Working & Horseback riding in the East fjords
Working & Horseback riding in the East fjords
WORK/PROJECT:
SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to work in the far East of the country doing various tasks around a horse farm in the East fjords.
Tasks will include forestry work around the horse farm, cutting, plating and rearranging trees. Other tasks will be cleaning up old fences from the land and replacing them, and working in the outhouses of the farm.
We will also assist our host with gardening and the surroundings of the area. While we help to beautify the area and the facilities, we will explore the surroundings and enjoy free time activities such as horseback riding, swimming and hiking.
There will be horseback riding available to us. Great experience is not required, only good physical state and a sense of adventure. The Icelandic horse is a rather small breed and it is the only one in the world which is able to trot. The Icelandic horse is strong and quite easy to train, and has been very popular in other European countries.
ACCOMMODATION:
SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house; in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities and will divide the tasks among themselves. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.
LOCATION:
Volunteers will stay in the East fjords of Iceland, in the municipality of Fjarðabyggð. In 2011 the population of Fjarðabyggð was around 4600 inhabitants making it the 10th most populous municipality in Iceland.
In the eastern fjords volunteers can enjoy the remarkable mountain scenery with mountains in almost every direction you look, majestic peaks, mysterious ravines and deep valleys. Most of them are formed by layers of lava that have piled up through the millenniums. The edges of the land have risen creating the appearance that the mountains are stepping up from the ocean.
It is said that a visit to the east is a mountain therapy; some believe that they are good for body and soul, can be inspiring and give unexplained energy. Locals do not go without warning visitors of trolls and elves that live in cliffs, rocks and caves in the mountains. If you look carefully in the landscape you can see trolls that got caught by the sunlight and turned into rocks, and many of the mountains bear names of trolls.
Hikers will find challenges that suit them and enjoy the wonderful scenery and the mountains in Fjardabyggð are the oldest part of Iceland.
The geology is unique and very interesting to explore. The mountain Sandfell in Fáskrúðsfjörður is a quite unique geological phenomenon similar to the Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro.
LANGUAGE:
English will be the language in the camp; high proficiency is not required.
TERMINAL:
Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic airport is Egilsstaðir (EGS).
SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.
EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:
Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros).
SEEDS and/or our hosting partner will organise free time activities as horse-back riding, swimming pool, finding trails and some hikes in the beautiful mountain scenery in the East fjords.
Volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors and to take part in all the diverse projects.
Age: 18+