Hestaleigan Kátur
Guided Horseback Riding Tours in Akureyri
+354 69 57 218 | hestaleiga@hestaleiga.is
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A few words about us
Let us introduce ourselves
Did you know that the Icelandic word “Kátur” means joyous? We also want to share the joy of riding with you. Our horse rental Hestaleigan Kátur in Akureyri offers horse riding in Iceland. Come and join us on a 1-2 hour-long guided horse riding tour. Families, groups or single travellers, everyone is welcome! We also offer custom-made riding trips, tailored to your wishes. It doesn´t matter whether you are an experienced rider or not, we will choose the right horse for you. Discover the stunning landscape around Akureyri on our gentle Icelandic horses as there is no such thing than experiencing Iceland while riding on a horse.
We are looking forward to meeting you!
Our Riding Tours
Guided Riding Tours
For beginners and experienced riders
Iceland is famous for its horses. So a horseback ride is something you should not miss on your trip to Iceland. You don´t need to be worried if you have never sat on a horse. We have around 25 calm and well-trained horses for every level of experience. For newbies to horseback riding, we recommend the one-hour-ride. For experienced riders we also offer 2-hour-fast-rides. On every tour, we adjust the peace of the tour to our guests’ needs. This way you can spend the entire tour just walking or if you want to go fast, you can enjoy the tour on the horses’ special gait tölt or trott. You don´t need to decide before the tour starts whether you want to go fast or slow. You can choose after 20 minutes of the ride :). If you are not sure whether a horseback ride is the right activity for you, you will find all answers about physical conditions and weight limits (110 kg /220 Lbs) also here.
In summer our tours start close to the beautiful river Eyjafjord where we also ride along. In winter we meet at the stables just out-of-town. Both locations are reachable within a 5-10 minutes drive from the center of Akureyri. Click here to see the locations the map.
Did you know that the Icelandic horse has 5 different gaits?
By the way…
Worried about the rain?
You are not sure if you want to go fast or slow?
Please leave at home:
Choose Your Tour
1-hour, 2-hour- and custom-made-tours
Little Kids
Custom-Made-Tours
2-Hour-Tour
1-Hour-Tour
Perfect for beginners and experienced riders
Riding School
Our Riding Lessons for Children
From the age of 5 and older
If and when there will be riding classes in the summer of 2018 will be announced in May. Follow us on Facebook to not miss it.
The riding courses are split into theoretical and practical teaching. Even if there are some theoretical teachings, the course mainly revolves around the practical element of horseback riding. The emphasis is on each child gaining the skills and abilities needed to ride and control the horse. Throughout the duration of the course, each child will use the same horse to better be able to form a bond with it. Participants are also allowed to bring their own horse to the course. Our riding courses are split into different levels for different ages and experience.
What you need to bring:
Packed lunch every day (except the last day) & dress according to the weather.
Parts of the course:
The Different Courses
From the age of 5 and older
Choose Your Class
Find the right class for your age and experience
Foles:
These courses are for children aged 5-6. In a fole-group the children learn the basics of caring for horses and riding, as well as riding form and control.
- Costs: ISK 16000-20000
- Dates: not dates for the summer 2018 yet
Ponies:
These courses are for children, 7 or older, who are taking their first equestrian steps. In a pony-group the children learn the basics of caring for horses and riding, riding form and control. Additionally, they will be taught about the horse’s conformation and behaviour.
- Costs: ISK 16000-20000
- Dates: not dates for the summer 2018 yet
Riding horses:
These courses are for children aged 7 or older that have already learned the basics of riding. In this course the emphasis is on balance and that children manage to form a solid connection and trust with their horse. During the course the participants will also get to go on fun riding trips in the surrounding area.
- Costs: ISK 16000-20000
- Dates: not dates for the summer 2018 yet
Travel horses:
This course is solely for children, 10 years or older, which are already experienced riders. In a travel horse group the emphasis is on taking long riding trips and how to look after the horse during such long trips. In these groups everyone brings their packed lunches on the trips and we eat it together out in nature.
- Costs: ISK 16000-20000
- Dates: not dates for the summer 2018 yet
Adults´ classes
No dates confirmed yet
How to proceed and register
Courses need to be paid up front and those children that want to attend courses at Katur Horse Rental need to bring a safety instruction form on the first day of the course. Otherwise, we can´t accept the children into the course. The safety instruction will be sent to you on request.
Course registrations & inquiry:
Terms & Conditions
The course fees have to be paid on the first day of the course. If for some reason you need to cancel, you must do so with at least a week’s notice. Otherwise, you will be charged a certain amount of the fee. Nevertheless we can also try to move the child participating into a different course.
Every child participating in the course must bring in a safety instruction form on the first day. That form should list pertinent information about the child and its care, and contact information of parents/guardians. Should something happen to the child during the course, that safety form and a staff member will escort the child to the hospital. All information will be treated in accordance with laws and regulations regarding personal information. Under no circumstances will this information be given to a third party.
Media
The Team
Baldur Rúnarsson
Baldur Rúnarsson was born and raised in Hveragerði, South Iceland. He has been riding horses since he was a little kid. He has also been training , shoeing and successfully breeding horses for many years now.
Maríanna, Eva, Rakel & Kristjana
Tour guides and riding instructors from Iceland.
Elena
- Tour guide (German)
- Marketing (online & print)
- Sales & aquisition
Booking
Book your Riding Tour
One/two-hour-ride
A one-hour-tour costs ISK 7500. A two-hour-tour is ISK 11000. You can also book a pick up with it for ISK 1500.
How to book:
- Find your tour and fill out the form
- Wait for our reply: we will either confirm it or contact you to find another tour.
- Pay for your tour: we will contact you to inform you about the different ways of payment.
- Your booking is confirmed 🙂
To those of you, who are curious why some tours are called 1-hour-tour and some are called 1-hour-tour-s: it is exactly the same tour for you … 😉
Ts & Cs: Cancellation and Cancellation Charges:
A cancellation has to be made at least 2 hours before the horseback riding tour is supposed to start. If a cancellation is made with less than 2-hours-notice 100% of the tour price must be paid.
Liability
Hestaleigan Kátur reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should it be necessary. 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, weather, or other causes outside the control of Hestaleigan Kátur. The traveller himself has to take care of all such losses and expenses.
This might have crossed your mind – our FAQs:
How do I book?
You can book online (see above) or phone us (+354)69 57 218
How do I cancel?
Please note that you have to cancel at least 2 hours before the departure of the tour otherwise the full charge applies. If you are worried about the weather, we offer rain coats and trousers as well as gloves. The weather in Iceland changes quickly. So if it is raining now, it can be bright sunshine an hour later 😉
What time is the pick up?
Pick up time is 30 to 15 minutes before the tour starts – unless you get a different information on the phone or via mail.
When do I need to be there?
Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour starts.
What do I need to bring?
Please dress according to the weather, wear closed and warm shoes. As you are going horseback riding you might not want to wear your best clothes. You don´t really need a backpack or bag on the tour as your hands will be busy holding the reins 😉 You can leave everything that you don´t need in our cabin.
This might have crossed your mind – our FAQs:
Can I bring my own riding equipment?
It is not allowed to bring used riding equipment to Iceland as our horses could catch a disease. Even if they are disinfected, cloths containing leather and riding helmets are not allowed to be brought to Iceland at all.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes, even tough Icelandic horses are very strong our weight limit is 110 kg / 220 Lbs.
Are there age limits?
To go on a riding tour children need to be at least 5 years old. If they are younger than 5 years they can be led by the rein. But if a child is capable of going on a 1 or 2-hour ride also depends on its height an experience. Simply email or phone us and we are happy to help to find the right tour.
We don´t have a maximum age. No matter how old you are, you need to be in the physical condition to mount, ride and dismount the horse yourself. We are happy to give you a little help through giving you a little push on your back – but there is no such thing as a ramp.
Are there other restrictions / limits?
You need to be in the physical condition to mount, ride and dismount the horse yourself. We are happy to help you by giving you a little push on your back to get on the horse – but there is no such thing as a ramp.
How can I prepare for my ride?
Before your horseback riding tour starts, we will give you a thorough introduction to horseback riding. Nevertheless, you are welcome to read our Information sheet before you come to us 🙂
Contact
Location
Summer
Winter
Horseback Riding Tours
Summer Tours
Kaupvangsbakkar, Eyjafjarðarsveit
Unnamed Road
601 Akureyri
Island
Winter Tours
Sörlaskjól 6
603 Akureyri
Island
Business Address
Hestaleigan Kátur
Ferðafákar ehf.
Bakkatröð 8
601 Akureyri
Island
Kennintala: 6305140960
(+354)69 57 218
Get in touch
