As you descend from Eyvindarstaðaheiði further into the Svartárdalur valley, you will see your destination: the corral Stafnsrétt, where the sheep are collected every autumn. Your horses will rest here for the night, while you, Warwick and your fellow globetrotters are driven back to the cottages.

    (Riding time: four to five hours.)

  • Day 5

    After being transported back out to Stafnsrétt this morning, you’ll be reunited with the herd and begin the journey towards home. The paths alternate between soft riding trails that are perfect for tölting and more challenging, rugged terrain. You’ll gasp in amazement at the horses’ strength and stamina as they climb across rocky mountainsides. With his long legs, Warwick might have to watch his feet on the uphill! From the mountain pass Kiðaskarð, you’ll be able to catch one last glimpse of the faraway highlands and the majestic glaciers – just a peek into the stunning natural wonderland this country has on offer.

    You’ll continue your descent towards the pen Mælifellrétt, which you might remember from the lunch break on the second day. The horses will stay here while your group heads back to your comfortable cottages to wait in anticipation for the last exciting riding day to come.

    (Riding time: five hours.)

  • Day 6

    It’s time for a good dose of history, globetrotters, because after breakfast you’re visiting Glaumbær, where you’ll see how Icelanders lived many years ago. Then it’s time to saddle the horses for the last time. With their heads turned for home, it will be a fast and exciting ride. On the way, you’ll stop for lunch at Stokkhólmi farm. Now you’re in for a real treat: having perfected the art of riding the tölt, with the expert help of skilled instructors and well-trained pacing horses, you’ll get to experience the famous ‘flying pace’!

    Finally, you’ll ride back to the stables at Vindheimamelar, were you’ll say a VERY sad farewell to the trusty Icelandic mounts who have carried you on this incredible journey and allowed you to witness Warwick’s amazing horsemanship firsthand. Then it’s back to the cottages, where a final feast awaits. To finish the ride off in true Icelandic style, you can jump into the stone hot tub, sit back and reminisce about the incredible memories you’ve made in the Icelandic Highlands.

    (Riding time: approximately 3 hours)

  • Day 7

    After breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to your wonderful guides and hosts, who will undoubtedly have become lifelong friends. Then you’ll be transferred back to Reykjavik via private bus, no doubt raving with Warwick about the unforgettable memories you now share.

  • Transfer Information

    We recommend arriving in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, one or two days prior to the start of your ride, so that you have time to recover from jet lag and have a look around this gorgeous city before heading off into the wilderness. On our exploratory trip to Iceland, we fell in LOVE with Reykjavik and can recommend a range of things to do.

    Private return bus transfers between Reykjavik and Varmahlíð (where the ride is located) are included in the ride price.

    You’ll be picked up from your hotel accommodation between 9-10am on day 1 of your ride (a specific meeting location and time will be provided by your hosts via email a week before your trip).

    You’ll arrive in Varmahlíð at around 2pm, where you’ll be met by your Icelandic guides and enjoy a light lunch before heading to the riding stable, which is located 8km outside of Varmahlíð.

    On day 7, you’ll be transported back to your Reykjavik accommodation, arriving between 2-4pm. Should you wish to begin your return journey home this day, you’ll be dropped off at the Flybus Airport bus stop, where you’ll be able to make your own way to the airport. Please don’t book departing flights home before 8pm this evening.

  • The Horses

    The Icelandic horse is a unique breed of smallish horse that came to Iceland with the first settlers from Norway 1,100 years ago. Archeological digs in Europe have revealed that the breed is a descendant of an ancient breed that is now extinct outside of Iceland.

    The Icelandic, as it is commonly referred to, is known for being sure-footed and able to navigate rough terrain with ease. It displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The first additional gait is a four-beat lateral ambling gait called the tölt. The tölt is known for its explosive acceleration and speed; it is also comfortable and ground-covering. The breed also performs a pace called skeið, or “flying pace”. Skeið is used in pacing races, and is fast and smooth, with some horses able to reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. It is not a gait for long-distance travel. The Icelandic horse comes in almost every imaginable colour, and the Icelandic language includes more than 100 names for the various coat colours and patterns.

    The Icelandic breed is extremely popular internationally, and for good reason: you need to ride these horses to understand. A sizeable population exists in Europe and North America, but NOTHING beats riding Icelandic horses in their natural habitat. In their native country, they have few diseases; as a result, Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported, and exported animals are not allowed to return. In Iceland, the breed continues to be used for farm work in addition to showing, racing and recreational riding.

  • Warwick Schiller

    Warwick Schiller is a renowned horseman and equestrian of many disciplines. Australian born, he moved to the USA in his early twenties to pursue his dream of training horses. Specialising in Reining, he eventually became an NRHA Reserve World Champion and represented Australia at the 2010 and 2018 World Equestrian Games. It was around this time that his coaching skills started gaining widespread recognition. His students included NRHA World Champions, NRHA Rookie of the Year, Australian Champions, U.S. Champions and a fellow World Equestrian Games team member. Not only that, his online training videos helped ever-more equestrians around the world build trust and connection with their horses.

    Warwick now devotes his time to solving behavioural challenges in all sorts of horses (and people!). He empowers equestrians with the tools and understanding needed to create strong, positive relationships with their horses. He has created a vast online community passionate about horsemanship and personal growth, with a video library of over 900 real-time training sessions. Warwick shares further insights through The Journey On Podcast, where he shines a spotlight on inspirational equestrians and key figures in his personal journey. In all his pursuits, from sharing horsemanship insights to competing in the Gaucho Derby and – yes – Globetrotting with the Stars, Warwick continues to promote connection and wellbeing for both horses and riders.

STORIES FROM THE SADDLE

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RIDE OR WHICH IS MOST SUITABLE FOR YOU?

CONTACT US DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET