Snaefellsnes by the Sea
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Snaefellsnes
Many travellers skip this part of Iceland making it a real hidden gem, and with its vast grasslands it’s a nice counterpart to the more rugged interior. As you approach the Snaefellsnes peninsula you’ll have a stunning view of the towering volcano in the distance, which makes for a great picture. You will be welcomed by an Icelandic couple as you pull up to their small family guesthouse.
Day 2 – Summer: Hiking Snaefellsnes and lava cave excursion
After a long drive yesterday, it’s time to get out and stretch your legs today. Take a walk along the deeply carved bird cliffs at Arnarstapi, where you can see fulmars and kittiwakes. Walk past bizarre lava formations and a waterfall to a coffee house with lovely terrace. They offer an incredibly tempting homemade chocolate cake and the waffles with whipped cream are delicious too. After your coffee stop, head to a small local farm for your horse riding adventure.
Together with your experienced guide and a small group of fellow equine lovers you’ll head out on an unforgettable ride. You’ll trot along the golden shoreline below Snæfellsjökull, on Hraunlandarif beach, between Búdir and Arnarstapi, where the views are simply breath-taking. The pace depends on the group but it usually is slow and you aren’t required to be an experienced rider.
Day 2 – Winter: Orca spotting excursion
In winter, large troops of orcas come along the coast, so dress warmly today as you will be heading out to sea in search of these majestic animals. They are here to hunt the herrings that congregate in the fjords. Be ready, because they can be difficult to spot and you do, it’s a truly wonderful experience as the water spurts above the surface and you see a fin emerge. After about two hours on the water you’ll head back to harbour. Due to its remote location, Snaefellsnes is also ideal to see the Northern Lights, so a night walk is highly recommended to end the day with a little more excitement.
Day 3 – Departure from Snaefellsnes
Hopefully by now you were lucky enough to have experienced all three highlights during your stay at Snaeffelsness: orcas, whales and the special northern lights. If you can’t get enough of it and want more walks along the cliff coast or if you want to go into the nearby lava cave, you can of course extend your stay here. Just let your travel specialist know.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Half-day horse riding adventure
This is an alternative activity should you wish a longer ride. Today you’ll walk, trot and canter (if you’re up for it) across incredible Icelandic landscape and on to one of the longest beaches. Your adventure begins on a small local farm, where, together with your guide and a small group of equine lovers, you’ll hop on your horses and ride long the mountains and through the green fields. You’ll reach a viewpoint where you can see the valleys and lava fields underneath you, and head to the beautiful Longufjorur beach, where you’ll ride along the shoreline to the sound of the Atlantic Ocean. On your way back to the stables you’ll make a stop at the black church and continue your adventure through the lava fields and down a stone-marked path used by the Icelanders for over 1200 years.
