Reykjavik
Top activities in Reykjavik

Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik

Badge of ExcellenceReykjavík, Iceland

From $199.40

Select Date and Travelers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Reykjavik Tours
All Reykjavik Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 9 hours (approx.)
  • Hotel pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

For a day out with horses and hot springs, look no further than this full-day tour from Reykjavik. After a horseback ride on a unique Icelandic horse, take an express tour of some key Golden Circle sights: Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir hot spring area, UNESCO-listed Thingvellir, and the village of Hveragerdi. The ride is suitable for all levels of experience, and takes in the rugged countryside on the capital’s outskirts.
  • Combined Viking horse ride and afternoon Gulfoss and Geysir Express tour
  • Ride on an Icelandic horse, a breed unchanged since the 9th century and known for its docile nature
  • Thingvellir, the oldest functioning parliament in the world
  • Geysir and Strokkur hot springs
  • Pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik area hotels and guesthouses

What's Included

  • Pickup and drop-off from cruise ports, hotels and designated meeting points in the Reykjavik area
  • Professional English speaking guide
  • National Park fees
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Guided horse riding tour
  • Necessary gear for riding
  • WiFi on board
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Meeting points

Select a meeting point
Type to search

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

09:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Pick-up from all hotels, bus stops and other meeting points is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the tour. You must contact the local operator after booking to confirm your pick-up location or meeting point.

What To Expect

After pickup from your Reykjavik hotel or other designated pickup point, head to a ranch on the city outskirts to meet your trusty steed. A breed that dates back to Viking days, the Icelandic horse is known for being gentle and steady-footed—a perfect ride for both first-timers and pros alike. Mount your horse and head out for your horseback ride around the quiet countryside that skirts Reykjavik.

When your ride ends, return to your coach for the journey to Gullfoss and the Geysir hot water springs. On the way, enjoy a stop at UNESCO-listed Thingvellir, a national park that’s home to the so-called ‘rift valley’—where the continental tectonic plates meet—and the ancient site of the Icelandic parliament.

After a stroll around Thingvellir, continue to the waterfall of Gullfoss. Set in a canyon on the Hvítá River, the falls are said to be the most impressive in Iceland, with cascading flumes of water flanked by magnificent scenery. Pose for photos, and then resume your tour with a visit to the nearby hot springs of Geysir and Strokkur.

Your day trip then ends with a hotel drop-off back in Reykjavik.

Laxnes Horse Farm

Known for their small yet robust statures, gentle temperments and unique fifth gait (tölt), the Icelandic horse as a breed has remained virtually the same since it was first brought to Iceland at the peak of the Viking Age in the 9th century. You’ll ride out into the picturesque Icelandic landscape of Laxnes just outside of the city of Reykjavik and experience the land in the manner similar to that of the early settlers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, this tour is wonderful way to enjoy roaming the Icelandic countryside

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Golden Circle Route

Iceland's most popular sightseeing route. The first stop on this tour is Thingvellir National Park, a designated UNESCO world heritage site. This is where Icelandic democracy began more than 1,000 years ago on the fields of parliament (Thingvellir) and it’s also where two tectonic plates are gradually separating creating a gorgeous landscape of steep cliffs and broad fields featuring Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. Next up, you will see one of the most popular and powerful waterfalls in Iceland is Gullfoss (golden falls). The roar of the Hvita River falling over two tiers into the gorge below is exhilarating and on sunny days creates rainbow upon rainbow. With your camera and a good raincoat, you’ll be able to capture the beauty of the waterfall and its rainbows from several angels by way of the paths available around the waterfall, including one that leads to its bottom. From Gullfoss you’ll continue on to Geysir geothermal area with its boiling mud pits, steam vents, Geysir, the namesake of all geysers, and Strokkur a geyser that erupts on a regular basis to the delight, and sometimes surprise, of onlookers.

6 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Minimum age for horse riding is 8 years
  • No previous horse-riding experience is required
  • Necessary gear will be provided for the horse riding
  • Meals are not included, but stops will be made at local restaurants or shops where meals and snacks can be purchased.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infant seats available
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

See more

Traveler Tips

Be prepared for a bit of an adrenaline rush when the horses start their tölt uphill.
Reviews
4.5
121 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
0
0
0
0
0
Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 121 reviews
Magical Experience
Candice_W, Nov 2022
The horses were amazing and what great scenery! All the staff were great! Bus drivers got us where we needed to go and great informative information throughout the day. Highly recommend.
Great Horseback Riding..skip the rest
Michelle_M, Oct 2022
I would 1000% recommend the horseback riding portion of this tour. It was great! It’s at Laxness Farm and the adults had as much fun as the eight year olds! BUT the rest of the tour would be a NO for me. The bus stops and picks people up along the way at other places and it really cuts into your time. The stops are too fast for the most part except when we got stuck at the falls AN ENTIRE HIUR PAST DEPARTURE. We had to wait on a tour group coming in from snowmobiling the glacier and they were late because they had to dig out their snowmobiles the first hour of their tour. We did have a building where we could grab a snack and wait but most of us had other plans that were dependent on getting back as advertised. Greyline did provide transportation to the harbor so we could make our tour that night but it was awful not being able to go back to the hotel and freshen up before a late night, especially with kids. Also, the tour bus was packed on the way back and very hot and stuffy. I think it was a bit unprofessional to tell everyone when they went to board to leave that it would be at least an hour delay. It caused stress you don’t need on vacation. Hindsight, I’d just rent a car and drive myself to have the time at the stops I want and not be stranded.
Excellent!
Sarah, Jul 2021
We loved the owners of the farm - so kind and experienced - and loved the ride - the horses were so sweet and the landscape was stunningly beautiful!
Beautiful horses beautiful views
Monica_M, Jul 2021
The stable owner is lovely and the horses are beautiful. The view on the ride is fantastic. Be prepared for a bit of an adrenaline rush when the horses start their tölt uphill.
Hot to Trot
Lauren_DeFeo, Mar 2020
Wow! What a fabulous experience! I have used Viator before for a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and it was wonderful! This time, my friend and I booked a horseback riding and Golden Circle tour in Iceland… Horseback riding was terrific, the park was beautiful, the waterfalls were stunning and the geyser totally cool! All three gift shops were also amazing! In addition, our tour guy, Simon, made the bus rides fly by... Thanks you guys!
Amazing!!!!
HUSNAH_K, Oct 2019
highly recommended tour,I had a lot of fun, all thanks to Mr. Darren an excellent tour guide with a touch of humor and Ms. Derifa who drive us back safely in reykjavik
Excellent tour
Norma_H, Sep 2019
The horse riding was amazing. The scenery was beautiful especially the waterfall. The horses were fun to ride at all gaits. The lunch was delicious and staff at the farm very friendly and helpful The Golden Circle tour was also great. Darren the tour guide made the day very interesting and he provided many helpful tips for our Iceland visit. The first stop should have been slightly longer. We felt rushed and felt we didn't get to enjoy the beautiful landscape fully I would highly recommend this tour
Amazing and Unique experience
unicornrainbowstar, Aug 2019
We rode the Icelandic Horses on my 8 year old daughter's birthday. It was a wonderful and lovely time. While we aren't expert riders, the little bit of experience riding allowed us to participate in the "fast group" returning back to the stable which was quite a thrill. The guides were pleasant and knowledgable. The gait of these special horses was so smooth and enjoyable. I highly recommend!
Great Fun!
Guide29842663719, Jun 2019
Riding the Icelandic Ponies was more fun than we expected. The people were well organized and very friendly. Terrific experience!!
Great way to start Iceland vacation
Angela S, Apr 2019
We are a family 4 including an 8 year old and 11 year old, and we ALL enjoyed it. The Laxness horse farm was very inviting, and the guides were such a pleasure. The tour itself was very well planned. Darren was very informative and entertaining. We took him up on several of his suggestions and he was spot on.
Really a lot of fun. The horse...
Monica_N, Aug 2018
Really a lot of fun. The horse riding was excellent and fun for all levels of horse riding experience. The falls were gorgeous and the geyser was great. Our guide Deryn even told us where we could go to have some fun in Reykjavik
Gorgeous Views
Lindsey_C, Jun 2018
The Viking Horse Riding was such a great experience. It was a highlight of our trip! When you first get to the farm, you will put on rain pants, jacket, helmet and boots. Also, remember to grab gloves or your hands will be very cold by the end of the ride. Then, the staff will set you up with a horse for your experience level. As a group with the staff you will ride into the country side of Iceland. The views are breathtaking and are only able to be experienced from the horse out in nature. On the ride the horses will all stay together, but you will have opportunities to trot and gallop a little on the horse. The staff are very helpful if you are an inexperienced rider. Half way through you will stop for a rest at a beautiful waterfall. Then, you will journey back to the farm. After you change out of the rain gear, you will have lunch on the farm while you wait for the Golden Circle tour bus to pick you up. The lunch is soup and bread and you do have to pay for it. As everything in Iceland, it is expensive, but it does hit the spot after being out in the cold on the horses. You will have to wait around for about an hour before the bus for the Golden Circle tour will pick you up.
The viking horse ride was so much...
Marlen_C, Apr 2018
The viking horse ride was so much fun!! The horses are well trained and the staff is very friendly. Really made me feel like a local to go horseback riding through the nearby roads, trails, and river.
One of a kind experience! Went in...
Leslie T, Feb 2018
One of a kind experience! Went in Jan and it was so cool! The people at the farm were really nice and the animals were treated very well. This is for sure one of our tours we won't forget. Riding in the snow on these beautiful horses was great. Nice and warm with the gear they provided. I would love to come back and do it again.
I am rating the horse riding...
Sheri H, Oct 2017
I am rating the horse riding experience a 5 star event. And the half day golden circle only a 3 star. I would recommend the horse riding experience to everyone as it allowed new and more experienced riders a chance to shine. The guides and horses were top of the line. The golden circle half day was long, boring, too much time at each stop and guide was not very good. This was with Gray Line.
The stable and horseback ride was...
Julie_R, Sep 2017
The stable and horseback ride was wonderful, the tour of the golden circle was packed full of waterfalls, geysers, and amazing landscapes.
The horse part isn't that great...
Siyu Z, Mar 2017
The horse part isn't that great, even though the people at the farm were very nice, the experience could be improved. You get dropped off with no instructions on what's happening, paired up with a horse that they deem fitting, and off you go with the herd. No basic instructions/tips on how to properly ride, no information about the horses and what makes them special. The ride itself was nice but again, you're in a big group 30-ish and following the leader in a single file line. The guides don't do any talking during the ride. You get off a little more than halfway through the ride, they don't tell you why, I assume to give the horses a break. The people and horses were just standing there with nothing to do. My horse tried to eat some snow, it would have been nice to have a snack to feed them. My horse also didn't seem to be too happy, but I'm no expert so maybe my assessment is incorrect. After the morning horse ride is done, you get picked up by a golden circle tour bus from reykjavik.
Me and my 2 girls deeply loved this...
Laura_O, Jan 2017
Me and my 2 girls deeply loved this experience. The Icelandic horses are among the sweetest animals I ever met, they were very docile and so easy to ride! I adapted very quickly to the Icelandic riding style and loved every second of my ride. My 7 years old and my 10 years old loved it too down to their hearts. The farmers felt true local people as well as the food and their simplicity transmitted a true warmth to my soul which I discovered in that moment was longing for a real escape from a crazy tarmac and bricks world. I didn't mind the stinging cold and rain a bit. My young daughter played for hours with the farmers' dog at was bringing back a tiny stone to her to be thrown over and over again. The afternoon geysir tour has also been nice and very interesting from a geological point of view.
The horses and the farm were very...
Jessica P, Dec 2016
The horses and the farm were very fun and friendly! We did this tour in the winter, which meant dark was falling middle of the bus tour and by the time we reached Strokkur it was completely dark.
LOVED THIS. I love riding horses so...
Jeffrey H, Nov 2016
LOVED THIS. I love riding horses so riding the Icelandic ones was a great experience
...

Explore Similar Things to Do

Attractions in Reykjavík, Iceland

Help CenterCustomer CarePrivacy and Cookies StatementAbout ViatorNewsViator blog
© 1997-2023 Viator, Inc.
Terms & Conditions